Cheap Flights to St. Petersburg - Clearwater , FL from CA $186

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you've planned ahead. We've put together a list of top travel tips that will help get your St. Petersburg - Clearwater vacation started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a pain-free flight experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, travel docs, credit cards and important medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you busy, like some electronic devices or a juicy novel. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Last but not least, be sure to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated. Sharp or pointed objects, like your treasured pocket knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as spray paint, flares and matches, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your priority is to feel as comfortable as you can. Choose slip-on footwear, dress in loose, natural-fibre clothing and don't forget to take a sweater in case you get cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin or do some simple exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

As seasoned travellers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to St. Petersburg - Clearwater in next to no time. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a flying start:

• Airport security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and travel documents before anything else. Have them ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items such as your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, must also be scanned.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Big boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Pocket knives and other sharp items are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked bags.