Cheap Flights to Oz from HK$389

If you're not prepared, travelling can be challenging. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a pleasant start to your time in Oz. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be easy if you bring the right things. First things first, you'll need toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a clean set of clothes and a good read. Next, find a spot in your bag for your phone and charger, any daily medications and perhaps a cosy neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, remember to take your passport, travel docs and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a sharp object hiding in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable goods, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft aren't the place for a fashion parade. Dress in comfortable layers and choose shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to remove.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

A little pre-planning before you get to the airport will help make your trip to Oz a pleasure. Check out our useful tips and tricks for a stress-free journey past security:

• Keep your ID and boarding pass someplace easily accessible. They're the first things you'll be asked to present to security.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your coat, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, must also be separately scanned.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a practical footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Hiking boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.