Because I have been a full-time travel journalist for nearly 20 years, and have covered aviation, hotels, and many related topics, I get a lot of questions from people traveling and requests for advice from those planning trips. Today I’ve consolidated some of my most useful general travel advice, and I’ve also rounded up top tips from the some of the most expert travel professionals I know. These cover a wide range of subjects but should make your travel experience better and easier in the future. Here are five travel tips you need to know.

  Award-winning travel journalist Larry Olmsted is a Contributing Editor to US Airways Magazine and Cigar Aficionado Magazine and “The Great Life” columnist for Forbes.com.