Do Backpacker Travel Companies Charge Extra Fees On Trips?

Gabby Boucher

February 6th, 2024

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4 minute read

Do backpacker travel companies charge extra fees on trips? Some do, but East Coast Tours does not! Just like in-person travel agents, some online travel agents can and do charge a fee, either in the form of a flat-fee or a small percentage of your booking. But this isn't always the case!

Many travel agents, like ourselves, don't charge any fees for the local advice and organisation they provide. Rather, we operate solely off of commissions from the experience providers and don't pass our costs on to consumers, meaning that our services are totally free for travellers! The only fee you will pay with East Coast Tours is the 1% credit card fee to cover bank costs. 

Let's further explore this topic so you can understand why you're better off booking your Australian adventure with East Coast Tours as opposed to doing it yourself!

Do Backpacker Travel Companies Charge Extra Fees On Trips?

Some backpacker travel companies charge extra fees on trips, but East Coast Tours does not. The only fee we do charge is a credit card fee of 1%, but you'll find this same surcharge just about everywhere in the travel community. Many travellers are hesitant to use travel agents because they think there will be extra fees to pay on top of their tours. For those wondering, "Is it normal for a travel agent to charge a fee", the answer is yes! Many travel agents do charge extra fees, so it's good to be selective about who you book an experience with.

Especially if you're a backpacker looking to save money, it may seem cheaper to book all your tours, accommodation, and transport on your own. But you really do get the best value for money when you book with East Coast Tours, and we're going to tell you why!

Personalised Itineraries

We have a wide range of Australia travel itineraries that allow you to make the most of your time Down Under. For those who want everything planned for them, you can pick any of our pre-built itineraries that cover the highlights of the East Coast. From a quick, 10-day jaunt to a massive 5-week adventure, our itineraries combine Australia's most magnificent locations and tours so you can optimise your time without all the hassle of planning.

For those who want more input into their trip, you can plan your own itinerary with the help of our friendly team! Whether you want to upgrade your hostel to a hotel room, or you want to try car or campervan hire instead of travelling by bus, we can make it happen for you! Plus, any itinerary modifying or planning you do before your trip comes at no additional cost. You are only paying for the trip itself, nothing extra!

Experienced Staff

Another one of the main perks of booking your Australia trip with East Coast Tours is our experienced staff members. When planning your own itinerary, or modifying an existing itinerary, our travel experts will work with you to make sure you get your dream trip. Our team has all personally backpacked around Australia, so we know all about the travel experience first-hand. This type of local knowledge is so valuable because we can take into account the weather, culture, landscape, local events, and more when organising your trip. 

24/7 Live Chat

The best way to take advantage of our local expertise at East Coast Tours is on our live chat! Our staff are scattered all over the world, meaning we are available to chat 24/7 across all time zones. Whether you want to update an itinerary, enquire about future travels, or just get some local advice, our team is ready to help you out. We offer impressive customer service that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the Australian backpacker market, so make use of it and plan your dream trip with us!

Value For Money

With all that in mind, the last reason to book with East Coast Tours is the value for money. Our tour packages and itineraries are flexible and can include as much or as little as you want. From accommodation and transport, to tours and activities, we can make sure you get the best value for money.

We have local contacts all over Australia, from the Whitsundays to K'gari (Fraser Island) to Cairns. So we know all about the best deals and local discounts, from free bag storage to discounts on drinks at bars to accommodation packages. Considering we don't charge any extra fees for all this local knowledge, and our packages are competitively priced, there is no reason not to book with East Coast Tours!

Ready to book your ultimate East Coast Tours adventure? Check out our itineraries or design your own!