Vacation without a Travel Agency: 12 Tips on how to Plan your Dream Vacation

Do you dream of a week-long vacation in Greece for only 10,000 CZK or a three-week stay in Thailand for just 20,000 CZK? Do you think it’s impossible? Don’t be mistaken – these prices are a common reality for travelers who have learned to plan their vacation without a travel agency. In this article, Vacation without a Travel Agency: 12 Tips on how to Plan your Dream Vacation, we’ll show you how to do it so you can enjoy your dream vacation exactly as you imagine it, and for a fraction of the price.

Vacation without a Travel Agency: why it Pays off to Travel without one?

A vacation with a travel agency is undoubtedly more convenient. You pay, and someone arranges everything for you. But you pay extra for this convenience, and not a little. Let’s look at a specific example of our road trip through Iceland:

• 14-day road trip in Iceland for a family of 4 with a travel agency: 443,000 CZK (without meals, without all excursions)
• The same stay in the same hotel organized independently: 111,529 CZK

A difference of more than 300,000 CZK is worth considering, isn’t it? And it would be even greater, because travel agencies don’t cover everything…

In addition to saving money, you also gain other benefits:

• Flexibility and freedom – a vacation exactly to your liking
• More authentic experiences – a greater chance to get to know the local culture and life
• Development of travel skills – each subsequent trip will be easier to plan
• Possibility of spontaneous changes – if you like a place, you simply stay longer

Read also: 20 most beautiful places in Iceland

Planning a Vacation Step by Step

Are you wondering how to plan a vacation without a travel agency yourself? We’ve put together how to do it for you:

Choosing a Destination and Date – where to Start

When planning a vacation, it’s crucial to first clarify what you expect from it. Do you long for relaxation on the beach? For adrenaline experiences in the mountains? Or for exploring historical monuments? Your preferences will help you narrow down your choice of destinations.

Equally important is the travel date. If you are not tied to school holidays, we recommend traveling outside the main season – in June or September. You will gain a double advantage: lower prices and fewer tourists. And you don’t have to worry about bad weather – in many Mediterranean destinations, these months are still warm and sunny.

When we planned our trip to Iceland, we decided to go at the end of September. We were a little worried about the autumn weather, but it gave us a unique opportunity to see Iceland in its raw beauty without crowds of tourists.

And surprisingly, although winter officially began on October 1st, temperatures did not drop below freezing. The truth is, that Icelandic wind will get under your nails even in summer, so a winter jacket, hat, and gloves are a must in any season.

💡TIP: Where to go on vacation in 2025

Setting a Budget – how much Will a Vacation without a Travel Agency Cost You?

Before you start planning, determine how much money you can and want to spend on your vacation.

The budget should include:

• Transportation (flights or car travel costs)
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Attractions and excursions
• Local transfers (public transport, taxi, car rental)
• Reserve for unexpected expenses (approx. 10-15% of the total amount)

On our two-week road trip through Iceland, which we took with four people, we found that the highest expenses were accommodation (47,795 CZK) and transportation – car rental cost 15,493 CZK and petrol 20,200 CZK. Thanks to cooking our own meals, we spent only 6,636 CZK on food, which is only 120 CZK per person per day! The total cost per person was 27,882 CZK.

These are only indicative prices from a few years ago, but they show that even more expensive destinations like Iceland can be affordable if you travel in a group and know how to manage your finances. Traveling with more people is more economical because you can share accommodation and transportation costs.

Flight Booking – how to Find the Cheapest Flights

Flights make up a significant part of the travel budget, so it’s important to book them in advance and compare prices. For the best deals:

• Book 2-3 months in advance – statistically, prices are lowest during this period
• Be flexible with dates – a shift of just two days can mean saving thousands of crowns
• Use comparison sites – Skyscanner, Momondo, or Google Flights will show you prices across airlines
• Subscribe to newsletters with promotions – portals like Cestujlevne.cz or Zaletsi.cz regularly inform about advantageous offers
• Fly in the middle of the week – Tuesday and Wednesday flights are often cheaper than weekend flights

Low-cost airlines often entice with very low prices, but don’t forget to check what is included in the price. You usually pay extra for checked baggage, seat selection, and refreshments. Sometimes it can be more advantageous to fly with a traditional airline that has more services included in the basic price.

