Amelia HallIf lately, your idea of an adventure involves choosing between a trip to the dentist or the grocery store, then it might be time to call a travel agency!
From crafting personalized itineraries to securing the best deals, these top travel agencies in Vancouver will help you swap the mundane for the magnificent. So, sit back, relax, and allow these travel experts to turn your getaway dreams into reality.
| How much do travel agencies cost in Vancouver? Hiring a travel agent in Vancouver would set you back $390 to $2,600 for custom tours, while cruise specials are $1,500 to $2,000. Destination weddings may cost up to $42,000, and all-inclusive vacations may range from $600 to $800 per person. It’s essential to discuss your travel needs with the agency to get a more accurate estimate. |
How We Chose the Best Travel Agencies in Vancouver
1. Marlin Travel
Business Address: 777 Hornby St #855, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1S4
Website: marlintravel.ca
Instagram: Marlin Travel (@marlintravelyorkton)
Phone Number: (604) 684-3291
Business Hours: Mon – Fri: 10 AM – 6 PM
Marlin Travel – part of the Transat Distribution Canada network – stands out as a full-service travel agency with around 300 brick-and-mortar locations. Notably, Transat received a Travelife certification in 2018 due to its sustainable travel practices.
They offer a range of travel packages, from budget-friendly getaways to luxurious trips.
Speaking of luxury, their travel agent, Wedad Bishara, specializes in luxury and business travel. She’s been in the industry for over 30 years, and she’s fluent in English, French, and Arabic.
For those keen on tours and activities, Wedad and their other agents collaborate closely with partners at Viator, a TripAdvisor company, to help you book exciting experiences.
The agency’s most popular destinations include the South Caribbean and Europe, with a special focus on Disney Dream vacations for families.
For gifting, Marlin Travel presents the Zaluna Gift Card, available in both plastic and digital formats starting from $25.
Pros
- Part of the Transat Distribution Canada network
- Has agents with over 30 years of experience
- Partners with Viator for tours and activities
- Specializes in South Caribbean and European venues
- Special focus on Disney Dream vacations
- Offers a Zaluna Gift Card
Cons
- Reports of rude travel agents
Wedad delivered on my expectations for my first trip to Europe
“Wedad delivered on my expectations for my first trip to Europe. She was patient with all my questions and ensured I stayed within budget. I asked for clean accommodations in safe areas and she not only made sure of that but also booked hotels in excellent locations. She freely shared her wealth of knowledge of Paris and several Italian cities, suggesting itineraries and taking care of all the details like car rentals and train trips. Thank you Wedad!”
-Iliana Mejia, Google Review
Wedad is a super travel agent with exceptional knowledge
“Wedad is a super travel agent with exceptional knowledge. Our booking was taken care of very nicely and we took off to Cuba smoothly. She’s not only knowledgeable the specifics of the hotel but also the local customs.”
-Naomi Yamato, Google Review
2. Renshaw Travel
Business Address: 2175 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1N7
Website: renshawtravel.com
Instagram: Renshaw Travel (@renshawtravel)
Phone Number: (604) 733-1010
Business Hours: Mon – Fri: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Renshaw Travel is a family-operated travel agency with a legacy spanning over sixty years. Don Renshaw started the first wholesale travel company in Western Canada and earned the nickname “Mr. Travel” for his kind approach to clients.
Today, the agency boasts twenty travel specialists. In fact, its travel advisor, Jessica Renshaw, was recently recognized in Travel + Leisure’s 21st Annual A-List.
They specialize in tailor-made holiday experiences, allowing trips to start on any day of the year with flexibility over itinerary, duration, and budget.
As a Virtuoso member, they have exclusive access to luxury hotels, offering perks with renowned brands like The Four Seasons, Hyatt Prive, Marriott, and Mandarin Oriental.
The agency’s offerings extend beyond traditional travel, featuring cruises and customized tours to Africa, Asia, Central America, and Europe.
Additionally, Renshaw Travel stands out with its unique wellness retreats, curating high-quality destination experiences that prioritize personal well-being.
