(Photo: Brasil2 / iStockphoto)

The iPad 2 is even more suitable for business travelers than it is for Apple fans who love shiny white things, and that’s more suitable than an engaged man in a tuxedo store. The airport image of the businessmen bent over their laptops, pecking away at keys as they cluster around the only electrical outlet in the whole wing, is common. That’s common as in “often seen” and as in “looks low class and unimpressive.” The iPad 2 is infinitely preferable, advertising that you need access to information on the go but don’t have to type it up like a data entry clerk. We’ve found 7 applications for your smart, space-saving travel companion.

1. VMware View

Free

This PC-over-IP (PCoIP) program is literally everything the business traveler could need — a mobile connection to their office computer. The whole thing. Not a file copy, which still leaves you unable to even open most of your files, but a full virtual desktop connected to your home machine wherever you have Internet coverage.

VMware View Screen

Never forget that vital file again. Or worse, have it, but spend 20 minutes trying to open it in front of clients. Best of all? This lifesaver of an app is totally free.

2. CNBC Real-Time

Free

You couldn’t be more in touch with business technology if you were Tony Stark, and if you watch the movies, he’s actually quite bad at the corporate part of things. The CNBC Real-Time app arms you with all the latest stock news, or a set of customized filters meaning you never lose touch with your investments.

CNBC Screen

And unlike every other thing connected with trades, it’s free.

3. Instapaper

$4.99

Working as a business traveler means knowing all about the first word, but living with it is all about the second — the endless hours in airports, train stations, taxis, and unimpressive hotel rooms whose main benefit is “not outside in this nowhere town.” While working on your tablet can kill some time, and get a lot done, you can’t keep it up 24/7. That’s why Instapaper lets you save the Internet for times you can’t access it. You can download any page in conveniently archived text form, sending it all along to your iPad to enjoy later.

Instapaper Screen

This helps with online productivity as well, encouraging you to save distractions for later instead of sitting at your desk not achieving anything. Later, when you’re stuck in a small metal container for hours, you can educate yourself about sports, science, or enjoy some comedy instead of auto-hypnotizing your brain with four hours of Bejewelled.

4. Dragon Dictation

Free

You’re not always able to sit back and relax in business class. Renting a car can cripple your available preparation time, leaving your hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and laptop uselessly folded up in its travelling bag. Not so the iPad 2 with Dragon Dictation — ready to record your thoughts and productivity planning from the passenger seat, or anywhere else you’d like to brainstorm.

Dragon Dictation Screen

This isn’t just notepaper: the program can connect to e-mail, send messages, and even learns new industry-specific terms to better transcribe your notes the more you use it. Especially useful for slow typists, or those who don’t enjoy the feel of touchscreen typing. Unbelievably, this trademarked voice-recognition and learning software is free. You have less than no excuse to try it.

5. Urbanspoon

Free

Don’t be held hostage by hotel food. One of the benefits of travel is discovering new things, a pleasure no longer denied by how the business keeps you busy (since that’s kind of what the word means.) You might not have time to hunt for a fine eatery, or the chance to try more than one in your temporary residence, so screen for the best by price and style with Urbanspoon.

Urbanspoon Screen

An automatic connection with your maps means that anywhere, at anytime, you can eat anything. That was mankind’s entire dream for hundreds of thousands of years, and you can do it with your shiny toy. Hurray for progress!

6. XE

Free

If you’re traveling you need to know how much you’re spending, and after and intelligent business lunch it’s embarrassing to sit there going cross-eyed as you try to calculate the bill times the exchange plus a tip in your head. XE takes all the work out of it, with up-to-the-minute exchange rates and an easy calculator.

XE Currency for iPad

7. iPhraseBook

$12.99

The image of the exasperated business traveler flipping through a phrasebook while instructing bemused locals in how “No, I verily want a hippopotamus!” is a cliché — and one the iPad is custom-built to kill. The Renkara Media Group’s iPhraseBook can be expanded with extra language packs, making it your one stop app for any business trip, but the big advantage is the search function and the screen.

iPhraseBook Screen

Where poring over a tiny pocketbook is awkward for everyone, being able to display your desired phrase on a clear screen instantly resolves any communications difficulties.

