S$564 Cheap Flights to São Tomé

We all know those lucky jet-setters who somehow manage to pick up impossibly cheap fares whenever they fly. Eager to know how to do it for your São Tomé holiday? Don't leave it until the last possible moment to secure your flight. Another great way to score the most competitive fare is to compare all options. If where you're headed has a few airports, be sure to research the cost of flying into a less busy terminal. Lastly, be prepared to book quickly if you find a real bargain. It might not stick around for long. With a bit of know-how and a little good fortune, the ideal fare will be yours.

Depending on where you’re coming from, your journey to São Tomé could be no sweat at all or it could drag on forever. We've compiled some handy hints that will help you start your next great adventure on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be easy if you take the right stuff. Firstly, you'll want a few basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a spare set of clothes and a few magazines. Next, make room in your hand luggage for your phone and charger, any vital medications and perhaps a neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, be sure to bring your passport, travel papers and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by authorities. Sharp objects, like your beloved pocket knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and fireworks, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose, breathable clothing is a wise choice, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

The secret is to be prepared before you reach the airport security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to São Tomé in next to no time. Follow these tips and get your holiday off to a spectacular start:

• Be sure to keep your boarding pass and ID within easy reach. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to show at security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings such as your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronics, including your tablet and phone, must also be separately scanned.
• Want to bring along 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 OK to bring with you in your carry-on luggage.
• Slip-on shoes are a practical footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Big boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Knives and other sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.