AAT Kings vs APT

Compare AAT King's and APT's tours, including their travel styles, inclusions, destinations, pricing, accommodation and popularity with past travellers, to see which operator is the better fit for your next journey.
AAT Kings

AAT Kings

453 Reviews

Why should we travel with AAT Kings?

We asked AAT Kings why you should travel with them, here's what they said...

Choosing AAT Kings for your Australia or New Zealand holiday guarantees you’ll benefit from the insider secrets, off-the-beaten-path destinations and authentic interactions with local characters that only 100 years of experience can provide. With over a hundred years’ experience in sharing Australia with our guests, AAT Kings holds exclusive access to some truly unique locations, secret trails and roads less travelled that add so much value to the overall travel experience.

At AAT Kings, our on-road staff are best in class. Our Travel Directors, read more Driver Guides and Drivers are hand-picked for their passion, experience, and enthusiasm for the spectacular countries we live in. There is truly no one better to share with you the best destinations across Australia and New Zealand. We have been perfecting our itineraries and products for over 100 years, so the benefits gained from travelling with us are unrivalled. With over 150 expertly crafted holiday itineraries to choose from, we offer something for everyone.

What types of trips do AAT Kings offer?

Coach Tours Small Group Tours Short Breaks

Where can you travel to?

Australia New Zealand NSW & Victoria NT Queensland South Australia Tassie WA More...

AAT Kings snapshot

Total No. ToursTotal No. Tours
88
DeparturesDepartures
5,411
Average tour lengthAverage tour length
9 days
Average price per dayAverage price per day
$584

Our thoughts...

The low down on AAT Kings from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...

AAT Kings have been partners of Global Journeys since our inception over 15 years ago, and as a result our team of advisors and management have an in-depth understanding of all their trips, through both Australia and New Zealand. We've journeyed with them on nine tours through New Zealand, Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. Our close relationship means we can offer fantastic savings throughout the year.

AAT King's core multi-day coach tours cater mainly for those over 55+, whilst their short breaks in the Northern Territory tend to attract a more diverse range of ages. All coaches are first class, and AAT Kings pride read more themselves on their tour guides - many of which have been with them for decades!

Who travels with AAT Kings?

Primarily travellers aged 45+, including couples, solo travellers and families, with guests travelling from around the world.

What's the age range on a AAT Kings tour?

Typically 45+

How many people will we be travelling with?

AAT Kings classic guided coach tours have a maximum of 48 guests.

I'm a solo-traveller, will your tours suit me?

Yes. Solo travellers are welcomed and can choose their own room or, on nearly all itineraries, request to share with another same-gender solo traveller.

Do you offer single rooms?

Yes. A single supplement applies and single-room pricing and availability is shown for each departure.

Do you offer room-sharing with other solo travellers?

Yes. On nearly all itineraries, solo travellers can request to be matched with another same-gender traveller and pay the twin-share price.

How would you describe the accommodation on your trips?

Comfortable hotels selected to support the itinerary, generally in convenient locations close to major sights.

Are there any extras to pay on top of the price shown?

Arrival and departure transfers, optional experiences, meals and beverages not specified, gratuities for Travel Directors and Driver Guides, laundry, personal expenses, visas and travel insurance.

Do you have the same guide throughout the trip?

Depending on the itinerary, AAT Kings use experienced Travel Directors, Driver Guides and Local Specialist Guides,

Do you use local guides?

Yes.

How much free time will we have on a AAT Kings trip?

Guided coach tours balance organised sightseeing with free time so you can explore independently or choose from locally based optional experiences.

How fit do we need to be?

Fitness requirements vary by itinerary. Tours generally combine walking with coach sightseeing and some trips involve uneven terrain or more extensive walking.