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(Image: trait2lumiere / iStockphoto)

There’s an inner-city vehicle that gets infinite miles to the gallon, can be parked almost everywhere, zero insurance or licensing requirements, and gets you fitter the further your travel. For many young professionals bikes are the ultimate urban transport solution, and you can tell they’re yuppies because they use phrases like “transport solution.” Be they cycle couriers, computer coders, or account executives with a change of clothes in the satchel, you can see cyclists cruise past gridlocked traffic to arrive early and exercised. And if you’re smart enough to be one of them, we’ve found five ways to make your commute even better.

1. ReeCharge

The ReeCharge Power Pack upgrades any bike hub dynamo to work on important things like smartphones, and other smartphones. (We’re sure there are other portable devices that need to be charged too but let’s be honest about our priorities.)

ReeCharge Power Pack

Biologic offers a range of power upgrades for your bike, including a bracket to mount an iPhone for easy-viewing on long trips and even a “BikeBrain” application for dedicated cyclists. The combination of mapping software, time records, and power generation are all you need to turn your bike into a pedal-powered KITT.

2. The 6 Pack Frame Cinch

This intelligent addition to a standard bike frame actually has hundreds of uses, but the Etsy seller WalnutStudiolo understands human nature. And how to enjoy it.

6 Pack Frame Cinch

The adjustable frame cinch means you can easily attach any small bag or case to the inside of your bike frame, safely between your legs and leaving your hands free to steer. Originally designed for bike polo, it’s perfect for small bags, portfolios, and the perfect gift for the cyclist student who has to make a very important supply run between classes and “extracurricular activities.”

3. The Mako Bike Tool

The Mako bike tool is bar nothing the best gift for any cyclist, including yourself.

MAKO Bike Tool

The titanium multi-tool has pared the usual swiss-army-knife style block into a few parts specifically tuned for cycle maintenance. Because the big “everything included” multi-tools are usually too big to carry, and end up “included” in a drawer and fixing absolutely nothing. The slimline tool can be toted on the end of a string, like a kitbag, and it still includes a bottle opener. Because a tool that can’t open bottles isn’t a tool at all.

4. The Bullitt Cargo Bike

A cargo-carrying bike might sound like a contradiction, but it’s real — and cool.

The Bullitt Cargo Bike

The Bullitt Bike adds a cargo platform between the handlebars and the front-wheel. This insane-looking alteration frees the owner from begging for a lift when they need to carry more than a backpack worth of material, while the forward location helps with stability and navigation. This specialist cycle would be ideal for the courier or small city business where frequent deliveries, still made with far greater ease than any automobile, outweigh the difficulty parking.

5. The Copenhagen Wheel

For upgrades which actually make sense, check out the Copenhagen Wheel. Designed by MIT and funded for development by James Dyson, it couldn’t be a smarter gadget if it was the HAL9000. The system upgrades your transport, hooking into your bike and your smartphone to create an auto-sensing electrobike. Generators in the hub charge motor when you pedal and brake, allowing you to boost up challenging slopes or over curbs while shouting “Yeaaah!”

Copenhagen Wheel

Sensing units in the system map your route and its pollution levels, traffic density, even ambient noise and relative humidity. This allows you to map out the perfect route, as well as providing physical training records for yourself and crowdsourced city-mapping information for any projects you care to contribute to. The Wheel is expected on the market in June this year at a price of $600.

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(Image: Thomas_EyeDesign / iStockphoto)

Everyone needs to have a hobby and for a lot of people, this hobby is related to the automotive world. Some people like to keep up with the latest news for all kinds of different makes and models. Others like to connect with like-minded individuals who happen to own the same car, sharing technical information and shopping tips.

Whatever the case, the Internet is an overflowing venue filled with websites related to all aspects of the automotive industry. Whether you want to watch older episodes of BBC’s Top Gear television series or you want to research your next vehicle purchase, there are more than a few websites that can help fulfill your needs.

Listed below are over one hundred car-related websites and they represent just the tip of the iceberg. From the quarter mile to the warranty information, they should have you covered.

