Cheap Flights to Venecia from HK$249

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be tough. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips for a comfortable start to your getaway in Venecia. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First, put in your passport, official ID, bank cards and medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a laptop crammed with your favourite movies are always good options. If you plan to take a quick snooze, a comfy neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll arrive at your destination looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable substances, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and opt for shoes that are flat and easy to slip on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by extended periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Walk around the cabin and give your legs a stretch or do some gentle exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

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

• First things first. Your passport and boarding pass will need to be shown to security personnel. Keep them at hand so you don't have to dig around for them.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings like your belt, coat and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronics, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or hand cream, that you want to bring on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Big boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in the cabin. If you must bring these kinds of items, check them in.