Recent AAT Kings reviews

Wonders of Tasmania 0
, AB, Canada, Oct 2026
Our 10 day coach tour of Tasmania was wonderful. Global Journeys provided very professional service for tour booking and helpful information prior to the trip. Once in Tasmania, AAT Kings was fantastic, so well organized and planned. Each evening the plan for the next day was set out clearly. All of the accommodation was excellent and very comfortable. read more Every meal that was included was delicious, with lots of choices. We travelled in October (early Spring) such a beautiful time of year. Our tour guide, Sue, was so amazing, funny, friendly and full of interesting stories. Our driver, Paul, was outstanding, such an excellent, confident coach captain. Our fellow travellers were form around the world. Everyone was kind and respectful of times and shared space. There were so many excursions included on this trip. Great value. We would highly recommend this tour.
Fabulous flowers 0
, QLD, Australia, Sep 2026
The visit to Floriade was super with plenty of time to enjoy the flowers at Floriade and in Bowral. The bus was comfortable and our driver made sure everything ran smoothly.
Wonderful Red Centre Experience 0
, VIC, Australia, Jun 2026
AAT Kings itinerary for this outback tour was thoughtfully planned. There were many opportunities to learn about Aboriginal culture and view spectacular scenery. We enjoyed getting to know our fellow travellers. Having some evenings free to dine without the group was appreciated. Highlights included "Under a Desert Moon", Field of Light Sunrise and read more Uluru Barbecue with star gazing. Walks along the creek bed at Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta exploration, around base of Uluru and at Simpsons Gap provided ample photo opportunities. Accommodation at the three resorts was spacious and meals high quality.
Bus drivers/tour guides all knowledgeable. Perfect weather in early June for travel with warm days and no rain.
Wonders of West coast & Kimberley 0
, VIC, Australia, Jun 2026
A wonderful trip. Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef, Horizontal Falls to the Bungle Bungles were some of our favourites. Dave and Macca lead us through the various areas with comprehensive knowledge and commentary. Global Journeys as usual did a wonderful job in booking our seemless trip and keeping us informed at every stage. Thanks.
Interesting Outback tour 0
, NSW , Australia, May 2026
Grace was very helpful in arranging the booking and final details. We had a group of 18 on our tour. We saw a lot of interesting places which were definitely worth visiting and it was an unexpected delight to see Lake Eyre full of water. The flies were bad, so a fly net is recommended even for April/May, and we only received an email from the AAT read more King tour guide about it after we had arrived there. Wilpena Pound and Arkaroola were definite highlights and extra nights there would have been desirable in hindsight. The 4WD jeep tour at Arkaroola accessed a very remote area and was spectacular. There were too many fries served at lunches and dinners (even at the winery lunch) for my liking, and I feel that the preordered meals lacked details (ie, chicken, beef, vegetarian). It would help if vegetarian indicated is it rice, pasta, salad? especially for the cost of the trip. Most breakfasts were at 7 am and departures at 745 am so there were no super early departure times. And Coober Pedy is definitely worth visiting.

AAT King's most popular trips this month...

10 Day Tasmanian Wonders (AAT Kings)
Tasmanian Wonders

10 Days Hobart to Hobart

From
3,802pp
9 Day Southern Wonders (AAT Kings)
Southern Wonders

9 Days Christchurch to Christchurch

From
4,878pp
10 Day Wonders of the Kimberley (AAT Kings)
Wonders of the Kimberley

10 Days Broome to Darwin

From
6,969pp
6 Day Tassie's Wilderness Icons (AAT Kings)
Tassie's Wilderness Icons

6 Days Hobart to Launceston

From
2,593pp
10 Day Untamed Kimberley (AAT Kings)
Untamed Kimberley

10 Days Darwin to Broome

From
6,969pp

Why should we travel with APT?

We asked APT why you should travel with them, here's what they said...

APT is an Australian family-owned company whose essence began in Melbourne in the 1920s. More than 90 years on, APT offers life-enriching trips to every continent, and through the company’s vast industry experience, meticulous planning and unquestionable passion it's earned a place among the world’s most well-regarded travel companies.

From boutique river cruising to small-group 4WD adventures; traditional coach touring with a decadent twist; epic rail journeys to small-ship expeditions; classic ocean cruising to safaris of discovery by both read more land and air – there’s little APT are unwilling to consider in pursuit of creating the finest holiday experience for its valued guests.

Timeless luxury, exclusive experiences, life enriching moments and true personalisation. APT offers all-inclusive holidays so everything is taken care of. We invite you to join us; you won’t be disappointed.

What types of trips do APT offer?

Land Journeys River Cruises Ocean Cruises Small Group Tours 4WD Overland Tours Rail Journeys

Where can you travel to?

Africa Antarctica Asia Australia Canada & Alaska Europe New Zealand South America More...

APT snapshot

Total No. ToursTotal No. Tours
103
DeparturesDepartures
1,108
Average tour lengthAverage tour length
13 days
Average price per dayAverage price per day
$975

Our thoughts...

The low down on APT from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...

Initially focused on coach touring around Australia and New Zealand, APT have grown significantly over the past 15 years and now offer trips around the world. They’re particularly well known and highly regarded for their all-inclusive luxury European river cruises. In more recent years, APT have also expanded into small ship expedition cruising, partnering with some of the world’s leading expedition cruise lines to offer voyages through Asia, Europe, Canada and along Australia’s Kimberley coast.

More recently, APT launched their river cruises into the North American market, so it will be interesting to see whether Canadians and Americans embrace read more them as strongly as we have Downunder. Catering primarily to the mature and retired market, their trips aren’t cheap, but in APT’s case, you get what you pay for. Keep an eye out for their Fly Free offers and Earlybird Savings.

The team here at Global Journeys have travelled with APT multiple times by coach, river and small ship cruise, and we confidently recommend them as a quality, consistent and reliable operator - over 450 past APT client's reviews back that up too.

Who travels with APT?

Mostly Australians and New Zealanders, with some international guests.

What's the age range on a APT tour?

