Intrepid Travel vs Topdeck

Compare Intrepid Travel and Topdeck small group 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.
Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel

178 Reviews

Why should we travel with Intrepid Travel?

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

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.

What types of trips do Intrepid Travel offer?

Adventure Tours Expedition Cruises 18-to-30's Walking & Hiking Tours Cycling Tours Sailing Trips Family Tours Rail Journeys Short Breaks

Where can you travel to?

Africa Asia Australia Canada Egypt & Middle East Europe India & Sri Lanka Indonesia & Bali More...

Intrepid snapshot

Total No. ToursTotal No. Tours
837
DeparturesDepartures
54,767
Average tour lengthAverage tour length
13 days
Average price per dayAverage price per day
$405

Our thoughts...

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

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 read more 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.

Who travels with Intrepid?

A diverse international mix of friendly, open-minded and curious travellers, including couples, friends and a high proportion of solo travellers.

What's the age range on a Intrepid tour?

A broad age mix, with travellers commonly ranging from 18 to 70.

How many people will we be travelling with?

Most trips have a maximum of 16 travellers and average around 10. Some overland trips operate with larger groups of up to 24.

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

Over 50% of Intrepid travellers travel solo, and the small-group format is designed to make it easy to meet like-minded travellers.

What percentage of people travel solo with you?

50%

Do you offer single rooms?

Yes. Most trips offer an individual room for an additional single supplement, although some shared accommodation such as homestays, overnight trains or camps may be excluded.

Do you offer room-sharing with other solo travellers?

Yes. Solo travellers are normally paired with another solo traveller of the same gender, based on the gender marker on their passport, on a twin-share basis.

How would you describe the accommodation on your trips?

Accommodation varies by trip style and can include budget and standard hotels, locally owned guesthouses, homestays, campsites, comfortable hotels and handpicked Premium Feature Stays.

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

Meals and optional activities not specified as included, some airport transfers and tips.

Do you have the same guide throughout the trip?

A locally based Intrepid leader normally accompanies the group, although longer or multi-country journeys may change leaders during the journey.

Do you use local guides?

Yes. Intrepid works exclusively with locally based leaders, and additional specialist local guides may also be used for particular sightseeing and activities.

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

There is a deliberate mix of organised activities and independent time. Basic trips generally offer the most free time, while Comfort and Premium trips include more organised experiences.

How fit do we need to be?

Most trips suit travellers with an average level of fitness, but requirements vary considerably. Every trip has a physical rating, and more active trekking or adventure itineraries may require additional preparation.

Recent Intrepid reviews

Magical Morocco 0
, NSW, Australia, Sep 2026
Intrepid Travel's itinerary for their 18 day Premium Tour is a mixture of - Intriguing cultural sights and activities, tremendous vistas, amazing varied accommodation and unexpected culinary delights all overseen by our very capable and organised Tour guide, Kahlid. Although we experienced unusually high temps due to a heat wave over Morocco (up to read more 47 degrees C ) we thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Lifelong memories were created when Camel riding into the Sahara Desert. Highly recommended!
Turkey Highlights 0
, NSW, Australia, Aug 2026
This was our first Intrepid tour and it did not disappoint We were fortunate to have an amazing tour leader Ergun whose knowledge of Türkiye was exceptional The small group sizes allows for a more authentic experience. Grace from Global Journeys made the booking process seamless.
Fabulous trip, excellent guides. I loved the activities and the places we travelled to. 0
, NSW, Australia, Aug 2026
I loved all the countries we visited and the included activities. It was well worth the money and time. The variety of activities were a highlight, including Vrango island canooing, walking in the Fjords in Norway and cycling in beautiful Copenhagen.
Intrepid - Gorillas, Game parks and Beaches 0
, VIC, Australia, Jul 2026
What a fantastic trip. This has it all, from trekking through the Jungle to visit the Gorillas, Camping in the Serengeti where the animals roam free, Game drives to see the Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhinoceros) and relaxing on Zanzibar's Northern Beaches truly is amazing. There are also plenty of other animals to see - Zebra, Hyena, read more Antelope, Elan, Cheaters, Jackles, Hippopotamus and many more. There are also lots of birds including Vultures. Watching the Vultures clean up a Cheater Kill was something to see.

This trip is actually a combination of 3 tours, 2 camping where one puts up and packs up a tent and 1 where you get to stay in hotel luxury. There are a lot of long driving days on this trip but you do get to appreciate just how the people live there lives and the challenges they have. An African Safari should be on everyone's bucket list and this one will take some beating.
Amazing adventure in Egypt and Jordan. 0
, New Zealand, Jul 2026
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.

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Topdeck

Topdeck

32 Reviews

Why should we travel with Topdeck?

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

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, read more 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.

What types of trips do Topdeck offer?

Small Group Tours 18-to-30's

Where can you travel to?

Asia Egypt & the Middle East Europe New Zealand

Topdeck snapshot

Total No. ToursTotal No. Tours
31
DeparturesDepartures
454
Average tour lengthAverage tour length
13 days
Average price per dayAverage price per day
$302

Our thoughts...

