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DIY Travel vs. Using a Travel Advisor: What’s Worth Your Time and Money?

  • Writer: Alissa Bratz
    Alissa Bratz
  • Jul 6
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 6

In the age of the internet and AI, is a travel advisor worth it?


If you’ve ever sat staring at your screen with 27 browser tabs open, trying to decide between eight nearly identical hotels and a dozen conflicting blog posts, you’re not alone. Finding travel and destination information today is easier than ever — which makes planning a trip more overwhelming than ever. That’s where travel advisors come in. But is it really worth it to use one? Let’s compare.


Section 1: The DIY Route

Person writing in a notebook next to an open laptop on a small table. The screen is blurred. The setting is casual and focused.

Pros:

  • Complete control over your plans

  • Can be cost-effective (if you know where to look)

  • Flexible timing for research and booking




Elderly couple at an airport, reading tickets beside suitcases. Busy terminal with people and blurred blue signs in the background.

Cons:

  • Time-consuming and often stressful

  • Hidden fees, unreliable information, and surprise policies

  • No expert to call when plans go sideways


Woman in a blue shirt rests her head on her hand, appearing overwhelmed, frustrated, or tired, in a bright, blurred setting with scattered papers.



“On average, travelers spend 20-40 hours planning a single international trip. What is your time worth?”



Section 2: Working with a Travel Advisor


Hands exchange plane tickets at a wooden desk with a laptop, notebook, and pencils in view. The scene feels businesslike, calm, and focused.

Pros:

  • Expert recommendations tailored to your preferences

  • Exclusive perks and upgrades

  • Streamlined, stress-free planning

  • Personal support if things don’t go as planned



Woman in striped shirt writing on papers at a desk with a laptop, plant, and stationery. Shelves with books in the background.


Cons:

  • Some advisors charge planning fees (but this often pays for itself in added value)

  • Less immediate control if you’re used to DIY-ing everything




“A good travel advisor doesn’t take away your choices — they elevate them.”


Conclusion: What’s Right for You?


So, is a travel advisor worth it? If you love researching and planning every detail and have the time and patience to do it well, DIY might suit you just fine. But if you want a custom trip designed around your interests and needs — with someone in your corner before, during, and after your travels — a travel advisor is your secret weapon.


Remember, you don’t have to plan your dream trip alone. Let me remove the guesswork so you can focus on the good stuff.



Still on Team DIY? Access my planning checklist and comparison guide below, to cover all your trip planning details, and figure out when it might be time to tag in a travel advisor.






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