A Jet-Setter’s 5 Best Travel Agencies in Edinburgh for Hassle-Free Getaways
I love going on holidays, but planning one? Aye, that’s a hard pass for me.
Thankfully, we have travel agencies to take the reins. They’re the unsung heroes of holidays—making the calls, booking the flights, hunting down the best deals, and crafting the perfect itineraries. All you have to do is show up for your flight (and for heaven’s sake, don’t miss it)!
Here are the best travel agencies in Edinburgh you can trust to do all the grunt work!
How much do travel agencies in Edinburgh cost?
The all-in cost of a vacation through a travel agency in Edinburgh is around £288 to £550 per head for local destinations. International trips can cost around £850 to £1,500 per head.
The cost of your tour will be influenced by factors such as group size, travel season, and the length of the trip.
Prices can also fluctuate based on the number of attractions in the itinerary, the destination, and the airfare of the airline you select.
1. Trailfinders
Address: 14 Castle St
Phone: +44 131 243 2800
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
If you’re looking for a travel agency that can take you to virtually any corner of the globe, I’d highly recommend Trailfinders.
With over 45 branches across the UK, including a couple in Scotland, and a trusted history since 1970, they’ve helped over 16 million people book their dream trips.
I’ve personally used their services, and I quickly realised that booking in person was far smoother than waiting for email or phone replies, especially when time-sensitive packages were running low.
Another thing I liked about them was their travel insurance. They offer vaccination advice, clinic passes, and even assistance with visa and passport processing (a huge plus, especially for first-time travellers!).
While their destinations are impressive—think Arctic, Antarctica, and beyond—there’s a bit of a focus on luxury options. For those of us with a tighter budget, I’d love to see more variety in their itineraries.
Excellent agents
“Excellent. We had a great holiday, and when a flight was cancelled due to weather, Trailfinders stepped in and booked and paid for a hotel for us plus taxis to the airport and back.
I will definitely use them again.”
– Alexander Inglis, Google Review
Great insight and information
“I am so glad I visited today. I was full of trepidation and didn’t have a clue in how to organise my trip to India. Jenna is a true professional with great insight and information about this vast country. She put my mind at ease and I’m actually looking forward to the adventure that awaits me.”
– Jane Ross, Google Review
2. iTravel 4 U
Address: 18 Haddington Pl
Phone: +441315573925
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
I recently booked a trip with iTravel 4 U and was impressed by their offerings. As part of The Global Travel Group, one of the UK’s largest travel consortia, they access great deals from top brands and exclusive packages.
Their holidays are Air Travel Organisers License (ATOL)-protected, ensuring peace of mind.
Services include cruises, flights from UK airports, and tickets for major events like Premier League football and Formula 1. They also arrange city tours across the USA, UK, Dubai, and Oceania—ideal for exploring iconic destinations.
However, their range is somewhat limited, focusing on major cities with minimum nine-night stays in places like Mexico, Dubai, and Cape Town. While perfect for longer trips, those seeking unique or shorter getaways might find only a few options.
Excellent customer service
“Faisal was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. With two toddlers in tow with us we arrived to book our flights. Faisal was great with the kids and sorted them out with the WiFi codes and expertly arranged our flights for us and at much better prices than simply searching Google or skyscanner. Excellent service and we will definitely be back and recommend others.”
– Waseem Sadiq, Google Review
Very helpful and attentive
“Faisal was a great help and very friendly. Through Faisal, we were able to cut £700 off our flight costs from Edinburgh to Australia. Compared to other travel centres in Edinburgh, I found this place to be the most helpful and attentive.”
– Amelia Kemble, Google Review
3. Hays Travel
Address: Unit 9, Cameron Toll Shopping Centre
Phone: +441315169736
Business hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Saturday, 9:45 am to 5:30 pm
- Thursday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Sunday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
When it comes to finding a holiday package that won’t break the bank, Hays Travel is a brilliant choice.
What sets them apart, in my opinion, is their website. It’s so user-friendly that planning your trip feels like a wee bit of fun rather than a chore!
Now, I’m usually one for booking holidays face-to-face, but when I hopped onto Hays’ site to find their contact number, I ended up browsing flights, hotel deals, and itineraries. Before I knew it, I’d booked my trip online!