Official Manufacturer Sites

Acura — Honda subsidiary with MDX sport utility, TL luxury sedan, and CSX sports sedan.

Aston Martin — British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, including the V8 Vantage, DB9, Rapide, and DBS.

Audi — German manufacturer and subsidiary of Volkwagen Group, makers of A4 sedan, S5 sportback, and Q7 crossover SUV.

BMW — German automaker with the 3 Series vehicles, X3 compact utility, M6 convertible, and ActiveHybrid X6.

Buick — Promising premium vehicles without the premium price, such as Enclave, Lucerne, and Lacrosse.

Cadillac — Luxury automaker with CTS sports sedan, SRX crossover, and Escalade hybrid sport utility.

Chevrolet — General Motors brand with sporty Camaro, subcompact Aveo, and Traverse utility vehicle.

Citroen — Car manufacturer based in France with the DS4, C4, and other vehicles.

Dacia — Lesser-known Romanian car manufacturer with such vehicles as the Sandero, Logan, and Duster.

Ferrari — Italian supercar manufacturer currently offering the 458 Italia, 612 Scaglietti, and Ferrari California.

Ford — American manufacturer with F-series pickup trucks, Explorer sport utility, and Focus line of vehicles.

General Motors — American automaker responsible for such brands as Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC.

GMC — Specializing largely in larger vehicles like the Sierra Heavy Duty, Canyon, Yukon, and Denali.

Honda — Makers of the CR-Z hybrid, Accord sedan, Ridgeline truck, and Odyssey minivan.

Hyundai — Korean company with Accent compact, Sonata family sedan, Tucson crossover, and Genesis performance coupe.

Infiniti — Upscale automaker with G37 sports coupe, M-class luxury sedan, and QX sports utility vehicle.

Kia Motors — Hyundai sub-brand with Forte Koup, Rio5, Soul, and Sedona.

Koenigsegg — Producer of such high-performance supercars as the Agera, CCGT, and CCX.

Lamborghini — Italian automaker and wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, making Gallardo and Murcielago supercars.

Lexus — High-end luxury arm of Toyota responsible for the IS350, LFA supercar, and SC10 convertible.

Lincoln — Luxury cars and SUVs from Ford Motor Company, including Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and Navigator SUV.

Lotus — Car maker specializing in very lightweight sports car like the Elise and the Exige.

Mazda — Japanese car maker with such models as the Mazda 2 subcompact, CX-7 crossover vehicle, and Mazda 6 sports sedan.

Mercedes-Benz — High-end German automaker with C-class sedans, M-class sport utilities, and SL-series sports cars.

Mercury — Ford subsidiary with Milan sedan, Mariner sports utility, and Grand Marquis sedan.

Mitsubishi — Car manufactuer from Japan with the Lancer Evolution, Eclipse Spider, and Endeavor.

Nissan — Japanese automaker with the Altima Hybrid sedan, GT-R sports car, and Pathfinder SUV.

Peugeot — French car maker with the 308 GTi, Concept SR1, and 3008 HYbrid4.

Porsche — High-end auto manufacturer responsible for the Boxster, Cayman, 911, Panamera, and Cayenne lines.

Renault — French automaker currently selling the Fluence, Twingo, and Clio.

Scion — Trendy Toyota sub-brand with the xD hatchback, tC sports coupe, and iQ subcompact.

Subaru — Car maker specializing in all-wheel-drive vehicles like the Impreza, Outback, and Forester.

Tesla Motors — American company specializing in full-electric vehicles like the Roadster 2.5 and Model S sports sedan.

Toyota — Manufacturer of the Corolla sedan, Camry sedan, and Element utility vehicle.

Volkswagen — Makers of the Passat sedan, New Beetle compact, Eos convertible, and Jetta TDI clean diesel.

Car News and Reviews

Auto Express — Car website focused mostly on the UK market, including reviews, buying information, and used car listings.

Autoblog — Featuring test drives, commentary on industry news, and breaking stories.

Autoblog Green — Offshoot from main site that focuses primarily on green technology and alternative energy sources.

Autocar — UK-based site with car reviews, blogs, forums, and car-related news.

Car and Driver Blog — The blog counterpart to the popular car print magazine.

