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Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

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• 2 Get around
• 3.1 Museums
• 3.2 Other destinations
• 8.2 Mid-range
• 8.3 Splurge

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Oryol ( Russian : Eagle ) is a city in the Chernozemye region of the Russian Federation . This regional capital is a destination for its clean air, old churches, and extensive literary and dramatic history.

Oryol is located 368 km to the South from Moscow , on the way to Ukraine and Crimea . It is just a 5-hour drive from Moscow, the road is a 4-lane highway until Tula , often bumpy though, and then 2-3 lanes of a moderate quality. Alternatively, you can take an express commuter train from Kursky railway station in Moscow. It starts at 6PM and arrives at Oryol at 10:40PM There is also an overnight 'sleeping' train starting at 11PM and arriving before 6AM Generally, there are a LOT of trains passing Oryol from Moscow on their way to Ukraine. The fare is US$10-20-40 depending on the carriage class.

Firmenny sleeper train Turgenev № 603/604 rides between Oryol and Moscow daily.

The central part of the city is pleasant and walkable. To travel around, locals choose between public buses, trolley-buses, trams and numerous minibus-taxies. Fares vary from a fixed US$0.33 (buses, trolley-buses and trams) to US$0.50 (minibus-taxies); however, you may prefer to move around by a private taxi (US$3-7 for trips within the city). The interesting means of transportation is a river tram , a boat shuttling on the river for tourist purposes but may be used for other ones. It goes from the Central Park to Luzhki aka Luzhkovsky Bridge at 10-00, 12-00, 14-00, 16-00, 18-00, 20-00 if there is no less than 10 passengers abroad.

• Museum of Military History
• House of Ivan Turgenev
• House of Ivan Bunin
• House of Nikolai Leskov

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Guides > How Much Does It Cost to Become a Travel Agent in 2025

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Travel Agent in 2025

• Darrien Watson

In this guide

Table of contents.

Becoming a travel agent can require some amount of investment money depending on whether you’re opening a traditional office or an online business. But you need to have a clear understanding of the financial investment, time commitment, and long-term benefits of it.

With the rising travel and tourism industry, the global travel agency market size is projected to reach approx $1,033.3 billion by 2027 . So, now’s the right time to start your own travel agency. For new agents, SquadTrip is an essential tool who want to organize, book, manage, and market their group trips & retreats for the first time. 

This blog is an in-depth analysis where we will break down the expenses you can expect as a travel agent, from training and certification to ongoing business costs.

How Much Does It Cost to Be a Travel Agent: Is It Worth It?

In my experience as a travel agent, and when I usually talk to small travel entrepreneurs, becoming a travel advisor can be cheap or expensive, depending on how you approach it. 

Many businesses started as a hobby or side hustle, and now rank among the most popular ones.  So, whether you’re starting independently, joining a host agency, or purchasing a travel franchise, it’s all about your mindset and how you want to grow.

Here are some essential know-how and startup costs that every travel agent needs to know at the beginning of their career:

Training and Certification Costs

Having a certification authenticates your agency and builds trust among clients. Online travel agent training courses with certification can range from $200 to $1,000 . While, if you’re only looking for training programs, organizations like the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) or The Travel Institute are also recommended by travel experts. These can cost between $300 and $500 . 

Business Licensing and Registration Fees

In America, a travel agency license can range from $500 to $1,000 . Certain states in the U.S., like California and Florida, require a specific Seller of Travel License . This license can cost $100 to $400 annually. While in New York, travel agencies can register and pay a fee of approximately $1,000 .

You can view state-specific travel agency licenses and registrations by checking official government websites. 

Commission Fee to Host Agency or Travel Franchise

Many choose to become a travel consultant in a host agency or partner with a travel franchise. These entities usually require paying a monthly fee or a commission split on bookings. This strategy is a great way to expand your network if you’re just starting. 

Startup fees for host agencies range from $200 to $2,000 . Travel franchise fees can be significantly higher often starting around $10,000 or more. This includes initial franchise fees, training, and ongoing support costs.

