With online studies, your career as a travel agent starts with a laptop, access to the internet, and a click.
If you spend hours daydreaming about the perfect vacation and love being a part of every last planning detail, a career in travel is right for you.
If you want smooth sailing and to help vacationers’ trips go off without a hitch, a travel agent career is for you.
Start turning travel dreams into a reality for clients.
How do you get the certification and training you need to launch a career as a travel agent?
Check out these best online travel agent training programs.
Contents
- Best Online Travel Agent Training Programs
- What Courses Are in an Online Travel Agent Training Program?
- Can You Earn an Online Travel Agent Training Program Certification Completely Online?
- How Long Does it Take to Earn an Online Travel Agent Program Certification Online?
- How Much Does an Online Travel Agent Training Program Certification Cost?
- Bottom Line
Best Online Travel Agent Training Programs
Most online courses prepare you to sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency TAP exam to earn your travel and tourism certification.
The TAP test takes two hours to complete.
The test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.
Or, continue your education to get your Bachelor of Science BS degree in hospitality.
After obtaining the necessary credentials, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 66,300 jobs in travel await those who pursue them, with an anticipated 3 percent job growth.
Travel agents earn an average of $46,400 annually, or $22.31 per hour.
The American Society of Travel Advisors, ASTA, and The Travel Institute developed the TAP certification examination.
Pass the TAP to launch your travel agent career.
Earn your TAP certification and then continue your education by attaining your Certified Travel Associate CTA certification.
Or, specialize in specific types of travel like the following:
- Family travel
- Accessible travel
- Rural tourism
- Pet-friendly travel
- Cruise lines
- Sustainable travel
- Eco-friendly travel
- Solo travel
- Luxury travel
- Romantic getaways
- Destination weddings
- Honeymoon travel
Take a look at the best options for online travel agent training programs.
Check out the following top online training programs:
1. Penn Foster
Penn Foster Online offers courses at levels from high school to college degrees.
Learn everything you need to understand about the travel and tourism industry through this accredited school.
Penn Foster offers an affordable and accredited online Travel Agent Career Diploma.
The program prepares students for entry-level travel agent careers.
Study at your own pace with access to a dedicated faculty.
The Penn Foster online program prepares students for the TAP Travel Agent Proficiency certification exam.
Studying through Penn Foster also allows you free enrollment in a Destination Specialist course at The Travel Institute to help prepare you for the Destination Specialist certification exam.
Fast-paced learners complete the course in as short a time as nine months.
The average student takes 15 months to prepare for work as a travel agent.
Go on to work in an agency, a tour company, an airline, or any travel agent capacity.
The travel agent certificate online program usually costs $989.
Catch a sale to find it as low as $799.
2. The Travel Institute
The Travel Institute has a history of preparing individuals for successful and rewarding careers in the travel industry since 1964.
More than 25,000 students claim success through learning with The Travel Institute.
With more than 50 years of training travel agents, the Travel Institute offers certification as a non-profit organization.
The online program aims to develop travel professionals who will better the industry and benefit travelers.
The online training offers its own TRIPKIT Travel Industry Introductory Program.
The Travel Institute also offers certification courses and training in areas of specialization in the travel industry.
Before deciding on a course, sign up for one of many free Webinars.
Gain a solid foundation of knowledge to kick-start your career in travel in up to 12 months of study.
Become a Certified Travel Counselor CTC for $550.
Or, if you already have five years of industry experience, take the Fast Track course.
The Travel Institute also offers Certified Travel Associate CTA and Certified Travel Industry Executive CTIE courses.
3. Stratford Career Institute
Stratford Career Institute is privately owned and established in 1991.
The Institute offers quality at-home vocational training programs to students in North America.
Stratford foresaw the need for emerging education for busy adults and offers distance learning.
SCI provides the opportunity for students to learn from the convenience of their own home with a flexible schedule.
This online school is a member of the United States Distance Learning Association, the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education, and the International Council for Open and Distance Education ICDE.
SCI also has academic affiliations with the Institutional Accountants ICIA and The Travel Institute.
If you love to travel and want to turn travel planning into your career, Stratford Career Institute online offers a comprehensive travel and tourism course.
