What’s the Fuss About Evaneos? Our Honest Review of the Platform.

When you deal with a busy work schedule and travel planning is out of the window, a travel tour agency can seem like the best option. But, not all of us are ready to settle for standardized tours that only cover tourist hotspots. 

Platforms like ViaHero and TripUniq connect you with locals, so you can get a travel itinerary customized to your liking. But if you need more of a professional to handle things, you should try a local agent. 

Evaneos is a travel service that links you with a local travel agent with established expertise. With an expert-vetted itinerary and the liberty to travel at your will, it seems like a great idea.

But does it really deliver? Read our Evaneos review to learn more! 

What is Evaneos?

Founded in 2009 by Yvan Wibaux and Eric La Bonnardiere, Evaneos is an online travel platform that helps travelers get in touch with reliable local travel agents. By doing so, you can get your trip tailor-made based on your requirements, budgets, and interests. So, if you love personalized and localized experiences but aren’t a fan of planning trips by yourself, Evaneos is a service to consider! 

At present, the service is available for over 160 destinations, and there are 2000 partner agencies working with Evaneos. You can download the Evaneos travel app to keep in touch with your local agent on the go.

How does Evaneos work?

You can search for trips by destination or travel style. If you pick a destination, you can select the local travel agent. If you pick a particular experience under travel styles, you have to go with the travel agent who offers it. 

If you select a destination, you can read its overview, major attractions, the best times to visit, Evaneos reviews, and other important information. Then, you can view the list of “Local Agencies” to read about each of them and understand the types of trips they offer. 

Once you have decided on an agent, click “Let us create your travel proposal” and fill in the required detailed step-by-step. Here’s where you mention your preferences, budget, type of accommodation, and other travel details. Once done, Evaneos will send your request to the particular agent.

The local travel agent will get in touch with you via the contact details you have provided them. From there, you can chat with your agent, explain your requirements in detail, and make amendments before coming to an agreement. You would have to make deposit for the personal travel agency to plan your trip in detail. 

What we liked about Evaneos

• Personalized trips 

If you aren't in favor of planning trips by yourself, we think Evaneos is a great choice compared to tour and travel agents that sell ready-made tours. Customized tours designed by locals help you explore unique attractions and experience local life better. 

• Secure

Many travelers are skeptical when it comes to making direct payments to travel agents in foreign countries. In this case, the payment is made via Evaneos, which is safer – in case you need to cancel, request a refund, or resolve any other payment-related dispute. However, make sure you read the travel agency's terms and conditions beforehand to minimize disputes. 

• The benefit to the local communities

If you want to contribute towards enhancing the lives of local communities in countries you visit, this is a good choice. Travel services like Evaneos connect you with small-scale travel agencies founded by locals. The money you spend will directly support their livelihood and generate employment opportunities. 

• Customer care

Based on many Evaneos reviews, we can say that their customer support is reliable and helpful. While the local agency will be assisting you throughout the trip, Evaneos' customer care team is also there to help you 24/7. You can count on them to resolve any issues or disputes. 

‍

What we think Evaneos can do better

• Have more travel content 

Inspirational travel content and ideas are necessary for users to gain a good idea about the destination without having to browse loads of other travel websites. However, Evaneos’s website seems to be lacking it. For example, the only attraction listed under “Places to Discover” in the U.S is Niagara Falls. Inspirations articles on some destinations are also limited. 

• Improve customer experience

We came across some negative reviews regarding inaccuracies in itineraries, lack of organization and coordination, poor travel arrangements, and unannounced changes made to trip plans after making the payment. So, there is a chance, albeit low, that your travel agent may not meet your expectations, and it’s important that you convey your requirements as clearly as possible. The good news is that negative reviews were a small percentage. 

What else you need to know about Evaneos

At present, Evaneos has temporarily halted its services for Canadian, U.S, and U.K travelers due to the ongoing pandemic. They only accept travel requests via its French, Spanish, Dutch, German, and Italian websites. It might be lifted very soon. Read more about it here. 

Is Evaneos worth it?

If you don’t have the time to spare to plan your own trip but still prefer an itinerary personalized to your needs, we think Evaneos is a good option. The local agents are handpicked according to strict criteria to ensure they have the expertise, knowledge, organization skills, and language fluency to provide fully-fledged trip plans for travelers. 

With local travel agents who are fair in pricing and the waiver of middleman fees, Evaneos claims its service to benefit both travelers and local companies. Most of the travelers have left great reviews, endorsing its service but ultimately, it’s up to your discretion! 

Pilot

If you love planning your trips and experiencing them your way, then what you need is a superb travel planner. After all, you deserve only the best.