Car Tech Blog — The technology of cars from the CNET network.

Fifth Gear — Motoring television magazine from the United Kingdom, broadcast in the USA from 2004 to 2007.

Jalopnik — Offering daily automobile news and gossip from the Gawker Media blog network.

Leftlane News — Articles on everything related to the auto industry.

Muscle Car Blog — Focusing only on muscle cars, primarily from American-based manufacturers.

Top Gear — Popular British sports car and auto enthusiast show on BBC, hosted by James May, Richard Hammond, and Jeremy Clarkson.

Buying and Selling Used Cars

Canadian Driver — Used car reviews organized by make, revealing common concerns and problems.

Car and Driver — Site accompanying the print magazine of the same name with news related to the automotive industry.

Carfax — Complete vehicle history reports, useful when buying used cars with potential costly hidden problems.

Driving Television — Canadian TV program shown on the Global TV network and hosted by Zack Spencer and Lacey Elliott.

eBay Motors — Buy and sell both new and used cars from the world’s largest auction site.

Edmunds — Website with prices, reviews and information on both new and used cars.

Kelley Blue Book — The official resource for trade-in and used car values, organized by year, make and model.

Motoring — Automotive focused television series shown on TSN in Canada for over 20 years.

NADA — Pricing and information on new cars, used cars, classic cars, expert reviews, cost to own info, and more.

Finding the Lowest Gas Prices

GasBuddy — Find local gas prices with a total of 204 websites spanning Canada and the United States.

Gas Price Watch — Identifying the cheapest gas prices and gas price trends based on geographical area.

Gas Tips — User-submitted gas prices through the United States and Canada.

Motor Trend — Section of car site listing cheapest gas prices in your area.

MSN Autos — Map-based local gas prices with highest, lowest, and average prices in the area.

Technical Expertise and How-Tos

Bimmerforums — Preferred online community for owners of BMW and Mini vehicles.

British Car Forum — Discussion forums, classifieds, and technical wikis dedicated to British cars.

CarDomain — Online community for car enthusiasts to show off their favorite cars.

EvolutionM — Website and community for Mitsubishi enthusiasts, particularly with the Lancer Evolution.

German Auto Forums — Website dedicated mostly to Porsche sports cars.

Honda Tech — Unofficial Honda and Acura technical resource site and discussion board.

Import Tuner Forums — Accompanying online forum for the popular sport compact and tuner print magazine.

Mazda Forum — Unofficial forum for Mazda enthusiasts.

Mustang Forums — A vast forum and article repository related to the Ford Mustang.

NASIOC — The North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club.

REVscene — Vancouver-area based discussion forum for car lovers of all kinds.

SportsCarForums — Forum that specializes in the discussion of sports and performance vehicles.

Super Street Forum — Connected to the print magazine specializing in import car and street racing conversation.

Team Integra — Online forum dedicated to Acura Integra enthusiasts from all generations.

Car Parts and Accessories

ACDelco — Offering a variety of car parts and automotive services through its retail outlets in the United States.

Advance Auto Parts — Retail store and supplier of car parts and accessories.

AEM — Company that makes and sells air induction systems and performance electronics for cars.

AJ Racing — Vancouver area car shop with performance upgrades, services, installations, and aftermarket parts.

A’PEXi — Manufacturer of aftermarket performance parts like intakes, exhausts, and suspension components.

Auto Parts Place — Discount auto part store with electrical components, brakes, climate control, diesel injection, and more.

AutoZone — American supplier of various car parts and accessories for most popular makes and models.

Car-Part — Website offering an expansive used auto parts market.

Edelbrock — Performance part manufacturer with intake manifolds, superchargers, cylinder heads, and fuel injection systems.

Garage Five Performance — Tuner shop and performance garage based in Richmond, British Columbia.

GReddy — Aftermarket sports car accessory and aftermarket parts manufacturer.

JC Whitney — Auto supply store offering everything automotive, including bug deflectors, car covers, and engine parts.

K&N — Manufacturer of high performance air filters, air intakes, and oil filters.

Lordco Auto Parts — Car part and accessory supplier with over 90 locations across British Columbia in Canada.

