If you are looking for travel agencies in Durban, you are in the right place. You know what a vacation is: it’s a chance to escape the daily grind, explore new places, and relax in ways that you can’t when you’re at home. But do you also know what a good vacation is? It’s one where you don’t have to worry about anything—except maybe the occasional missed flight or delayed train.
Whether you’re planning an international or local trip, having an experienced travel agent on your side can help make sure your trip goes smoothly. After all, these experts understand the ins and outs of travel abroad better than most people could ever hope to learn on their own. But then again…there are lots of travel agencies out there (especially in KZN) competing for your business! How do you know which one will be best for your needs? Read on!
Table of Contents
What is a travel agency?
A travel agency helps people plan and book their travel. This includes bookings such as flights, accommodation, tours, and other events. They typically work with a variety of suppliers to get the best deals for their customers. Many travel agencies also offer additional services such as visa assistance, travel insurance, and 24/7 customer support.
A travel agency provides customers with services related to travel, on behalf of other businesses such as airlines, car rental companies, hotels, and tour operators. This can be done through a physical business or online. Services that a travel agent offers include booking flights, hotels, and rental cars; making reservations for tours and activities; and providing travel insurance. Some agencies also offer packages that include airfare, hotel, and car rental, as well as activities and tours.
Our list of Travel Agencies in Durban
Travelleeto
Travelleeto is a true hidden gem and the agency that we use for our bookings because they get us the best price, simple and plain.
If you are looking for holiday packages and want the best deals from all the tour operators listed below without doing all the searching yourself, definitely give Travelleeto a shout.
They are a travel agency that assists with holiday planning. They reason we like them is because they do all of the queries with tour operators for you and then find you the best price for your holiday package. So instead of paying more when you could have saved elsewhere, they find you the best prices from the tour operators available.
Their aim is to make travel more approachable with innovative offerings and by engaging with you, their client on the platforms you are most comfortable and allowing you to choose exactly what you want for your travel plans. This is includes the option to create travel packages on lay-by where you can pay in installments, and engaging with you wherever you are most comfortable, whether by email, WhatsApp, DM… which ever feels best for you
So whether you want immediate travel arrangements or a planning for a trip months down the line, you can give them your brief and let them do all the leg work to create your perfect getaway.
The company has created a good impression on its Google reviews has an average of 4.8 with professionalism, quality, and value coming up consistently in the comments.
To get in touch with them, drop them an email at info@travelleeto.com or a WhatsApp at +27827496478.
Final Rating: 5 out of 5
Pentravel
Like most of the agencies on this list, Pentravel was founded in Durban. Unlike most of the agencies from KZN on this list, Pentravel has been rated #1 for travel in South Africa on HelloPeter. With an average of 4.3 out of 5 on Google Reviews, you can be pretty sure that you will get quality service from Pentravel. It is likely that this is due to the fact that Pentravel has been in South Africa since 1983, and that the average travel consultant at Pentravel has over 6 years of experience in the travel industry.
Website: https://www.pentravel.co.za/branch-locator/kzn/pietermaritzburg
Google Reviews (out of 5): 4.3
Number of Reviews: 19
Best Compliment: “lovely, friendly and helpful. Would recommend any of the agents at PenTravel Midlands Mall to everyone I know. Super affordable; very good option for stress-free travel!” – Celine Hatting (5/5 stars)
Worst Complaint: “Unable to assist with flight rebooking” – Derek Hunter (3/5 stars)
Royal Travel
Royal Travel was established in 1994 and has offices in Durban and Johannesburg. In 2001, Royal Travel became a franchisee of Sure Travel. The agency was appointed as a Participating Tour Operator (PTO) for the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa. Royal Travel is a member of The International Air Transport Association (IATA), The Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA) & Sure Corporate Travel.
Website: https://royaltravel.co.za/
Google Reviews (out of 5): 4.6
Number of Reviews: 60
Best Compliment: “Royal Travel are super efficient and ultra professional while giving you the best deals. They were so patient and helpful with the many questions we had about our travel plans. Highly recommended!” – Gulshaira Mahomed (5/5 stars)
Worst Complaint: “Extremely disappointed. Kept on the line for over 5 minutes. Sent through email with all my details with no response in over 2 weeks.” – Paul Keane (1/5 stars)
Travel & Tour World
Travel & Tour World boasts an impressive 98% client satisfaction across over 800 clients served. Combine this with destinations in over 120 countries worldwide and more than 35 years of service, and it’s not hard to see why the average rating for TTW is 4.8 out of 5 stars from 71 reviews. Another important factor to consider is that the worst rating out of the 71 ratings was 2/5 stars.
