travel agent to book holiday

2-FOR-1 GA TICKETS WITH OUTSIDE+

Don’t miss Thundercat, Fleet Foxes, and more at the Outside Festival.

GET TICKETS

BEST WEEK EVER

Try out unlimited access with 7 days of Outside+ for free.

Start Your Free Trial

Breaking Down the Pros and Cons of Using a Travel Agent

You're convinced that having a travel expert by your side will be useful. But how do you go about knowing when and how to book with them?

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Confession: I’m a big fan of travel agents (whoops, sorry, travel advisers ), even though I could technically book all my trips through websites and apps. And despite the fact that many of us might consider this industry old-fashioned and out-of-date, research shows that travelers, and millennials in particular, are once again turning to these specialists to help plow through TripAdvisor detritus. If you’re wondering: how much does a travel agent cost, and why would I book with one anyway? Read on.

How to Know If You Need a Travel Agent

Once you’ve come around to the idea of hiring a travel agent, ask these three questions before booking:

• Is this a domestic trip or one that involves traveling to a part of the world you’ve never been? If it’s the former you don’t need a travel agent.
• Can I get a better deal by using a travel agent? (This question requires you pricing out your trip with and without one.)
• Is this a big-budget, special-event kind of trip? If the answer is yes, go with a travel agent.

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent

They can find crazy deals..

This is literally their job. If they have been in the travel business for many years, they likely have supplier relationships in place that can help leverage better deals for you. Many travel agents specialize in locations (i.e., cruise vacations in Europe). Some travel agents offer package deals, with more savings passed on to you then booking the trip on your own—that is good news to your wallet.

They will be your advocate.

One of the best ways to utilize a travel agent is as an advocate should something derail on your trip. They can help you with lost luggage, in the case of natural disasters, if you get stuck in a location before your trip, etc. They are there to help you get your trip back on track.

They’ll take care of the little things.

I love my travel agent, and I love all the extras she provides when we use her services for a trip. For instance, when we traveled to the Bahamas, she made sure there was a nice bottle of champagne and strawberries in our room on our arrival, and she also upgraded our room free of charge. While this certainly is not a guarantee when you use a travel agent, there are a lot of added-value extras you can expect when you use a travel agent. Why? Because travel agents know you don’t have to use them to book your trip, and they want to say thank you.

They’re true experts.

Most travel agents have been working in the industry for years now, and it’s their job to stay on top of travel trends and upcoming hot destinations. When I spoke with my travel agent about a trip to Europe recently, she offered a few alternate destinations. I was not thinking about the destinations she suggested, but the alternatives offered great activities, culture, food, interesting boutique hotels, and more options for less money than my original destination.

They don’t usually cost extra.

It’s a myth that working with a travel agent will automatically cost you more; most get paid via commissions from the hotel or outfitter. Sure, some travel agents do charge a fee for putting together an itinerary, but most will credit you that fee if you end up booking the trip through them. Make sure you know all the potential fees before you use a travel agent, and do not hesitate to negotiate away.

The Cons of Using a Travel Agent

They’re not going to help with cheaper airfare..

Back in the day, you would use a travel agent to book every aspect of your trip. However, with so many options to find low-cost airfare, like Google Flights , Scott’s Cheap Flights , and  Skyscanner , booking your own flights is easy and cost-effective. Most travel agents cannot score discounted flights, and many travel agents will not even bother. Follow these tips on how to find the cheapest flights possible , instead.

They’re not you.

This may seem obvious, although it’s still important to consider. A travel agent not only finds you the best deals, but they also offer suggestions for activities, restaurants, and more. This is great if you’re someone who doesn’t like to research these things, but you run the risk of working with someone who doesn’t get your personal preferences (maybe they lean toward road tours rather than technical singletrack). Do your own research first, and come up with a list of activities that you want to do. Once you have that list, pass it along to your travel agent to see if they can rustle up any deals as they book.

How to Find a Great One

One of the best ways to find a reputable travel agent is to get referrals from your friends and family. Anyone that has used that travel agent for a previous trip and enjoyed their service is someone worth checking out. As with anything, I always suggest talking to at least two different travel agents to see who you feel most comfortable with. Remember, they are there to work for you.

Know your travel budget before you reach out to a travel agent. Likely, this will be the first question they ask you and will help steer them toward the best destinations for that budget. If you are traveling somewhere that’s specialized, like going on that once-in-a-lifetime African safari , find a specialist that knows that region inside and out. They will usually have the best deals and relationships with hotels and activity companies in that area.

How Much Does a Travel Agent Cost?

Usually, the cost of hiring a travel agent to organize a trip for you is fairly minimal. Many agencies charge a flat fee of around $100, and others may charge a certain small percentage of your trip. Most of their take-home profits come from the hotels, wholesalers, resorts, and businesses they work with, but be sure to as your travel agent about fees upfront and before you start working with them to plan your next dream vacation. (No one likes hidden fees and surprises.)

• Adventure Adviser
• Budget Trips

Popular on Outside Online

Enjoy coverage of racing, history, food, culture, travel, and tech with access to unlimited digital content from Outside Network's iconic brands.

Healthy Living

• Clean Eating
• Vegetarian Times
• Yoga Journal
• Fly Fishing Film Tour
• National Park Trips
• Warren Miller
• Fastest Known Time
• Trail Runner
• Women's Running
• Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
• FinisherPix
• Outside Events Cycling Series
• Outside Shop

© 2024 Outside Interactive, Inc

TTC family of brands

My Trafalgar

Destinations

Get Inspired

866 513 1995

Shop The Seasonal Sale

Today's Best Travel Deals

Last minute deals, september deals.

These deals won't last long

Save on tours departing soon

Save on top tours in our most popular travel month.

See All September Deals

Popular searches

Domestic Trips

See America in a new light

Vacations under 14 days

Limited availability. Selling fast.

Today's best travel deals

Save now. Don't miss out. 

Offers for travel groups of 9+

Save when you book 9+ guests

Past guest benefits

Savings with Global Tour Rewards

Tours under $2000

Browse our value vacations

All Last Minute Deals

Simply the best and most relevant way to travel

Everything Taken Care of

Value for Money

100+ Years of Travel Expertise

We MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Looking for inspiration?

Order or download your free brochure

The top 10 'travelling solo' myths debunked

The power of shared experiences: how travel bonds us together

7 reasons why fall is the perfect season for travelling

Got questions? Find your answer in our popular FAQs >

See All Destinations

See happy guests traveling now #simplyTrafalgar

We are the world's most loved tour company.

Ready to be inspired?

Get your free brochure and plan your next escape.

Request a Brochure

5 million happy guests...

...and counting. See what our past guests have to say.

Read Reviews

Help & Info

WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Unedited Reviews

Our Destination Management Companies

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel Updates

Media & Press Room

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Travel Planning

Get Your Free Brochure

Travel Insurance

Booking Conditions

Trip Deposit Level

Recommendations

Trafalgar Tours Limited is a proud member of  The Travel Corporation  family of companies.

#SimplyTrafalgar

Travel House, Rue du Manoir St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JH

Selected Region

United States

United Kingdom

New Zealand

South Africa

Copyright 2024 Trafalgar. All rights reserved.

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

Best Hotel Booking Sites

Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Solo Travelers

The Best Budget Hotels in Miami Beach of 2024

Best Dreams Resorts

Best Budget Manhattan Hotels

Best Walt Disney World Resort Hotels in Orlando

The 9 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Mexico in 2024

Best Las Vegas Hotels for Couples

Best Online Sites for Booking Cheap or Discounted Airline Tickets

Best London Budget Hotels

Best Car Rental Companies of 2024

The Best Oceanfront Virginia Beach Hotels

Best Budget Disney World Hotels

Best Hawaii All-Inclusive Hotels

Best Disneyland Hotels

Saving Money on Your Summer Vacation

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Expedia travel: search hotels, cheap flights, car rentals & vacations, search for travel.

• Things to do

Add a flight

Save 10% or more on over 100,000 hotels with Member Prices. Also, members save up to 30% when you add a hotel to a flight

Discover your new favorite stay, explore stays in trending destinations.

Yosemite National Park

Last-minute weekend deals

Image gallery for fontainebleau las vegas.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Image gallery for margaritaville hotel san diego gaslamp quarter.

Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

Image gallery for omni san francisco hotel.

Omni San Francisco Hotel

San francisco, image gallery for prince waikiki.

Prince Waikiki

Image gallery for silver legacy resort casino at the row.

Silver Legacy Resort Casino at THE ROW

Image gallery for inn on summer hill.

Inn on Summer Hill

Santa barbara, image gallery for hotel yllen eiffel.

Hotel Yllen Eiffel

Image gallery for chaminade resort & spa.

Chaminade Resort & Spa

Image gallery for cypress pointe resort.

Cypress Pointe Resort

Image gallery for trump international hotel & tower chicago.

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

Image gallery for 1 hotel nashville.

1 Hotel Nashville

Image gallery for magnolia new orleans.

Magnolia New Orleans

New orleans, image gallery for the lancaster hotel.

The Lancaster Hotel

Explore these unique stays, image gallery for brasada ranch.

Brasada Ranch

Powell butte, image gallery for highlands castle overlooking lake george.. plus 2 other castles.

HIGHLANDS CASTLE overlooking Lake George.. plus 2 other Castles!

Bolton landing, image gallery for cottage on armstrong.