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

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 read more 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.

Who travels with Topdeck?

Young travellers aged 18 to 32, with a highly social and international guest mix. Around 70% book solo, alongside couples and groups of friends.

What's the age range on a Topdeck tour?

Exclusively designed for travellers aged 18 to 32.

How many people will we be travelling with?

A maximum of 18 travellers on Topdeck's small-group trips.

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

Around 70% of Topdeck bookings are made by solo travellers, and being small-groups, it makes it easier to meet other travellers while still providing time to explore independently.

What percentage of people travel solo with you?

70%

Do you offer single rooms?

Yes. Single rooms are available on most trips for an additional charge, with twin and double upgrades also available on many itineraries.

Do you offer room-sharing with other solo travellers?

Yes. Solo travellers can choose multi-share accommodation with other Topdeck travellers. Room configurations vary by trip, with multi-share rooms typically accommodating around six people in total.

How would you describe the accommodation on your trips?

A mix of centrally located hotels and hostels, with distinctive stays on selected itineraries such as floating bungalows, treehouses, campsites, sailing boats and overnight trains.

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

Arrival and departure transfers, meals not listed as included, optional 'Your Options' activities, entrance fees and excursions not specifically included in the itinerary. Tips are generally included, with some destination and sailing exceptions.

Do you have the same guide throughout the trip?

Yes. A Topdeck Trip Leader accompanies the group, manages the logistics and provides destination recommendations and local insights throughout the journey.

Do you use local guides?

Specialist or local guides may be used for selected experiences, while the main sightseeing and day-to-day journey is led by the Topdeck Trip Leader.

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

Topdeck aims to provide at least 48 hours in each key city, combining included activities with substantial free time and optional 'Your Options' experiences.

How fit do we need to be?

Fitness requirements vary by itinerary and activity. Trips can include extensive sightseeing on foot and optional active experiences, so travellers should check the individual itinerary for any more demanding activities.

Recent Topdeck reviews

Experience of a lifetime 0
, ON, Canada, Sep 2025
I have traveled a lot for school and work but this Euro trip was by far the best experience. I got to experience new cultures, try new foods, meet incredible people and have memories for a lifetime with new bonds I created. This is a VERY fast paced trip. It gives you teasers of each city. Be prepared to pack, tour and explore in a short period of time. read more It gave me a broad perspective of the cities I would like to visit again. Thank you for a great tour and a lifetime of memories Topdeck!
Central Europe Highlights 1
, New Zealand, Jan 2023
Fantastic trip, accommodation and travel were great and the team leader was amazing. Found it a great way to get an overview of Europe, though I think in retrospect more time in fewer places would have been better as at times it felt quite rushed. Ultimately though I was able to see and do what I wanted to do, though each day was fairly jam packed to read more do it all. Really enjoyed myself.
A great getaway, so much to see and do. 3
, SA, Australia, Aug 2019
Amazing tour and a great group to travel with. Would definitely recommend to others and do again at some stage.
Simple and easy way to see picture-perfect Norway and Mother Russia 4
, QLD, Australia, Jul 2019
The Red Star Special is a long trip (37 days), but you will never want those 37 days to end. It is very fast paced and exhausting tour but really worth it. And you visit all of the places I only used to dream of visiting, ticking off many bucket list items.

This trip takes you up to the top of Europe, stopping at many small towns in Norway. Accommodation read more through Norway is very basic, but they all come with some amazing views (just make sure you bring a sleeping bag). There is a lot of driving, but the group had quite a strong camaraderie which makes the bus days still a lot of fun. To keep the cost down through Norway, a Topdeck Chef travels with you and cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner for you. They are generally basic bulk meals (i.e. lots of pasta, salads, toast/cereal), but still taste good.

There are a large number of people on this trip that only do the Scandinavian section of the trip (leaving before Russia) and a number of people joining for the Russia section. This makes the trip feel like a whole new tour and helps to combat any fatigue you many be feeling from the last 21 days. Russia is equally as amazing as Scandinavia. Don't let the issue of having to get a Russian visa put you off going to Russia. Topdeck use a local Russian guide to take you through St Peters, Novgorod and Moscow. The Russia days have a lot more jam-packed than most of the other days on the trip, with a lot less free time to wander and explore the place yourself. But Topdeck take you to a lot of the places that you would want to see on your own anyway.

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 or what to do. The other people on the trip were mostly from Aus/NZ and were mostly age 25+.

Booking through Global Journeys was easy and I would use them again. Overall this is an amazing trip and I couldn't recommend it enough!
Amazing highlights trip of Europe 3
, SA, Australia, Jul 2018
My partner and I completed a 34 day discover Europe trip with Top Deck and had the most amazing time. Our tour leader was so professional and incredibly knowledgeable and our driver was amazing. We made life long friends and saw some of the best parts of Europe. Would definitely travel with Top Deck again.

We booked the tour with Jemma through Global read more Journeys. She was brilliant, easy to contact and very efficient. Everything was hassle free, and I would definitely book with Global Journeys again. Overall, brilliant service from all involved and an unforgettable holiday.

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