Here is a small conf that allows you to move to anohter panes or windows by using the shortcuts ALT or SHIFT + arrow. No need to use the key prefix is confortable.
## NAVIGATION: ############################
# Switch panes
# Usage: "ALT+arrow keys" (without prefix key)
# from https://gist.github.com/spicycode
bind -n M-Left select-pane -L
bind -n M-Right select-pane -R
bind -n M-Up select-pane -U
bind -n M-Down select-pane -D
# Switch windows
# usage: "SHIFT+arrow" (without prefix key)
bind -n S-Left previous-window
bind -n S-Right next-window
If you are more lazier than I am you could also be interested by the following code that allow panes navigation by mouse. (usage: key prefix + m to turn on, M to turn it off)
## MOUSE CONTROL: #########################
set -g mode-mouse off
set -g mouse-resize-pane off
set -g mouse-select-pane off
set -g mouse-select-window off
# Toggle mouse on
bind m \
set -g mode-mouse on \;\
set -g mouse-resize-pane on \;\
set -g mouse-select-pane on \;\
set -g mouse-select-window on \;\
display 'Mouse: ON'
# Toggle mouse off
bind M \
set -g mode-mouse off \;\
set -g mouse-resize-pane off \;\
set -g mouse-select-pane off \;\
set -g mouse-select-window off \;\
display 'Mouse: OFF'
this config should work is working for sure for tmux 1.6 to 1.9.