Learn the basics and then move into more advanced topics.
Delve into sales and marketing with this self-paced course.
Complete the course in a year or shorter.
Some students are ready for the next step after six months.
The Stratford Career Institute Travel and Tourism online course will prepare you to sit for the TAP test.
Learn everything you need about landing a job and continuing work as a successful travel agent for $1,049.
Catch the course on sale for $499 during Black Friday or other sales throughout the year.
4. Travel Agent Campus
The Travel Agent Campus is a highly sought-after travel agent/advisor online training and certification program.
Train with lessons developed by innovators of their independent home-based travel agent learning platform.
Learn from instructors who offer more than 30 years of training to those new to the travel business.
The Travel Agent Campus allows you to work at your own pace.
Learn everything you need to know to earn your online travel agent certification in two weeks.
Or, take less time.
Most students finish the course in about three to ten days.
Pay $995 in full, or break it down into monthly payments.
Once you start your travel career, earn as much as 70 percent to 90 percent commission.
Learn at home about the vast travel industry and tourism at your own pace in partnership with TPI Travel Planners International.
Get started in your career of planning, researching, and booking trips with the help of this online course.
5. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University GCU offers a private for-profit university.
GCU is the largest Christian university in the world, teaching 70,000 online students and 20,000 on-campus learners.
Take your time and earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management.
By attaining a BS in Hospitality Management, you open doors to a solid career in travel.
With Grand Canyon University, earn your degree after studying 120 credit hours at approximately $485 per credit.
The online courses each last eight weeks and are self-paced.
You may participate in Web chat sessions or view lectures online throughout the courses.
If you have already earned college credit, transfer credit hours to reduce your overall expenses.
Apply for scholarships to save more on tuition costs. Also, enjoy extensive discounted tuition for active military personnel.
6. IAP International Association of Professions Career College
Study online to receive your travel consultant certificate from a program featured by Oprah, ABC, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal.
IAP Career College offers a private online career learning opportunity.
This online college allows students to develop skills to advance their careers or start a business.
Learn the principles and techniques of the travel industry through an affordable online program.
IAP Career College online Travel Consultant Certificate Course takes approximately six weeks to complete.
Some students get it done faster, in four weeks.
Others take a full 12 weeks to complete.
Work online at your own pace without teaching assistance.
The IAP course costs approximately $377.
Catch a special sale to get it for as inexpensive as $149.00.
7. Ashworth College
Ashworth College offers career education that teaches practical skills employers want without breaking the bank.
This online school is among the most affordable online schools available to gain travel agent certification.
All of the career-focused courses at Ashworth College include books, lessons, study guides, and academic guidance.
Earn your certification among more than 300,000 students who have graduated from Ashworth.
Ashworth College offers an online travel agent training program to prepare you for work in the travel industry.
The course of study covers reservations, customer service, and geography.
Study entirely at your own pace to prepare for the TAP test certification in less than a year.
Earn your travel and tourism diploma to work with planning tours and management positions.
Pay $989 with monthly payments of $799 paid in full.
Ready yourself to take the Travel Institute Travel Agent Proficiency Test after completing the course.
Ashworth College additionally provides a toolkit with resume templates and other resources to help you land a travel career.
What Courses Are in an Online Travel Agent Training Program?
Online travel agent training programs offer courses that teach everything you need to prepare you as a travel agent.
Some of the typical courses included in travel agent training programs include:
- Air travel ticketing, reservations, and baggage handling, including North American Air Travel
- Geographic studies, including popular travel destinations, cultures, customs, and top attractions while exploring the world
- Tourism and the History of tourism, including types of tourism and how travel impacts the economy
- TAP Travel Agent Proficiency Certification studies include customer service, consumer-focused professionalism, specialized travel sales techniques, marketing, office skills, and time management.