Pros
- Over 60 years of experience
- Boasts twenty travel specialists
- Received recognitions
- Specializes in tailor-made holiday experiences
- Virtuoso member
- Offers unique wellness retreats
Cons
- Reports of professionalism issues
Jessica went above and beyond
“Jessica went above and beyond in booking our recent stay at Four Seasons in Whistler. She was always responsive and eager to ensure we were getting the best price and benefits for our booking, even when we needed to change the dates fairly last minute. We felt very well taken care of and I won’t hesitate to contact Jessica again for future travel bookings.”
-Sarah Picciotto, Google Review
Jessica is a gem and knows the travel business
“I lucked out to find Jessica Renshaw to coordinate my fabulous Rocky Mountaineer trip in 2022! Being a mature first time solo traveler from California I wanted a consultant that knew Canada travel. Jessica is a top notch gal and I’m very grateful for professional and kind guidance. Unfortunately I ended up with covid during my travels. Jessica handled my issues and followed through for me with the travel insurance claim. She is a gem and knows the travel business. I hope to visit this most beautiful country again.”
-Deborah Castillo, Google Review
3. Escapes.ca
Business Address: 525 W 8th Ave #600, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1C6
Website: escapes.ca
Instagram: Escapes.ca (@escapes.ca)
Phone Number: +1 888-685-6888
Business Hours: Mon – Fri: 6 AM – 5 PM
Sat – Sun: 8 AM – 4 PM
Escapes.ca is proudly 100% Canadian-owned and operated under the umbrella of Skyland Travel Inc. since 1980. They have a multilingual team proficient in English, Japanese, Mandarin, Hindi, and Spanish.
Each customer is assigned a personal vacation specialist to help plan and book vacation packages.
Speaking of vacations, they have offerings under $1000, spring break packages, last-minute deals, Disneyland adventures, honeymoons, and group getaways. They also specialize in renowned resorts like Bahia Principe, Hilton, and Hyatt.
Beyond traditional vacations, they cater to cruise enthusiasts and couples planning weddings.
Additionally, they offer travel insurance in partnership with Manulife, enhancing the overall travel experience by prioritizing customer well-being.
One noteworthy aspect is their eco-friendly initiative – for every vacation booked, they plant trees through the Eden Reforestation Projects. They’ve planted over 300,000 so far.
Pros
- 100% Canadian owned and operated
- Over 40 years of experience
- Assigns a personal vacation specialist
- Wide variety of packages
- Specializes in resorts
- Also offers cruises and wedding destinations
- Offers Manulife travel insurance
- Plants a tree for every booking
Cons
- Reports of communication breakdown
My ultimate go-to for my travel bookings
“My ultimate go-to for my travel bookings. The website is a Super user friendly platform that allows me to search for “actual” solo travel prices and hotel specific dates…not just hotels by date like other sites where you have to keep changing dates to see prices. I also love the lowest price finder option to help me plan by specific hotel month by month vs only day at other sites. Only Escapes users will get what I mean. Others don’t even realize what they are missing by not using this great company for their travel needs.”
–Lori Simone, Google Review
Kind, knowledgeable, and followed up in a very professional manner!
“It was a wonderful experience. My representative was kind, knowledgeable, and followed up In a very professional manner! I was quite impressed and would use this service again. Thank you Bernadeth.”
-Murray, Google Review
4. Fresh Tracks Canada
Business Address: 885 W Georgia St Suite 1200, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8
Website: freshtrackscanada.com
Instagram: Fresh Tracks Canada (@freshtrackscanada)
Phone Number: (604) 332-3715
Business Hours: Mon – Fri: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Fresh Tracks Canada, based in Vancouver since 1996, is an expert in curating personalized Canadian vacations, having crafted over 25,000 unique trip itineraries.
They use the collaborative approach, working closely with customers to plan every detail, from airport transfers and accommodations to meals and excursions. And, their travel experts are passionate about traveling and infuse each getaway with insider tips.
They’re known for their Canadian Polar Bear safaris, providing a rare opportunity to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitats.
Plus, they have specialized packages like Tours for Seniors. Recognizing the growing desire among seniors for adventurous yet comfortable journeys, their train vacations allow older travelers to explore new sights and meet interesting people.
