Cheap Flights to Melbourne

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be daunting. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a hassle-free start to your time in Melbourne. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a great flight experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, travel docs, bank cards and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic devices or a thrilling novel. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. And of course, be sure to toss in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive substances, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your priority is to be as comfortable as you can. Pick easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, natural fibers and remember to bring a sweater in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The simple answer is — be prepared. We've put together some helpful hints for a speedy trip through airport security. Look out Melbourne, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid ID and travel documents before you're allowed to proceed any further. Keep them within easy reach.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, will also need to be scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, such as toothpaste or perfume, 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), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• Sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked luggage.