Travel Planning - Do it yourself or go to a travel agent?

When you are planning to travel, there are two ways you can go about organising your trip. Whether you are going for a week-long cocktail-sipping, feet-up resort holiday in Bali, a cultural escape in Melbourne or a month-long trekking adventure in the Himalayas, you can either plan it yourself, or you can go to a travel agent. So which one is right for you?

There are, of course, pros and cons for both – and it generally comes down to the nature and complexity of the trip, and how much time and experience you have in travel planning.

Time and complexity

In my opinion, the most common reason someone would go to a travel agent is to outsource the time that goes into planning a more complex holiday, or if that holiday is for a large group. A travel agent can organise round-the-world trips or multi-leg flights a lot faster and with more efficiency than you might be able to online.

Booking online can be great, and it can save you a lot of money if you do your research and are happy to compare deals. Sometimes, though, it can be information overload – there are a lot of travel sites out there! If you do this yourself, make sure to check the reviews of the site you’re booking with, and see if they have a phone number on which to contact them. There is nothing more frustrating than booking a flight or accommodation which then gets cancelled, and not being able to speak to someone about it.

The fun of planning

For some travellers, planning is part of the experience. I personally love researching the places where I want to go, marvelling at accommodation that I probably can’t afford, and making my own plans. Not everyone is like that. If you don’t like the planning aspect, get yourself a travel agent.

The type of holiday

The type of holiday you’re booking makes a big impact on your decision. If you’re planning a domestic trip, with one destination, booking it yourself might not be too difficult. On the other hand, a long international trip will understandably be harder to organise. Travel agents are very knowledgeable and passionate about travel, and they are experts in certain areas (some might specialise in budget African safaris, others might specialise in luxury escape packages).

Peace of mind when things go wrong

If you’re travelling to multiple destinations, you might be faced with unexpected changes and cancellations. In this scenario, will you have the time and resources to deal with it yourself, or would you rather have a travel agent who can help you sort these out? If you’re travelling for months, this might not bother you. But if you only have a short time to enjoy, you might want to get a travel agent.

Visas and insurance

Travel agents can help you with information about visas and other requirements you may not know about. People might argue that you can find this information online – again, it comes down to peace of mind and the time you have to organise everything.

In any case, make sure you get travel insurance – it’s an absolute must-have for travel, particularly the medical cover. There is a huge range of options when it comes to insurance. Travel agents are good at helping you decide which ones will be suitable for you.

Your travel experience and preferences

Travelling is a bit like a choose-your-own-adventure. Some people like backpacking; some like luxury resort stays. There’s no reason you can’t do both. It can be an adventure as well as a challenge to try and figure things out on your own. Your decision comes down to what kind of experience you want to have, as well as how much time you have before and during your trip.

Whether a travel agent plans your entire trip, or you ‘go it alone’ by booking a one-way flight and only your first night’s accommodation – travelling is a great adventure and I hope you enjoy your trip!