Choosing between the best travel agents in Nelson mostly comes down to whether you want a shopfront you can walk into or a broker who works around you. Nelson has both, plus a couple of specialists who only build tailor made trips, and the difference matters more than the brand above the door. The five below all publish their own contact details and consultants, which is the baseline for trusting anyone with a deposit.
1House of Travel Nelson
House of Travel Nelson sits on the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Street and is owner operated by Jason McKay. Its consultants bring more than 94 years of travel experience between them and first hand knowledge of over 95 countries, which is the sort of depth a walk in store is actually for.
Services
- Flights and airfare comparison
- Holiday packages and tailor made itineraries
- Cruises
- Escorted tours
- Support while you are away, including delays and changes
Highlights
- Over 94 years of combined consultant experience and 95 countries visited between the team
- Owner operated rather than run by a head office
- A physical shopfront in central Nelson, open weekdays
- Named consultants with profiles, so you can pick who you deal with
Location & Contact
Name: House of Travel Nelson
Address: Cnr Trafalgar and Hardy Street, Nelson 7010
Phone: 03 546 8780
Website: hot.houseoftravel.co.nz
2Kelly Bowater Travel
Kelly Bowater Travel is a broker rather than a shopfront agency, which means the team owns the business and comes to you rather than the other way round. It is a multi award winning brokerage with five brokers, based at 136 Queen Street in Richmond and working across the Nelson region.
Services
- Bespoke itinerary planning
- Cruises and tours
- Ski trips
- Adventure and luxury travel
- Honeymoon, family and business travel
Highlights
- A multi award winning brokerage, not a single operator
- Five named brokers, so there is cover when yours is away
- Support available 24 hours a day while you are travelling
- Private consultations rather than a counter in a busy shop
Location & Contact
Name: Kelly Bowater Travel
Address: 136 Queen Street, Richmond 7020
Phone: 03 544 4622
Website: kellybowatertravel.co.nz
3Simplytravel
Simplytravel has been operating in Nelson since 1993 and is fully independent, meaning it is not tied to a chain’s preferred suppliers when it goes looking for a fare. The agency has moved out of its Trafalgar Street office and now works remotely, so it is phone and email rather than drop in.
Services
- International and domestic airfares
- Holiday packages sourced from multiple wholesalers
- Adventure travel
- Escorted tours
- Travel insurance
Highlights
- Operating in Nelson since 1993
- Fully independent, so no chain supplier obligations
- Consultants with decades in the industry, including 23 years for Jamie Currin
- Now mobile, which keeps overheads and fees down
Location & Contact
Name: Simplytravel
Address: Nelson
Phone: 03 546 9229
Website: simplytravel.net.nz
4Red Dragonfly Travel
Red Dragonfly Travel is a Nelson based company that only does tailor made luxury holidays, so it is the wrong call for a cheap fare to Fiji and the right one for a three week trip you want built around you. It is TAANZ accredited and affiliated with NZ Travel Brokers, which means bookings are financially protected.
Services
- Tailor made private tours
- Safari and wildlife holidays
- River and ocean cruising on small ships
- Boutique and character hotel stays
Highlights
- TAANZ accredited and an NZ Travel Brokers member, so holidays are financially protected
- Independent of the large travel chains
- Specialises in one thing rather than covering everything
Location & Contact
Name: Red Dragonfly Travel
Address: Nelson
Phone: 03 2424 320
Website: rdtravel.co.nz
5helloworld Travel Nelson
helloworld Travel Nelson is at 46 Bridge Street behind turquoise signage, open weekdays and Saturdays by appointment. It is a full service store covering everything from a rental car to an escorted cruise tour, and it runs its own group departures.
Services
- Flights, accommodation and rental cars
- Cruises, including escorted group departures
- Coach and escorted tours
- Honeymoon packages and travel insurance
Highlights
- An after hours emergency contact number for travellers already away
- Runs its own escorted cruise tours, not just sells other people’s
- Will meet outside standard hours by arrangement
Location & Contact
Name: helloworld Travel Nelson
Address: 46 Bridge Street, Nelson 7010
Phone: 03 548 3300
Website: helloworld.co.nz
How to Choose the Right Travel Agent in Nelson
- Work out whether you want an agency or a broker. An agency has a shopfront and set hours. A broker owns their own business, meets you where it suits and is usually contactable outside office hours. Neither is better, they just suit different people.
- Check for TAANZ accreditation or an equivalent. It means your money sits in a trust arrangement rather than the agency’s operating account, which is the whole point of using an agent rather than booking direct.
- Ask what the service fee is and what it covers. Most agents earn commission from suppliers and charge a modest fee on top. A clear answer up front is a good sign.
- Ask who you call at 2am in Rome. Some agents publish an after hours number, some do not, and that is the single most useful thing an agent gives you when a flight is cancelled.
- Match the specialist to the trip. A luxury tailor made specialist and a high street store are both good at their own job and mediocre at the other one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Agents in Nelson
Does using a travel agent cost more than booking online?
Usually not much, and sometimes less. Agents are paid commission by airlines and wholesalers, and most charge a modest service fee on top. They also have access to fares and packages that are not sold direct. The real value shows up when something goes wrong.
What is the difference between a travel agent and a travel broker?
A broker owns their own business and works independently, often from home or a private office, with flexible hours and usually round the clock contact while you travel. An agency has a shopfront and set opening hours. Kelly Bowater Travel is a brokerage; House of Travel Nelson and helloworld Travel Nelson are stores.
What does TAANZ accreditation mean?
The Travel Agents Association of New Zealand requires accredited members to hold client money in a trust account, so if the agency fails your booking is still protected. Red Dragonfly Travel is TAANZ accredited. It is a fair thing to ask any agent about before paying a deposit.
How far ahead should I book?
For long haul in peak season, nine to twelve months is normal, and cruises often further out again. Shorter trips within the Pacific can be booked much later. An agent will tell you when a fare is likely to move, which is hard to judge on your own.
Can a travel agent help if my flight is cancelled while I am away?
That is one of the main reasons to use one. helloworld Travel Nelson publishes an after hours emergency number and Kelly Bowater Travel offers 24 hour support while clients are travelling. Confirm the arrangement before you leave rather than looking it up in an airport.
Do I still need travel insurance if I book through an agent?
Yes. Accreditation protects you against the agency failing, not against medical costs, cancellation or lost luggage. Most agents here sell insurance alongside the booking, and it is worth reading what the policy excludes before you buy.
Can they book domestic travel as well as overseas?
Yes, though many people only think to use an agent for overseas trips. Simplytravel handles domestic bookings alongside international, and the same applies to the stores.
What should I bring to a first appointment?
Rough dates, a budget range, passport expiry dates for everyone travelling, and any loyalty programme numbers. Passport expiry catches people out constantly, since many countries require six months validity beyond your return date.