Cheap Flights to San Jose from HK$288

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you prepare well enough. We've put together a list of top travel tips that will get your San Jose holiday started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a stress-free travel experience is to plan ahead. So, let's start with the basics: passport, official ID, bank cards and any vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help pass the time, like your laptop or a good book. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of headphones. And of course, be sure to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked luggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated. Sharp objects, like your treasured Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, flares and poisons, are also restricted.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft are no place for a fashion parade. Dress in comfortable layers and go for shoes that are roomy, flat and easy to slip on and off.
• The result of sustained periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers on long-haul flights. Lower your risks by staying hydrated, keeping your lower limbs moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

The answer is simple — be organised. We've pulled together some helpful hints for an easy trip through security. Look out San Jose, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to know that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be scanned.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. 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 single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a good chance you'll need to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Sharp items like knives are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked suitcase.