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Intrepid vs Topdeck
Compare the travel styles, pricing, destinations and popularity of Intrepid and Topdeck.The Low Down
Intrepid specialise in small group adventure tours, and feature trips around the globe. With over 700 tours and 50,000 departures, Intrepid's itineraries are designed for the budget conscious adventurer, families and even adventures for those that prefer a bit of comfort at the end of each day. Like G Adventures, Intrepid also have a myriad of trips through South and Central America & Asia and operate dynamic pricing so prices can change daily - upwards if the trip is filling up, and down if they need to fill some spaces.Recommending the best Operator for small group adventures is a tough one. It's very subjective and we think a lot depends on the region, the itinerary and the trip leader you get. This will have a huge sway on whether your trip is good, great or average. Our advice is to choose the Operator which has the itinerary and departures dates that suit you best. Look at things like inclusions, group size and other details to help make your decision.
Topdeck has undergone a complete brand refresh and their big bus tours are out. An all-new portfolio of small group tours for travellers aged 18 to 32 have been released. There's a maximum of 18 travellers on each trip along with a more targeted age range that has narrowed from 18-39 to 18-32. With a renewed focus on connection, Topdeck's small group trips prioritise authentic, genuine interactions with fellow travellers. Smaller groups allow for a more connected and personal exploration of each destination and a more inclusive and communal atmosphere. While Europe makes up the backbone of Topdeck's range, they also run a series of tours through Asia, Egypt, Morocco and New Zealand. Topdeck's new trips take advantage of public transport where they can - like the use trains over coaches to allow more time in key cities and less time spent travelling.
Stats
No. of Trips
1,015
No. of Departures
52,036
Avg. Trip Length
13 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$464
Accommodation
Mixed
Budget
Affordable & Premium
No. of Trips
41
No. of Departures
174
Avg. Trip Length
15 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$296
Accommodation
Mixed
Budget
Affordable
In Their Own Words
We asked the travel companies themselves why you should travel with them
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers off the beaten track to discover the world's most amazing places for 30 years. Every trip is designed to truly experience local culture - to meet local people, try local food, take local transport and stay in local accommodation. Led by a local leader, our small group tours offer a sustainable way to travel off the beaten track, while giving back to the places and people that travellers visit.
Topdeck's origin story was small group touring. It was 14 absolute adventurers who were fun and spirited and ready to go out there and see everything. At the end of the 90's and into the 2000's, Topdeck moved to large coaches and now we're returning to or roots. Our travellers don’t see bigger groups as ‘more social’ -they want to connect quickly, with like-minded people, in a way that feels less overwhelming and less intrusive.
Small group touring unlocks up so many opportunities. We can now get into local tavernas or hole-in-the-wall restaurants, sit family-style, and build that cultural connection. We can run small optional expereinces and secure entry to highlights like the Alhambra much more easily than with a large coach. It makes each experience more immersive and flexible.
What’s changed is the trip itself: better choice of centrally located accommodation, richer in-destination experiences, and more inclusivity.
Recent Reviews
4.4
I had a wonderful two weeks and ticked off so many sights that had been on my bucket list. I was also fortunate to be travelling with a fantastic group of people, which created a great atmosphere throughout the trip. A helpful tip for future travellers: because I was travelling with a group from Egypt to Jordan, I was exempt from Jordan’s 40 JOD visa read more fee. We were met by a guide on arrival and escorted through the process, making entry quick and easy.
We have had a great time, covering a big distance from Mexico city to Playa Del Carmen. We have has a deep dive into mexoamerican culture, which was amazing. We also enjoyed their arts and crafts. Local food is so delicious! There were several long days, and windy road didn’t make it easy, especially in a 12 seater van. But our fellow travellers companionship read more did make our trip much more enjoyable.
Biking Beside & Over The Danube Through 3 Countries 0
Cycle the Danube
Louise and Michael, ON, Canada, Apr 2026
This was our first guided bike tour and certainly won't be our last. There was a minor blip at the beginning when the airline change our flight to the next day and we could not get a refund for our missed hotel reservation. Other than that, things went smoothly. Our guide Gabor and support vehicle driver Zoran were excellent. The cycle tour was challenging read more with the length of time in the saddle, but beautiful scenery and an opportunity to explore the cities where we stayed made the trip memorable. Our accommodations were excellent. We highly recommend the adventure.
North Island New Zealand (North to South) 0
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
Peter and Janette, VIC, Australia, Mar 2026
The tour was well organised and the tour leader/driver Taylor was exceptional both in knowledge and inclusiveness of the group.
Great Ocean Road, Grampians, Kangaroo Island 0
Melbourne to Kangaroo Island Adventure
Elisabeth and Richard, NSW, Australia, Mar 2026
We combined 2 Intrepid tours to see many bucket list sights in SW Victoria and Kangaroo Island — linked by a train ride from Stawell to Adelaide. Every day was full of surprises and delights. Amazing landscapes and wild life too numerous to list. The two guides were very professional and ensured that everyone was catered for - from the most adventurous read more to those less able bodied.
This was an amazing trip. Yarina Lodge is a wonderful place to go. Room facility is good and clean. A special praise to the staffs - the management, the restaurant, the kitchen, they are very attentive care. The guide is very professional, he customize programs according to your fitness level and requirement. This is a place for relaxation and also adventure.
4.6
Fast paced trip through many locations in Italy 4
Italy: Pasta & Piazzas
Barbara, VIC, Australia, Aug 2017
Bravo Italia was a fantastic tour that included 16 stops around Italy. This is not for someone looking for a leisurely holiday - every bus day had stops at towns with walking tours and then time for lunch along with a group dinner once you arrived in your location, and most free days had included walking tours or activities that took up most of the read more morning. If you are looking to see as much as you can in as little time as possible I would recommend this. Our trip leader was highly knowledgeable and always happy to help if you had a question about where to go, what to do, etc. The other people on the trip were mostly from Aus/NZ and were mostly age 25+, with a lot of couples. Booking through Global Journeys was easy and I would use them again.
I really enjoyed the laid back pace of this tour. Unlike the usual Europe coach tours, this felt more relaxed, mostly as it was one county and main transport by ferry. The accommodation could be better, hotels usually not in central locations (apart from the really small islands we visited) and fairly dated/old. Also, a large chunk of the tour are very read more young, be prepared for lots of alcohol/late nights. I found the pairing of roommates quite odd (e.g I'm in my mid twenties and shared with an 18 year old, another was a 30 year old with a 20 year old). Otherwise the tour was very enjoyable and I really enjoyed the amount of free time. The optional tours were worth it as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this 2 week trip around Turkey. Excellent included and optional activities, acceptable accommodation and overall fantastic value for money. The tour guide was a disappointment however for me this did not detract from the trip as I used the tour more as a means of getting around Turkey as opposed to a guided tour. I would recommend read more this to anyone who wants to see all the main sites of this incredible country.
The company Topdeck is extremely well organised, the tour was flawless, the tour guide great and the driver very skilled. Accomodation and supplied food was of very high standards. I had a great time. Hannah my Global Journeys Tour Consultant that booked my trip was also great, easy to book with no hassels. Thanks Hannah.
The Bravo Italia tour was amazing. Top Deck is a great tour company and this tour was well organised and lots of fun. Global Journeys was great. Yvonne was so lovely and really helpful. She promptly answered any questions I had and was very knowledgable. Thanks Yvonne for helping organise this amazing holiday. I would recommend Global Journeys and Top read more Deck to anyone wanting an amazing, well organised holiday!
Popular Trips
10 Days Athens to Athens
Operator: Topdeck
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