Best Travel Agents in the UK 2025: Comparison Guide

Few things are more exciting than booking a holiday. And whether planning your next summer holiday or jetting off for a last-minute trip, there’s a chance you’ll do so through a travel agent.

For many of us, holidays are among the most expensive purchases we’ll make all year, so booking through a trustworthy company is vital. The best travel agents in the UK help their clients find the right deal and share their expertise on the holiday destination. They’ll suggest tailored itineraries and must-see attractions and offer support if you have any issues before or during your trip.

We’ve evaluated a range of agents and compared key factors—such as customer reviews, industry credentials, specialisms, and costs—to bring you a list of the best travel agents in the UK for 2025.

From the high street to online, we’ve examined a dozen leading travel agents to find the best package holiday companies. We’ve included the details and indicated their specialities below.

Our expert score: 5/5

Pros

Cons

We picked Kuoni as our best online travel agency in the UK for couples—whether you’re planning the honeymoon of a lifetime or looking to organise a short trip away to surprise your beloved. Romantic trips include beautiful beach retreats to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Barbados; luxury adventures in Dubai and Australia; and custom European trips to Italy and Greece.

Kuoni offers unashamedly high-end personal service, including Champagne, when you book an appointment at one of over 40 UK stores. The sense of an in-store occasion adds to the excitement and thrill of your trip, and it’s ideal for couples ready to splash out and celebrate an anniversary or birthday.

A notable mention goes to All About Tailor Made Travel the London-based travel agents who offer a similar service that Review Centre users rate highly.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Overwater villas, private pool suites, exotic 5-star resorts—make no mistake, Kuoni is the agent to visit when you’re looking to enjoy a top-of-the-range getaway. After all, luxury destinations require the service to match, and Kuoni offers hassle-free planning, including flights, transfers, and accommodation.

Customers can also tailor their trip from a selection of romantic add-ons, including spa treatments, sunset cruises, and gourmet dinners. With 5-star customer service and dreamy resorts, Kuoni is the top pick for couples looking for a premium long-haul getaway.

🔎 Read what Review Centre users think of Kuoni.

Our expert score: 4/5

Pros

Cons

Jet2Holidays remains a popular pick for families thanks to the many features it offers as standard. By including all return transfers plus a generous per-passenger baggage policy of 10kg hand luggage and 22kg hold luggage, two of the most expensive, stress-inducing factors are taken care of the moment you book.

The company’s low booking deposit of £60, followed by an easy-to-follow pay monthly service, is a neat touch that keeps the costs manageable. The free child places in many holiday packages are another appealing option for families. They’re also fully ATOL- and ABTA-protected, meaning your trip is secure no matter what happens to the companies or suppliers involved.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Jet2Holidays’ package holidays are the most competitive on the market, with a range of self-catering and all-inclusive deals to suit all budgets. Customers should watch for regular discount promotions throughout the year that offer getaways at knock-down prices. At the time of writing, its Black Friday sale offers May holidays to Gran Canarias, Lanzarote, and Majorca for around £350 per person, including a free child place.

Accommodation is also carefully selected to suit families and a wide range of budgets. Its most popular resorts offer kids’ clubs, splash parks, evening entertainment, and even babysitting and childcare services.

🔎 Read what Review Centre users think of Jet2Holidays.

Our expert score: 4/5

Pros

Cons

Trailfinders say that booking online is no substitute for one-on-one service. With over 40 travel centres located all over the UK and Ireland, the agent offers the sort of personal human service increasingly rare in an industry pivoting more towards online bookings.

We picked it as our best tour company for retirees since many will appreciate the personal touch and one-on-one expertise when booking their trip away. Whether it's a short-hop city break, a guided group safari, or a month-long cruise, Trailfinders’ diligent agents can craft tailored itineraries to suit your preferences.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Retirees appreciate Trailfinders’ personal service, especially the agents’ familiarity with slower-paced itineraries and shorter travel distances for customers with reduced mobility.