- Advanced skills in journey pricing and ticketing
- BSP Agent billing reports and agent remittance procedures
- Learn about required documents for international trips
- Intro to Tourism Management to establish a foundational understanding of the tourism business
- Delve into the challenges of the hospitality industry as a career
- Aspects of Transportation Learning how to navigate domestic and foreign transportation systems such as air, railway, or cruises
- Convention and Special Event Planning, including conferences, trade shows, arranging travel, lodging, booking the best venue, and organizing food services
- World Regions, including time zones, weather, and climate
- International Travel Documentation
- Customer-focused selling and understanding customer needs
- Customs
- Accepting and processing payments
- Travel Insurance
- Car Rentals
- Tour Sales and Niche Marketing
- Hospitality
- Global Distribution System GDS and establishing Passenger Name Record PNR
- Career Options in Travel
- Types of Tours and Tour Operators
- Fares and ticketing
- How to start an at-home travel agency
- Business Ethics and writing skills
- The Art of listening and communicating
Can You Earn an Online Travel Agent Training Program Certification Completely Online?
Yes.
Several online colleges, universities, and career training centers offer a complete program to attain the skills needed in the travel industry.
How Long Does it Take to Earn an Online Travel Agent Program Certification Online?
One of the benefits of studying online is that you learn at your own pace.
Earning an online travel agent certification varies in how long it takes.
Spend a few days, two to three weeks, or stretch it out.
Combine your studies with an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s degree, and take two to four years.
Pursue one or all of the travel agent certifications, including the following:
- Travel Agent Proficiency TAP
- The Certified Travel Associate CTA – Requires one year of industry experience or completion of the Travel Agent Proficiency TAP exam.
- Certified Travel Counselor
- Certified Travel Industry Executive
- ASTA Verified Travel Advisor VTA from the American Society of Travel Advisors ASTA
- International Air Transport Association IATA
- Travel Industry Designator Service TIDS
- Certified Cruise Counselor CCC from the Cruise Lines International Association CLIA
- Accredited Cruise Counselor ACC
- Master Cruise Counselor MCC
- Elite Cruise Counselor ECC
How Much Does an Online Travel Agent Training Program Certification Cost?
Online training costs in the travel industry vary based on how long the program is, whether the institution is accredited, and any specializations you pursue.
It ranges in cost from approximately $100 to about $1,000 to complete certification.
Some online programs include an exam fee, so expect to spend about $2,000 or more.
Once you obtain the certification, expect ongoing studies to maintain the certification.
Agents must earn ten continuing education credits CEUs per year.
Bottom Line
Pursue your dream of adventure and love for travel.
Obtain your certification to start work in the travel and tourism industry fast.
Study through the best online travel agent training programs.
Start your career as a travel agent with the convenience of online training programs that offer flexibility and preparation for certification exams.
Getting my travel agent certification helped me a lot with starting my online business on the go, I LOVE travel so this was a no-brainer for me.
Same!
I love being a travel agent, I did the online program through Gaston College, and it was great!
Getting a travel agent certificate taught me everything I needed to know to start my business. It’s tough, but I love doing it, and I earn significantly more than I did in my previous job.
I just finished a course on travel agent training, and I can’t believe how much I learned about planning trips and navigating the travel industry in just a few weeks.
After diving into some travel agent training, I realized how much goes into planning those perfect vacations, like figuring out all the ticketing and reservations, definitely not as easy as it looks.
So, after checking out a couple of those travel agent training programs, I was surprised by how many different areas you can specialize in, like sustainable travel or planning destination weddings.
Just wrapped up my online course and it was surprising how much I enjoyed learning all the little details about planning a trip.
I finally went through one of those online travel agent courses, and it really opened my eyes to all the nitty-gritty details of vacation planning, especially how much there is to consider for just booking flights and hotels.
After finishing my online travel agent training, I never realized how much there was to know about booking flights and the ins and outs of different tourist spots.
You really get to dive into all the nitty-gritty details of planning vacations, which surprisingly made me realize how much I enjoy organizing trips for others.
After diving into the online travel agent courses, I was surprised at how much I learned about ticketing and customer service in just a few weeks.
Jumping into online travel agent training was surprisingly straightforward, and finishing my TAP exam felt like crossing a finish line after diving into all those travel details.
It’s pretty interesting how you can kick off a travel agent career right from your couch, all you need is a laptop and a love for planning those amazing trips.
After going through that online travel agent training, I was surprised by how much they packed into just a few weeks, like the nitty-gritty of handling air travel ticketing and customer service.
