Cheap Flights to Athens

If you're not prepared, air travel can be overwhelming. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a trouble-free start to your time in Athens. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Travelling on a plane can be a cruisy experience if you take the right stuff. Firstly, you'll need toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a clean pair of socks and a good read. Secondly, make room in your hand luggage for your electronic devices, chargers, your medications and maybe a neck pillow too. Lastly, don't forget to take your passport, travel docs and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) lurking in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive products, such as bleach and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for changes in temperature by wearing layers, and opt for easy-to-remove footwear like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Walk around the cabin and give your legs a stretch or do some simple exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

It's simple — be prepared. We've compiled some tips and tricks for a stress-free trip through security. Look out Athens, here you come:

• Your boarding pass and passport will need to be inspected by airport security personnel. Keep them handy so you don't have to dig around for them.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Remove anything metal on you that is likely to beep. This includes items like earphones or headphones, as well as your coat or jacket. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic gadgets also need to go through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as shampoo or hairspray, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), zip-lock bag.
• It's also likely that you'll be required to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp or pointed objects to come on board with you. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.