💡TIP: You can find more about finding cheap flights in our article

Finding Accommodation – how to Find Cheap Accommodation

Accommodation is another essential item in your budget and will significantly affect the comfort of your trip. You have several options, each with its own advantages:

• Booking.com – our proven choice for booking accommodation. In Iceland, thanks to it, we found affordable rooms even in more luxurious hotels, which would have cost us much more through a travel agency. Booking’s strengths are its clear interface, filters (price, location, amenities), and especially reviews from verified guests. The service often offers the option of free cancellation, which gives flexibility to your plans.
• Airbnb – this platform allows accommodation in private homes and apartments. The advantage is a more authentic experience and often the possibility of cooking, which can significantly reduce food costs. From our own experience, however, we recommend Airbnb more for experienced travelers with a good knowledge of English. Once it happened that we arrived at the place and no one was there. Airbnb did refund our money, but we prefer not to recommend this platform to beginners.
• Hostelworld.com – a great choice for budget travelers. In Iceland, we used hostels several times and were pleasantly surprised by their quality. You don’t have to worry about sleeping in unsuitable conditions – modern hostels offer a clean and comfortable environment. You can choose between a shared room (the cheapest option) or a private room.

When choosing accommodation, consider:

• Location – accommodation in city centers is usually more expensive, but you save on transport
• Public transport accessibility – if you don’t have a rented car, check how to get from your accommodation to the places you want to visit
• Amenities – do you need a kitchen? WiFi? Air conditioning? Adapt your choice to your needs
• Check-in and check-out times – especially if you arrive late at night or depart early in the morning

Transportation and Public Transport at the Destination – how to get Around

The way you move around your destination will fundamentally affect your experiences and budget. You have several options:

• Car rental – offers the greatest flexibility and freedom. In Iceland, we rented a Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV, which allowed us to explore even less accessible places. For booking, we recommend using the comparison site RentalCars.com, where you can easily compare offers from different companies. This way, you avoid dubious resellers or overpriced rentals directly at the airport.
• Public transport – in many European cities, public transport is efficient and affordable. Find out if your destination offers tourist cards combining unlimited travel with attraction admissions.
• Taxi and ridesharing – services like Uber or Bolt can be surprisingly affordable even abroad. They are usually cheaper than traditional taxi services.

For travel from the airport to accommodation, find out the options in advance – most airports offer shuttle buses, trains, or metro. This is usually cheaper than a taxi and in many cases faster due to traffic jams.

Destination Information – What You Need to Know

Before you set off on your journey, take the time to thoroughly research your destination. It can save you a lot of trouble and help you get the most out of your trip. It’s good to read as much as possible about the destination.

• Cultural specifics – find out basic information about the local culture, customs, and etiquette. In Iceland, for example, we found out that before entering thermal springs, it is necessary to shower thoroughly without swimwear, which can be a surprise for some.
• Security situation – check the current security situation on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Find out where the nearest Czech embassy is.
• Local currency and payments – how widely are payment cards accepted? Will you need cash? What are the fees for ATM withdrawals?
• Language – learn at least basic phrases in the local language. Even though you can communicate in English in many tourist destinations, locals will appreciate your effort to speak their language.
• Weather and seasonality – check the weather forecast and pack accordingly. In Iceland, you must be prepared for all four seasons in one day, while in southern Spain in summer, you will primarily need sun protection.

Planning Activities – What You Want to See and Experience

Once you have chosen your destination, studied the basic information, and booked your accommodation, it’s time to plan what you want to see and experience. Create a list of places and activities according to your priorities, and if you’re not lazy, you can create a map of places and sights, for example, in Google Maps. Create a list:

• Must-see – what you definitely shouldn’t miss
• Nice-to-see – places you’d like to visit, but aren’t essential
• Alternatives – where to go if the weather doesn’t cooperate or plans change

However, don’t plan your schedule too tightly. Leave room for spontaneous discovery and relaxation. From our own experience, we know that sometimes the best places are found by chance. In Iceland, we once turned off onto an unmarked road and discovered a breathtaking thermal lake where we were completely alone – an experience that we would probably have missed in a travel agency’s itinerary.

