Cheap Flights to St. Louis from CA $440

Organize a flight to St. Louis with Expedia and you'll be touching down at Blaise Diagne Intl. Airport (DSS).

St. Louis is serviced by 29 airlines from 37 airports across the globe.

Most often, travellers choose to fly with Air Cote d'Ivoire, Air Senegal and Kenya Airways when going to St. Louis. The biggest proportion of these flights arrive from Abidjan, with Air Cote d'Ivoire servicing this route the most frequently.

With roughly 232 nonstop flights operating every week, you'll be hitting the tarmac in St. Louis before you have time to say, "Are we there yet?"

Flights to St. Louis departing from Abidjan, Bamako and Conakry airports are very popular.

If you're flying to St. Louis from Abidjan, you'll have a flight duration of 2 hours and 48 minutes. Those departing from Bamako should expect to be airborne for around 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Conakry it's approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes away.

We've all come across those lucky travellers who manage to score super cheap airfares whenever they fly. Want to know how to do it for your St. Louis vacation? Don't leave it until the last minute to secure your flight. Don't stop there, however. Do some research and check if there is more than one airport at your destination. Prices often differ depending on which airport you pick. Remember to compare prices across air carriers as well. Last of all, another easy way to save some money is be ready to book at a moment's notice. If you find an irresistible bargain, don't think twice — grab it while you can.

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you're well organized. Take a peek at these top travel tips that will help get your St. Louis escape started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a great experience if you take the right stuff. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletries, such as deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush, a spare pair of socks and a good novel. Next, find a spot in your hand luggage for your electronic gadgets, chargers, any daily medications and perhaps a cozy neck pillow too. Lastly, remember to take your passport, travel documents and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items can differ between airlines, the general rule to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes screwdrivers, blades, aerosol cans and bleaching agents. Sports equipment like bows and arrows, and objects that could harm passengers, such as pepper spray and guns, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main concern when deciding what to wear on board. Loose, breathable clothing is a smart choice, as are enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clots forming due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

As savvy travellers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you get to the security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to St. Louis in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a spectacular start:

• Be sure to keep your boarding pass and ID easily accessible. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to show at security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your belt, coat and earphones need to go through the machine.
• Your electronic devices like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray to be scanned. No need to worry though, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Any liquids or gels, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and heavier-style shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in your carry-on baggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.