Cheap Flights to El Café from CA $265

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be overwhelming. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints for a trouble-free start to your vacation in El Café. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Flying can be a stress-free experience if you carry the right things. First of all you'll need toiletry items, such as toothpaste, a toothbrush and some deodorant, a spare set of clothes and a few magazines. Secondly, make room in your hand luggage for your mobile phone, a charger, any medications and perhaps a proper neck pillow too. Lastly, remember to bring your passport, travel papers and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated. Sharp or pointed objects, like your pocket knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as flares, bleaching agents and fireworks, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfy clothing and opt for shoes that are flat, enclosed and easy to pull 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 simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We've put together some top tips for a stress-free trip through airport security. Look out El Café, here you come:

• First things first. Your passport and boarding pass will need to be presented to security personnel. Keep them someplace accessible so you don't have to dig around for them.
• The X-ray machine comes next. Remove anything on you that is likely to set off the scanner's alarm. This includes things like headphones or earphones, as well as bulky coats or jackets. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• All your electronic devices, including your laptop and phone, are also required to be scanned separately.
• Travelling with a new perfume or cologne? No problem. As long as it's in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and it's stored in a clear zip-close bag, you can bring it with you in your carry-on baggage.
• 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 bulky shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, pack them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed in the cabin.