Travel Agent

This subject is debated quite a bit on the board.

If you're willing to do the work then you should have no problems. Lots of people are here to help you. If you run into a roadblock, ask the question on one of the boards.

However, if you can find a TA that is knowledgeable or specializes in Europe, then they could be of help. But, they could also cost you a lot of money.

There is no real right or wrong answer to this. I always do our research and make our plans and reservations myself. If someone is more comfortable with a travel agent doing that for them, they should use a travel agent.

I lean toward using a TA for getting the flight reserved, but I do the rest myself.

I read in his Rome 2011 book that Rick has a TA book his airfare....is that the best way? Do TA really get better airfare deals?

"Do TA really get better airfare deals?"

Not necessarily. With a little luck, you can even do better than the travel agent.

I've always do all the travel arrangements myself. With so many self-booking websites out there, I'm pretty comfortable with the competitive rates I'm usually getting online.
<br>If you don't mind disecting all the logistics yourself, then I think it's not necessary to go through a travel agent. I personally find planning a trip enjoyable, so I don't mind doing all the research myself. With boards like Rick's, Frommer's, Trip Advsior, and Lonely Planet, you can get 2nd opinion easily online.

<br>That being said, I think some people might find the time you spent researching not worth it and much rather hire someone to do all the work. That is a valid opportunity cost you have to consider. There really isn't a right or wrong answer.
<br>Larger travel agencies may have negotiated special rates directly with specific airlines and hotels, thus can possibly make certain flights and accommodations cheaper than what you can get on travel reservation websites. For smaller agencies however, many of them might just be searching at the same deals you can find on your own online, and mark them up to a certain percentage and sell them to you. You should keep that in mind.

I haven't used a ta for travel to Europe in years,, and years,, maybe 15? I have used one to book a cruise, but thats for the free stuff you get from Cruise Agents.

I have never found tas to give better airfare deals, I deal direct with airline, and as there are only a few that leave from my area this is not hard to figure out. I do research online , months in advance , and I know I end up with good prices.

I use this site, tripadvisor, Fodars , and Our Paris for info. I also google hotel names and read reviews on mulitiple sites( included the ones posted on booking sites like Venere) .

I personally think only older folks use TA,, or nervous types, those not familar with net surfing or perhaps those who have never travelled outside their own country, maybe? Or for business travel.

TAs RARELY get you good hotels, I mean good priced ones that have a bit of character, or are smaller, they tend to use stuff like Best Western or Marriotts, basically chain hotels,, since they usually have NO personal experience staying in the places except maybe once or twice.. On forums like this and others you can chat to those who have been dozens of times, and have stayed in places for many nights. I listen to everything then take it all with a grain of salt,, but I like forums alot.

Morgan,

As Frank II mentioned, that topic is frequently discussed here.

I tend to use the same method as Rick, and have a Travel Agent book international air tickets and arrange car rental (if I'll need a car). I also obtain Travel Medical Insurance from the TA. For Hotels, rail transport and sightseeing planning, I prefer using Guidebooks and the Internet.

Travel Agents can be a good source of information for some things, and very helpful in providing notification of flight changes or dealing with problems. They don't receive the same degree of commissions as in the past, so often add a "service charge" onto the cost of the tickets. I don't mind paying that, as my TA usually finds some great deals.

In this area, tickets purchased through a Travel Agent are covered by a mandatory travel insurance fund, so if there are problems with the flight (ie: volcano cancellations, airline goes bankrupt), consumers are guaranteed a refund (which may be easier than dealing with credit card companies).

I find that using a combination of a TA and my own planning works best for me, so will continue to use that method.

Cheers!

Morgan, do you make your own domestic reservations and rental car arrangements domestically (if you travel)? It's no different.

"...the coordination of airfare/trains..." - You may be making this harder than it is - one step at a time! Granted, Chicago has many more (easier) options for getting to Europe than most places in North America, but there are only so many planes arriving in Italy on any given day. Pick the one that fits your plans best, then if you need to travel elsewhere on that same day (fly into Rome, but want to go on to Sorrento that first day) you just choose from the trains that are going to Sorrento that day by cost, time of day, length of travel time, etc. Then, for each train trip you want to take, you simply go to the ticket counter (or ticket machine) and purchase a ticket. Yes, I'm leaving out a few details, but that's basically it.

What are your ideas for your trip? Have you ever traveled to Europe before? How many are going, and how old are you (kids, in particular, but are you yourselves in good shape or have any physical limitations?). When you give us some ideas of where you want to go and what you want to do (subject to change, of course!) then we can help with train schedules and all of that.

I'm not what I would call a control-freak normally, but when I'm planning a trip it's MY trip, and I want control over ALL of it (or at least the parts I CAN control LOL!). "...I'm unsure if I could 'let go' and allow someone else to make decisions for us.". I'm pretty sure you couldn't. Get back to us with your ideas...

imo, the internet has pretty much made travel agents obsolete. unless it's an incredibly complicated itinerary, i just don't see the need.

I like to use an online travel website called europeandestinations.com for planning trips. I know a few people who have used them and liked them and a few who have hated them so I guess they are a toss up. BUT, I think they their online site is a great way to co-ordinate time and get a general idea of how much your trip will cost. I think the hotels they offer tend to be a bit of a toss up but between them and tripadvisor.com it would put you in the right direction.

I have also never used a TA, I found I could do all this myself and this was all started before Internet. Maybe you would feel comfortable with them booking the airfare and you doing the train/hotels yourself, the train part should be very easy, just follow the transportation part of this site.