Vacations are for relaxing, but some travelers find themselves more harried when they travel than when they’re working at home. The next time you venture out into the world, allow these five free apps to guide your journey.

TripIt

Click here to download TripIt from the iTunes Store
For Android, iPad, iPhone, Windows Phone 7, and Blackberry.

Do you get fumble fingers when you travel? Can’t find your ticket stubs, email confirmations, or itineraries? TripIt can quell your travel jitters in a New York minute. This handy app assimilates all your travel data into one convenient hub. All you have to do is forward your digital travel information to plans@tripit.com. Presto! No more shuffling papers, spilling purses, or digging through carry-ons for information.

One of TripIt’s greatest advantages is that you can share your travel information with others with the click of a button. Itineraries can be shared via email, direct link, or a social media post on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

TripIt comes in three forms: TripIt Free, TripIt Pro ($49/mo), and TripIt for Teams ($29/mo). Many find the free version sufficient, but if you’re not sure which is best for you, don’t sweat it; the Pro and Teams versions come with a no-charge 30-day trial.

TripAdvisor

Click here to download TripAdvisor from the iTunes Store
For Android, iPad, iPhone, Windows Phone, Nokia, and the Internet.

TripAdvisor does exactly what its name suggests: It offers advice about different aspects of your trip. If you’re looking for a hotel in a specific city and are not sure which one to choose, consult TripAdvisor’s thorough listing. You’ll find a world of information about hotel prices, amenities, locations, ratings, and customer reviews. If you’re seeking a flight, restaurant, or vacation, TripAdvisor will also respond to these queries with a wealth of valuable information.

Roadtrippers

Click here to download Roadtrippers from the iTunes Store

For Android and iPhone.

For those who like to jump in the car and just start driving – but then later regret their lack of planning – Roadtripper’s free app is a lifesaver. Simply enter your starting and ending points into the app and let the software map out your route and sync it to your phone.You’ll never get lost again.

Not sure what fun things you might be missing when you take a seat-of-your-pants road trip? Select Roadtripper’s “Places” tab to find out about all the great restaurants, entertainment venues, and attractions on your route. Read reviews of places you might like to go, or leave words of wisdom for others after you go somewhere. Roadtrippers is a modern way for communities to join forces via cyberspace in their vacation planning.

Rome2rio

Click here to downliad Rome2rio from the iTunes store
For iOS 5+ systems and Android.

Did you ever wonder if – or even how –  you might get from your doorstep to the Virgin Islands? Portugal? Rome? Rome2rio has the answers to these questions and many more. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Rome2rio’s team of developers created a free app that essentially provides travelers with a “door-to-door travel search engine.” This search engine takes the legwork out of the logistical planning of any journey.

Rome2rio answers questions like, “How much would it cost if I drove there?” and “What kind of bus or plane options would I have?” Rome2rio offers access to extensive airline queries and covers travel itineraries in Europe, North and South America, and the Asian Pacific. If global travel is your heart’s desire, pack up Rome2rio along with your T-Mobile international service plan and have the time of your life seeing the world.

Chewsy

Click to download Chewsy from the iTunes store

For iPhone users.

One of the greatest things about taking a vacation is sampling delicious foods from different places. Yelp gives you a general review of certain restaurants, but Chewsy provides dish-specific reviews from both food critics and friends. No matter where you travel, you can call upon your Chewsy app to find good eats that don’t disappoint. The app is free and, according to some critics, beats out competing apps like Foodspotting and Urbanspoon.

When you download these free travel apps, you’re also “downloading” the most organized, carefree vacation a 21st century traveler could ask for. The technology is yours for the taking. Grab it and hit the road!