Cottage on Armstrong

Image gallery for cougar ridge resort, llc.

Cougar Ridge Resort, LLC

Image gallery for conestoga ranch.

Conestoga Ranch

Garden city, image gallery for castle gate rv park.

Castle Gate RV Park

Image gallery for teton valley resort.

Teton Valley Resort

Image gallery for ocean villas at turtle bay.

Ocean Villas at Turtle Bay

Image gallery for hill country casitas.

Hill Country Casitas

Dripping springs, image gallery for a hidden haven & water garden cottages.

A Hidden Haven & Water Garden Cottages

Port angeles, image gallery for cottages at bay harbor.

Cottages at Bay Harbor

Image gallery for bear creek lodge and cabins in helen ga - pet friendly, river on property, walking distance to downtown helen.

Bear Creek Lodge and Cabins in Helen Ga - Pet Friendly, River on Property, Walking Distance to downtown Helen

Image gallery for ocean villas of carlsbad.

Ocean Villas of Carlsbad

Image gallery for big arm resort.

Big Arm Resort

Image gallery for 320 guest ranch.

320 Guest Ranch

Gallatin gateway, image gallery for skywater cabins.

SkyWater Cabins

Image gallery for west glacier cabin village.

West Glacier Cabin Village

West glacier, image gallery for ski in & out spruce glen townhomes on great eastern trail.

Ski in & out Spruce Glen Townhomes on Great Eastern Trail

Image gallery for mill creek resort on table rock lake.

Mill Creek Resort on Table Rock Lake

Image gallery for cottages at healdsburg.

Cottages at Healdsburg

Image gallery for aspects big sky.

Aspects Big Sky

Image gallery for presidential mountain resort.

Presidential Mountain Resort

Image gallery for rocky top memories.

Rocky Top Memories

Sevierville, image gallery for college station vacation rental: 2 mi to texas a&m.

College Station Vacation Rental: 2 Mi to Texas A&M

College station.

Earn OneKeyCash on eligible flights, hotels, cars, and more

Go all in and still save money this summer

Handpicked hotels that go the extra mile

Beach, luxury, and more—book a package to save

Go off the beaten path and save with deals for One Key Members

Flight deals ready to take you to the most-loved places

• Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Top Hotel Deals on Domestic Destinations

• Top Hotels in Boston, MA
• Top Hotels in Houston, TX
• Top Hotels in Chicago, IL
• Top Hotels in Pigeon Forge, TN
• Top Hotels in Myrtle Beach, SC
• Top Hotels in Los Angeles, CA
• Top Hotels in Nashville, TN
• Top Hotels in San Francisco, CA
• Top Hotels in Miami, FL
• Top Hotels in New Orleans, LA
• Top Hotels in Atlantic City, NJ
• Top Hotels in Orlando, FL
• Top Hotels in Las Vegas, NV
• Top Hotels in Anna Maria Island, FL
• Top Hotels in New York, NY
• Top domestic Hotels

Top Hotel Deals on International Destinations

• Top All-inclusive Resorts in Turks and Caicos
• Top All-inclusive Resorts in Puerto Rico
• Top Hotels in Paris
• Top Hotels in Puerto Rico Island
• Top Hotels in Rome from $35
• Top All-inclusive Resorts in Bahamas
• Top Hotels in San Juan
• Top Hotels in Cabo San Lucas
• Top Hotels in Tokyo
• Top All-inclusive Resorts in Mexico
• Top Hotels in Cancun
• Top All-inclusive Resorts in Cancun
• Top Hotels in London
• Top Hotels in Niagara Falls
• Top Hotels in Toronto
• Top international Hotels

Top Domestic Flights

• Flights to Las Vegas
• Flights to Hawaii
• Flights to New York
• Flights to Orlando
• Flights to Miami
• Flights to Los Angeles
• Flights to Maui
• Flights to Houston
• Flights to Dallas
• Flights to Denver

Top International Flights

• Flights to Puerto Rico
• Flights to Tokyo
• Flights to Kannur
• Flights to Mexico City
• Flights to London
• Flights to Cancun
• Flights to Manila
• Flights to Cabo San Lucas
• Flights to Bali
• Flights to Bora Bora

Save today on vacation packages

• Las Vegas Vacation Packages
• New York Vacation Packages
• Miami Vacation Packages
• Orlando Vacation Packages
• New Orleans Vacation Packages
• Williamsburg Vacation Packages
• Portland Vacation Packages
• Laughlin Vacation Packages
• Tampa Vacation Packages
• Atlantic City Vacation Packages
• Austin Vacation Packages
• St. Thomas Vacation Packages

Book international flights & hotels together to save

• Cancun Vacation Packages
• Punta Cana Vacation Packages
• Aruba Vacation Packages
• Bahamas Vacation Packages
• London Vacation Packages
• Paris Vacation Packages
• Cozumel Vacation Packages
• Playa Del Carmen Vacation Packages
• Toronto Vacation Packages
• Quintana Roo Vacation Packages

Top places to visit domestically

• Visit Los Angeles
• Visit Las Vegas
• Visit New York
• Visit Chicago
• Visit Orlando
• Visit Dallas
• Visit Atlanta
• Visit Phoenix
• Visit Miami
• Visit Houston

Visit places internationally

• Visit the Bahamas
• Visit Vancouver
• Visit Mexico
• Visit Cabo San Lucas
• Visit Cancun
• Visit Punta Cana
• Visit Australia
• Visit London
• Visit Aruba
• Visit Paris

Airport & car rental deals

• Car rentals in Los Angeles
• Car rentals in Orlando
• Car rentals in Las Vegas
• Car rentals in Denver
• Car rentals in Phoenix
• Car rentals in Chicago
• Car rentals in Fort Lauderdale
• Car rentals in New York
• Car rentals in Atlanta
• Car rentals in Houston

Find cheap car rentals at international airports

• Car rentals in Dublin
• Car rentals in Vancouver
• Car rentals in Toronto
• Car rentals in Dubai
• Car rentals in Paris
• Car rentals in Cancun
• Car rentals in Puerto Rico
• Car rentals in Rome
• Car rentals in Calgary

Top Deals on Vacation Rental Destinations

• Search all Vacation Rentals
• Top Myrtle Beach Vacation Rentals
• Top Vacation Rentals in Florida
• Top Vacation Rentals in New Jersey
• Top South Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals
• Top Galveston Vacation Rentals
• Top Miami Vacation Rentals
• Top Tampa Vacation Rentals
• Top Orlando Vacation Rentals
• Top Daytona Beach Vacation Rentals
• Top Gulf Shores Vacation Rentals
• Top Oahu Vacation Rentals
• Top Geneva-on-the-Lake Vacation Rentals
• Top Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals
• Top Jersey Shore Vacation Rentals
• Top South Padre Island Vacation Rentals

Popular cruise destinations

• Cruises to Bahamas
• Cruises to Mexico
• Cruises to Hawaii
• Cruises to Alaska
• Cruises to Caribbean
• Cruises to Europe
• Cruises to Bermuda
• Cruises to Africa
• Cruises to Australia & New Zealand
• Cruises to Canada & New England

Cruise departure ports nearby

• Cruises from Galveston
• Cruises from Miami
• Cruises from New York
• Cruises from Tampa
• Cruises from Long Beach
• Cruises from Boston
• Cruises from Charleston
• Cruises from Port Canaveral
• Cruises from San Francisco
• Cruises from Norfolk

Other Vacation ideas

• Travel Trends 2024
• Christmas Vacation Deals
• Weekend Getaways
• Plan your Vacation
• Vacation Payment Plans
• Expedia Group wildlife guidelines
• All Inclusive Vacations
• Ski Vacations
• Beach Vacations
• Golf Vacations
• Kid Friendly Vacations
• Luxury Vacations
• Romantic Vacations
• Adventure Vacations
• Last Minute Vacation Deals
• Best Travel Destinations by Month

More destinations

• All Destinations

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

The top 7 online travel agents for the best holiday deals

Share the love

Online travel agents are plentiful, but which ones offer the best deals and are actually trustworthy? Here’s our expert view…

As the world opens up again, many of us are already packing our bags and seeking out our next adventure. However, with so many online travel agents – literally hundreds – it’s tricky to know where to start.

Whether you’re looking for a city break, a far-flung adventure or a package beach holiday, there’s something out there to suit all tastes and budgets.

Consider whether you want to build your own break or simply pick a destination, book and go, before following our handy guide to the best online travel booking websites and online travel agents.

Why we rate it:  Expedia is a household name in the travel world and probably one of the most popular online travel agents thanks to its build-your-own approach to booking a break. You can use it to book stays, flights, packages, cars and things to do – often with more flexibility than some other sites as you’re not tied to one airline, for example.

Let’s say you’re booking a city break – you select your room, then your departing flight and finally your return flight, with plenty of accommodation types and flight options to choose between – meaning you can go when and where you want. That said, the sheer range of choice can be overwhelming, so travellers who want more guidance and support should perhaps look elsewhere.

Top tip: Join the Expedia Rewards programme and earn points to access benefits such as special prices and earn points, which you can redeem on future bookings.

ATOL protected: Yes

READ MORE: The best UK websites for travel deals & holiday discounts

2. On The Beach

Why we rate it: More than two-thirds (68%) of people rated their experience with On The Beach as excellent on Trustpilot and in 2017 the website won the Feefo Trusted Service Award. The website offers a basic set of booking tools for short and medium haul flights and hotels in Europe.

