Cheap Flights to Santo Domingo from HK$8,430

We've got the lowdown on how to make your journey as enjoyable as possible. Follow our insider tips and you'll be cruising through airport security and having a blast in Santo Domingo in no time at all. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First, put in your passport, travel docs, wallet and daily medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to help pass the time. A juicy novel and a phone crammed with your favourite shows are always good options. If you intend to catch more than just forty winks, a neck pillow and some noise-cancelling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some facial wipes to ensure you arrive at your destination feeling fresh and raring to go.

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 a Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as flares, bleaching agents and strong acids, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft aren't the place for a fashion parade. Don comfortable layers and go for shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to take on and off.
• The result of sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers during long flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your legs moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

Being organised before you get to the airport can make your trip to Santo Domingo quick and painless. Check out our handy hints for a stress-free journey past security:

• Be sure to have your ID and travel documents someplace easily accessible. They'll be the first things you'll be asked for by airport 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 trigger the alarms. Items such as your belt, jacket and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your tablet and phone, will also need to be scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to bring on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Big boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp or pointed objects to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.