Mopac Auto Supply — Serving the high performance car industry for over 30 years with three locations in Canada.

Mugen Motorsports — Specializes in aftermarket parts for Honda vehicles.

Napa — Auto parts store selling accessories and parts for a variety of different vehicles.

NOS — Nitrous Oxide Systems, a subsidiary of Holley.

Pep Boys — American store with service, tires, parts, accessories, and tool rental program.

Recaro — Popular manufacturer of performance car seats, original equipment, and mass transit seating.

Summit Racing — Racing equipment supplier with range of parts and accessories for many different cars.

Tire Rack — Online store for a wide range of tires and wheels for cars, trucks, vans, and other vehicles.

TRD USA — Toyota Racing Development, makers of performance parts for Toyota, Lexus, and Scion cars

Type One Racing — Aftermarket perfomrance parts manufacturer with exhaust, brakes, accessories, cooling, and drivetrain.

YoParts — The industry’s first true wholesale club for car parts.

Carpools, Car Sharing, and Cooperatives

AutoShare — Offering a fleet of shared vehicles for Toronto-area residents and commuters.

Car2Go — Car sharing network serving the Austin, Texas area with rates starting at $12.99 an hour.

Carpool.ca — Canadian website dedicated to coordinating carpools for daily commutes to and from work or school.

Co-operative Auto Network — Car sharing co-operative serving the Metro Vancouver area since 1997.

eGo Car Share — Non-profit car sharing service for the Boulder-Denver metro area.

eRideShare — Coordinate daily carpools and cross-country travel via membership listings.

Mint — Cars on demand for New York City and surrounding area.

Zipcar — Car sharing network allowing for reservations in many cities across the country.

Car Shows and Exhibitions

Dubai Motor Show — Annual auto show held in the United Arab Emirates attracting many high-end vehicle manufacturers and tuning companies.

Frankfurt Motor Show — Also known as the International Motor Show and Internationale Automobile-Ausstellug (IAA), this is the largest car show in the world.

Hot Import Nights — Popular auto show focused mostly on tuner import cars modified primarily for looks and style.

LA Auto Show — Annual car show in Los Angeles with exhibitors including aftermarket modifications and major auto manufacturers.

NAIAS — North American International Auto Show hosted each year in Detroit, Michigan.

Paris Motor Show — Biennial event held in Paris and acknowledged as one of the more important auto shows in the world.

SEMA — Specialty Equipment Market Association annual trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tokyo Auto Salon — Annual auto show hosted at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City in Japan.

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(Photo: muratseyit / iStockphoto)

Sometimes you just need to carry a bunch of stuff, or realize that bringing a briefcase to the gym simply will not do. Unless you don’t mind drip-drying as people say, “Hey, there’s the wierdo who escaped from the 80s and brought a briefcase!” But simply shouldering a burden is for regular folk, which is why we’re bringing five fun and functional options to your attention.

Solar Panel Power

Why should plants be the only ones to get free energy falling from the sky? Those silly green things don’t even text (and “green” is now the only color you can mock without getting a letter from HR.) Voltaic Systems lives up to its impressively technical title with the Converter Solar Backpack: an always-on emergency power system.

(Image: Voltaic Systems)

The whole point of the pack is that you’re going to be carrying it around, often outside, and the solar cells will be soaking up energy the whole time. Be it a business meeting in a coffee shop or flinging frisbees with other people lucky enough to have that much free time — simply set it solar-side up and you’ll get free energy.

So far, so silly-sounding, but Voltaic Systems aren’t messing around with eco-awareness or other ineffective idiocies — this pack is designed to be a true emergency power station. The storage battery can also be charged by USB connection or direct AC current, meaning you’ll always be able to switch to Emergency Power. Normally reserved for starship captains, and now — with the included adapter set — you can use it on anything you own.

You could probably connect to a hedgehog with this kit. (image: Voltaic Systems)

The Livepack

Anything, anywhere, online and in high-definition: that’s the promise of the Livepack. Rent the one-man operation from Electronista and the appallingly powerful high-definition camera will livestream any event through a dedicated server. Ethernet and USB connections allow direct wiring when it’s possible, and six 3G modems — for an incredible total of 18 G’s — simply punch your signal through the air when it isn’t.

