Cosmos vs Costsaver

Compare Cosmos' and Costsaver'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.

Why should we travel with Cosmos?

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

At Cosmos, we like to think of ourselves as experts in ‘thrillology’ – the art of bringing you an experience, time and time again. With over 50 years of ‘wow’ under our belts and no sign of slowing down, we know how to curate value touring holidays that you’ll never forget; creating the experiences you’ve always dreamed of and showing you the ones, you never thought of. Our job is to take care of the planning and logistics, so that all you have to focus on is living your dreams!

What types of trips do Cosmos offer?

Coach Tours

Where can you travel to?

Africa Asia Canada & Alaska Europe Middle East South America UK & Ireland USA More...

Cosmos snapshot

Total No. ToursTotal No. Tours
126
DeparturesDepartures
1,867
Average tour lengthAverage tour length
13 days
Average price per dayAverage price per day
$447

Our thoughts...

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

A lot of our clients aren't too fussed about their accommodation (as long as it's clean and comfortable) and are more interested in the destination. Over 1,200 past client reviews with an average 4.5 out 5 star rating, is impressive. Why? Great value and interesting itineraries. Part of the Globus Family, there are further great discounts to be had.

Accommodation is 3 to 3/12 star, but a lot of our clients are pleasantly surprised at the quality. Hotels are often located out of the city centre, so prepare your trip budget to allow for transfers or taxis if you want to explore the cities on your own. Allow extra funds for some meals and excursions read more not included in more premium inclusive itineraries. Like our past clients, we feel very comfortable recommending Cosmos.

Who travels with Cosmos?

Value-conscious travellers looking for an escorted holiday with included sightseeing and plenty of free time. Guests span a broad adult age range, with couples, solo travellers, friends and families all represented.

What's the age range on a Cosmos tour?

Generally a mature audience, with many travellers aged 45 and over.

How many people will we be travelling with?

Cosmos coach tours average around 36 guests and can carry up to 50 guests depending on the destination. African trips operate with considerably smaller groups of 24, while and Asia and Latin America max out at 40 travellers and Europe at 47 travellers.

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

Yes. Guided touring works well for solo travellers who want the independence of travelling alone while still having a Tour Director, organised transport and a group to travel with.

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?

Comfortable, good-value hotels are included throughout the tour, with properties selected to provide suitable guestrooms, service and facilities for the price.

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

Meals not listed as included, optional excursions, beverages, gratuities and airport transfers.

Do you have the same guide throughout the trip?

Yes. Escorted tours are accompanied by a Cosmos Tour Director who manages the journey, provides commentary and assists guests throughout the trip.

Do you use local guides?

Yes. Knowledgeable Local Guides are used for sightseeing in selected cities and attractions, providing local history and destination insight.

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

Cosmos deliberately builds free time into its tours, balancing included sightseeing with time to eat, shop and explore independently or choose optional excursions.

How fit do we need to be?

Travellers should generally be comfortable walking during sightseeing, navigating stairs and uneven surfaces and getting on and off coaches without individual assistance.

Recent Cosmos reviews

A Quick Tasting Plate of Eastern Canada 0
, NSW, Australia, Oct 2026
It was a great 8 days, seeing the beautiful trees in late Autumn, the majestic Niagara Falls, historic Ottawa and Quebec City. The divine optional side excursions really topped off our experience, some long days driving but to see the extent of the tour coverage in the time available it was expected.
Wonderful Irish tour 0
, QLD, Australia, Oct 2026
Excellent tour of Ireland with 1 of the best Tour Directors I've had. This was the final tour of 4 tours booked with Georgie and Hannah for my recent 2 month Europe trip. 35 people on this tour. Weather was cool in October and we must have had the luck of the Irish as we only had a small amount of rain and excellent visibility along the coast. Apparently read more in summer visibility can be hazy due to the heat.

Hotels were good with good locations - apart from the Dublin hotel which is about halfway between the airport and the city. As with most tours these days you really need to spend an extra day or so at each start/finish city. I did 3 good (but expensive) optional tours: Belfast city tour including the Titanic experience. I was very pleased that this included driving down Falls Road and Shankhill Road to view the murals (which isn't highlighted in the Cosmos blurb), dinner and entertainment at Bunratty Castle and Taylors Irish Cabaret in Dublin. All included 3 course dinners were very good with choices for the first 2 courses. I'm gluten free and there were always suitable options.

Daily communication re timings/logistics was advised verbally by the Tour Director. His clear communication and excellent information was such that no one was late the entire tour. I appreciated the fact that he provided us with recommendation for restaurants, cafes, what to eat and drink in each location. Something that is not as readily advised these days on other tours.

