Trip to Rome; Travel agent or Book Myself?
Jan 8th, 2017, 09:15 AM
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Trip to Rome; Travel agent or Book Myself?
My son wants to go to Rome, Italy for his senior trip. A friend of mine suggested Solar tours to book the trip. From what I can tell it looks way cheaper to use the travel agency then to book the trip myself. I have seen on many forums where most people say to just book it yourself. Any tips, tricks, websites etc on how to book this trip as cheaply as possible? Thank You in advance.
Jan 8th, 2017, 09:21 AM
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<i>From what I can tell it looks way cheaper to use the travel agency then to book the trip myself. </i>
Without actual prices and location of accommodations it is difficult to judge which is cheaper. For me, the essential question is: If staying in one city, do you really need a travel agency to arrange the trip?
Without actual prices and location of accommodations it is difficult to judge which is cheaper. For me, the essential question is: If staying in one city, do you really need a travel agency to arrange the trip?
Jan 8th, 2017, 09:37 AM
#3
I have very limited experience using a travel agent because early on in my travel life I had a less-than-optimum experience. A travel agent booked me into a hotel that turned out to be a dump, due to her unfamiliarity with what she was selling. I have no doubt it's not uncommon, still.
Package tour accommodations tend to be very run-of-the-mill places, often well out of the center. Travel agents, as mentioned, are often unfamiliar with cities, particular hotels and the travel styles of their clients. You are best equipped to do your homework, read reviews, search for the best deals, if you're willing to do the work. If the work doesn't interest you then choose a travel agent from recommendations of those who know you. Those, I think, are your choices.
Many of us love the planning as much, or almost as much, as the going. You may not and hiring an agent will be best. But don't hire just any agent and, in general, don't go with the cheapest options. Agents do sometimes offer good deals but do read reviews of even those the agent offers before you buy.
Package tour accommodations tend to be very run-of-the-mill places, often well out of the center. Travel agents, as mentioned, are often unfamiliar with cities, particular hotels and the travel styles of their clients. You are best equipped to do your homework, read reviews, search for the best deals, if you're willing to do the work. If the work doesn't interest you then choose a travel agent from recommendations of those who know you. Those, I think, are your choices.
Many of us love the planning as much, or almost as much, as the going. You may not and hiring an agent will be best. But don't hire just any agent and, in general, don't go with the cheapest options. Agents do sometimes offer good deals but do read reviews of even those the agent offers before you buy.
Jan 8th, 2017, 09:44 AM
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As MmePerdue says : if the price is so much cheaper with TA, be sure to compare apples with apples :
- hotels : really the same ?
- locatoin of hotels...
- price of airfare : since when can a TA be cheaper ?
My exp is that a TA is always more expensive, at least now that we have access to the same tools like booking.com etc.
TA will sell his usual package, which may appear cheaper but may be less interesting.
The devil is in the detail. Now, also like MademoiselleLost I like to book myself, if you don't or have no time, go via a TA.
- hotels : really the same ?
- locatoin of hotels...
- price of airfare : since when can a TA be cheaper ?
My exp is that a TA is always more expensive, at least now that we have access to the same tools like booking.com etc.
TA will sell his usual package, which may appear cheaper but may be less interesting.
The devil is in the detail. Now, also like MademoiselleLost I like to book myself, if you don't or have no time, go via a TA.
Jan 8th, 2017, 10:06 AM
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Tips:
1. Decide what you want this trip to be. Just Rome or Rome and another city?
2. Think through what you want to do/see/experience in Rome. Do any of these things require something special? There are private tours you can book yourself, so if you are attracted to what an agent offers you, see if you can book it yourself online for less.
3. Air: a you a member of a frequent flier program? If so, try to book your flights within your preferred program as you'll get a lot of points/miles for this trip. Sign up your son, too. Are there any non-stops to Rome from where you live? How about one-stops? Sometimes an agent will tell you they can get you airfare for less, but you may have two or even three stops between where you live and Rome.
As you can see, you need to make a number of decisions about this trip before you start booking. And since you know what you want to do and how you like to travel, you can make better decisions for yourself than an agent can make for you.
1. Decide what you want this trip to be. Just Rome or Rome and another city?
2. Think through what you want to do/see/experience in Rome. Do any of these things require something special? There are private tours you can book yourself, so if you are attracted to what an agent offers you, see if you can book it yourself online for less.
3. Air: a you a member of a frequent flier program? If so, try to book your flights within your preferred program as you'll get a lot of points/miles for this trip. Sign up your son, too. Are there any non-stops to Rome from where you live? How about one-stops? Sometimes an agent will tell you they can get you airfare for less, but you may have two or even three stops between where you live and Rome.
As you can see, you need to make a number of decisions about this trip before you start booking. And since you know what you want to do and how you like to travel, you can make better decisions for yourself than an agent can make for you.
Jan 8th, 2017, 10:16 AM
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http://wikitravel.org/en/Rome
Flights on skyscanner.com, hotels on booking.com.
Plans determined by the length of the trip, the time of the year, and his particular interests.
Flights on skyscanner.com, hotels on booking.com.
Plans determined by the length of the trip, the time of the year, and his particular interests.
Jan 8th, 2017, 10:39 AM
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How old is your son? (HS or college senior?)
Does he speak any Italian? (Even a little will help.)
