This topic is basically a list of the essential websites for travellers; We'll be comprehensive and fair. This post will contain links and one line descriptions in categories. Once a link is placed here after someone has made a suggestion the post will be deleted by the moderators. So to get started:
Utilities
XE.com - provides market currency exchange rates
worldtimezone.com - world time zones - represented graphically
timeanddate.com - time zones, international dialing codes, meeting planner and distance calculator
onebag.com - Light Packing Suggestions - get it all in one bag - watch your liquids!
Wikipedia.org - every thing you ever wanted to know edited by big brother.
projectvisa.com - Lists visa information for most countries - lots of ads.
delta.com - Select nationality and destination, gives passport and visa information.
sleepinginairports.com - guide to sleeping in airports, including reviews
travelindependent.info - Independent packing and backpacking information
travelocity.com - search engine for flights, accomodation and transport.
freetranslation.com - free translation site
Babel Fish Translation - free translation site
studentjetpacks.co.uk - general travel advice, plus more detailed information for some countries
webflyer.com - information site for members of frequent flyer networks
thedirtyload.com - worldwide laundry search
bookcrossing.com - recycle books you have read, clear your shelves - send your books out on an adventure of their own!
travelpost.com - International airport wireless internet guide
nhs.uk - health info for travellers
Airline Tickets
Amadeus.net - Look straight into the database used by most travel agents and airlines. An excellent planning tool as you don't have to visit every airline in existence to find out if they fly on a particular destination or not. This of course excludes chartered services and low cost carriers which are not booked through Amadeus.
Tickets not Available
Checkmytrip.com - Use your name and Amadeus booking number to keep an eye on the status of your scheduled flights. Extra useful in that your friends/family/relatives/favourite pet can keep up to date with your itinerary down to the last minute. Again, this does not work for low cost carriers.
Attitude Travel - lists low cost/budget airlines world wide.
Kayak.com,
Expedia,
Ebookers - online air-travel and usually a lot more.
Airtreks.com - round the world tickets and planning application.
www.skyscanner.net ,
www.airtkt.com ,
www.trabber.co.uk ,
www.fly.co.uk ,
sidestep.com ,
farecast.com ,
farecompare.com - search engines for flights
travel.indiatimes.com - caters mainly for travel between the US and India
Non-air travel
Seat61 - worldwide train and ferry information.
Tickets not available through site
www.geocities.com/freighterman.geo ,
freighterworld.com ,
freighter-cruises.com ,
freightertravel.co.nz (suggested contact Hamish Jamieson),
lowcarbontravel.com ,
thetravelersnotebook.com ,
50plus.com ,
strandtravel.co.uk ,
cruisepeople.co.uk - information on freighter travel
News Sources
IRIN (irinnews.org) - news from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Helps you avoid conflict zones in exotic places.
BBC News - British Broadcasting Corporation - for the broad overview.
www.kidon.com - local newspapers and news sources from all continents
who.int - World Health Organisation
Guides
LonelyPlanet.com,
RoughGuides.com - Two of the most well known print travel guides.
wikitravel.org - online wiki based travel guide.
worldreviewer.com - travel guide with destination reviews by experts
audiosnacks.com ,
tourcaster.com ,
geogad.com - downloadable audio guides
slevart.com - focus on dining and accomodation
Forums and travellers' articles
backpackers.com ,
travel-rants.com ,
roadtrippin.com - travel articles, forums and information
Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Travel Forum
www.expat-blog.com - blog and forum site for expats
Trip Planners
www.airtreks.com
www.globalbasecamps.com - sustainable tour options
findoutwheretogo.com - preview destinations by viewing other travellers' photos
timetogobackpacking.com - itinerary planner
thinkbackpacking.com