We're a travel agency, so you'd expect us to say you always need one. You don't. Plenty of trips are easier to book yourself in ten minutes. The question is which trips, and that's what this post sorts out. If you're weighing travel agents in Nairobi against doing it online, here's a fair answer.
When booking online is fine
One person, one return flight, flexible dates, a hotel you've picked already. Nothing to coordinate and nobody else's plans to fit. If something goes wrong, you can sort it on your own. For that kind of trip, online booking is quick and a travel agent adds little.
When an agent starts to help
Things change once a trip has moving parts. Several flights in one journey. A group that needs seats together. A visa that has to land before you can book. A family with different dates for different people. Or a trip where somebody has to get it right because the money isn't yours, like a business or a donor-funded trip.
An agent is useful at those moments for a simple reason: one person looks at the whole plan and sees where the pieces don't fit. A website shows you fares. It doesn't tell you the cheap one leaves you with a six hour wait and no baggage allowance.
The two options side by side
| Area | Booking online | Using a travel agent |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Quick for a simple ticket | Quick once they know your habits, slower for a one-off |
| Complex trips | You join the pieces yourself | One person plans the whole route |
| Changes | You deal with each airline or site | You message one contact |
| Cost | Fare shown, extras added later | May include a service fee, so ask |
| Support | Chatbot or call centre | A person who knows the booking |
| Paperwork | You manage visas and documents | Some agents help with these too |
Not sure about travel agents in Nairobi? Ask us
Send us where you want to go, your dates and how many people are travelling. We reply to WhatsApp enquiries within 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday, and can check flights and fares for you.
The money question
Let's be straight. Agents are paid somehow. Some charge a service fee. Some earn commission from suppliers. Some do both. None of that is wrong, but you should know which it is before you sign up. Ask how the agency charges and where the charge shows up on the invoice. A reasonable agency answers that without fuss.
It's also worth comparing like for like. A cheaper fare online may have strict rules on changes, baggage and refunds. The agent's quote may cost a little more and let you change plans. Ask what each fare allows before you decide which is cheaper.
What to ask any agency
- Are you IATA certified, and which booking system do you use?
- How do you charge, and where does it show on my invoice?
- Who do I speak to if my flight changes at night?
- What happens if I need to cancel or change?
- Can you help with visas, hotels and transfers, or only flights?
Put the same five questions to every agency you're comparing. The answers will tell you more than any website.
Getting help
We're an IATA certified agency in Nairobi, and we've been at it for more than 30 years. We work on Amadeus, which lets us check seats and fares across airlines in one search. Our best travel agents in Nairobi page tells you more about how we work. If you travel for work, see our corporate travel management service, and for flights our flight booking agents in Nairobi can compare fares for your dates.
IATA certified | Amadeus-powered | 30+ years' experience | WhatsApp replies within 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday
Questions people ask
Is a travel agent more expensive than booking online?
Not always. Fares often come from the same airlines. An agent may add a service fee, and it should show on the invoice. The saving comes from comparing options and avoiding fares with rules that don't suit you.
Can I book the flight online and use an agent for the rest?
Yes, plenty of people do. Just keep the pieces in line with each other. A hotel and a flight that don't match are the problem agents usually end up fixing.
How do I know an agent is real?
Ask for the IATA details and check them. Look for an office you can visit and a number that gets answered. Be careful with anyone who only works through social media and asks for a deposit up front.
What if the agent can't beat the online price?
Then book online. Honestly. An agent's value is in the plan around the fare, not just the fare.
How do I get a quote from Spice Travel?
Send the route, dates and number of travellers on WhatsApp. We reply within 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday.
Related reads
More from Spice Travel.
Speak to us about travel agents in Nairobi
Call +254 740 633 759 during office hours (Monday to Friday 8:30 to 5:30, Saturday 8:30 to 1:00), or send us your plans through the contact form.