Cheap Flights to Dubai from CA $211

We've got the lowdown on how to make your journey as enjoyable as possible. Follow our tips and you'll be speeding through the airport and having a blast in Dubai in no time flat. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a great travel experience is to pack in advance. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, credit cards and daily medications. Next, take on board items that'll help pass the time, like your laptop or a juicy novel. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of headphones. And of course, don't forget to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a sharp object hiding in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable products, such as bleach and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your aim here is to be as comfortable as possible. Choose shoes that are easy to pull on and off, dress in loose, breathable clothing and remember to bring a sweater in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• Caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect passengers during long flights. Reduce the risks by drinking water, keeping your legs and ankles moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

The answer is — be prepared. We've put together some handy tips and tricks for a hassle-free trip through security. Watch out Dubai, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to see that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before anything else. Keep them close by.
• 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 set the alarms off. Items such as your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronics will need to be sent through the scanner.
• Travelling with your favourite cologne? Not a problem. As long as it's in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and it's stored in a zip-close bag, you can keep it with you in your carry-on.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.