This was quite a leisurely tour which made things more enjoyable. Tour itinerary was excellent. It would have been good to spend more time in Belfast which is why I chose this tour. Cosmos offered "no single supplement" on this tour which was the deciding factor for me choosing this tour. Even though it was only 9 days I feel like I've experienced a good taste of Ireland.
Great Cosmos Tour 0
, QLD, Australia, Oct 2026
Another great trip booked with Global Journeys on Cosmos. Right from the first enquiry with Georgie the process was so easy. The pace of the trip was great, never felt rushed and plenty of time to explore the locations. Loved the towns we stayed in, lots of activities or able to relax if you wanted. Highlight was the trip between San Francisco and Los read more Angeles along Big Sur. Solvang was a wonderful overnight stay, loverly Danish themed town. Grand Canyon never disappoints. Sonora was another fantastic overnight stay, local markets and great restaurants. Our driver Tony did a fantastic job, always felt safe, big smile and lots of laughs.
A wonderful sampler of Italy and Greece 0
, VIC, Australia, Sep 2026
This tour provided a good taste of two countries and packed in alot without being too intensive and there was plenty to taste and experience. Travelling end of Sep/early October provided great weather and less crowds. The flights and tour was well organised by Tracey.
Irish tour 0
, VIC, Australia, Sep 2026
Overall the trip was great. The tour guide was excellent and also the driver. We did have a couple of hiccups along the way, which have already been pointed out previously. The number of people on the bus tour were too many though.

Cosmos' most popular trips this month...

24 Day Trans-American Adventure (Cosmos)
Trans-American Adventure

24 Days New York to Los Angeles

From
8,370pp
23 Day The British Isles in Depth (Cosmos)
The British Isles in Depth

23 Days London to London

From
8,554pp
9 Day Irish Discovery (Cosmos)
Irish Discovery

9 Days Dublin to Dublin

From
2,905pp
15 Day Central Europe (Cosmos)
Central Europe

15 Days Frankfurt to Frankfurt

From
4,576pp
15 Day Eastern Us & Canada Grand Vacation (Cosmos)
Eastern Us & Canada Grand Vacation

15 Days New York to Philadelphia

From
5,383pp
Costsaver

Costsaver

250 Reviews

Why should we travel with Costsaver?

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

At Costsaver, we believe lasting travel memories don’t have to cost the earth. We combine great value with the ease of guided travel and the freedom to make your holiday your own. We take care of the essentials, including quality accommodation, comfortable transport, must-see sightseeing, many meals and our expert Travel Directors and Drivers, giving you more time to enjoy the journey.

We give you the building blocks to tailor your dream holiday around your interests and budget. With our optional Choice Experiences, you can discover local flavours, read more try something new or explore more of each destination. We also leave you free to head out independently or simply relax, with the flexibility to book and pay for additional experiences as you travel.

As part of The Travel Corporation’s family of brands, we’re committed to making a positive difference to the people, places and wildlife we encounter. We believe in travelling far and treading lightly, bringing together memorable experiences, thoughtful planning and great value. We handle the essentials so you can see the world your way.

What types of trips do Costsaver offer?

Coach Tours

Where can you travel to?

Africa Asia Australia & NZ Canada & Alaska Europe South America UK Ireland USA More...

Costsaver snapshot

Total No. ToursTotal No. Tours
72
DeparturesDepartures
1,419
Average tour lengthAverage tour length
10 days
Average price per dayAverage price per day
$350

Our thoughts...

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

CostSaver is Trafalgar's affordable range of coach tours. Comparable to Cosmos in price and quality, their focus has always been on Europe and the UK, but have more recently launched a range of new itineraries in the US, Canada and South America. If you are looking for an affordable touring option, then CostSaver is a great option, and if you've travelled with any of its sister brands like AAT Kings, Trafalgar or Insight Vacations further savings are available.

The price for that affordability - while all the must-see sights are included, there are lot of optional excursions which can add up quickly if you choose to do them all. If that's likely, read more perhaps a more inclusive Operator like Trafalgar or Insight is best. However if you like the freedom to explore on your own, and are after a relaxing and hassle-free holiday, then Costsaver is a great option.

Who travels with Costsaver?

We welcome value-conscious travellers from around the world, including couples, friends, families and solo adventurers. Our guests share a desire to discover new places and enjoy local experiences, combining the reassurance of a guided tour with the freedom to personalise their holiday around their interests and budget.