I just wrapped up my online course to become a travel agent, and I couldn’t believe how much I learned about handling all the little details that make trips run smoothly.
I never thought planning other people’s vacations could be this much fun, especially after nailing that TAP exam in just a couple of weeks.
I just finished a travel agent course online, and it’s wild how much I learned about booking trips and all the little details that go into making a vacation happen.
I just finished this online course for travel agents and found the section on international travel documents surprisingly detailed, which made me feel a lot more confident about planning trips for clients.
I never thought planning trips could actually feel this rewarding, especially after nailing that TAP certification in just a couple of weeks.
Just finished an online travel agent course and honestly, diving into all the cool details about family and eco-friendly travel was way more fun than I expected.
It really felt like I was planning my own vacation while I was taking that travel agent course, the details made everything come alive.
It’s pretty exciting to think that with just a laptop and some dedication, you can turn your love for planning trips into a real career as a travel agent.
After diving into the travel agent training, I was surprised at how much there is to learn about the ins and outs of booking trips and dealing with different travel systems.
I just finished a travel agent training program and realized how fascinating the details of booking a trip can be, especially learning about the different destination cultures and customs.
These online programs sound like a fantastic way to kickstart a travel career! The flexibility is a huge plus, especially for anyone juggling a busy schedule. It’s cool to see so many options to specialize in different areas of travel too. Can’t wait to see more people diving into their dream jobs!
Looks like the travel agent world is buzzing with opportunities! Makes you want to grab a suitcase and start planning trips for everyone, right?
Seems like there’s a lot of hype around becoming a travel agent with these online courses, but I can’t shake the feeling that it might not be as easy as they make it sound. Sure, the flexibility sounds great, but are clients really going to trust someone who just clicked through a few lessons? And $1,000 for a course? That seems steep if you’re not even guaranteed a job afterward.
This makes me wish I could just pack my bags and hit the road right now. The idea of turning trip planning into a career sounds like a dream job!
Considering a career as a travel agent really opens up so many possibilities for people who have a passion for exploration. It’s exciting to think about turning those daydreams of travel into real itineraries for clients. The fact that so many training programs are available online makes it even more accessible, allowing anyone to dive in and learn at their own pace. The specialization options are particularly intriguing.
Looks like there are some solid options for anyone wanting to break into the travel industry. It’s cool how you can get certified entirely online. Makes it feel more accessible, especially if you’re juggling other commitments.
Did you really just say there are over 66,000 travel agent jobs waiting? That sounds like such a vibrant field! I had no idea the job growth was expected to be steady too. What do you think makes this career appealing to so many people right now?
This sounds like a fun way to turn my vacation daydreams into a paycheck. I never thought picking the perfect destination could come with its own curriculum! The idea of specializing in pet-friendly travel is hilarious. Imagine planning a vacation just for furry friends!
This really speaks to anyone who’s ever dreamed of turning their vacation fantasies into a real career. It’s inspiring to think about how many people can help others create unforgettable experiences just by following their passion for travel. The idea of making someone’s trip perfect is such a beautiful goal.
This sounds like an exciting way to turn a passion for travel into a career! There’s something so fulfilling about helping others create their dream vacations. Can’t wait to see who takes the plunge!
Have you tried any of these programs yourself? Which one do you think really stands out for beginners?
This really hits home. It’s incredible to think about turning those little daydreams of travel into real possibilities for others. The thought of helping someone else explore the world, create memories, and have their perfect vacation just feels so rewarding. It’s like being a part of their journey, and I can’t help but feel inspired.
Seems like a lot of these programs promise a lot, but do they really prepare you for the real challenges of being a travel agent? The average salary doesn’t sound bad, but I wonder how many people actually find good jobs after all this training.
It’s interesting to see how accessible becoming a travel agent has become with all these online programs. I’ve always thought about how much planning goes into those amazing vacations people have. I wonder which of these training paths leads to the most successful careers in travel planning?
This is like a daydreamer’s guide to getting paid for dreaming about beaches and mountain hikes! Who knew turning travel fantasies into a job could be so accessible? It’s wild to think you can kickstart a travel career from your couch with just a laptop and a sprinkle of ambition.
