Is it better to book a trip on your own or get a travel agent? How much would a travel agent cost?

Question

I hope to go to Europe either next October or November. Thanks.

Answer 1

Travel agents don't cost you anything above the quoted price for the trip. Their fees come from commissions on things they have booked. That said, there is really no reason you need one for a basic trip unless you are just uncomfortable doing the bookings. You will probably get better prices if you book over the web and you can read reviews and such by other travelers before booking. There is an advantage to using a travel agent in that if something goes wrong you have someone to call who can sort it out for you, but I always book my own.

Answer 2

I agree with "lotsaanswers".

If you know what you want, or have simple needs, do it yourself. This takes a little time, but there aren't as many variables to deal with. This would be something like the case where you want to do a guided horseback trip for a few days in the Rockies, you've already located an outfitter you like, and you just want to spend the rest of the time there sightseeing and hiking a bit. Line up the outfitter, get the airplane tickets, make a reservation or two at some hotels or lodges, arrange for a rental car, and you're good to go.

If your plan is something like - I'd like to go somewhere in the the Caribbean for 6 nights/7 days, I want it to be all-inclusive, not family-oriented, not on island X, Y, or Z, flying out of New York, be just on the edge of when the rainy season starts, cost in the vicinity of $1,000 each for a couple, and I'd like 3-5 packages to choose from - I'd go with the travel agent. There are so many variables/deals/pitfalls in these popular resort destinations that it's hard to sort through all the noise. The agent's small percentage/markup in this case is worth the weeks and weeks you'd spend trying to work it all out on your own. Try to find an agent that specializes in a given area of the globe.

Answer 3

Depends on whether your destination is a popular route and whether you are traveling multi-city, and whether your point of arrival and departure differs.

This is assuming, you are interested only in air tickets (excluding hotel, car rentals etc):

If your destination is a popular route and you plan to return from the same location (ie. your arrival and departure city are the same), then probably internet websites (Expedia etc) are the best bet. They offer unbeatable prices that even some travel agents can't offer.

If your arrival city is small, or less traveled, then travel agents are the best way to go. Travel websites often cannot offer competitive pricing for destinations that are less traveled.

If you are planning to travel to multiple cities in Europe and depart from a city other than which you landed in, then probably a travel agent may be of better assistance to deal with multiple options. From what I have seen, sites such as Expedia, Priceline etc, just cannot handle multi-city options effectively, and often end up being expensive.

Since you have a lot of time til next October, do a comparison between Expedia/Priceline etc and a few travel agents. It doesn't cost anything to get a price quote from a travel agent or travel websites. That way you can find out which option works out cheaper.

Finally, try airline websites directly. A couple of years back, I traveled to the UK and found that Northwest Airlines (www.nwa.com) offered competitive online fares to the UK via Amsterdam (NWA has a tie-up with KLM). Find out the names of major airlines that have an international hub closest to where you want to travel (and if they have a tie-up with local airlines there). You'd be surprised sometimes with the prices they offer online (only).

The same guidelines above apply if you are looking for air tickets+Accomodation+Car rentals etc.

Travel agents costs are usually included within the price quote they offer you (so its irrelevant if the quote is cheaper than when you book on your own)

Good luck with your travels

Answer 4

if you just want a round trip ticket from point A in the US to point B in Europe with no other stops, you might as well go to kayak.com several times over the next week or so and check for best fares and just book it. But if you want a vacation package with tours and hotels, you are better off paying a travel agent expert in your destination to help you book the best vacation. A true specialist can get you into places that are hard to get into, has bulk buying rates at some of the better destinations and can save you money in that way...and can possibly save you money on the airfare too. You can go to Conde Nast Traveler magazine to their annual guide of best travel agents by specialist, for example, for a list of the best according to thousands of their readers and their editors.

Answer 5

i am booking a trip for 5+ people including kids to rome and naples, and i am just using websites, brochures and advice of friends who travel. i dont have the time to be on the phone all day with an agent, or the money after this trip.
a great site i found great bargains on thats a bit low key is
www.best travel store.com

Answer 6

First how long are you making plans on staying? looking on your funds could make certain the place to stay. Staying on Disney supplies is extra high priced than staying outdoors however the perks are sturdy as you get get admission to to the park an hour until now than the wide-unfold public. in the adventure that your funds does not enable for staying on supplies staying someplace else has that's reward besides. We did a 4 day park hopper and stayed outdoors of Disney supplies. They provided loose bus centers provided by ability of Disney that takes you maximum surprising to front of the park. It became super because of the fact the busses zoom maximum surprising directly to the park interior the direction of the site visitors we could have in any different case been caught in, and that they take you maximum surprising to the front so there is not any long walks to get to the front or long walks back after your busy day! BTW - the fast bypass became an spectacular tip. this is loose and could shop you hours interior the park.