Posted by: snurp July 3, 2013
Do we need [Nepali] travel agents anymore?
Login in to Rate this Post:     0       ?        
 Issued in public interest:

I have  been buying tickets, from Nepali travel agencies based in US, to Nepal for as long as I can remember. In general, the service has been good and the tickets reasonable.

Recently, I have noticed, however, that the tickets these agents offer is higher than the fares available online. For those of you who still buy tickets from travel agents, be sure to check the online prices first. Here are some excellent sites.

Skyscanner.com : By far, the site offered the most competitive fares along with comparison with other travel sites, which  also offered discounted fares.

Getgoing.com : This is a recent silicon valley startup, which is ideal for planning out vacations (not necessarily Nepal). For instance, if you want to visit Rome, but the tickets are really expensive for Rome, the site offers alternatives around Rome, for e.g. Milan. But even if you book a flight to Nepal, and you see a lower fare elsewhere, they return to you the balance along with extra $50 dollars (this incentive is pretty popular for some other travel sites).

Kayak (priceline): I saw the fares here slightly higher than the above sites, but they also give you a projection for the tickets and suggest whether you should wait or buy the tickets. 

The nepali travel agents offered the same tickets for $50 higher (probably their service fees) and keep calling you around the clock how the fares won't be available the next day. Not trying to demean them, but wondering if you need them anymore! Feel free to disagree
Last edited: 03-Jul-13 02:53 PM
Last edited: 03-Jul-13 02:53 PM
Read Full Discussion Thread for this article