MYS

We are planning our Europe trip to visit Germany-Vienna-Prague.
We need travel agency to help us with itinerary, bookings of trains/busses, etc.
Please recommend one. We live in NJ, USA.

Many thanks

MmePerdu

The usual request is for help doing those things yourself. The results are often much better and less expensive. My only experiences with US agents were passable to awful. I know it's not what you asked and I'm sure someone will give you some good information. But do consider doing the research and finding places that are more for you than generic which is what most agencies offer. Unless generic is alright with you, nothing wrong with that.

nytraveler

Typically travel agents charge by the hour for the planning they do for you. Before using one I would want to understand exactly how much they anticipate it would be. Also you need to discuss budget for the whole trip - agents typically handle larger and more upscale hotels and not the more modest or budget properties.

Also - you need to find an agent who has actually traveled in the areas you want to visit - which can be quite difficult (many specialize in just selling package tours or cruises - which pay them direct commissions).

I used to (in the last ice age) use an agent - before everything was available online - and she was great because she had traveled extensively in europe (many of her colleagues had never been). But she had to give it up when she went through a divorce - since she "needed a job she culd live on, instead of just pay for her clothes).

doug_stallings

In my opinion, travel agents aren't really much help in planning itineraries. You can usually (and more easily) do that on your own. Most bus and train tickets need not be purchased far in advance, and you can always pop into a travel agency in Europe for help if you don't want to go out to the train or bus station to buy your own tickets.

Similarly, I've found travel agents profoundly unhelpful with picking good hotels.

Now I'm sure there are exceptions, but for a trip this simple, I'd do it myself. If you post to tell us what you like, you'll probably get lots of suggestions to consider within a few hours. That's what a forum like this is good for.

(You can buy tickets for European rail travel quite easily from Rail Europe, but they charge an absolutely huge commission. It's easier but more costly.)

Otherwise, I strongly suggest you buy a few guidebooks and delve in.

Robert2533

Well Doug, I'm sure you know what you're talking about (one would hope), but not everyone is as adept at traveling abroad as you seem to be. For you it's simple, but for others it can be a burden.

If you are going to promote the likes of Rail Europe, then you should give equal time to the official rep for Renfe in North America.

adrienne

I haven't used a travel agent in about 15 to 20 years and then only to book flights; the rest I did on my own, using guide books. Today you can book almost everything on the internet - flights, hotels, walking/bus tours, train tickets. It's very easy. Travel agents used to get commission but no longer, I guess that's why they charge for their services.

This board is really not the place to get travel agent recommendations as few regular posters here use TAs; this is mostly a plan your own trip forum as that's its purpose.

Travel agents try to sell tours and upscale hotel packages as that's how they make money.

I would start with a local TA and find out how much they charge and if they are knowledgeable in the places you want to visit.

Better yet, read some of the posts on this board and get a flavor of what other people do when planning their trips and then come back and ask specific questions.

kawh

I think that Rick Steves ETBD will consult for a pretty reasonable fee. However, their travel style is smart and efficient, but not luxe.

Underhill

Two friends of ours have used AAA for European travel and been very pleased with the results.

greg

I think it would help to tell us why you feel a need to use a travel agent. The TA has a place in travel planning, but for those who can use internet, it is a kind of anachronism because of the change in the business process that took place over 30 years ago.

If you are ok with itineraries designed primarily to bring in commissions for TA, when TA is a good resource to use. But what do you end up with? Reading the TA recommendations the posters bring in here are enlightening. The hotels can be high end where they pay high commissions or out of the way hotels where only way to attract clients is to pay commissions to TAs. Charming family run places at competitive prices (the kind of places experienced travelers like to stay) are usually not offered by TAs because of the lack of commissions.

Rubicund

If you want to get good recommendations from this board, please fill in the blanks:

When is your trip?
How long is the trip?
Flying from NYC to where?
Budget?
How many people and ages/how many rooms?
Mobility an issue?

There are other questions, but these will get you started. I've always enjoyed trips more when I've booked them rather than someone else. TA's here in the UK don't charge direct as they seem to in the US, but they can be equally well or poorly travelled and it's a lottery to find a good one.

Robert2533

Yes, not all travel agents are born equal, just as not all 4-star hotels are equal, you have to know the difference, but there are agents/planning specialist that can be very helpful in preparing a detailed itinerary that will save you time, money and frustration. If you look around you'll find one that suits your needs.

tomboy

I might add to Rubicund's list: any interests/likes; any disinterests/dislikes; why you want a travel agent as opposed to a tour company or doing it yourself.

thursdaysd

Rather than bothering with RailEurope, the proper place to send people considering train travel is seat61.com. Also, rather than consulting ETDB, there is similar advice in "Europe Through the Back Door".

adrienne

I think ETBD is Europe Through the Back Door. They're the same thing.

thursdaysd

No. One is a company. The other is a book.