Website: https://ttw.co/
Google Reviews (out of 5): 4.8
Number of Reviews: 71
Best Compliment: “Good service. Fabulous savings. Check packages. Thks to the team.” – Fathima Maithir (5/5 stars)
Worst Complaint: “unhelpful” – Nabila Mall (2/5 stars)
Avoca Travels
With over 40 years of creating memories through holidays worldwide, Avoca Travels offers a wide range of fully planned tours, self-drive or private chauffeur-driven options, and coach tours. Avoca boasts some of the cheapest packages on this list with an average Google rating of 4.3. Avoca Travels is a member of IATA (International Air Transport Association), ASATA (Association of Southern African Travel Agents), and the DCCI (Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry). Since 1980 Avoca has been servicing the people of KZN with integrity, economic prices, and friendly service.
Website: https://avocaonline.co.za/
Google Reviews (out of 5): 4.3
Number of Reviews: 54
Best Compliment: “To put together a package for my family and I in 5 days to travel to Turkey with multiple stops. Will definitely be using Avoca Travels for all my holiday destinations. Keep up the good work.” – Nadeem Sheriff (5/5 stars)
Worst Complaint: “After payment was made, all communication stopped. Questions we asked were met with curt, dismissive replies as though we were bothering them.” – Humairah Desai (1/5 stars)
IGO Travel
IGO Travel is a team of passionate travel experts who cannot wait to amaze you with their personal service. They’re based in KZN and are available online yet maintain a personal touch throughout the interaction. They know the travel industry thoroughly and can help find hidden gems in hundreds of destinations around the world. IGO Travel is a member of The International Air Transport Association (IATA), The Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA) & Travelport.
Website: https://www.igotravel.co.za/
Google Reviews (out of 5): 4.2
Number of Reviews: 41
Best Compliment: “Great service! Easy to book and manage. They were a great help. Would recommend her any day” – Ntsakisi Modikwe (5/5 stars)
Worst Complaint: “They took as for a ride will never use them again!!” – Jenna Lobb (1/5 stars)
One Stop Travel & Tours
Founded in 2004, One Stop Travel has successfully transitioned from a local Durban based one branch operation to become a respected company garnering business from across the nation. One Stop Travel is comprised of a team of travel specialists based in Durban who share a passion for creating the most inspiring experiences for every client. An average of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews is decent, but once paired with the fact that there are over 230 reviews, it becomes incredible! One Stop Travel & Tours is a member of The International Air Transport Association (IATA), The Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA) & Club Travel.
Website: https://onestoptours.co.za/
Google Reviews (out of 5): 4.2
Number of Reviews: 234
Best Compliment: “Very good service. Very helpful and friendly staff. Very good on pricing and you are guaranteed to be well looked after. Will recommend them anytime.” – Alf Duarte (5/5 stars)
Worst Complaint: “It’s been a week now and no respond..not contacting them again..there are agencies who really give you the service you deserve but sadly can’t say the same for One Stop” – Jayschree Misree (1/5 stars)
Roadtrippers Travel
If you’re looking for travel experiences in South Africa and in neighbouring countries on a budget, then Roadtrippers is the travel agency for you! While they also manage bookings for overseas travel, it’s their prices on local trips that really stand out. Their team is made up of experienced tour leaders who go above and beyond to make sure that their guests have an experience like no other. Roadtrippers has been around since 2012 and has over 140 reviews on Google, amounting to an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Website: https://roadtrippers.co.za/
Google Reviews (out of 5): 4.6
Number of Reviews: 141
Best Compliment: “Went to this trip without knowing anyone and it was a blast…….enjoyed myself and the places we visited. Cape Town weather also played along nicely.
Thank you Roadtrippers” – Nthabiseng Mosehle (5/5 stars)
Worst Complaint: “Critical Issues: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value” – Pabi Machili (1/5 stars)
World of Travel
World of Travel is the perfect travel agency to use for all Hujaaj based in KZN. Specialising in Hajj trips, World of Travel was founded and is still situated in the heart of Durban. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the requirements for attending the annual Hajj have changed dramatically and is strongly recommended that anyone hoping to attend the holy pilgrimage use a travel agent experienced in such travels. World of Travel’s online Hub offers an incredible 1.4 million travel options to choose from.