Its search isn’t as sophisticated as some, as filters are quite basic and the ‘view on map’ option is hidden away in the top right-hand corner of results, so On The Beach is perhaps best for those who know what they want, rather than anyone looking for inspiration. However, it does let users select regions to travel from, such as northwest England instead of just Manchester and Liverpool, for example.

Top tip: One key benefit offered by On The Beach is the option to pay for your holiday in instalments after putting down a low deposit. It also offers extras such as insurance, car hire, airport lounge booking, transfers and parking. 

3. Hays Travel

Why we rate it: Founded in the back of a Co Durham store in 1980, Hays Travel is now the UK’s largest independent travel agent having bought all of Thomas Cook’s stores in 2019. Once only found in the northeast of England, there are now about 450 branches across the UK. Its website offers a range of deals to popular holiday destinations, although its search function is pretty simple.

Hays Travel prides itself on providing good value and low-cost holidays, and offers a Peace of Mind Guarantee that offers free amendments up to 14 days before your departure date. If Hays Travel has to cancel your trip for any reason, it promises a refund within 14 days. It’s also got a network of customer service advisers who can be reached by phone.

Top tip: If you’re looking to travel on a flight within 48 hours, contact a member of the sales team directly by phone on 0808 231 2545.

READ MORE: 30 secrets travel agents know that you don’t

4. Jet2holidays.com

Why we rate it: Jet2holidays.com gets an impressive 4.5 / 5 score on Trustpilot and offers a range of European package holidays, city breaks and villa stays, as well as flights from 10 regional airports across the UK. You can also book direct flights through Jet2.com, although remember you won’t be ATOL protected if you book a hotel separately.

The company prides itself on providing VIP customer service and has been awarded for it too. Jet2holidays.com also claims to have more in-resort customer helpers than rivals and includes baggage, transfers and reasonable flight times. It also lets you pay in full, part pay or pay monthly – whatever suits you.

Top tip: People travelling on their own will appreciate the solo-traveller discount. Jet2holidays.com also offers some adults-only resorts.

5. Trailfinders

Why we rate it: Trailfinders describes itself as ‘The Travel Experts’ and it’s 5-star rating on Trustpilot would indicate that plenty of customers agree with that moniker. This is the agency to go to for more tailor-made trips to far-flung places – be it driving across the Rockies, snorkelling on the Gold Coast or going on safari in Kenya.

If you’re looking to book all of your trips online, this isn’t the service for you. However, it’s great for inspiration before you call to speak to one of its expert travel consultants. Trailfinders trips aren’t as budget-friendly as some of its rivals but the service is worth it.

Top tip: Sign up to its newsletter to receive the latest offers and inspiration and if you do book a trip, download its Viewtrail app to have all the relevant information at your fingertips.

Why we rate it: Opodo is part of ODIGEO, one of the world’s largest online travel companies and serving 18 million customers across 46 countries. It’s been praised for being the best airline booking site and as an online travel agency with several awards.

One of the best things about this site is it allows you to split your journey across different airlines to ensure you get the best deals – and there are hundreds of airlines to compare, meaning you’re unlikely to miss out on a bargain.

Top tip: Download the Opodo app and get £10 off with the code OPODO10.

7. Lastminute.com

Why we rate it: A trusted booking service since 1998, you can also book flights, hotels, packages, theatre trips, experiences and Eurostar journeys through Lastminute.com .

Lastminute.com describes itself as Europe's travel-tech leader in package holidays. There are plenty of pictures and the hotel selection tool using the map is pretty funky, although it can be a bit slow to load. Be wary if you need to use its hotline to speak to someone in person as it’s 13p a minute, plus any access charge.

Top tip: The site also offers ‘top secret’ hotels deals , with discounts of up to 40%. You won’t know which hotel you’re booking until you’ve paid, but will be guaranteed a certain level of service (usually 4 or 5-stars) and offered an indication of where it’s located.

ATOL Protected: Yes

Lead image:  Martin Valigursky/Shutterstock

Be the first to comment

Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature

Copyright © loveexploring.com All rights reserved.

We are experiencing periods of high call volumes with longer than usual wait times. Please allow up to 24 hours for a callback during regular business hours. Save time and book online under the Tour Dates & Pricing section of your desired tour!

Departures Added

Explore Here

Earn FREE Travel

with Our Group Travel Program!

INTRODUCING

New 2024 Tours

Explore New Tours

• Find Your Trip
• Local Station Keyword

‐ or ‐

Ready to Book?

Holiday Vacations guided tours include airfare from more than 100 conveniently located U.S. airports, great hotels, delightful meals and interesting sights. Our expert Tour Directors are quite simply the best in the industry. They handle all travel details to ensure that your vacation is happy and carefree.

We are proud to be one of America’s most reputable tour companies, producing unparalleled travel experiences since 1973. Discover for yourself the many benefits of traveling with Holiday Vacations!

The Holiday Advantage

Airfare Included

Professional Tour Directors

Exceptional Accommodations with Baggage Handling

Premier Attractions

Low Deposit, Guaranteed Prices, & No Hidden Costs

Motorcoach & Professional Driver

Your Resource for Upcoming Holiday Vacations Travel

For your convenience, we invite you to utilize our travel planning hubs for guidance during your planning and packing process.

View our Travel Planning Hubs

" London, Normandy, Paris was a fabulous trip, especially the year of the 75th anniversary of D-Day! That was our 7th trip with Holiday Vacations. Loved every one of them. The national parks are well worth seeing, as were Hawaii and Cuba. "

– Judy Kelly D. - Via Facebook

" My third trip with HV was to Austria and Germany in 2014. This included the bucket list of experiencing OKTOBERFEST. Looks like I’m doing a beer commercial with the Alps as a backdrop. Also notice my pinkie extended. This is due to 2 years of charm school (REALLY). Thank you HV for all the amazing memories. "

– Katie H. - Via Facebook

" Jackson Hole, WY while on the Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons trip last year. We just completed our 6th trip with Holiday Vacations last month and are now discussing which tour we will take next. Only way we wish to travel and Holiday Vacations tours are the best! "

– Elaine G. - Via Facebook

" Athens, Greece at the Parthenon. My first trip. Everything about it was great! "

– Yvonne C. - Via Facebook

" October 2019 trip to Italy—Venice, Florence and Rome. This was taken in front of the Coliseum in Rome. Such a fantastic, memorable trip! Looking forward to our next adventure with Holiday when we go to Iceland in October. "

– Mary F. - Via Facebook

Stay Informed

Be the first to know about exclusive opportunities or departures from your area.

Stay Connected

Activity levels.

Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.

Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.

Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.

Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.

Very Active

Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.

Protect Your Trip »

Is a travel agent worth it the pros and cons.

Travel experts agree there are several advantages to hiring a vacation planner.

The Pros & Cons of Using a Travel Agent

Getty Images

A travel agent can save you money and time.

Need to pivot your trip plans but don't want to deal with the extra time, money and hassle of rebooking flights and accommodations on your own? That's just one area where a knowledgeable travel agent (also commonly known as a travel advisor) can help. Read on to discover the other benefits – as well as the downsides – of using a travel agent, so you can confidently decide whether or not a travel agent is worth it for your next trip.

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent

Travel agents can save you money – and get you other perks.

"In some cases, you'll actually get a better  deal by working with a travel agent," says Jackie Steele, travel expert at MagicGuides . "This could be in the form of a cruise onboard credit (free spending money to use on the ship), access to special agency/group rates, or even just learning about a discount you qualify for but weren't aware of." The best agents will even keep an eye on new discounts as they're announced and apply them to your trip even after you've booked, he notes.

Travel agents handle all the details

Hotel room? Booked. Dinner reservations? Made. Tour tickets? Ready to go. A travel agent handles every detail of your vacation itinerary. "The traveler still gets to be involved in the fun part of dreaming up ideas and providing their travel wishes, while we take and perfect them," says Jessica Parker, founder of Trip Whisperer .

Molly McShea, owner and travel advisor at McShea Travel , points out that travel agents can also help with timing logistics. "Travel agents know how many days should be spent in each destination, which tours go together, and how many things you should do in a day," she says, adding that crafting an itinerary can be challenging if it's not something you regularly do. Additionally, travel agents can help you choose the best time to visit your preferred destination(s) based on seasonality and your budget, and sift through travel insurance policies to find the best option for your needs.

Travel agents can provide local expertise

"A travel advisor's industry connections and relationships provide added value to their clients," says Valerie Edman, a luxury travel advisor and agency owner at Cultured Travel LLC. She says when working with a travel agent, travelers gain access to a global network of connections including:

• In-destination specialists who work exclusively with travel advisors and can connect travelers with unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences they wouldn't otherwise know about
• Exclusive experiences not available to the general public

You'll avoid surprise fees

When deciding if a travel agent is worth it for you, remember this: A reputable agent can guarantee you won't encounter any surprise fees on accommodations and activities once your trip is booked.

You'll have someone to troubleshoot unexpected travel issues

A travel advisor is essentially your personal vacation concierge. "Because they've been around for so long, agents really know what to look for," says Christopher Elliott , a consumer advocate and journalist. "Travel agents are among the first to know about flight cancellations and delays , making it easy for them to rebook itineraries right away." 

The Cons of Using a Travel Agent

It might not be your cheapest option.