(Image: Electronista)

Understand: with this equipment, if you can phone friends to tell them what they’re missing, you could instead be showing them in higher resolution than a CNN crew. An entire month’s rental is only $2,500, meaning that if you’re uploading a wedding for those who can’t make it (and your own future selves), you can capture the stag night and honeymoon as well.

Whether you’d want to is another matter.

The Setgo Transport

Part portable solution, part zen riddle, the Setgo Transport is the backpack without the pack.

(Image: Setgo)

Ideal for the electronically equipped urban warrior needing nothing bulkier than a batch of beeping boxes to succeed wherever they go, the Transport is a great gadget bandolier. Every item remains easily accessible, ready for quick-draw (instead of a frantic pocket-patting digging expedition timed to take precisely one second too long before they hang up), it even solves the headphone-cord-control problem.

The Map-Maker

The UC Berkeley team behind Google Earth technology have decided that merely mapping the entire Earth isn’t enough — there are still all those inconvenient buildings they can’t see inside. That’s why they’ve built a backpack which turns you into a single-man Street View squad, laser-scannning everything you pass and helping humanity simply move the entire world online.

(Image: ABC7News)

The laser pack, and we’ll repeat that, laser pack scans its environment and builds an entire — and accurately textured — 3D model of everywhere it goes.

You may also feel like a Ghostbuster when wearing it. This is entirely normal -- and awesome. (image: UC Berkeley)

R2-D2

Let us be very clear: you want one of these.

(Image: Geekologie)

You couldn’t conceive of a cuter backpack without training a troupe of kittens to cling on and carry your belongings. Fussy fans might point out that it’s C3PO who should be back-packed, but that just proves how pedants miss the point of everything fun.

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(Image: DNY59 / iStockPhoto)

Movies and make-believe may teach you that taking risks is the only way to get things done, leaping into danger and dynamically charging through all opposition to achieve everything you ever wanted in 90 minutes or less. But that’s because they’re movies. And usually Bruce Willis. He can do that.

In reality, even a slight scuffle can destroy your productivity for days or weeks, to say nothing of being so extraordinarily unpleasant that the word “unpleasant” really doesn’t do it justice, even when you use the massive adjective “extraordinarily.” Because we’re not Batman, we can’t shrug off these scares. However, we can at least pretend we’re him while using gadgets to improve our security.

1. SpotCrime

SpotCrime combines the Internet, crowd-sourced criminal reports and Augmented Reality to let you see the world like RoboCop. The site can overlay recent crime data on any map, instantly warning anyone on a business trip which areas they shouldn’t blunder into.

And this isn’t just glorified gossip. SpotCrime is signing deals with police services around the world to constantly improve the quality and amount of information available on the service. It seems the police understand that preventing crime is easier than cleaning things up afterwards.

SpotCrime

Of course there’s now an app — the ubiquitous iPhone offers a range of security services (as well as increasing the use of the word “ubiquitous” because of the way it really is becoming the mass market personal portable computer). Simply enter the desired location and you can see the criminal map or even overlay event locations on a live feed from your camera. (Though the whole point of the service is making sure you’re never close enough to do that, or that you at least know not to wave expensive electronics in the air if you are.)

2. SafetyButton and Anylarm

SafetyButton does exactly what it says in the title: it turns your iPhone touchscreen into an instant alert button.

Safety Button and Anylarm

Cupertino’s implications to the contrary aside, Windows users are people too and also deserve protection. CaptureTech Corporation’s Anylarm provides the same service for Windows phones, programming a pressable button (or even the shake sensor on suitable cell phones) to act as an alert beacon.

Both alarms send a message (with GPS co-ordinates) to a predetermined number. There are a number of options to help avoid false alarms and you’ll want to make sure you really check your messages if you’re using this system!

3. Are You Safe

Are You Safe is advertised as the Geiger counter of crime. That’s the sort of tagline that’ll get press with us any day of the week.

Are You Safe

The apps are cheap (a dollar), though each one only serves a single city. If you move or travel, you have to buy a new location-specific copy. There’s also the psychological danger of trying to get a high-score on the meter, an extremely human urge which we implore you to resist the way you would if it was a real Geiger counter. Getting the needle all the way to the right is a very bad thing.

