Cheap Flights to Port Harcourt from CA $174

If you're not prepared, travelling can be tough. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks for a pain-free start to your vacation in Port Harcourt. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a stress-free travel experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, travel docs, cash and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you busy, like your laptop or a juicy novel. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Last but not least, don't forget to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items differs between air carriers, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like knives, scissors, fuel and fireworks. Sports equipment like golf clubs, and items that could harm other people, such as guns and swords, won't be allowed on board either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a smart choice, as are roomy, closed-toe shoes.
• The result of sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers on long-haul flights. Reduce the risks by drinking water, keeping your lower limbs moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

As seasoned travellers know, the secret is to be organized before you arrive at airport security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Port Harcourt in no time at all. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a flying start:

• Security personnel first need to check that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your belt, coat and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be scanned separately.
• Can't travel without your favourite hand cream? 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, it's fine to bring with you in your carry-on bag.
• There's a chance you'll be asked to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Sharp items are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked bags.