There are some instances when it makes more sense to plan your own trip. "If you're planning a quick flight from New York City to Los Angeles, it's easy enough to book it yourself online directly or through a third-party booking site," says Elliott. "If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or bucket list honeymoon , that's when you call the experts."

You'll have less flexibility in your itinerary

The upside of working with a travel agent is having someone plan an epic vacation for you based on industry knowledge and local expertise. But this can also be a downside in the event you discover an activity you'd like to do or a restaurant you'd like to try that isn't on your pre-planned itinerary. If you alter your plans, you risk losing money; plus, the time it takes for you and your travel agent to coordinate your change of plans may not be worth the hassle.

You still have to do some research

It's important to find an agent you can trust, which means you still have to do some of the vacation planning. For this part, Parker recommends picking up the phone. "Lots of people avoid or don't pick up the phone as much anymore," she says. "That's where you get the high-touch service, tone of voice, excitement or concerns to manage." She advises to look for the following red flags:

• No fees: " Travel advisors are charging planning fees more now or increasing them, so the client knows more confidently than ever, we work for them, not the suppliers with the best commissions," Parker explains. "There are a lot of things that are non-commissionable and the advisor's time and expertise shouldn't be given away for free, either. That's the best way to show an advisor takes their business seriously."
• Limited options: If you work with someone who is inexperienced or has an incentive to book you with a certain supplier, they may not be prioritizing your best interests. "It's important to check if they are with a larger consortia, accreditations and network, typically listed on their website and signatures," says Parker. "That level of mindshare doesn't come with a lone advisor unless they have many, many years of experience."
• Slow response times: If communication is delayed, that's a sign they may be too busy to plan your trip – but again, this is something you can avoid by having the right conversations early on.

Edman suggestes starting your search with the American Society of Travel Advisors . "ASTA-verified travel advisors are committed to the highest industry standards and have verifiable industry knowledge so consumers can feel confident in working with them," she says.

You might also be interested in:

• Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
• First-Time Cruise Tips
• Carry-on Luggage Sizes by Airline
• What to Pack in Your Carry-on Bag
• The Best Luggage Brands

Tags: Travel , Travel Tips

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The 15 best chicago tours for 2024.

John Rodwan May 1, 2024

The 10 Best Harry Potter Tours in London

Marisa Méndez April 30, 2024

12 Cheap Fourth of July Getaways

April 29, 2024

The Best Tours of Buckingham Palace

Laura French April 29, 2024

Flight Canceled or Delayed? What to Do

Amanda Norcross April 26, 2024

The Best Beach Hats

Megan Johnson and Sharael Kolberg April 26, 2024

The Best Florence Tours

John Rodwan April 25, 2024

The 9 Best Louisiana Swamp Tours of 2024

John Rodwan April 24, 2024

How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

Gwen Pratesi April 24, 2024

The Best Whale Watching in Cape Cod

Lyn Mettler April 24, 2024

4 scenarios when you should use a travel agent

Editor's Note

If you're a points-and-miles-wielding expert traveler, you may not immediately think of using a travel agent to book your getaways . However, there are times and situations when using these services can be of great benefit.

A good travel agent can be a game-changer when it comes to helping you book your ideal trip and receive the best services once you arrive at your destination. Travel agents can also be of great assistance when things go wrong, especially during this summer of excessive flight delays and cancellations .

Agents can often secure the best room in a hotel or the top cabin on a cruise ship. Sometimes they can even secure complimentary upgrades, breakfast benefits or food and beverage credits, and free spa treatments during your stay.

When it comes to making the right decisions about when to travel, what sights to see and which guides to hire, agents can act as advisors. An excellent travel agent can be the difference between an OK experience and the trip of a lifetime.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Here are four times when you may want to use a travel agent:

Booking a hotel with extras

Your travel agent can become a trusted friend over time. Before you're ready to turn over all your travel planning to a travel adviser, test the waters by collaborating on a simple trip request. You'll want to see how the agent operates, communicates and arranges extra perks and deals. Avoid a complex or elaborate request on the first go-round.

Start by having a travel agency book your hotel arrangements with a few specific requests for extras baked in, such as airport transfers or spa services .

Start with an agent who is part of a major travel consortium such as Virtuoso, Travel Leaders Network, Ensemble Travel Group or Signature Travel Network. Each of these networks provides a suite of benefits to travelers who book with them. If you're familiar with the perks of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program or the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection , you'll know what we mean. Extra benefits for booking can include space-available upgrades, free breakfast, additional food and beverage credit, a free spa treatment or a round of golf.

Related: This new travel company will pair you with local experts

You can work with a travel agency that fits your style. This may be someone from a large company based in a major city with dozens of agents, or it may be someone from a more boutique option such as the family-owned and operated Ourisman Travel. (Ourisman Travel is a travel consultancy affiliated with Brownell Travel, one of the oldest travel agencies in the U.S., and also a member of the Virtuoso network.)

What's nice about Ourisman and any Virtuoso agency is that you can have your travel agent do all the work. You can also use the Virtuoso booking tool to make quick, easy reservations. Once your reservation is in the system, your agent swings into action to let the hotel know a VIP is on the way and arranges for any extras, whether it's a Virtuoso perk or one from a credit card program.

It's also possible to stack benefits. If you book your trip with The Platinum Card® from American Express , your agent can secure your Amex FHR benefits; you may also be entitled to additional perks from the agency, its travel consortium or the hotel, cruise line or tour company.

When you're short on time

Not everyone has weeks to spend crafting the ultimate itinerary and keeping watch on every flight deal (although TPG can help you here) . Fortunately, you can rely on a savvy travel agent to step in and plan your vacation when your time is crunched . Otherwise, you might not be able to pull off the travel arrangements on your own, or you might end up spending more for your trip than you should.

When facing a planning time crunch, look for an agent who specializes in the type of trip and destination you have in mind. If you're looking for a beach villa on a Caribbean island , find a travel advisor who has experience booking this sort of trip.

One example is Villas of Distinction, which has been around for more than 25 years and has a vast network of properties. Your travel advisor there can offer advice on which properties are best suited to your needs, what's available and how to book the villa. You can also use your American Express Membership Rewards points to book a villa through the agency, an added benefit to finding a good application of points.

Agents specializing in villa rentals usually have strong networks on the ground, so they can assist with chores such as stocking the villa with groceries, booking a chef or securing the best masseuse on the island for poolside treatments.

Related: Everything you need to know about Homes and Villas by Marriott

When your travel plans are specific and complex

The more complex and specific your travel goals are, the more experts in that destination or trip style can help you.

For example, every year, travel guru Wendy Perrin puts together a WOW List that features experts in the travel-booking field. The agents, advisors and destination specialists on Perrin's list aren't booking budget cruises and all-inclusive vacations for people as a side hustle. The agents on the WOW List are the real deal with plenty of expertise in their subject areas.

Say you want to explore Africa and go on a safari, but you don't know where to begin. Consult the WOW List and you'll see she recommends individuals with an encyclopedic knowledge of the continent.

The WOW List features advisors who can create custom safaris in East, Central and South Africa as well as niche destinations like Madagascar. The website provides a synopsis of the agents' expertise as well as links to reviews and insider guides written by Perrin and her team.

This is an excellent resource for learning about the best attractions, cutting-edge travel trends or finding out-of-the-ordinary experiences, and shows how contact with local agents, rather than anonymous trip reviews, can be a great advantage in planning a trip.

Related: Everything you need to know about going on safari in Africa

When you're looking for value

Travel agents often have access to room rates and cruise fares not available to the general public. This is especially true of agents who specialize in specific cruise lines. When a cruise line needs to fill a sailing, it may reach out to its top agents to extend special fares for their clients. You'll only hear about these offers if you have a top agent who sells cruises on the lines you love.

Related: Why now might be the cheapest time to plan a cruise

For example, Keene Luxury Travel, a member of the Signature Travel Network, has relationships with all the top luxury cruise lines, especially Regent Seven Seas. As a result, your agent can offer shipboard credits, special fares for solo travelers, deals for families traveling with children and more. The agency also has its own KLT Rewards program. With KLT Rewards, you'll get cash back on every sailing, about 10 days before you set sail. Plus, if you book a trip hosted by the agency's owners, you'll get a bump in the amount of your reward for booking with them.

The best part about working with specialty agents like those at Keene Luxury Travel? You can stack deals. For example, you can book a hosted trip to get the usual 5% KLT booking reward, plus an enhanced reward for booking a group trip. On top of that, you could also receive the onboard credit that's a Signature Travel Network perk.

Bottom line

Whether you're booking a weekend getaway in a U.S. city or planning an around-the-world extravaganza that includes an African safari , Antarctica cruise and a stay in an igloo hotel , consider using a travel agent. An agent can help get you on the right trip, at the right time for the right price.

They can help find the best rooms, book services you didn't even know existed and tie all the pieces together on a complicated itinerary.

A travel agent can be particularly beneficial if you don't have the time to do all the research yourself, or if you're looking for help in getting the best deal. It's also helpful to use an agent if your trip targets destinations or itineraries that can benefit from local experts,

If there's ever a problem during a vacation — which seems to happen more often than not these days — it's great to have a problem-solver who is just one phone call or email away.

Additional reporting by Bill Fink

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser .

• Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

Our travel brands include

Express to Russia

Join us on Facebook

We invite you to become a fan of our company on Facebook and read Russian news and travel stories. To become a fan, click here .