So, after all this, are we just supposed to believe that clicking a mouse is all it takes to make someone’s travel dreams come true? Sounds almost too simple, right?
Did you really just list a course on “Rural tourism”? I can’t help but wonder, what have you found to be the most surprising vacation destination in those off-the-beaten-path travels?
Have you found that certain specialties in travel, like eco-friendly or solo travel, are becoming more popular among clients? It’s interesting to think about how trends shift in this industry!
It’s interesting how many different paths there are to becoming a travel agent. Specializing in things like eco-friendly or pet-friendly travel sounds like such a fun challenge! Who knew there were so many options?
It’s interesting how many options there are for training in travel. The idea of helping others plan their perfect getaways sounds really fulfilling, especially with so many specializations available.
I can’t believe we went from “let’s book a vacation” to “let’s take a two-hour exam on travel trivia.” Seems like the travel agent dream is just a series of certifications away from becoming completely bureaucratic. But hey, if sitting at home with a laptop can land you in the paradise of planning dream getaways, sign me up.
Seems like there’s a lot of hype around travel agent courses, but I wonder how many actually lead to steady work. The job growth they mention is pretty modest too, and that average salary doesn’t sound too enticing when you factor in the competition.
It’s so exciting to think about turning a passion for travel into a career. The idea of helping others create their dream vacations just feels like a perfect match!
Seems like a travel agent is the perfect gig for those who can’t stop daydreaming about sun-soaked beaches and cozy mountain cabins. It’s hilarious how a laptop and some courses can turn that wanderlust into a paycheck! I mean, if booking trips for others means I get to hear about their adventures, sign me up. Who wouldn’t want to be the mastermind behind that perfect getaway?
This is a fun read! I had no idea there were so many ways to dive into the travel industry online. The idea of planning epic trips for others really hits home, especially since my friends always ask me to help them map out their vacations. It’s like I could get paid for my daydreaming! And the TAP exam sounds a bit less daunting now, too.
Seems like a lot of effort just to book someone’s family vacation when you could just tell them to look on Google, right? But hey, if you have a passion for planning trips, maybe it’s worth the certification grind!
Oh sure, paid nearly $1,000 for a course, survived the two-hour TAP exam with 100 multiple-choice questions, and now I’m oddly proud and mildly nauseous selling a “relaxing” Caribbean cruise to someone who really wanted a quiet weekend nearby.
Passed the two-hour TAP test in my living room and now I’m the person people text at 2 a.m. to fix their cruise booking, living the dream.
I did the Travel Agent Campus program in about ten days and honestly felt empowered booking my first multi-city itinerary for clients around here, even though cramming the modules into evenings left me wiped out.
Around here, knowing the TAP test is only two hours and some programs say you can finish in a few days actually makes me oddly excited to give it a shot.
I did the Travel Agent Campus course in about a week and was honestly relieved when the BSP billing and PNR practice actually made last-minute cruise bookings feel manageable.
Seeing the TAP test is 100 multiple-choice questions and that some programs say you can be certified in as little as two weeks made me laugh and kind of giddy, like maybe I could finally start helping people here book the trips I obsess over.
Did you find the TAP’s two-hour, 100-question format doable if you’re juggling a day job around here, because when I tried a practice test I felt really rushed?
Do you honestly think the Travel Agent Campus two-week course is realistic if I only have weeknights to study, since I tried an hour a night and felt pretty wiped out?
Really, you’re telling people that after a two-hour TAP exam with 100 multiple-choice questions and a two-week course they can start booking trips for clients around here, right?
Took the Penn Foster course between shifts and was surprised how the TAP’s 100 multiple-choice questions had me nervously re-sipping my coffee, kind of giddy when I passed.
Saw the promise of 70 to 90 percent commissions, did the two-hour TAP test with its 100 multiple-choice questions, and now I’m sitting at the local airport gate at 2 a.m., exhausted and weirdly proud I can rebook a family of four without crying.
I took the TAP prep online and after that two-hour exam I felt strangely proud and a bit exhausted, like I’d actually earned the right to book someone’s honeymoon next weekend.