What's the age range on a Costsaver tour?

Generally 50+

How many people will we be travelling with?

Our standard tours accommodate up to 53 travellers. On selected regional itineraries, we may use smaller vehicles and travel in smaller groups.

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

Yes. Solo travellers are encouraged to join Costsaver tours.

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. A same-sex room-matching service is available on selected tours with no additional room supplement.

How would you describe the accommodation on your trips?

We include hotel accommodation every night of your tour, with everything you need for a comfortable stay. We focus on comfort, practicality and great value, giving you a welcoming place to relax and recharge after a day of exploring. You can find the planned hotels for your trip on the relevant itinerary page.

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

We include the essentials in our advertised tour price. You’ll need to budget for meals and drinks outside the itinerary inclusions. Any optional Choice Experiences you choose are also an additional cost. Tips for your Travel Director and Driver are generally extra and given at your discretion, with arrangements varying by destination.

Do you have the same guide throughout the trip?

On most of our tours, you’ll travel with the same Travel Director throughout your trip, providing support, sharing destination knowledge and helping organise your optional Choice Experiences. Local Specialists join us for selected sightseeing experiences along the way. Arrangements can vary by itinerary.

Do you use local guides?

Yes, we use Local Specialists for selected sightseeing experiences, bringing destinations to life through their local knowledge and insights. They complement our Travel Directors, who support you throughout your trip. You’ll find the included locally guided experiences listed in each itinerary.

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

Considerable free time is built into most itineraries. Costsaver includes the travel essentials and allows travellers to choose how much additional sightseeing they want through more than 1,000 optional Choice Experiences.

How fit do we need to be?

Our trips involve varying levels of walking, including steps, cobblestone streets and uneven surfaces, so you should feel comfortable with the activities outlined in your chosen itinerary and getting on and off the coach. Some trips are more physically demanding than others. If you have mobility concerns or require assistance, please let us know when booking so we can discuss your needs and help you assess the trip’s suitability.

Recent Costsaver reviews

Spanish Experience 0
, NSW, Australia, Oct 2026
We had a fabulous trip, very well organised, participating in all options easy to do, tour director and bus driver very experienced and knowledgeable. Our travel consultant Grace has been excellent organising and answering our queries in a very timely manner we have many more trips on the go!
Balkin Bliss 0
, NSW, Australia, Sep 2026
Amazing tour from Dubrovnik to Split! Beautiful scenery, charming towns, rich history, and unforgettable experiences. Everything was well organised, and the journey was incredible from start to finish. Highly recommend!
Rhythms of the South 0
, WA, Australia, Sep 2026
This was our 1st trip to the U.S. as we have loved Elvis Presley since our childhood obviously Gracelands was always going to be part of it. The tour you guys arranged for us was amazing, guided as well as plenty of free time to explore more. Nashville to New Orleans and in between was unbelievable for us both and fulfilled all our dreams. Our coach, read more driver and guide were amazing and fellow guests all had a ball and became like a family. It was the trip of a lifetime for us and you guys didn’t disappoint. We could go on forever about our journey but can only thank global journeys for organising this for us . We will be forever grateful, god bless you all and warm wishes.
Britain and Ireland Experience 0
, New Zealand, Aug 2026
Overall sights of tour were great as was our tour guide Aileen, who was also very good. Only issue we had some accommodation which was older and pretty tired - needs to be looked at. Thanks.
Costsaver Splendours of Italy Tour 0
, QLD, Australia, Aug 2026
The Costsaver tour was well priced and led by a humourous local Tour Guide who was full of knowledge. The coach was safely and expertly driven. Satisfactory hotel accommodation and food with well chosen cities and sights. No sales pressure to do the optional excursions which left plenty of free time to do your own thing. The whole tour was well organised. read more We would definitely use Global Journeys again as everything was handled with ease and payment timelines easy to meet.

Costsaver's most popular trips this month...

16 Day Britain and Ireland Explorer (Costsaver)
Britain and Ireland Explorer

16 Days London to London

From
4,343pp
8 Day Britain and Ireland Delight (Costsaver)
Britain and Ireland Delight

8 Days London to London

From
2,004pp
12 Day Highlights of Scandinavia (Costsaver)
Highlights of Scandinavia

12 Days Copenhagen to Stockholm

From
3,448pp
8 Day England and Scotland Heritage (Costsaver)
England and Scotland Heritage

8 Days London to London

From
1,986pp
7 Day Glimpse of Europe (Costsaver)
Glimpse of Europe

7 Days Amsterdam to Paris

From
1,986pp