Join our own Russian Travel, Culture and Literature Club on Facebook. The club was created to be a place for everyone with an interest in Russia to get to know each other and share experiences, stories, pictures and advice. To join our club, please follow this link .

We use cookies to improve your experience on our Website, and to facilitate providing you with services available through our Website. To opt out of non-essential cookies, please click here . By continuing to use our Website, you accept our use of cookies, the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . I agree

• Host Agencies
• Accelerator Course
• Travel Jobs
• Travel Agent Chatter
• Etiquette & Rules
• Privacy Policy

Travel Agent Booking Basics

Okay, so you've signed up with a host , franchise or you have your own accreditation number . Better yet? You have your first few clients. But now what?!

Here are our top 7 site resources for planning and booking a trip for your clients.

Every so often, I get questions coming in about how to book travel. To lay down the framework for travel agent booking basics, the HAR crew created this handy resource that will walk you from the beginning (qualifying your client) to the very end (following up with your clients) of the booking process.

Here are our top 7 site resources for planning and booking a trip for your clients. The steps cover every nook and any cranny of a travel agent's sales cycle. Each step links to an in-depth article, which takes a deep dive into the topic's particulars.

Here's a step-by-step list of travel agent booking basics (with a shortcut to the topic)

Step 1. Qualify Your Clients: Are you and your client a match made in heaven or a disaster waiting to happen? Go here to find out how to qualify your client.

Step 2. Talk About Budget: While budget can be a big part of qualifying clients, talking about money is a touchy subject. Here, travel agents weigh in on how they broach the subject with their clients.

Step 3. Qualify Travel Suppliers: Once you get the right client and the right price point, it's time to put them on the right trip. How do you know which suppliers will offer the best value for your client's budget? This resource shows you how.

Step 4. Create an Itinerary (Use HAR's Free Travel Itinerary Template): Ready to put together a few trips? You can start with HAR's free travel itinerary template. Need something more robust? Check out our next step!

Step 5. Find the Best Itinerary Builders for Travel Agents: If a DIY itinerary template isn't quite up to snuff, check out these itinerary builders designed specifically for travel agents.

Step 6. Plan & Pitch Your Itineraries to Your Client: Once you know what suppliers you're working with and what itinerary builder (or template) you want to use, it's time to put together and pitch your itinerary. Here's how to do just that.

Step 7. Book the Trip (Like a Travel Agent): Booking travel as a travel agent is not the same as booking like a consumer. This resource includes info on how booking is different for advisors (with video tutorials of travel advisors walking through how to book trips on several supplier platforms).

1. Qualifying Clients

Your client is coming to you because they have brain fatigue from falling into the black hole of Google clickbait trying to plan their trip. You want to qualify thoroughly so you spend less time second-guessing yourself during the research process and more time putting together options for your clients.

So how do you go about getting a grasp on what your client is looking for and making sure you're a good fit? Go to our article on qualifying clients and you'll soon have Jedi-level client qualifying mastery. It covers booking basics such as:

• Determining if the client is a good fit for you (and vice versa)
• Getting a pulse on what info you need to get from your client
• Technologies and automations to help you qualify clients
• Tips on how to qualify clients
• What to do if you charge fees

Here's a bonus: It includes a recording of a fearless travel agent who volunteered to let us eavesdrop on his qualifying conversation with a client!

2 Should Travel Agents Use the B-Word?

This is step "1.5" since you'd typically talk about budget when you're qualifying a client. This is a fun article that profiles agents on how they approach their clients in talking about a budget. The travel agent approaches run the gamut from direct to delicate. For this phase of booking basics HAR addresses:

• Three different travel agent personality types of addressing budget
• Top things to consider when talking about a budget with your client

Unsure of how to approach this touchy subject with your clients? Read this and you'll get some great information (and a good laugh).

3. Researching & Qualifying Suppliers

You have your client, and now you're ready to woo them with thoughtful itineraries that show you're an amazing listener and have the ability to materialize their vacation fantasies into a reality. But first things first, you have to research suppliers.

This article will walk you through it, step by step. What are some of these steps and topics? Here's a peek:

• Why a niche helps you qualify suppliers
• The 4 goals of qualifying suppliers
• 8 qualities to look for in a supplier
• Tips on building long-term relationships with suppliers

4. HAR's Free Travel Itinerary Template

Ooh, fun! Another bonus! You have your fabulous ideas, and now you need to get them down on paper so you can wow your client.

We have just the thing for you: HAR's Free Travel Itinerary Template . Here you can copy and save the template to your own Google drive, brand it to your agency, fill in the fabulous details of your trip, and ship it off to your client. Here are the deets:

• What are the differences between an itinerary template and an itinerary builder?
• Will a template work for you? (Pros and cons)
• A free Travel Itinerary Template Download (pssst! You can also customize this and share it with your clients to fill out themselves if it's not a service you offer)
• Tips on customizing HAR's template

The article will walk you through the steps, and you'll have an itinerary in no time!

5. Best Itinerary Builders for Travel Advisors [+Comparison Chart]

If you've done your due diligence, and you realized that a travel itinerary template is not a big enough tool for the volume of trip itineraries you're planning, then this resource is for you: a travel agent itinerary builder comparison chart.

The article provides:

• A rundown of differences between an itinerary template and an itinerary builder program
• What to consider when choosing an itinerary builder
• A nifty itinerary builder comparison chart that shows all your options, side by side to help you pick the best program for YOU.

6. Planning & Pitching Itineraries

You know that the itineraries you've planned are amazing, but how do you make sure your clients feel as strongly about it as you do? The next step in booking a trip is presenting your itinerary (or itineraries) to your client. This article offers tips on how to create a fantastic itinerary, and how to effectively present the trip to your clients.

Here's what's covered:

• Tips on creating memorable travel itineraries
• Examples of itinerary-building tools
• How to pitch your itinerary in a way that makes your client want to go right home and pack their bags!
• What details to confirm after a client picks their itinerary

Once you read this article, you'll be planning and pitching itineraries that make your clients want to go right home and pack their bags!

7. How to Book a Trip (Like a Travel Agent)

Have you ever wondered what it's like to book like a travel agent? How it's different from booking on Expedia? How do you add fees to your booking? What supplier portals look like on the back end? Well, this article answers one big industry question: What do travel agents do?

We cover a ton of ground in this article, including:

• What travel agents do (and how it's different from a consumer booking)
• Info a travel agent needs to book a trip
• A sneak peek at booking portals
• Tips and tricks for booking like a travel agent pro
• Post-booking steps a travel agent needs to complete

Turns out they do a lot! You really don't want to miss out on this article's sneak peek into booking like a travel agent, with 4 video tutorials from expert travel agents that reveal insider tips and tricks while booking with a consolidator (CenTrav), a land tour (VAX), a cruise (Cruising Power), and an all-inclusive (Vacation Express). If there was an Oscar category for best travel agent booking tutorial series, we'd definitely be in the running.

So whether you're a seasoned pro who's looking for some insider tips or a newbie who wants to take a look at the action behind-the-scenes, this one is for you.

You're Ready to Book!

Phew! That was a ton of info. If you read all the articles linked in here, *high five!* You can sleep easy knowing you did your due diligence to book the perfect trip for your client!

Have thoughts, comments, funny stories about your pet bunny rabbits? Comment below! We'd love to hear from you!

About the Author

Mary Stein has been working as a writer and editor for Host Agency Reviews since 2016. She loves supporting travel advisors on their entrepreneurial journey and is inspired by their passion, tenacity, and creativity. Mary is also a mom, dog lover, fiction writer, hiker, and a Great British Bake Off superfan.

• Agent Tools
• Travel Agent Basics
• Travel Industry Basics

Everything you need to boost your Travel Business

Custom Mark-up

Maximize earnings by adjusting commissions to meet demand

Global Supply

Get unparalleled access to extensive travel inventory

24x7 Customer Support

Get timely help and support when needed

Zero Holding Fees

Secure Hotels & pay later, with no hidden charges

Get USD 100 reward points on sign-up

• Unlock more as you book
• Start your rewarding journey now!

Our Products

Car Transfer

Seamless transfers, global connections

Unlock limitless stays, seamlessly

Car Rentals

Freedom on wheels, worldwide

Fly farther, pay smarter

TBO Excellence: Why we stand out?

Maximize earnings.

Set competitive mark-ups, maximize earnings by adjusting commissions, and meet demand through flexible mark-up adjustments.

Diverse products

Extensive worldwide travel inventory. Diverse range of travel products with global network of trusted suppliers.

Reliable support

Round-the-clock assistance for agents. Timely help and reliable support is always provided when needed.

Hassle-free booking

Secure hotels now & pay later. No hidden fees, no surprise costs. Enjoy a no-rush, stress-free experience.

Discover the reach of TBO

Overall TBO automation has helped our consultants to perform more efficiently. TBO has a range of products helping us to have a better margin.

Ms Jennifer Yu, Boustead Travel Services

I love TBO and their support is the best

Maxine Leske, Helloworld Travel

I no longer have to check and reconfirm a booking or a special request. I get my status report from TBO when it's been actioned by the hotels & suppliers.

Francesca Labbozzetta, Marconi Travel

I love TBO! I used you all exclusively for my first FIT! I loved being able to set my own commission rates!

Harmony Ray, Radiant Blue Travel Company

I love that I can reserve hotel rooms without a deposit or even a credit card! Just plug in the names and it's held!