Other enticing packages include Canadian luxury train vacations, Northern Lights expeditions, and Rockies Cruises.
Pros
- Over 20 years of experience
- Crafted over 25,000 unique trip itineraries
- Provides insider tips for each vacation
- Offers Canadian Polar Bear safaris
- Has Tours for Seniors
- Canadian luxury train vacations
- Northern Lights expeditions and Rockies Cruises
Cons
- Only offers vacations in Canada
Chantal at Fresh Tracks gave us the very best of everything
“We had the best accommodations, the most excellent and delicious food. All the crew were the best no matter what destination or mode of transportation we were on. They were all so very personal. The bus drivers and tour guides were all very knowledgeable. Whether there was a problem or question, it was handled immediately. Chantal at Fresh Tracks gave us the very best of everything. Prestige Class on Via Rail very much worth it. Loved it all!”
-Darlene Leffler, Google Review
Can’t say enough good things about Fresh Tracks Canada!
“We can’t say enough good things about Fresh Tracks Canada!! We booked three separate trips through Fresh Tracks Canada for our cross Canada extravaganza retirement trip this year. In February we went north to Whitehorse to see the Northern Lights, in June we went east to tour Quebec and the Maritimes, and we have just returned from our western trip across the prairies and through the Rockies. Each trip was well planned with lots of lovely excursions and tours in each place we stayed. Every stop was customized to our exact specifications. Any glitch in the arrangements (and there were remarkably few of these for such a plan), was quickly addressed by the support staff with a quick email. This was a great way to see our country.”
-Terri McDonnell, Google Review
5. Guide Me Away
Business Address: 224 East 13th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5T 2K4
Website: guidemeaway.com
Instagram: Guide Me Away | Luxury Travel (@guidemeaway)
Phone Number: (778) 655-5135
Business Hours: Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 6 PM
Since 2016, Guide Me Away has been helping people explore the world while embracing their motto, “Forget the Planning, Remember the Trip.” As travel enthusiasts, they only recommend deals they would personally book.
Its founder is part of the LGTBQ+ community and understands the importance of enjoyable and safe travels. So, they offer LGTBQ+ Travel packages, selecting destinations and accommodations that celebrate diversity.
In addition, they specialize in corporate travel, offering a seamless blend of business and exploration. Additional services include custom tours, cruises, destination weddings, honeymoon packages, and comprehensive travel protection.
Guide Me Away’s network includes partnerships with over 5,000 top travel suppliers, providing members access to wholesale rates and exclusive pricing.
They also offer free consultations and boast a multilingual staff fluent in Hebrew, English, and French.
Pros
- 8 years of experience
- Offers LGTBQ+ Travel packages
- Specializes in corporate travel
- Partners with over 5,000 top travel suppliers
- Free consultations with multilingual staff
- Offers custom tours, cruises
- Destination weddings and honeymoon packages
Cons
- Reports of non-response to emails
Our go to for luxury travel for our family
“The Guide Me Away squad is our go to for luxury travel for our family. They have arranged many of our unforgettable trips that we consider priceless because of the ease and handholding through any complex parts of international travel with an infant. What I love about the team at Guide Me Away is that they are extremely responsive via messages to any questions and took care of our checkin to lounges to escape the animation of busy terminals so we could settle our baby. For us they presented amazing value as their costs were the exact same as if we booked direct online except we had a responsive and knowledge concierge for essentially free.”
-Mike, Google Review
Efficiency and ability to listen and put into action are first class
“Lia was invaluable in helping us plan a family all-inclusive trip to Mexico. I was overwhelmed trying to find a holiday spot that would meet the needs of all: our adult son and his girlfriend, our other son and his wife and two children aged 4 and 2, plus us, the grandparents. She talked to me about our needs and wishes and recommended three strong possibilities. We further discussed and chose one. The result was a trip that created memories that all of us will always cherish. Lia’s efficiency, and ability to listen and put into action, are first class. We will definitely ask her to help us with more trip planning in the future. Well done, Lia. Thank you so much!”
-Jeri Weir, Google Review
