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

139 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
903
DeparturesDepartures
56,459
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

Blown away 0
, NSW, Australia, Sep 2026
Blown away by all the three stans. Have a mix of everything from history to scenery. Would definitely travel there again.
Intrepid Morocco Highlights 3
, ON, Canada, Sep 2026
This was my first time traveling on a group tour, and was a great introduction to group travel! Intrepid truly checked all the boxes and put together an incredible itinerary that really encompassed Moroccan culture. Our local guide, Lahcen, was incredible. He showed us the local culture, shared his stories and experiences, and even arranged some exclusive read more experiences including a private after hours tour of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca and henna tattoos for the whole group, done by local Berber woman in their home. He truly took this tour to the next level and made the trip such a memorable experience.

This itinerary is fast paced, with only one night at most accommodations, but this allowed us to see so many of the country’s highlights in just 10 days. Each hotel we stayed at was clean and comfortable, offering air conditioning and complimentary breakfast. While the breakfasts were simple, there was enough variety to leave us all satisfied. Some of the hotels also featured a swimming pool, which was a nice touch in the Moroccan heat.

We had an excellent group of 13 people on the tour, with a combination of solo travelers, and pairs. The whole group got along really well and this helped to enhance the experience. While optional, the whole group chose to eat all of our meals together, spend free time together, and even indulge in some carpool karaoke! While I was traveling in a pair for this trip, it did leave me with confidence that I would enjoy traveling solo with Intrepid in the future.

The itinerary also allowed us to experience a variety of transit options including a ride on a local train from Marrakech to Casablanca, local taxis, and a private vehicle and driver. Our driver throughout the trip was excellent and helped to make the experience. The van was spacious and comfortably accommodated our group of 13. We made frequent stops along the way which made the long drives feel shorter and more exciting. Some of the ‘comfort’ stops included cooperatives for argan oil, rose oil, and dates, panoramic viewpoints, and of course, plenty of food stops.

The highlight of the trip for most was a sunset camel ride on the sand dunes of the Sahara, followed by an evening in a desert camp filled with drumming, singing, dancing, stargazing, and a bonfire. It was unforgettable and definitely one of the moments that will stick with me most from the trip.

I am a vegetarian, and my travel partner is gluten free, so we were both a little nervous prior to the trip about what our food options would be like. However, our guide did an excellent job at ensuring we were both taken care of at every meal, and we never ran into any problems. Each restaurant and hotel was incredibly accommodating of our dietary restrictions and were prepared for our arrival with appropriate alternatives for us both. The food consisted of mostly tagines, couscous, and pastillas, all of which we enjoyed.

At the start of the tour, our guide discussed doing a group tipping kitty, which is something many Intrepid tours utilize. The tipping kitty was optional, although everyone in our group chose to participate. We each paid 500 MAD to our guide on the first day of the tour, which then covered our tips to local guides, cost of local taxis, luggage porters at the hotels, and bottled water throughout the tour. At the end of the trip, the money that had not been spent was returned to everyone. This made things much easier day to day and if given the choice on future trips, I would certainly participate in the tipping kitty again.

Overall, this was incredible intro to group travel. This itinerary allowed us to see as much of the culture, food, hospitality, and landscapes that we could fit into 10 days. Each day brought new excitement and highlights.
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!
Trip to Morocco 0
, NSW, Australia, Sep 2026
Global Journeys and in particular Tracey Standing were absolute consummate professionals in organizing our trip to Morocco. Everything ran smoothly and flawlessly from start to finish. Tracey's competence was only matched by her friendly outgoing nature and nothing was too much trouble.
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.

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Topdeck

Topdeck

5 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
30
DeparturesDepartures
434
Average tour lengthAverage tour length
13 days
Average price per dayAverage price per day
$317

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

Fast paced trip through many locations in Italy 4
, 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.
Nice pace 6
, VIC, Australia, Apr 2017
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.
Fantastic value for money 1
, QLD, Australia, May 2015
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 tour was flawless 3
, Australia, Sep 2013
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.
An amazing, well organised holiday! 3
, Australia, Jul 2013
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!

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