Generally 50+

How many people will we be travelling with?

-

I'm a solo-traveller, will your tours suit me?

Yes.

Do you offer single rooms?

Yes. A single supplement applies and single-room pricing and availability is shown for each departure.

Do you offer room-sharing with other solo travellers?

No.

How would you describe the accommodation on your trips?

Luxury accommodation ranging from hand-picked city hotels and resorts to distinctive lodges and regional properties.

Are there any extras to pay on top of the price shown?

Some optional experiences and meals and beverages not listed as included. Transfers, porterage and tipping are included.

Do you have the same guide throughout the trip?

Yes. APT's fully escorted land journeys are accompanied by an APT Tour Director or equivalent guide, with arrangements varying on some specialist itineraries.

Do you use local guides?

Yes. Local guides and specialists are used for selected sightseeing and destination experiences.

How much free time will we have on a APT trip?

APT combines included sightseeing and experiences with periods at leisure and Freedom of Choice activities on selected journeys.

How fit do we need to be?

Activity levels range from leisurely to moderate on most tours, although adventure and remote-area itineraries can be more physically demanding.

Recent APT reviews

Wonderful Tour of Sri Lanka 0
, QLD, Australia, Oct 2026
Just completed a comprehensive tour of Sri Lanka. Very varied itinerary, ranging from four safaris (saw bears, leopards, lots of elephants and even more peacocks!) to beach resorts and tea plantations. Never spend more than 2 nights in one hotel so be prepared for lots of packing and unpacking. The hotels were of a very high standard and ranged from read more those built in the 19th century to one built only 3 years ago.

They’ve changed the itinerary for the better next year except they miss out Tangalle’s beach escape which is a shame. APT were great overall. Would have preferred more drinks to be included and sometimes it didn’t make sense why they didn’t include a lunch or dinner. Didn’t need to spend the last night there and others were on return flights 24 hours earlier than us so I’d recommend confirming what’s possible and question the flight routes too. Hannah from Global Journeys was great as usual and always answered my questions promptly and in full.
Cape York 0
, NSW, Australia, Sep 2026
Some of the accommodation was very upmarket, I know it says luxury travel and we need bus parking and close to amenities. So is the Shangri La necessary. Starting with a night at Port Douglas, we could travel a little further for our first stop and it was very luxurious as well. Lunch meals, would a sandwich or salad roll suffice as we are not very read more active sitting on the bus. Overall food and accommodation were excellent.
Lake Eyre wonder 0
, QLD, Australia, Sep 2026
Lake Eyre trip was a bucket list and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Our driver, Michael was informative and the best driver. However, the accommodation in the first couple of days was not the usual that APT would have provided and the welcome dinner was unfortunately by the majority of the group was of a lower standard that was offered. After read more the first 2 stops, accommodation and meals was improved. I would recommend this trip just for the serenity and wonder of Lake Eyre.
Cape York Tip 0
, NSW, Australia, Aug 2026
Another great journey with APT. The organisation and attention to detail by our driver Jordan and tour director Gaille left nothing to be desired. Trip included many highlights, but the standout ones are the time walks to Spilt Rock and Cape York tip. Accommodation was generally good except for the stay at Bramwell. Thanks to Georgie for arranging this read more trip - as always it was well organised.
Exploring the best of the Kimberleys with APT 0
, VIC , Australia, Aug 2026
After a rocky start due to poor communication between APT and Cable Beach resort, we met our APT tour guide/coach driver, Scotty who proceeded to exceed our expectations in his leadership and infectious enthusiasm for the Kimberley region. Travelling in APT’s go anywhere, very comfortable, coach made the long distances over often corrugated dirt roads read more and through river beds well worthwhile. The Bungle Bungles, El Questro Homestead, (a wonderful upgrade option), hikes through Emma Gorge, Tunnel Cave, Bell Gorge and Galvan Gorge were spectacular whilst the Ord River Cruise was well worthwhile. Our privately arranged Sea plane flight, with luxury overnight stay, to the Horizontal Falls ended our adventure on a fantastic note. A final note for APT is to take responsibility for arranging all meal options throughout the trip, and ensure the guests have a proper introduction to each other on the night prior to our departure, so all guests are provided with the same level of service they expect from APT.

APT's most popular trips this month...

15 Day Kimberley Complete (APT)
Kimberley Complete

15 Days Broome to Broome

From
12,735pp
12 Day Tasmania Complete (APT)
Tasmania Complete

12 Days Hobart to Hobart

From
8,325pp
9 Day Essence of the Kimberley (APT)
Essence of the Kimberley

9 Days Broome to Broome

From
8,325pp
11 Day Cooktown and Cape York (APT)
Cooktown and Cape York

11 Days Cairns to Cairns

From
9,893pp
17 Day Kimberley and Top End (APT)
Kimberley and Top End

17 Days Darwin to Broome

From
15,381pp

The Verdict - AAT Kings vs APT

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