Trailfinders also offers an innovative ViewTrail app that provides real-time access to your travel plans. Like airline apps, ViewTrail provides a handy hub for all information and documents related to your trip. It even includes phone numbers for medical or other emergencies while abroad.

Trailfinders’ all-inclusive trips are another plus. Everything from flights to transfers, tours, and even insurance can be sorted in one booking!

💡 For Manchester-based customers who prefer to deal with an independent travel agent, Failsworth Travel is a highly-rated local firm that prides itself on professional yet caring personal service.

Our expert score: 4/5

Pros

Cons

Travel Republic provides a straightforward booking process and numerous flight, hotel, and destination choices. This mix-and-match approach allows you to pick your room type, preferred flight times, and type of transfers.

It also offers the most impressive range of customisable options for travellers keen to take a hands-on approach to organising their own trips. Customisations include event and excursion tickets, city day passes, car hire, and travel insurance.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Travel Republic is one of the highest-rated travel agents on Review Centre, with over 24,000 reviews scoring an impressive average of 4.4 out of 5.

Additionally, its intuitive website and accompanying app make it easy to search for the best deal using a range of detailed filters. Travel Republic also allows customers to book accommodations and flights separately, which can save money compared to the bundled packages typically offered by other travel agents.

Travel Republic scores highly in solid communication and support, too, which adds to its reputation as one of the best travel agents in the UK.

Our expert score: 3/5

Pros

Cons

Intrepid Travel specialises in trips for groups of around a dozen travellers. That means it’s great for solo travellers and those travelling with groups of friends keen to meet like-minded adventurers.

A local expert guide leads groups and, as the name suggests, Intrepid promises a trip that goes beyond the well-trodden paths and tourist hotspots.

Among the thousands of meticulously planned experiences, trips include 10 days travelling from north to south Vietnam (£863), 7 days exploring Peru's famous Inca trail (£796), and 13 days in Morocco (£1,099).

Intrepid typically doesn’t include primary flights as part of its standard packages, although itineraries typically include domestic flights within trip routes. Its primary focus is location services such as accommodations, meals, activities, and guided tours.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Intrepid Travel's group-oriented trips are ideal for travellers keen to share bold new experiences and make meaningful connections. Solo travellers don’t pay a single supplement for travelling alone but share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender. Given the trips cater to adventurous types keen to meet kindred spirits, room-sharing is usually a positive. However, those wishing for more privacy can choose a single room for an additional fee.

For groups, Intrepid provides custom itineraries crafted around unique needs and interests while maintaining the immersive travel experiences for which it’s renowned.

🔎 Read what Review Centre users think of Intrepid Travel.

Just as there are many varieties of holidays, there are a wide range of travel agencies.

Some agencies focus on specific types of holidays. For instance, a family seeking a budget-friendly, all-inclusive summer package will likely choose a different agent than a retired couple planning a bespoke safari in South Africa.

Others are destination specialists. Nordic Visitor, for example, focuses on Iceland, Norway, and Scandinavia, while Audley Travel has 25 years of experience crafting personalised African safaris.

No matter their focus, though, the most common type of travel agency is a retail travel agency. Traditionally, these are brick-and-mortar high street stores that welcome customers in person, advertising a range of package deals. Online travel agencies (OTAs) are also popular among tech-savvy customers comfortable booking holidays without face-to-face service.

Additionally, destination management companies (DMCs) offer specialist and expert-led trips to particular regions. Nordic Visitor, for example, specialises in trips to Iceland, Norway, and Scandinavia, while Audley Travel boasts 25 years of creating personalised safari trips to Africa.

There are inbound and outbound travel agencies, too. Inbound travel agencies focus on local services—like guided tours and accommodation—relating to travellers arriving in the agents’ region. Outbound travel agencies offer services such as flights and visas for local customers planning an international trip.

Other types include cruise travel agents, corporate travel agents for business trips, and eco-tourism agencies specialising in climate-conscious travel.

The type of travel agent you need depends on factors like your destination, group size, trip length, and travel purpose.

