When planning a holiday it’s tough to know if you’re getting the best deals and making the best holiday plans. Should you do it yourself online or should you consult a travel agent? Here are the pros and cons for each option to help you make the best decision.

Internet Holiday Planning

There’s nothing like doing it yourself. You can make whatever plans you want to and you are not locked into any predesigned vacation package. That means if you want to spend four days in Spain and two days in Portugal, you can without having to bend to the pre-packaged itineraries travel agents provide.

On the other side of the coin, however, is the uncertainty. Did you make reservations at a safe hotel? What about the ATV tour you booked - do they speak English? Who is going to pick you up from the airport and how do you get around? When you make holiday plans yourself, it’s up to you to make the decisions and you have to live with the consequences.

Saving money? This is a toss-up. Sometimes you do save more money when you book your travel plans online yourself, and sometimes you don’t. Travel agents have access to all of the same internet sites you do and then some.

Travel Agent Holiday Planning

When you book with a travel agent, many times you’re paying for a package. This means that if you decide you want to cut your stay short in one city and move onto the next city in your itinerary, well you may just be out of luck. However, if you’ve booked it yourself, you have the freedom to change your plans on the fly. Customizing your trip to meet your needs is a bit tricky and can quickly become more expensive than you want.

Certainty - travel agents are experts in travel. They know the ins and outs of every location they promote, including taxes and the laws relating to visas and passports. They know where the best places are to stay and what the best activities are. In short, you’re sure to have a great holiday if you plan it with a travel agent.

The Bottom Line

The decision whether to book your holiday yourself or to pay for the services of a travel agent comes down to a few basic questions. The most important question may be, “where are you travelling to?” If you’re going somewhere you’ve never been or an exotic country, you may be better off going with a travel agent who can be assured to plan a safe and relaxing trip for you.

If you’re booking a trip to a familiar place, you’re as likely to find good deals yourself as a travel agent is. If you want certainty, a packaged holiday and the comfort of consulting an expert, go with a travel agent. If you want customization and the freedom to plan a trip that meets your needs and don’t need certainty, go ahead and plan your holiday yourself.