4. iWitness

iWitness offers the same services as the above, uploading GPS and alert data to pre-determined number, but it adds an extremely useful group function. Instead of stepping straight to alerting friends or authorities, a distributed group can set their iWitness apps as an “Alert Group,” instantly signaling each other with a message and location.

iWitness

A godsend for anyone who has to administer a group in a strange place, iWitness also has the iReporter function (enabling users to upload pictures or recordings). Use it to inform up to 16 people of places, concerns or simple status messages.

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(Photo: Vlingva / iStockphoto)

Just a few years ago, you probably would have called up your travel agent if you were thinking about taking a trip or vacation somewhere. These days, though, there are thousands of websites online that can help you with every step of the planning process — as well as offer some help beyond what a travel agent could do for you. With these online tools, you can make sure that your travels, whether for business or pleasure, are enjoyable.

Planning

Tripbase

Tripbase — Get ideas on where to travel and what to do, based on what you enjoy.

Yahoo! Travel — Access an integrated set of travel tools that recommend specific trips, help you find cheap airfare and hotels, and more.

Iloho — Read up on locations you’re considering visiting, as well as plan your itinerary.

Triporama — Manage the travel plans of whole groups of family or friends and make sure you all get where you’re going.

RealTravel — Look at reviews for trips, locations, and even hotels in order to plan your travel.

TripConnect — Get travel advice from your network of friends.

Travel.State.Gov — Check government advisories on travel as well as get tips for specific countries.

TripAdvisor — Plan each step of your trip while consulting reviews from other travelers.

Tripology — Get help from travel agents with planning your vacation.

OneBag — Learn how to pack your bags and travel light.

Trekaroo — Put together a family friendly travel plan.

PlanetEye — Read reviews of destinations around the world.

TripWolf — Get access to professional travel articles as well as information from other travelers.

AmateurTraveler — Discover new places to visit.

TripEssentials — Bookmark and manage accommodations and other travel information while you’re planning your trip across multiple sites.

TravelIndex — Ask questions about traveling and find resources.

Openplaces — Research your destinations and find reliable information.

Flying

SeatGuru

FareCompare — Find cheap flights and get Twitter updates about cheap deals from your home airport.

SideStep — Search major travel sites like Orbitz and JetBlue with just one search.

Mobissimo — Compare results from a variety of travel search engines, as well as get news and connect with the Mobissimo community.

Bing Travel — Find airfare and get tips on when to buy your tickets so that you get the lowest possible price.

Frekfly — Get the details on the airports you’ll be flying through, like where you should eat.

atLarge — Find Internet access at any airport in the world.

AirTroductions — Connect with other passengers who will be traveling through particular airports at particular times.

FlightAware — Track your flights and check out the activity at the airports you’re headed to.

FlightStats — Get information on the status of your flights.

SeatGuru — Learn which seats are the best on the plane.

FlyerTalk — Improve the number of airline miles you get from frequent flyer programs.

Vayama — Search for international flights.

Momondo — Discover the dates that will offer you the cheapest airfare.

Airline Quality — Check the quality of the airline you’ll be traveling with before you book.

FlyMyCase — Have your baggage shipped to your destination before you leave and skip baggage claim.

Yapta — Track ticket prices to make sure you get the best deal.

Riding

Google Transit

Google Transit — Plan trips on public transportation.

RailEurope — Purchase rail passes to travel around Europe.

Driving

Ridester

Ridester — Share rides in the U.S. by either finding a ride or offering one for a share of the gas money.

TripWiser — Plan road trips and get advice from a social network on where to go.

TravMatix — Create a driving plan, complete with suggestions on where to stop for gas.

PlanYourTrip — Find information on motels, campgrounds, and attractions around the route of your roadtrip.

Moblu — Calculate your gas costs for your trip.

Accommodations

LicketyTrip

Hotels Finder — Find hotels in various cities and see their rankings and details on a Google Map.

Rent Me A Vacation — Search for vacation rentals based on location and price.

EpicTrip — Watch videos and read reviews of the hotels you’re considering staying in before you book.