Website: https://roadtrippers.co.za/
Google Reviews (out of 5): 4.4
Number of Reviews: 82
Best Compliment: “The service is excellent and efficient , good advise on your trip” – Yasmin Adam (5/5 stars)
Worst Complaint: “Terrible service. No customer support after selling you the package” – Abu Zuhair (1/5 stars).
Webtour Getaways
If beachside holidays are what you’re after, then you’ll find Webtours to be the travel agency of choice in Durban. Webtours offers packages to Maldives, Thailand, Seychelles, Phuket, Bali, and other fantastic beachside destinations. For the bargain hunters, you can also find Club Med specials on their website. Prices range from R1,726.00 (2 nights at Suncity) to R50,530.00 (7 nights in a 5 star resort in Thailand), so there are plenty of options to choose from.
Website: https://www.webtours.co.za/
Google Reviews (out of 5): 4.5
Number of Reviews: 24
Best Compliment: “Charne is passionate about what she does and makes the travelling process much more fun! She is able to tailor make packages to suit your preferences. She has made all my local and international holidays a success! Well done” – Dhiajal Rubieparsad (5/5 stars)
Worst Complaint: “Disappointed with the level of communication. Incorrect details on Google Maps causing major inconvenience to potential clients. This is not a company but a business operating from a house!!! What a waste of time.” – Annelene Indarjith (1/5 stars).
Crest Travel
The most astounding thing about Crest Travel is that they’ve received only 4- and 5-star reviews on Google! Crest Travel has one of the easiest to use websites on this list. With over 15 years trading in the travel industry, Crest Travel promises to help you find the product or (in cases where they can’t assist) refer you to someone who can! Crest Travel is best for those looking at their Three Haram Tour or Umrah packages. Their expertise is best suited for those looking to travel to the Middle East, although don’t exclude them when looking for packages to other destinations.
Website: https://cresttravel.co.za/site/
Google Reviews (out of 5): 4.8
Number of Reviews: 23
Best Compliment: “Efficient personalised service. Very good Umrah packages.” – Rashaad Dhai (5/5 stars).
Worst Complaint: N/A – Crest Travel has only received 4/5 and 5/5 stars across all 23 Google Reviews!
Why use a travel agency?
The internet, social media, and Covid-19 have changed the way we plan our travel, with many South Africans feeling that they can make their own travel arrangements and bookings without the use of a professional. There are, however, a number of good reasons why you should use a travel agency. A travel agency can save you plenty of time and pain when planning your next vacation. Travel agencies usually have access to discounts and a wider variety of options that aren’t usually available to individuals.
They can also offer advice on the best time to travel and where to go to get the most out of your trip. If you’re planning a complex trip or an unusual itinerary, a travel agency can be invaluable in ensuring everything goes smoothly. They can make all the necessary arrangements and bookings, and deal with any problems that might arise.
A great travel agency will also have significant amounts of knowledge about different destinations and can offer unbiased advice on where to stay, things to see, and how to get around. They can also offer useful tips on avoiding tourist scams and finding hidden gems. Of course, not all travel agents are created equal. It’s important to find one that you can trust and who has a good track record. Read on to find out how to find the best travel agent for your needs, what steps you’ll need to take to get started, and of course some of the best-rated travel agencies in Durban.
Advantages and disadvantages of using a travel agency
The advantages and disadvantages of using travel agents need to be considered. They often have a lot of useful information and can help with making reservations and finding good deals. However, they may also charge fees, and you might not always get the best deal if you use one.
There are pros and cons to using travel agents. On the plus side, travel agents have access to a wealth of information and resources. They can help you plan your trip, make reservations, and find the best deals. They can also offer advice on what to do and see at your destination. On the downside, travel agents may charge fees for their services, and you may not always get the best deal by using one.
There are many benefits of using a travel agent when planning your next vacation. Travel agencies can save you a lot of time and effort in researching and booking your travel arrangements. They have access to a wide variety of travel options and can help you find the best deals. Travel agencies can also provide valuable advice and guidance based on their experience and knowledge. They can help you choose the right destination, select the best activities, and make sure you are prepared for your trip. In addition, travel agencies can provide peace of mind by taking care of all the details of your trip. This includes making sure your travel documents are in order, making reservations, and providing 24/7 support in case of any problems. Using a travel agency is the best way to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable vacation. With their help, you can focus on relaxing and creating lasting memories with your family and friends.