I still gave them a quick ring to confirm the details, but I loved how smooth and stress-free the whole process was. No more panic-inducing calls, thank goodness.
Their destination range, though, is mostly focused on Europe, with some offerings in the USA and Mexico. I’d love to see more Asian options, but overall, it’s a cracking service!
Bookings done swiftly and seamlessly
“Had a rough idea where I wanted to go. Liam dealt with booking so professionally and pleasantly.
All booked. Boarding passes done and currency.
I would definitely recommend popping in here and getting professional advice and pleasant staff helping.”
– Ann Poulton, Google Review
Effortless and stress-free planning
“Cannot thank Joni enough for helping me book my partner a surprise birthday holiday. She always goes above and beyond. After our last holiday booked herself, she just made us feel so at ease. The whole process was made effortless and stress free. Thank you so much ☺️ I cannot wait xxx”
– Kellie Leighton, Google Review
4. Connoisseur Travel Services
Address: 38 Silverknowes Rd
Phone: +441316256330
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Saturday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
My parents have relied on Connoisseur for a number of their holidays, and they’ve always had a fantastic experience—even with last-minute bookings.
With over three decades in the business, having started in 1987, this Edinburgh-based agency offers a brilliant range of travel packages and tours.
Their standout features are exceptional service and unique cruise options.
My parents keep returning for their competitive rates and varied experiences, from river cruises to hybrid air-and-sea trips and local UK journeys. The agents’ thoughtful care, especially for senior travellers, gave me peace of mind.
My parents’ next big adventure is a safari holiday, which Connoisseur has meticulously planned a year in advance.
However, my parents did note that prices can be on the higher side compared to other agencies. While promotions are available, they’re often limited to Europe or closer to Scotland.
Unmatched knowledge of the cruise sector
“The level of service we’ve enjoyed with Connoisseur Travel is unbeatable. Staff members have unmatched knowledge of the cruise sector, so can steer us towards the holidays we’ll never forget – the best destinations at the best prices. And having got to know us, team members now anticipate all our needs. We’ve never come across a travel agency where staff fight so hard on behalf of customers, they are True Travel Terriers.”
– Martin Gray, Google Review
Goes above and beyond to help
“I have used Connoisseur Travel for over 10 years and as a basic IT user I have relied on them to sort out all the “Digital stuff”, which they have done in an efficient and timely manner and sent me paper copies through the post. Their knowledge ,whether it be ocean or river cruising, lakes & mountains or fly drive is impressive and they have gleaned extra added value on many occasions. I very rarely participate in reviews but on this occasion I shall add my endorsement”
– Ken Noden, Google Review
5. TUI Holiday Store
Address: 38 Gyle Ave
Phone: +441313394060
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 8:00 pm
- Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
If you’re planning a family holiday, I’d highly recommend booking your next adventure with TUI Holiday Store.
This agency boasts a vast network of travel vendors and agents ready to assist with your holiday plans, offering 24/7 support that’s truly reassuring for families.
My husband highly praises their excellent customer service, especially for family trips. They tailor itineraries with kid-friendly perks like free entry to attractions and handle everything from child-friendly hotels to restaurant reservations.
Their destinations span from Thailand’s beaches to the Great Wall of China. While some Asian spots aren’t reachable from Edinburgh, flying via London unlocks more options in South America, the Caribbean, and beyond.
A word of caution: their currency exchange rates can be a bit steep. You might get better deals elsewhere.
Absolute godsend
“Fantastic service from Gillian in store, we went in to book a holiday away, we had a few ideas and Gillian spent the time going through sites to make sure we had everything we wanted for our hotel. We were so impressed with the ideas, where to go, what to do and the knowledge Gillian had. Highly recommend speaking to Gillian in store. We will definitely be seeing Gillian again for our next holiday.”
– Stuart Ballantine, Google Review
Extremely knowledgeable agents
“We booked our cruise at the Tui Gyle shop, we dealt with agent Debbie, she was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable about our cruise ship and the itinerary, this is the 3rd cruise we have booked at this travel shop so I can definitely recommend it.”
– Richard Reynolds, Google Review