Nicole Beckler, Live A Lil' Vacations

TBO is a Travel Consultant's best kept secret. I love how it's a B2A platform, because it really makes us look like a rockstar and shows our value.

Mae Joy Gaviola, Smooth Bookings Travel LLC

Taking the stress out of having to confirm each component myself and Love Francis!

Yenesis Alfonso, Hide & Seek Travels, LLC

TBO is my first stop (usually only stop) for FIT travel all over the world. I love that it's easy to search, easy to set my commission, easy to save the booking to present to my clients.

Mary Ellen, VacationKids

TBO Holidays portal is easy to access, delivers all your products in an easy, clear and objective way. We use the hotels, services, air and payment control platform a lot.

Meron Kuczuvei Filho, Triangulo Turismo

TBO is an excellent tool for booking hotels. Payment procedure is easy. We have not experienced any problem since we joined TBO.

Jorge Hernandez, Travel Design

My Experience is super positive! Everything I need I confirm with tbo. You always help with my queries and quickly solve my problems and/or modifications!

Jimena Feijoo (Sales), Diser Viajes

TBO has been game-changer for our business ever since our partnership began in 2017. We have been able to grow tremendously and rely on robust live system.

Muhtadi Hasan, Hasan Hajj Tours

We want to thank TBO for their efforts to provide the best services! The rates are very competitive, hotel variety is high and after sales services are good.

Minas Marmaras, Travel Bizz

Thanks well done Since TBO has very good team as well as having all the travel related products they can play a vital role in the revival of the travel industry.

Mohamed Abdul Mawla Elsayed, ALRAJHI AVIATION COMPANY

The Course module is highly interesting, educative and motivating to understand Dubai as a whole.

Raihan Travels & Associates Ltd.

Overall TBO automation has helped dr consultants to perform more efficiently. TBO has a range of products helping us to have a better margin.

Jennifer Yu (Manager), Boustead Travel Services

What people say...

Wish to join the tbo family as a hotel partner.

• Join CHOICE

Travel agent vs do it yourself

With so many websites offering discount holiday bookings, do you even need a travel agent.

We wanted to compare travel agents with DIY travel bookings to see which option saved the most money and uncovered the best holiday deals. 

So we set up three hypothetical trips to one of the most popular holiday destinations for Australians – Bali – and approached travel agents as would-be travellers looking for prices.

Our three types of hypothetical holiday-maker are: 

• a couple wanting a luxury romantic escape
• a solo traveller seeking adventure
• parents with young children needing some time out.

As well as reaching our own verdict, we also checked in with the travel agents to get their take on people arranging their own trips.

On this page:

Our verdict

Scenario 1: luxury romantic escape, scenario 2: solo traveller, scenario 3: family holiday, what the travel agents say, your rights and travel agents.

It may take more time to DIY your holiday, depending on how computer savvy you are, but it can lead to huge savings.

Doing it yourself

Booking holidays ourselves worked out cheaper than using an agent in all three scenarios. The DIY booking for the luxury holiday saved a massive $2451, more than a third less than the agent's price. 

In most cases it was pretty quick and easy to make bookings online, although this was because we knew exactly what we were looking for and the itineraries were fairly simple. 

Using a travel agent

If you didn't know what to look for, travel agents' suggestions and advice could save hours of research by quickly narrowing down the endless options of hotels and tour packages available in Bali. 

Each agent was knowledgeable about the destination and happy to tweak the itinerary according to our preferences.

Booking holidays ourselves worked out cheaper than using an agent in all three scenarios

Booking through an agent also came with a comforting certainty that all the details were correct, whereas when booking online we had to keep double checking that dates and details all lined up. This would become even more laborious with more complex itineraries.

Combined approach

If you want the best of both worlds, you can always get an itinerary and quote from an agent, do your own search for the cheapest prices online, and then ask the agent to match or beat the prices you've found (although not all offer a 'price beat' guarantee). At the very least, it's worthwhile quickly checking the hotel's and airline's own websites in case they're offering a significantly lower price than the agent. 

It's also worth looking at flights with other airlines. Although this introduces many more variables, changing airlines can result in big savings. But make sure you're aware of the airline's safety record and track record for delays and cancellations. 

What about hotel comparison sites?

We checked at least one hotel price comparison website for each itinerary, but their price always came in higher than both the agent's quote and the hotel's own website.

Booking a romantic luxury escape ourselves rather than through an agent saved us the most out of the three scenarios. Credit: themulia.com

7 nights' accommodation at The Mulia in a Baron Garden View Suite, including breakfast, flights and airport transfers.

We presented as a couple wanting to stay somewhere luxurious on a total budget of $7000. 

Travel agent

The travel agent responded to our online enquiry within a couple of hours, suggesting two resorts: Anantara Uluwatu and The Mulia. 

We chose The Mulia in Nusa Dua and the agent quickly sent through a package quote just under budget at $6887. 

The package included seven nights' accommodation with breakfast, airport transfers and return Qantas flights, as well as an add-on product ($49 per person) giving extra benefits and services such as price-drop protection. 

We asked for the add-on product to be removed and for a price breakdown. The agent sent through a revised quote for $6789, but said a price breakdown wasn't possible.

• Seven nights in The Baron Garden View Suite at The Mulia including breakfast, airport transfers and Qantas flights 
• Total: $6789

The Mulia's own website offers hotel and flight packages, so we checked this option first. 

A package including the same room (with breakfast, but no airport transfers) and return flights with Garuda Indonesia airline cost $6113 – significantly less than the agent's quote. We emailed the hotel about adding transfers to this package and were told it would cost $84 return (800,000 in Indonesian rupiah, or IDR), taking the total price of the package to $6197.

We then looked at booking the room and flights separately. The Mulia website offered seven nights' accommodation in the Baron Garden View Suite including breakfast and transfers for $3045 (IDR 29,148,000).

We then found the same return Qantas flights for $1293 using a price comparison site. Combined with the accommodation and transfers booked directly through The Mulia website, the flights took the total DIY package cost to just $4338, saving a whopping $2451 on the travel agent's quote. 

• Seven nights in The Baron Garden View Suite at The Mulia including breakfast and transfers – $3045
• Qantas flights – $1293
• Total: $4338

Result: DIY is $2451 (36%) cheaper

Booking a solo trip with adventure activities was straightforward without the help of a travel agent.

9-day Intro Travel Bali Intro tour with activities, accommodation and flights, plus one extra night's stay in Bali and airport transfer.

The second enquiry was for a solo traveller who had a budget of $3000. We asked for adventure activities and the chance to meet other solo travellers.

The agent asked some questions about what kind of activities and experiences we were looking for before talking us through three different tour packages. 

We chose the Bali Intro tour and the agent sent through a quote several hours later for $2204, which included the tour (eight nights' accommodation, one-way airport transfer, eight meals and activities), return flights with Virgin, two nights' stay in a hotel before the tour and one night after it. 

After some discussion about the extra accommodation, we decided to remove the two-night stay before the tour but keep the post-tour stay, as the agent recommended allowing plenty of time to return to the main island for the flight the next day. 

The revised quote was well under budget at $1984. A $2 charity donation was added to the bill, which the agent hadn't mentioned.

• Bali Intro tour – $1099
• Flights – $797
• Departure transfer – $35
• Post-tour hotel – $51
• Charity donation – $2
• Total: $1984

Booking the same holiday online was straightforward. We booked the Bali Intro tour directly through the company's website for the same price ($1099). Using Virgin's own site, we found the same flights for $777. The Virgin flights were also available on a flight comparison site for $723. Flying with Jetstar on the same dates would have cost $629, including 20kg of luggage, entertainment and meals.

The post-tour hotel (with breakfast) was available on Agoda for $54, $3 more than quoted by the agent. We emailed the hotel and were told an airport transfer would cost $21 (IDR 200,000).

Overall, it cost $181 more to book through the agent. And although some people use agents for the perceived convenience, all the emails back and forth actually ended up taking up more time than the DIY option.

• Flights – $629 (Jetstar)
• Departure transfer – $21
• Post-tour hotel – $54 
• Total: $1803

Result: DIY is $181 (9%) cheaper

We saved $585 by booking a Bali family holiday ourselves. Credit: booking.com

9 nights at Bali Mandira Beach Resort and Spa including breakfast, flights and transfers.

The third enquiry was for a family of four (two adults, a five year-old and a three year-old) with a budget of $7000. We said we wanted a family-friendly resort that had child-minding or kids' club facilities.

The travel agent responded to our online enquiry with two flight options and detailed information on three resorts, along with pricing for each package. 

We chose the Bali Mandira Beach Resort and Spa and flights on Malindo Air, which the agent said was $350 cheaper than flying with Garuda. 

The agent sent through a package including return Malindo Air flights (with 20kg baggage per person but no meals), nine nights at the Bali Mandira in a Superior Room with breakfast, and two-way airport transfers – all for a total of $6570. 

The accommodation came with a number of extras or 'value adds', including a 10% discount at an on-site restaurant, a half-price kids' meal at a buffet and theme dinner, free meals for kids when dining with their parents from the à la carte menu at the main restaurant, and  $11 spa credit for each adult. The agent said they weren't able to break down the package pricing.