TravelPost — Search for hotel reviews across thousands of websites.

HomeAway — Find vacation rentals all over the world, as well as rent out your own vacation rental.

LicketyTrip — Get last minute deals on vacation rentals.

HostelWorld — Check out hostel options in more than 170 countries.

LateRooms — Book hotel rooms at the last minute for deals.

Skoosh — Search for boutique hotel rooms.

ConcertHotels — Going to a concert? Find a hotel near the venue.

CouchSurfing — Couchsurf your way around the world by finding locals to stay with.

Hostelling International — Book hostels around the world in order to travel on the cheap.

Hospitality Club — Travel for free and connect with locals through this site’s volunteers.

HostelTrail — Read up on hostels located in Latin America.

Domegos — Locate vacation rentals in more than 70 countries.

AirBNB — Connect with hosts who will let you sty in their homes.

gloveler.com — Rent private accommodations inexpensively.

Travel Guides

Simpatigo

Boo — See guides and travel advice written by other travelers.

EveryTrail — Share trip routes and photos online and through mobile devices, as well as find trips where you’ll be traveling.

WhereTo.org — Look at information shared by other travelers describing places they’ve been, along with their recommendations.

Vcarious — Read travel guides written by recent visitors, as well keep your own travel journal.

WikiTravel — Find and edit this shared travel guide organized along the lines of Wikipedia.

Cosmotourist — Get travel tips that go beyond guidebooks and ask any questions you want answered before you travel.

World66 — Check out more than 20,000 different destinations with almost 80,000 articles written about them.

TripCart — Find what to do once you’ve got an idea of where you want to travel.

Geobeats — Watch video travel guides to learn more about where you’re headed.

Travelistic — See thousands of travel videos from all over the world.

Simpatigo — Create custom tours of the area you’re visiting.

World Hotel Link — Read up on information about different areas with a socially conscious angle.

LonelyPlanet — Browse professional travel guides online.

OffbeatGuides — Print your own customized travel guides.

WorldSaurus — Access travel guides written entirely by locals.

KeenGuides — Watch guided tours for the areas you plan to visit.

Local Help

Yelp

Boomtrek — Get acquainted with individual cities, from finding the neighborhood you want to stay in, as well as find other information about the city.

Wayn — Find locals and other travelers to hang out with.

CityTherapy — Hear about the newest and coolest places to go in European cities.

BringSome — Bring or get items usually only available in other countries.

Where’s the Beach, Dude! — Get listings on where nearby beaches are.

Yelp — Read reviews of restaurants and other businesses in there area you’re visiting.

DailyCandy — Learn about local events and the bests of different cities.

HiEverywhere — Connect with a local who has volunteered to be a tour guide.

Networking

Dopplr

Dopplr — Share information about where and when you’ll be traveling with your network so that you can tell when you’ll be in the same places as your friends.

myTripBook — Write about your adventures and share them with your Facebook friends.

TripIt — Network with your traveling friends and update your plans just by forwarding your confirmation emails to the site.

Matador — Read about the exciting adventures of other travelers, network with them and find trips you’d like to take as well.

Jauntlet — Create a travel plan that you can add to your blog, social networking profiles, and other places where you can share your adventures with your friends.

GeoJoey — Vote on the experiences you’ve had while traveling and see what trips are the most highly ranked.

Diddit — Share lists of your adventures and compare them with your friends.

Here or There — Read and write travel blogs to share your experiences.

Extravigator — Discuss luxury travel options and get the inside scoop.

Sosauce — Recreate your travel memories with photo tools.

TripHub — Pull together all your information about your travel plans in one place so you can easily share it.

Where I’ve Been — Map out the places you’ve visited on your Facebook page.

TwisitorCenter — Find visitor information for different cities through Twitter.

TravelBlog — Post a travel blog for free and discuss your adventures with other travelers.

Trips — Use this Facebook application to plan trips with friends as well as share your travel information with your friends.

Driftr — Plan and record your trips so that you can easily share them with friends and family.

TripSay — Tell your friends where to go.

Twaller — Get and give travel tips on Twitter in real time.

EverLater — Keep a record of your travels for later.

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