Cheap Flights to St. Petersburg

Depending on where you're coming from, your flight to St. Petersburg could be simple and straightforward or it could drag on forever. We've put together some useful hints that will help you start your next great escape on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a stress-free flight experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a thrilling book. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. And of course, be sure to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of shampoo 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 by security. Sharp or pointed objects, like your Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and poisons, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Layer your clothing and go for shoes that are flat and easy to remove.
• You're probably aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To lower your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks or tights and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

Being organised before your flight will make your getaway to St. Petersburg a piece of cake. Below are some useful tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• Security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you can proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• The X-ray machine comes next. Remove anything metal on you that is likely to set off the alarm. This includes items like headphones or earphones, as well as heavy coats or jackets. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• Your electronic gadgets like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. Don't worry though, you'll be back online in no time.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product 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.
• There's a chance you'll be asked to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Sharp or pointed items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked luggage.