Kitchener has just one airport, Region of Waterloo Intl. Airport (YKF).

YKF is just a short drive from buzzing downtown Kitchener. It’s located 8 kilometers from the city center.

If you’re planning on flying to Kitchener, you’ll likely land at Toronto Pearson Airport (72 kilometers from downtown). YKF (8 kilometers from downtown) is the other major airport that services the city.

There are 42 airlines that service Kitchener from 156 worldwide airports.

Kitchener receives most of its flights from Air Canada, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines with Air Canada being the favorite choice of airline. Queens Village is the most popular city for travelers to depart from.

Flying to a new place is much more fun when there aren’t any annoying stopovers. If you’re off to Kitchener, the great news is that there are approximately 3,061 direct flights every week.

A large number of flights to Kitchener take off from Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal airports.

If you’re flying to Kitchener from Queens Village, you’ll have a flight time of 1 hour and 42 minutes. Those taking off from Montreal can expect to be midair for 1 hour and 32 minutes. From Calgary it’s about 3 hours and 44 minutes away.

Don’t leave booking your flight to Kitchener until the very last minute. That’s one move frequent jet-setters use to get the best deals. Booking in advance means more options and cheaper flights. Don’t stop there, though. Do some research and check if there are a couple of airports at your destination. Ticket prices often differ depending on which airport you jet into. Don’t forget to compare fares across airlines as well. And finally, don’t forget that it’s first in, best dressed. Know what a typical airfare costs and have your credit card ready to secure your seat as soon as you spot an unbeatable bargain. The sweetest deals never last long.

Wherever you’re jetting in from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you’re well prepared. Follow these top travel tips that will help get your Kitchener vacation started on the right note.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a worry-free travel experience is to be prepared. So, let’s start with the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and medications. Next, bring on board items that’ll help keep you busy, like some electronic devices or a few magazines. It’s also smart to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. And of course, don’t forget to chuck in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by authorities. Pointed or sharp objects, like your beloved pocket knife, and products which are flammable or explosive, such as spray paint, flares and matches, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The narrow aisles of your airplane are no fashion runway. Wear comfortable clothes and take a sweater as it tends to get cool inside the cabin on long-haul flights. Slightly roomy, flat shoes are also a good choice.
• The condition known as DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It’s the result of blood clots forming due to poor circulation and inactivity. Walking up and down the aisle and doing foot and leg exercises while seated helps to prevent this occurring. Wearing a high-quality pair of compression socks or tights also helps reduce the risk.

Being prepared before you get to the airport will help make your getaway to Kitchener a piece of cake. We’ve rounded up some useful tips and tricks for a swift journey past security:

• First things first. Your ID and travel documents will need to be shown to airport security personnel. Keep them handy so you don’t hold up the queue.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronics, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be scanned separately.
• Can’t travel without your favorite perfume? No problem. As long as the volume is no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it’s stored in a clear zip-lock bag, you’re allowed to bring it with you on board.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you’re less likely to be asked to remove them when going through security. Boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Knives and other sharp items can’t be taken on board. They’ll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.