Cheap Flights to Porto from HK$1,177

Depending on where you're coming from, your flight to Porto could be completely painless or it could go on forever. Here are some useful hints that will help you start your next great escape on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Travelling on a plane can be a cruisy experience if you've got all the right stuff. Firstly, you'll want some toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a spare pair of socks and a good novel. Secondly, find a spot in your bag for your laptop, a charger, your medications and perhaps a comfy neck pillow as well. Lastly, and most importantly, be sure to take your passport, travel docs and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive products, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to be as comfortable as possible. Pick flat, closed-toe shoes, dress in loose, breathable clothing and remember to bring a jacket in case you get cold in the cabin.
• Most travellers are aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To reduce your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks and keep your legs and feet moving.

As savvy travellers know, the secret is to be organised before you reach the security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Porto before you know it. Follow these helpful tips and get your holiday off to a great start:

• Be sure to have your passport and boarding pass handy. They're the first items you'll be asked for by security.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your belt, jacket and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• It's also likely that you'll be asked to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a good idea.
• Sharp items like knives are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.