Modern travel planning for independent travelers
In-depth local insight
Personalized advice
Stress-free planning
DIY Travel Planning Done Better
No travel agent, no problem
We get you - you don’t need a travel agent to plan your trip for you, but trip planning can be stressful! And besides, when you want the inside scoop on planning a trip to a new country or region, who better to ask than the locals themselves?
Plan independently, but with local advice
By planning with a Go Ask A Local expert, you get the best of both worlds; complete control over your trip and the freedom to make your own arrangements, but with the in-depth local and expert knowledge necessary to make sure that you’re planning the best trip possible.
1-hour video calls with bonafide travel experts
Our travel consultations are one-hour video calls, held over Zoom or Google Meet, during which you’ll get to connect with a local travel expert who is based directly in your destination.
And if you’re wondering just how much they know, our experts are mostly local guides with a minimum of 10 years of professional travel experience in their country/region. They’ve been doing this for a long time, so if you’re looking to get off the beaten path and beyond the highlights, they’ve got you covered…
Information, tips, & advice perfectly tailored to you
Your hour call is guided by a detailed pre-consultation questionnaire that really digs into your interests, travel style, budget, goals for the consultation, and lots more.
Your Local Expert will review all this info before the meeting, ensuring that they use the time efficiently have tailored and personalized recommendations that are just right for you.
What to expect from a Travel Consultation
One-hour video call with a local expert
Jump on a one-hour Zoom call with one of our local experts and talk to someone who has helped thousands of travelers discover their city, region, and country.
Here’s some of what you’ll get during a consultation:
Answers to all your travel questions
An “expert-approved” itinerary
The best local tips & advice
Recommendations on restaurants, hotels, activities, tours, etc.
Help navigating transporation
Your expert will send you written notes, links, and other helpful resources directly via the chat box during the consultation so that you can enjoy the conversation and don’t have to spend the hour frantically taking notes.
Recommendations & advice personalized to you
Every consultation is unique and is customized entirely to you and your trip.
Prior to your consultation you’ll fill out a detailed questionnaire that asks you 30 questions about you and your travel partners, your trip, your interests, and your goals for the consultation. Your expert will use your responses to prepare personalized recommendations and advice in advance.
When you get on your call, your expert will be ready with ideas perfectly tailored to your interests and travel style.
No commissions, no sales pitches, and no hidden fees
Your expert will never try to sell you something.
They’ll provide lots of recommendations and advice, but will give you all the information that you need to make arrangements and reservations on your own should you decide to book something.
We don’t sell any 3rd party services and will never make a commission on something that our experts recommend. That means that you can rest assured that you’re getting honest info with no ulterior motives.
Save time. Plan smarter. Have a better trip.
After an hour with your expert, you’ll walk away with all your questions answered, a new or perfected itinerary, and fabulous local tips and recommendations.
You’ll have everything you need to finish planning an unforgettable trip independently. No travel agent needed.
Here’s how it works
Book with confidence
Money Back Guarantee
All Consultations are backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with the service you receive during your consultation, just let us know and we’ll refund the full cost. No questions asked.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Consultations cost $125-$150 USD.
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Consultations are held over Google Meet. Once you’ve scheduled your call, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing the link for your video call. On the scheduled day and time, just click that link to join.
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Each consultation is different, but here are some common things that our experts typically help with:
Itinerary planning
Transportation, driving routes, and tips for how to get around
Practical travel information; culture, safety, weather, language, money/tipping, etc.
Suggested hotels/accommodations and advice on where to base yourself
Local recommendations for restaurants, activities, and unique experiences
Advice on reputable tour guides, tour operators, and excursions
Pro tips on how to best visit popular sights and attractions
Ways to avoid overcrowded destinations and tourist traps
Insider ideas on off the beaten path places, authentic experiences, and ways to connect with locals
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What you can get done in an hour depends on your goals for the consultation and how organized you are coming into it.
In most cases, an hour is ample time to create a solid itinerary, answer your major travel questions, get practical advice on how to travel in your destination, and discuss lots of great local tips and recommendations.
To ensure that the hour is used efficiently, when you schedule your call, our pre-consultation questionnaire will ask you what your primary goals for the consultation are. Prior to the call, your Local Expert will review your questionnaire and prepare detailed information addressing those goals.
They’ll come into the call ready to share specific advice, recommendations, itinerary ideas/revisions, and useful links and resources for you to review together.
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Yes! Each consultation is guided by a comprehensive pre-consultation questionnaire that you fill out immediately upon booking.
We’ll ask you a series of 30+ detailed questions that really dig into you, your trip, your interests and travel style, and what you want to discuss with your Local Expert.
The questionnaire will cover things like: the dynamics of your group, the things you enjoy while traveling, your budget, how early you want to start your day and how late you want to end it, whether you want to hit the highlights or roam the back streets, and even what types of restaurants you want to eat at.
Your Local Expert will focus only on your interests and travel style.
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Our Local Experts are seasoned travel professionals who have spent decades working in their countries/regions. While their personal interests may be different from yours, they’ve worked with thousands of travelers and have recommendations and advice for every type of individual.
They know their destinations in-depth and can help plan a trip for every traveler and taste.
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No. Our service is geared toward independent, do-it-yourself travelers who intend to make bookings on their own.
Our goal is not to plan your trip for you, but rather to help you plan a better trip independently. To that end, our Local Experts will give you all of the information that you need to confidently put your trip together yourself.
When Local Experts recommend things like restaurants, hotels, excursions/activities, tours, drivers, etc., they’ll provide you with contact details and links so that you can make the final arrangements on your own.
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Almost every Go Ask A Local expert has at least 10 years of professional travel experience as a guide or trip planner in their country/region.
We work with a vetted team of seasoned professionals who know their destinations inside and out.
Unlike other companies, when you book a call, you’ll always be connected directly with your chosen Local Expert. We never pass anyone on to a junior sales associate or some anonymous back office team. With us, what you see is what you get.