For family holidays, group trips, or romantic getaways, retail travel agents can offer personalized advice and a variety of options tailored to your preferences.

Meanwhile, an OTA might suit you better if you prefer to book independently and save on fees. These services typically offer lower-cost, no-frills booking options ideal for budget-conscious travellers.

If you have a specific destination in mind and day trips to plan, a DMC can offer you regional expertise and guided excursions.

If you’re happy to arrange your own travel and need only local assistance, such as with hotel bookings and tours, consider an inbound travel agent.

Most travel agents cover all aspects of trip booking and planning. Customers keen for a hassle-free booking experience can expect standard arranged flights, accommodation, and transfers. The best holiday agents scour the market and find the highest value combination.

Travel agents can also help plan the specifics of your holiday, offering destination advice and itineraries tailored to your preferences and interests. They can include pre-booked tours, excursions, activities, day trips, event tickets, and even dinner reservations.

What's more, a good agent will be able to advise on the best travel insurance, currency exchange, and any visa-related requirements. They should also provide assistance and information should you encounter any medical issues or emergencies while on holiday.

And lastly, if you're using a travel agent to arrange for much of the above, do remember to ask for discounts. Don't be shy!

When selecting a travel agent, consider these key factors:

Find a trip specialist

Many travel agents specialise in certain types of trips. As outlined above, a company like Intrepid Travel possesses expertise in organising small group trips, while few will beat Kuoni when booking a luxury couples retreat. Once you’ve got a clear idea of what sort of trip you want, where you want to go, and how many will be joining you, find the travel agent that excels in the type of holiday you want to book.

Read customer reviews

The rise of online travel agents also means thousands of customer reviews on the web for each travel agent. Do your research before committing to an agent, and be wary of any that appear to have a lot of negative reviews.

Check financial protection

It’s rare, but not unknown, for a travel agent or associated supplier to go out of business. To ensure you keep the money you've spent on your holiday, book with a travel agent offering measures to protect you. Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL)-protected travel companies safeguard your money against unforeseen supplier problems.

We researched over a dozen leading travel agents and whittled our choice down to five based on the following:

Customer reviews

We checked the customer reviews from Review Centre users along with reviews and surveys from reputable platforms. Travel agents boasting high customer satisfaction were more likely to make our list.

Customer service

For each of our picks, we noted whether they offered an in-store high street presence with a dedicated personal travel advisor. For travel agencies that mainly provide online bookings, we selected only those that offer additional telephone support.

Industry credentials

All 5 travel agents that made our final selection offer industry-standard financial protection. It assures customers peace of mind that they won’t lose money should a holiday supplier go out of business.

Cost and payment options

We looked into the typical holiday costs for our recommended travel agents. However, noting that different holiday types aren’t equally comparable, we instead compared each travel agent’s payment plans and final balance dates.

What are the benefits of using a travel agent?

A good travel agent can take many stresses away from booking a holiday. Agents can answer all your questions, provide destination expertise, and find the best deals on the market. They’ll also be able to offer detailed itineraries and pre-book excursions and activities.

What questions should I ask my travel agent?

Don’t be shy about asking your agent questions before booking your trip. Ask them about accommodation standards, flight times and transfers, and any interesting information about your chosen destination. For peace of mind, always inquire about travel agents’ payment protection and emergency support.

What happens if my travel plans change?

Your travel agent will contact you concerning cancellations or flight delays and advise if you must cancel your trip for personal or health reasons. They will likely suggest purchasing travel insurance on the day you book your holiday to ensure cover for those possibilities. Sometimes, the travel agent offers their company insurance policy, but do shop around for the best deal.

Planning a holiday is an exciting time, but it can also present questions and quandaries. Finding the right travel agent ensures you get the best value-for-money deal and expert advice and support when planning your trip.

Whether planning your next family summer holiday, a cruise for two, or a guided group tour, our review of the best travel agents in the UK in 2025 should give you everything you need to choose the right agent for your trip and a hassle-free booking experience. Happy holidays!