Cheap Flights to San Nicolás de Ibarra from HK$1,040

If you're not prepared, travelling can be daunting. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips for a pain-free start to your getaway in San Nicolás de Ibarra. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a comfortable experience if you've got all the right stuff. First of all you'll need basic toiletry items, such as toothpaste, a toothbrush and some deodorant, a spare set of clothes and a few magazines. Secondly, leave space in your hand luggage for your electronic gadgets, chargers, any vital medications and maybe a neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, remember to take your passport, travel docs and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items differs between airlines, the general rule to follow is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes tools, metal cutlery, fireworks and fuel. Sporting equipment like baseball bats, and objects that could injure passengers, such as firearms and ammunition, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by donning layers, and opt for flat, enclosed footwear like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

Being prepared before your flight will help make your getaway to San Nicolás de Ibarra a pleasure. Read through our useful tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• Be sure to keep your travel documents and passport at hand. They're the first things you'll be asked for by airport security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All electronic gadgets, including your tablet and phone, must also be scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to take on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• It's also likely that you'll need to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a smart idea.
• Sharp items like knives can't be taken on board. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.