For inspiration, use:

• Travel blogs and vlogs
• Guidebooks (Lonely Planet, Rough Guide)
• Instagram and Pinterest
• TripAdvisor and Google Maps reviews
• Recommendations from friends who have visited the destination

Preparing for the Trip – Final Steps

A few weeks before departure, it’s time for the last and probably most important preparations:

• Travel insurance – never travel without it! Choose insurance that matches the nature of your trip and check that it covers all activities you plan (e.g., diving, skiing, surfing, high-altitude hiking). We use the services of SafetyWing – you can read the review HERE.
• Travel documents – check the validity of your passport (it should be valid for at least 6 months after your planned return) and find out if you need visas or other permits.
• Health preparation – inquire about recommended or mandatory vaccinations for your destination. Prepare a personal first-aid kit with medicines you normally use, plus basic first-aid equipment.
• Mobile connection – find out about internet connectivity. Within the EU, you can use data from your plan; outside the EU, get a local SIM card or eSIM. Traveling without a connection is difficult today – you need maps, translators, information about opening hours, and more.
• Download useful apps – before your trip, download apps that will make your travel easier, for example:

• Google Maps or Mapy.cz with offline maps of your destination
• Google Translate with an offline package of the local language
• ChatGPT – artificial intelligence that can easily translate or find anything for you (not 100% reliable, but fast)
• Airline, accommodation, and local transport apps

Vacation without a Travel Agency: 12 Tips on how to Plan your Dream Vacation

Finally, we’ve put together a few more tips and tricks for a hassle-free vacation.

Utilize Local Knowledge

Locals know the best restaurants, hidden gems, and ways to save money. Don’t be afraid to ask them for recommendations. In Iceland, locals advised us to visit less-known thermal springs that were free and without tourists – an invaluable experience.

Food and Drink – how to save Money

Food can be a significant part of your travel budget. In Iceland, we found that food in restaurants is three times more expensive than in our country. Thanks to cooking our own meals, we spent only a fraction of what we would have paid in restaurants. However, if you want to go to a restaurant, choose one that is not right in front of a famous landmark, but perhaps just around the corner – they are usually significantly cheaper.

A few tips on how to save money on food:

• Stay in places with a kitchenette
• Have breakfast at your accommodation or buy pastries at the supermarket
• Have lunch at restaurants (lunch menus are usually cheaper than dinner)
• Shop at local supermarkets or markets
• Bring a water bottle to refill (in many countries, tap water is drinkable)

Safety First

Travel enthusiasm should not overshadow caution. Here are some basic rules for your safety:

• Store copies of important documents online and in print
• Do not leave valuables unattended
• Find out about dangerous parts of the city
• Keep embassy contact information and emergency numbers with you
• Get travel insurance
• Share your itinerary with someone who stays at home

Packing – less is More

The less you carry, the easier it is to move around. When packing, consider:

• Layering clothes – multiple thin layers are more practical than one thick one
• Versatility – every piece of clothing should be combinable with multiple outfits
• Local purchases – some things you can buy on site
• Electronics – don’t forget the right power adapters and a power bank
• Comfortable footwear – nothing ruins a vacation faster than blisters and sore feet
• Suitable luggage – if you plan to move around a lot, a backpack is better than a wheeled suitcase

Conclusion: your Adventure Awaits

Traveling without a travel agency opens the door to more authentic experiences and often significant savings. Thanks to the internet and social media, planning your own vacation is easier than ever before. Just a little time, patience, and following the steps we’ve outlined for you.

The most important thing, however, is your attitude – be open to new experiences, prepared for unexpected changes, and willing to step out of your comfort zone. These are often the moments that become the most precious memories.

Whether you decide to relax on the beach, explore historical monuments, or adventure in the wilderness, we wish you a journey full of unforgettable experiences!

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