Booking and Payment Software and Tools

You’ll need technology to manage bookings, client interactions, and marketing. Many software and tools charge high subscription fees to operate. 

You need to look for free or cheaper resources that fit your budget. SquadTrip is among the best all-in-one platforms with an automated booking system, itinerary management, monthly payment options , and a reporting dashboard to help new travel agents begin immediately. It also handles automated billing and payment reminders, to manage group trips and billing schedules without additional software. 

SquadTrip offers flexible pricing , starting at $0 with an 8% processing fee and $99/month for advanced features but a lower processing fee (4%). This fee is mainly charged to customers when they make a transaction, rather than travel agents.

Marketing and Promotion

Attracting clients is a vital part of being a travel agent, and marketing expenses are part of the startup costs that include:

• Social Media Advertising: Running ads on platforms like Facebook or Instagram can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000 per month depending on your campaign size and audience.
• Email Marketing: Services like Mailchimp are essential for staying in touch with clients. Expect to pay $10 to $50 per month depending on your subscriber count.
• IRL Networking Events: Many travel agencies hold events, and some cost entry fees starting from $50 to $500. For example, larger conferences like the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) or Cruise World may have higher fees due to their extensive programming and networking opportunities.

Breakdown Costs to Become a Travel Agent in 2025

The total cost to become a full-time travel agent can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on your business model and the services you choose to invest in. Here’s a breakdown:

• Training & Certification: $500 – $1,500
• Licensing & Registration: $100 – $800
• Host Agency or Franchise: $50 – $30,000
• Technology & Tools: $200 – $2,000
• Marketing & Advertising: $200 – $2,000
• Professional Development: $200 – $1,000
• Miscellaneous Costs such as Travel Suppliers & Vendors: $500 – $3,000

The wide cost range depends on your choice to operate independently or through a franchise or host agency, as well as how much you invest in marketing and travel agent software to advertise your travel services.

Benefits of Being a Travel Agent

1. high earning potential.

Average Salary: $31,000 to $100,000+

Entry-level travel agents typically earn around $31,222 annually , with salaries ranging from $20,138 to $48,405 depending on experience and location. Agents specializing in luxury travel, corporate bookings, or destination weddings can earn over $100,000 annually through commissions, bonuses, and service fees.

Commission Structure: Travel agents earn 7-20% commission on bookings, with higher-end travel services like cruises offering larger cuts.

2. Flexibility and Independence

Many travel agents enjoy flexible work hours, especially if working from home or operating independently. This makes it an attractive career option for those looking for work-life balance or who want to travel while working remotely.

Independent agents can choose to work as much or as little as they like, taking on high-value clients or focusing on niche markets such as adventure travel, luxury vacations, or corporate retreats.

3. Travel Perks and Discounts

Travel agents often receive free or discounted trips, known as familiarization trips (FAM trips), from airlines, hotels, and tour operators to better understand the services they’re selling. This is a major benefit, as it allows agents to experience destinations firsthand, which enhances their ability to sell and recommend travel options to clients.

4. Job Satisfaction and Passion

For many, the job comes with a high level of personal satisfaction. Agents help people plan memorable trips, hone customer service skills, and benefit from the excitement of working in the travel industry. In short, becoming an agent aligns their career with their personal interests.

Ready to create your first trip? Sign up here for free today!

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Disney Travel Agent?

To become a Disney travel agent, costs typically range from $99 for annual events and training to potential certification fees if you’re not already a licensed travel agent.  Minimal upfront costs do apply but most agents earn commissions on bookings, with Disney offering up to 10% commission on vacation packages.

Do Travel Agents Make Good Money?

The travel industry is competitive but tour operators still make good money by hosting group trips such as luxury travel, cruise lines, or destination weddings .  Platforms like SquadTrip simplify the process by offering all-in-one solutions for organizing and managing group trips, saving time, and increasing profits for travel agents.

Start Planning Your Next Group Trip Today

Sign up for a free SquadTrip account and take the first step toward simplifying your group travel planning journey with your professional trip planning software.

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