• Nine nights at Bali Mandira Beach Resort and Spa including breakfast, flights and transfers
• Total $6570

We found the same room on the hotel's website including breakfast and return airport transfers for $3349. This room also came with some value adds: 10% discount at an on-site restaurant, 15% discount at the main restaurant, 10% spa discount for one treatment, and 20% discount for pre-booked signature spa treatments. 

The flights on Malindo Air's website cost $3481, which, combined with the accommodation found on the Bali Mandira's website, would take the total package to $6830 – higher than the agent's quote. But flights on the same dates with Jetstar (with 20kgs luggage, no meals) cost $2636, although the outbound flight arrived in Bali at 9pm rather than 4.50pm, which might be less convenient for people with young children. The total for the DIY package with Jetstar flights was $5985.

• Nine nights at Bali Mandira Beach Resort and Spa including buffet breakfast and transfers – $3349
• Return flights – $2636 (Jetstar)
• Total: $5985

Result: DIY is $585 (9%) cheaper

A professional travel agent can make your entire experience hassle free.

The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) says booking with an ATAS (AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme) accredited travel agent has many benefits.

Professional and personal travel specialists  

A professional travel agent is trained to make your entire experience – from start to end – hassle free. They also tailor the itinerary to suit specific requests and find packages and products that suit your unique wants and needs. 

Customer advocacy 

If you experience a problem while travelling, your agent will act on your behalf, and is there to rectify any travel-related issues you encounter. 

Expert guidance  

Agents are trained destination and product experts and know how to sort through the myriad of travel information available. Their knowledge and network means they also have access to the best deals. 

Time saving

An agent has a world of travel information at their fingertips, saving you countless hours of online searching and frustration. 

Convenience

Travel agents are a 'one-stop shop' that can handle every aspect of your travel – from booking airline tickets, ground transfers, tours and activities to arranging travel insurance. 

A personal touch 

A travel agent will ensure the accuracy of your booking details, advise with visa applications, assist with travel documentation, and provide valuable travel hints and tips.

In 2014 the Australian travel industry became deregulated as the Travel Compensation Fund (TCF) was abolished, backed by industry and government. 

The TFC had ensured consumers were compensated when travel agents went broke, but under new rules travel agents no longer have to be licensed. It means you could be left stranded and out of pocket if a travel agent goes bust (although if you act fast, you can ask your bank for a credit card chargeback .) 

There's now only the voluntary Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS), run by the peak body Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), which vets travel agents to make sure they meet certain standards such as being reliable and properly trained. 

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

Join the conversation

To share your thoughts or ask a question, visit the CHOICE Community forum.

Your holiday, your way

Our range of holidays includes honeymoons, family breaks and solo travel, as well as specialist trips focused on wellness, wildlife-watching, sports, relaxing and lots more.

Book Now for Summer 2024

It's the right time to get the best deals for this year's getaways.

• Balearic Islands
• • Ibiza Holidays

Invisa La Cala Hotel

Includes a saving of £30

£365 pp

• • Majorca Holidays

Tent Palmanova

£669 pp

• Canary Islands
• • Fuerteventura

Hesperia Bristol Playa

Includes a saving of £90

£589 pp

• • Rhodes Holidays

Belair Beach Resort

Includes a saving of £20

£749 pp

• • Marmaris Holidays

Grand Ideal Premium Hotel

Includes a saving £90

£499 pp

• • Lanzarote

Barcelo Lanzarote Active Resort

Includes a saving of £120

£559 pp

• • Alanya Holidays

Eftalia Ocean Resort & Spa

Free child places available

£629 pp

• • Tenerife

£659 pp

• • Benidorm Holidays

Sol Pelicanos Ocas Hotel

£539 pp

Our Jet2holiday Deals

• See The Deals

Book with confidence

We're with you every step of the way

Interest Free Monthly Payments Available

Travel with confidence

Always ATOL Protected

UK's largest selection of worldwide holidays

4.9/5 Customer Rating

Which? recommended

Peace of Mind Guarantee

Our Latest Deals and Offers

Dive into Nova Scotia – Canada’s Ocean Playground

Where every corner offers something extraordinary. Immerse yourself in picturesque landscapes, historic sites, and delicious seafood. Explore idyllic Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, sip award-winning wine, and discover epic road trips such as the Cabot Trail and Lighthouse Route. Nova Scotia beckons you to discover its hidden treasures and create lasting memories. Come and experience the true essence of Maritime Canada.

All Abroad for All-Inclusive

Go all-in at these fabulous resorts and hotels

• • Spain

Hotel Coral Beach by Llum

Includes a saving of £300 + Free child places available

£579 pp

• • Zante Holidays

Zante Plaza Hotel & Apartments

• • Egypt

Sindbad Club

Unlimited waterpark access

£679 pp

includes a saving of £540

£599 pp

• • Cape Verde

Riu Touareg

Includes a saving of £670

£799 pp

Sol Palmanova

includes a saving of £100 + Free child places available

£639 pp

We're Hiring!

Opportunities for travel consultants with a year's experience and much more

• See all our jobs and opportunities

Discover hand-picked exclusive adventures

The Best of Touring Winter 2023, bursting with unbelievable tours to inspire - from the wilds of Africa and Alaska to the concrete jungles of Tokyo and Sydney, and the historical hubs of Asia and Europe.

• Find your Nearest Branch
• Open our stunning latest edition

COME AND VISIT US

With over 470 branches and  3000 travel advisors, we'd love to see you in person to help you get the best deals.

• CALL 0800 408 4048
• FIND YOUR NEAREST BRANCH

• Trip Planner
• Private Tours
• Small Group Tours
• Two Capitals
• City Breaks
• Trans-Siberian
• River Cruises
• Russia & Beyond

4-star edition of the private 9-day tour of the Russian capitals

5-star edition fo the private 9-day tour of Moscow & St. Petersburg

13-day in-depth discovery of Moscow, Kazan, and St. Petersburg

7-day tour designed to harness the best of the Venice of the North

11-day private discovery of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the Golden Ring

Your Russia Getaway

Fill out the short trip survey to receive a personalized itinerary from a destination expert.

• Travel guide
• Before you go
• What to see

Russia Trip Planner

Learn about the dos and the don'ts for your amazing trip to Russia

• Our Partners
• Reservation Policies

Rated 9/10 on the Trustpilot review platform

• My itineraries
• Chat with us
• Trip survey

Groups & Agents

• For Suppliers

+1 (888) 744-6056

• North America : +1 (888) 744-6056
• Oceania and Australia : +61261888118

You are here

Moscow escorted tours.

• Tips & Highlights

Tour Reviews

• Other Destinations
• Related Posts

• Reset filters

Moscow Vacation Packages

Moscow vacations are always a great idea when it comes to traveling in Russia. Plan your trip to Moscow with a leading tour operator for Russia and enjoy the ease and pleasure that comes from it. You will stay at the centrally-located hotels, enjoy guided tours to Moscow's best sights with charming local guides, and, most importantly, feel relaxed and immersed in the Russian culture at all times. Wondering what the ideal way to see the best of Moscow is? Well, with a private tour to Moscow, of course! We will listen to your travel preferences and prepare a custom Moscow itinerary just for you. Let's start talking about your upcoming vacation to the gorgeous capital city of Russia.

Moscow Tour Highlights

Explore the capital of the largest country in the world, Russia.

Learn about the most visited sights in Moscow that are worth adding to your Russian itinerary. Create a fantastic tour to Moscow with a destination, choosing your wished activities.

• Moscow walking tour
• The Red Square
• St Basil's Cathedral
• Moscow Subway ride
• Tretyakov Gallery
• The Red Square in Moscow
• The Bolshoi Theater
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Moscow's Kremlin exploration
• 'Seven Sisters' Skyscrapers

Tips for Moscow Travel

Take a look at the good-to-know tips before visiting Moscow and have a fantastic time in the capital.

What to pack

Make sure to check the weather prognosis before your trip and pack accordingly.

When to travel

Moscow is beautiful all around the year. Choose traveling time according to preferred activities.

We suggest to always have some cash with you. You will need Rubles (RUB) for Russia.

How much to tip

Tipping is not required in Russia, but it's considered good etiquette, tip 10%-15% of your bill.

The average summer temperature is approx 18°C (64°F), and winter is around -6°C (22°F).

Some of the most popular souvenirs from Moscow are caviar, Krasnaya Moska perfume.

Best Moscow Sights

One of the highest points in Moscow and one of its most breathtaking places - the Sparrow Hills.

See the 344-feet Cathedral of Christ the Savior - the tallest Orthodox church in the world.

Enjoy masterpieces of Russian opera and ballet in Moscow's legendary Bolshoi Theater.

Being the most recognizable symbol of Russia in the world, Red Square is an absolute must see when in Moscow. 

The famous GUM is a large department store in the Kitai-gorod part of Moscow facing Red Square.

History and luxury is revealed inside the Kremlin as the Armoury Chamber displays treasures like Faberge Eggs.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is Moscow’s most famous artistic work of architecture set in the romantic Red Square.

The symbol of Moscow and entire Russia, the Kremlin is often described as the 8th Wonder of the World.

Moscow Metro is like a whole underground city that holds the world's largest collection of Stalinist Art.

I am very satisfied.

I have been using the Firebirds (Travel All Russia) services for a while. I am very satisfied.

WOW. From the choice of hotels to...

WOW. From the choice of hotels, an itinerary that ran to plan, the amazing Guides and drivers, and of course the stunning cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. No long queues for entry to museums, churches, and palaces.  I would gladly recommend using Firebird Tours (Travel All Russia) to anyone.

THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

I must say from the day I started to book my tip till the day I got home I had one GREAT trip and experience I always felt safe and cared for help was seconds away not that I needed any I will defiantly highly recommend your company to any traveler to Russia WELL DONE to the Whole team THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

We enjoyed the whole trip a lot

Overall we enjoyed the whole trip a lot. Moscow is beautiful and clean. Thank you very much for your patience and excellent organization of this tour. Everything ran very smoothly and according to schedule. The guides met us on time at hotels or at our train carriage on arrival. They all spoke good English, had a good local knowledge and were very kind and helpful.

The tour lived up to all expectations

I’m most pleased with Travel All Russia in arranging our ‘Volga Dream’ Russia tour, I would recommend using your services again as every aspect of our tour went off without a hitch. The communication between our tour representative was excellent as we required additional days on both ends of our tour. The visa process and the logistics were flawlessly implemented.

We had a great time in Moscow!

Everything was perfect and we are very satisfied with services and accommodations.

Loved my time in Russia

The trip was great. Especially want to mention the guides I had on the extra days were exceptional. Both guides and drivers worked out well. Thanks again for all your help and attention. Loved my time in Russia, and still haven’t stopped talking about it.

Exploring Magnificent Russian Capitals, June 2017

Just want to say that our guide in St Petersburg was really outstanding. You really felt like someone was looking after you. Very observant - knowledgeable. We really enjoyed time spent with her.

Exploring Vibrant Moscow, June 2017

The experience was great!!! We had an excellent guide. The hotel was fabulous.

Thank you for your help !!! was an unforgettable trip.

Related destinations

More about moscow.

• Call us now
• Request a call
• Chat on WhatsApp
• Start Live chat
• Contact via email

Moscow & St. Petersburg Small Group Tours Private Tour Packages Trans-Siberian Trips Russian River Cruises Moscow Tour Packages St. Petersburg Tours All Russia Tours

Why Travel to Russia Best Time to Visit Russia Russian Visa Information Tips Before Traveling Tips on Arrival Russian Currency Moscow Travel Guide Read More in Our Blog

Hermitage Museum Church of the Savior on Blood The Kremlin Sergiev Posad, Golden Ring Kizhi Island The Red Square Siberia Lake Baikal

Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST39939 All Rights Reserved © 2024 About Us | Testimonials  | Our Blog  |  Terms of Service  | Privacy Policy  

• Flight & Hotel
• Multi Centre
• Sport Breaks
• + Add Destination

Holiday Types

Start planning.

Last Minute Holidays

Departure airport, destination, departures between, number of adults, number of children, number of infants, number of nights, hotel rating, board basis.

Costa del Sol

Gran Canaria

Fuerteventura

Sport & Events Packages

Concerts & Events

American Sports

Moto GP 2024

Darts Travel Package

Cruise Holidays

Royal caribbean.

MSC Cruises

Disney Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL Cruises

Marella Cruises

Cheap Holidays

Christmas Holidays 2024

Destination airport.

Christmas Time in New York 2024

Lapland Holiday 2024

Six Nations 2025

Sales now on - booking now.

Win a Holiday to Barbados!

Plan a Trip to New York City

Nyc tourism & cassidy travel.

Stay, Park, Fly!

More than an hour from dublin aiport.

Virtual Shop Window

Check out our current shop window posters.

Find Outstanding Offers

Cheap city breaks.

Start to plan your next holiday

Greatest Deals

Cassidy Golf

Murcia – 3 nights & 2 green fees (buggies & transfers), the thrills are here again.

Price Range

Why choose Cassidy Travel

Reasons to trust.

Summer Family Holidays

Enjoy your family time.

Holidays to Algarve

Stunning Beaches & Coastal Getaways: relax on the golden sands of the Algarve

The Algarve is a popular holiday destination located in southern Portugal .

Known for its stunning beaches, picturesque cliffs, warm weather, and rich history, it attracts millions of tourists every year.

Remember to check the latest travel guidelines and restrictions before planning your trip, as they can vary. Enjoy your holiday in the Algarve and create unforgettable memories in this captivating region of Portugal !

Scroll down to book now your next holidays to Algarve  in P ortugal with Cassidy Travel  or click here to get a quote.

American Holidays to New York

Unforgettable Holidays to New York: Experience the Big Apple's Magic!

Welcome to the city that never sleeps, where dreams come true and opportunities await around every corner – New York City! A holiday to New York is a captivating journey filled with iconic landmarks, world-class entertainment, diverse cultures, and an electrifying energy that's hard to match. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, the Big Apple will dazzle you with its charm and leave you with lasting memories.

A holiday to New York is a remarkable experience that will captivate your heart and soul. From iconic landmarks to cultural wonders, there's something for everyone in the city that never sleeps. Embrace the magic of the Big Apple and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Scroll down, check all holidays offers to New York and book now your next American Holidays or click here and get a quote.

Holidays to Lanzarote

Escape to the Enchanting Island of Lanzarote - Unveiling the Beauty of the Volcanic Paradise!

Are you ready to embark on a holiday to a land of otherworldly landscapes, pristine beaches, and year-round sunshine? Look no further than Lanzarote , the captivating jewel of the Canary Islands . Cassidy Travel agency is excited to design your perfect vacation to this volcanic paradise, where unique natural wonders, cultural delights, and relaxation await.

Allow Cassidy Travel to curates your dream holiday to Lanzarote , where volcanic wonders, pristine beaches, and artistic allure combine to create an unforgettable escape. Scroll down and check all amazing offers to Lanzarote in Canary Island or click here to get a quote, and let the magic of Lanzarote whisk you away on an extraordinary journey of discovery and relaxation!

Customer Reviews

Great customer service.

American Holidays: The Streets of Philadelphia

3 Ways to Discover NYC

5 Must-Do Activities in New York City!

5 Top Things to Do in Calgary

5 Top Things to Do in Quebec

Abu Dhabi Experience: Our Expert Advisor Shares her Story

Beyond the Beach: Top Things to do in Phuket

Canada Experience: Montreal & The Laurentians

Cassidy Travel Stories: Orlando

City Guide: Madrid

City Guide: Paris

City Guide: Things to do in Seville

Remarkable Russia

• remarkable-russia

Day 1: Arrive in Moscow

Day 2: Moscow city tour

Day 3: Transfer from Moscow to St Petersburg by Sapsan 

Day 4: Full-day St Petersburg city tour

Day 5: Transfer St Petersburg to Moscow by Sapsan 

Day 6: Return home after a memorable holiday

Your package includes

• Return economy class flight on Air Arabia
• 3 nights’ accommodation in Moscow
• 2 nights’ accommodation in St_Petersburg
• Daily Breakfast
• Full-day Moscow city tour
• Full-day St. Petersburg city tour
• Return transfers from Moscow to St Petersburg by Sapsan day train
• Airport transfers and train station transfers
• Electronic visa support letter for Russia

Your holiday itinerary

Flight details, stay options, hotel deatils.

From historic cities and idyllic countryside to artistic riches, epic train rides and vibrant nightlife, Russia has it all. Visit the beautiful Peterhof Palace and the ancient Hermitage Museum to get a glimpse of Russian royalty.

Discover more of Russia

*Prices include return economy class fare from Sharjah on Air Arabia, and are valid only until 21 August 2018. Prices are quoted per person on a twin-sharing basis in a deluxe room with inclusions listed above. Check-in to the hotel is always 1400/1500 hours & Check-out is always 1100/ 1200 Hours. Early check-in and late check-out is subject to availability. Infant and children rates are applicable. Departure is fixed for 21 August 2018 and return on 26 August 2018. Entrance fee for attractions not mentioned in the itinerary/inclusions are not included in the package price. Additional options are available upon request. Flight fares are not included. Peak season surcharges may apply on some dates. Itinerary is subject to change / swap without any prior notice. Tips 2 Euro per head per day. Easy monthly payment plans are available from select participating banks through Musafir Holidays retail outlets and are subject to approval. All photos and videos shown are illustrative. Actual services may differ. Terms apply. Rates are subject to availability at the time of confirmation. Passport and UAE residence visa must be valid up to 6 months from the date of travel. Visa approvals are subject to embassy’s decision..

Cancellations

*In the event of a cancellation, 10% of the holiday amount is non-refundable. Refunds will be based on how many days prior to your booked departure we receive your cancellation notice, with the charges increasing closer to your departure date. If the cancellation is received prior to 45 days or more of departure, full price of the non-refundable tickets will be deducted; 44 - 31 days prior to departure, 25% of the total amount will be deducted; if the holiday is cancelled 30 - 15 days prior to departure 50% of the total amount will be deducted; if the trip is cancelled 14 - 10 days prior to departure, 75% of the total amount will be deducted; and if the trip is cancelled 10 days prior to departure, 100% of the total amount will be deducted. In case of any non-refundable tickets, the entire amount of the ticket will be deducted.

Adults from AED* 4,399

• Yes, send me the best deals by email
• Optional information

Talk to our Travel Experts

Email us at

Eid Al Adha Holidays

Fixed departures ...

Summer Holiday Deals

Umrah Packages

Fixed departures, Book now ...

Innsbruck Tour Packages

Explore Innsbruck ...

Europe Fixed Departure Tours

Fixed Departures ...

• Privacy policy
• © Universal Travels & Tourism LLC Sole Propritorship