Has he traveled alone before...overseas? (Actually I may be making an erroneous assumption, because you said, "<strong>his</strong> senior trip.")
What city are you flying out of?
The answers to these questions will help us give advice.
Still, I agree that—especially going to a single city—you don't need a travel agent.
Buy your air tickets online. There are a number of US cities that have non-stop service to Rome...you certainly won't need a travel agent for that.
Use a booking service like hotels.com (one of several good ones) for a hotel...but do your research first, so you get one in a good location. You'll want one in the historic core IMO: draw a circle with a half-mile radius around the Pantheon and you'll be within an easy walk from pretty much everything. This is great for a first-timer in Rome...and Rome is a great walking city.
ssander
Does he speak any Italian? (Even a little will help.)
Has he traveled alone before...overseas? (Actually I may be making an erroneous assumption, because you said, "<strong>his</strong> senior trip.")
What city are you flying out of?
The answers to these questions will help us give advice.
Still, I agree that—especially going to a single city—you don't need a travel agent.
Buy your air tickets online. There are a number of US cities that have non-stop service to Rome...you certainly won't need a travel agent for that.
Use a booking service like hotels.com (one of several good ones) for a hotel...but do your research first, so you get one in a good location. You'll want one in the historic core IMO: draw a circle with a half-mile radius around the Pantheon and you'll be within an easy walk from pretty much everything. This is great for a first-timer in Rome...and Rome is a great walking city.
ssander
Jan 8th, 2017, 11:23 AM
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It depends on your personality.
If your have done things by going along with what is
>>> suggested ... what I can tell it looks way cheaper
then you can continue your approach.
However, if you want something that is "actually cheaper" as opposed to "looks cheaper", you need to do fact checking on your own.
>>> book this trip as cheaply as possible
This makes sense if you are more or less indifferent about the outcome. However, I have seen many people approach trips this way, and end up with stunning reduction in the scope of the trip -- much less time actually experiencing what matters to them. Sometimes they are aware of this and is acceptable. Sometimes, they are oblivious to have foregone many things that drove the trip in the first place.
If you are looking for "value" = what you get out, then change approach to define what is that he wants to get out and which options fits the constraints.
If you don't want to go through this exercise, use a tour. You get "something" at some price.
If you go through a TA where the relationship is strictly business, the TA's objective, because of the business needs, would focus on what generates most income to the TA agency. That may not necessarily be congruent with your interests. I don't know when was the last time you used a TA. All the TA's I had to use during the last decades, were only interested in reselling prepackaged products and pocketing the commissions. They don't like working on custom trips. Too much time for too little money. They have come up with some idiotic itineraries hoping I did not notice.
If your have done things by going along with what is
>>> suggested ... what I can tell it looks way cheaper
then you can continue your approach.
However, if you want something that is "actually cheaper" as opposed to "looks cheaper", you need to do fact checking on your own.
>>> book this trip as cheaply as possible
This makes sense if you are more or less indifferent about the outcome. However, I have seen many people approach trips this way, and end up with stunning reduction in the scope of the trip -- much less time actually experiencing what matters to them. Sometimes they are aware of this and is acceptable. Sometimes, they are oblivious to have foregone many things that drove the trip in the first place.
If you are looking for "value" = what you get out, then change approach to define what is that he wants to get out and which options fits the constraints.
If you don't want to go through this exercise, use a tour. You get "something" at some price.
If you go through a TA where the relationship is strictly business, the TA's objective, because of the business needs, would focus on what generates most income to the TA agency. That may not necessarily be congruent with your interests. I don't know when was the last time you used a TA. All the TA's I had to use during the last decades, were only interested in reselling prepackaged products and pocketing the commissions. They don't like working on custom trips. Too much time for too little money. They have come up with some idiotic itineraries hoping I did not notice.
Jan 8th, 2017, 11:53 AM
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I think it would be much cheaper if you booked it yourself. But that's based on some assumptions on my part. I'm assuming since this is a young guy he'd be ok with eating anything and staying in hostels. Rome has an awesome street food scene. Long as you stay away from the tourist joints, you can eat pretty cheap. And most hostels are nicer than the lower end hotels than a travel agent might book.
But if he (or you) insist on a hotel, and sit down dinners, likely you are better off booking a tour.
I talked to a travel agent when planning, mostly as a way to gather info. The limitations of the tours offered do not interest me. And mostly that is related to the lodging and the food of a tour. I also tend to like tours based a lot on who else is on the tour. 99% they aren't people I'm going to enjoy anyway. 1% turn out to absolutely awesome.
I don't think you need to know any Italian for Rome. Maybe it would be useful. But my Italian is limited to hello, thank you, and food related words. That's 5 minutes worth. The only place I had any trouble at all was the post office. So tell him to stay away from mailin packages and he should be fine
But if he (or you) insist on a hotel, and sit down dinners, likely you are better off booking a tour.
I talked to a travel agent when planning, mostly as a way to gather info. The limitations of the tours offered do not interest me. And mostly that is related to the lodging and the food of a tour. I also tend to like tours based a lot on who else is on the tour. 99% they aren't people I'm going to enjoy anyway. 1% turn out to absolutely awesome.
I don't think you need to know any Italian for Rome. Maybe it would be useful. But my Italian is limited to hello, thank you, and food related words. That's 5 minutes worth. The only place I had any trouble at all was the post office. So tell him to stay away from mailin packages and he should be fine
