Cheap Flights to Beltsville , MD from CA $127

Most people prefer to fly into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) when visiting the buzzing city of Beltsville.

It's 24 kilometres from DCA to downtown Beltsville. Make your life easier by working out the fastest way of travelling from the airport to the city centre before you land.

Travellers visiting Beltsville have a lot of choice. Depending on where you're staying and the deals on offer, you'll probably touchdown at DCA (24 kilometres from downtown), Dulles Intl. Airport (48 kilometres from downtown) or BWI Airport (26 kilometres from downtown).

Beltsville is serviced by 48 air carriers from 175 airports across the globe.

Delta, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are the most frequent fliers to Beltsville. The majority of flights come in from Atlanta, with Delta offering the most services on this route.

With approximately 6,526 direct flights operating every week, you'll be arriving in Beltsville before you can ask, "Are we there yet?"

Travellers often depart from Atlanta, Boston and Chicago airports when flying to Beltsville.

Which city you depart from determines how much of the in-flight entertainment you'll get to enjoy. From Atlanta to Beltsville, the average flight time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Boston it's more or less 1 hour and 46 minutes, and from Chicago it's 1 hour and 53 minutes.

Don't leave booking your flight to Beltsville until the last moment. That's one move seasoned travellers use to get the best deals. Booking well in advance means more options and cheaper flights. Also, do some online research and compare your options. If your destination has more than one airport, you may be able to score a better deal by flying into one a little farther out. Last but not least, another simple way to save some cash is be ready to book at a moment's notice. If you see an amazing bargain, don't hesitate — snap it up while the opportunity's there.

If you're not prepared, air travel can be testing. But there's no need to panic. Follow these useful tips for a comfortable start to your time in Beltsville. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a stress-free travel experience is to pack ahead. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, bank cards and vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic gadgets or a good read. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Last but not least, be sure to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Leave all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by security. Pointed or sharp objects, like your beloved pocket knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosols and strong acids, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your priority when deciding what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a sensible choice, as are flat, slip-on shoes.
• It's likely you've heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To lower your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and keep your legs and feet moving.

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

• Keep your travel documents and ID easily accessible. They're the first items you'll be asked to show at security.
• Your belt, coat, keys and other small items, like your earphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• Your electronic devices like phones and laptops will also have to go on a tray to be scanned. Don't worry though, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or hairspray, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked suitcase.