When it comes to traveling, the last thing you want to have to worry about is booking your plane tickets or finding a hotel room. Fortunately, travel agencies exist for that very reason and can be found in almost every city on this planet. Travel agencies provide many services such as tours of the town, booking airport transfers, and more often than not, they offer competitive prices for flights and hotels.

The first step, of course, will be locating a nearby agency, so check online or ask around at your favorite restaurant or bar. Alternatively, you could also try looking on the notice boards located at larger hotels. A good agency should have staff who speak more than one language, so if English isn’t their mother tongue, try asking them if another language is available.

Be careful when booking with an agency as there is a chance they may try to overcharge you for your trip. A few tips to avoid this:

• Be aware of any special promotions or offers and take full advantage of them. Don’t be afraid to ask about discounts if you are traveling in a group since more often than not they can arrange something especially for you, but always check upfront the total price, so there aren’t any nasty surprises later on.
• If possible, try asking what currency they quote their prices as the exchange rates change daily, and it’s sometimes worth paying attention to that.

As mentioned earlier, travel agencies are there mainly for convenience purposes but keep in mind that it doesn’t necessarily mean they will save you money. Be aware that some countries have stringent laws on tour packages and may require all travelers to be protected by a certified local travel agency. If you’re not in a position to book with a local agency due to the language barrier, for example, traveling independently might be your only option.

To conclude, when choosing an agency, make sure that they meet all of your needs and, most importantly, establish whether or not they will save you money before making any final decisions.