Cheap Flights to San Francisco de Macorís from HK$1,517

We've pulled together all the info you need to make your journey as pain-free as possible. Follow our tips and you'll be cruising through the airport and having a blast in San Francisco de Macorís in no time at all. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Travelling on a plane can be easy if you bring the right gear. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletry items, such as lip balm and hand cream, a spare change of clothes and something to read. Next, make room in your carry-on bag for your laptop, a charger, medications and maybe a neck pillow too. Last, but definitely not least, don't forget to take your passport, travel docs and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) hiding in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable products, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by layering up, and wear flat, enclosed footwear like sneakers.
• Most of us have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. To lower your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks and keep your feet and legs moving.

Being prepared before you get to the airport can make your getaway to San Francisco de Macorís quick and painless. Check out our top tips for a speedy journey past security:

• Have your boarding pass and passport within close reach. They're the first items you'll be asked to show at security.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Remove anything metal on you that is likely to set off the alarm. This includes items like earphones or headphones, as well as heavy jackets or coats. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic devices must also go through the scanner.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Pocket knives and other sharp items can't be taken on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked bags.