Factors to consider when choosing a travel agency
Know what you really want
The first thing you need to do is decide what kind of holiday you want, and then examine the options available. If you’re not sure which option would suit your needs best, think about how much time and money you have available for your vacation.
- Do you want a package tour? These are often cheaper than tailor-made tours, but they tend to have far fewer options when it comes to accommodation and transportation. They also won’t include any activities that aren’t included in the package—if there’s something else that catches your eye while planning an activity-heavy trip such as hiking or sailing, these won’t be possible with a packaged tour.
- Do you want a tailor-made tour? On this type of trip, each individual traveller receives personal attention from their travel agent or agency when making plans for their trip; however, this can come at a price: many people opt for this option because it allows them more control over where they go and what they see during their vacation (and because some people simply prefer being able to customize their own itinerary).
- Do you want a package trip? If so, then ask yourself: what are my budget constraints? How long am I willing/able to spend away from home? What kinds of accommodations do I enjoy staying at while traveling abroad (or domestically)? Which attractions interest me most within each destination city/state/country…
Consider the destination
When deciding on a travel agent, consider the destination. Think about location, climate, culture, and safety. Also, think about the cost of living and travel options available in the area you’re interested in visiting.
- What do you want to do while you are there? Do you want to spend time on the beach or hike through jungles? Are there activities or events taking place during your vacation that will interest your family members?
- How long do you plan on staying at this destination? A longer stay at one location will give us more time for activities than shorter stays would allow for — but some travellers prefer shorter trips because they still get to see many different places quickly!
Look at what the other companies are offering
The next step is to compare the prices and itineraries of different companies in KZN. Some agencies may offer a better price than others, but you will have to sacrifice in other areas if they choose to go with this option. It’s important that you review the other offerings like customer service and itineraries because these factors can also affect a customer’s decision-making process.
- Your travel needs are unique, so be sure to shop around before settling on a travel agency.
- Know what you want: Before you start shopping around for a travel agency, it’s important to know what kind of trip you’re looking for. Is this a vacation or a business trip? Are there any specific activities or amenities that are required? How many people will be in your party?
- Consider the destination: Once you’ve determined the type of trip, it’s time to choose where to go. A destination can greatly impact how much money and time it takes to book your flight, hotel room, and other accommodations. If you live in an area with fewer options when it comes to flights or hotels (such as rural communities), consider booking through an online travel agency that offers more options at lower prices than nearby agencies.
Steps to select the right travel agency:
- Research various travel agencies in Durban to find one that suits your needs.
- Contact the agency and discuss your travel plans.
- The agency will provide you with options and prices for your trip.
- Once you have decided on a trip, the agency will book your travel arrangements.
- The agency will provide you with documents and information to help you plan your trip.
- The agency will be available to answer any questions you have about your trip.
Important factors to consider when selecting a travel agency
- The destination(s) you want to visit
- The type of trip you want to take
- Your budget
- The travel agency’s reputation
- The travel agency’s accreditation
- The travel agency’s experience
- The travel agency’s customer service
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a travel agency in KZN to help you with your next adventure, we hope this list helps! We know that choosing the right one can be challenging, but don’t fret. Just make sure to do your research and find a company that fits all of your needs—after all, that’s what they should be doing for you in return.
While a travel agent can be helpful, there are some downsides to using one. Travel agents can be expensive, and you may not always get the best deal by using one. You may also be limited in your choices of hotels and flights if you use a travel agent. Overall, it is up to you to decide whether or not using a travel agent is worth it.
A travel agent can be very helpful when planning a trip. They can help you find the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars. They can also help you plan your itinerary and make sure everything is taken care of before you leave. However, there are also some downsides to using a travel agent. They can be expensive, and you may not always get the best deal by using one. You may also be limited in your choices of hotels and flights if you use a travel agent. Overall, it is up to you to decide whether or not using a travel agent is worth it. If you are planning a complicated trip, it may be worth it to use a travel agent. However, if you are just looking for the best deal on a hotel or flight, you may be better off booking these things yourself.