Considering booking your dream tour but having trouble deciding between G Adventures and Topdeck? We’ve got you covered! Read on to contrast and compare both operators, and get a better idea of which one is best suited to you.
Group size, age requirements and travel styles
Topdeck is for 18 to 30-something travellers, while G Adventures tours are open to almost all age ranges, and have a range of trips specifically for 18 to 39-year-old travellers, as well as families.
G Adventures has divided their trips into different travel styles: Classic Tours, National Geographic (for more in-depth experiences), Active tours, Family (specifically for families travelling with kids), Rail (primary transport by train), Marine (primary transport by boat) and Local Living (local cultural focus) are a few examples.
G Adventures has small group tours, so you can expect a maximum group size of 15, but often the average is just 10. While they accommodate specifically for adventure travellers with their Active tours, and children with their Family tours, there is no upper age limit, although travellers with pre-existing medical conditions are required to complete a medical questionnaire.
Topdeck offers tours exclusively to 18 to 39-year-old travellers, and has group sizes that range from 30 to 50 people per group. Their travel styles differ slightly based on the accommodation style and destinations, but in Europe, it is typically travelling on one of their famous coaches. The different styles vary from hotel or festival focused trips to camping and sailing trips.
Physical Requirements
With both G Adventures and Topdeck, generally, there are no strenuous activities that must be completed, although some tours or optional excursions, if you decide to do them, may involve swimming, bike riding or hiking.
For particular tours, such as a diving tour or hiking tour, you will need a good level of fitness to complete these activities. This will be outlined in the tour itinerary.
As Topdeck is targeted at youth travellers, and G Adventures for adventure travellers, you will be required to carry your own luggage to and from the accommodation, sometimes up stairs, getting to public transport etc.
Accommodation
On Topdeck tours, depending on the type of tour you choose, you may be staying in a tent, a hostel, a hotel, or a resort. This will be outlined in the individual tour itineraries which style of accommodation you will be using on the tour.
As Topdeck is aimed at sharing travel experiences with others, there is no problem if you are a solo traveller or in an odd-numbered group – you will be paired with a traveller of the same gender to share accommodation with.
G Adventures also will not charge a mandatory single supplement for any of their tours. The standard and style of accommodation varies depending on the tour. G Adventures often uses local hotels, hostels, campsites or somewhere else entirely. Additionally, they strive to use local, authentic accommodation where possible, and try to keep the use of large chains or commercial accommodations to a minimum.
Transportation
Topdeck transportation depends on the tour that you are doing. In Europe, most of the time you will be travelling on a large coach/bus which can accommodate your whole group throughout the continent.
There are some exceptions to this, such as when you sometimes use public transport if it is more appropropriate, a ferry, or even a yacht, if you are island-hopping. All transport will be clean, reliable and safe for both Topdeck and G Adventures.
G Adventures tours will in most cases use public transportation, and use local guides. This is done so that travellers can experience the local transportation system and cultures, and public transportation allows face-to-face interaction with local people.
Some G Adventures tours, including Superior, Comfort Class, and most adventures in Africa, will use private transportation. It is best to check the details of the tour to see which transportation style will be used, as it can vary from tour to tour, and different destinations. The guides used are usually locals from the area or region that you are travelling.
Destinations
Topdeck operates in Europe where they have the biggest number of tours, as well as North America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa and North Africa.
G Adventures operates tours in Latin America, Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia/Oceania and North America.
Cost
Topdeck tours often have many inclusions; generally speaking, you can expect to have your accommodation for the entire trip, all breakfasts, most dinners and some lunches included in the price of the tour. Additionally, you will also have your tour guide, driver, coach, and the same group throughout the trip.
G Adventures offers a range of tours around the world in many different locations and regions, and while there are less inclusions in the tour, it allows more time for your own personal discovery and exploration. It is worth checking the individual itineraries of the tours you are comparing to see which inclusions will suit you better.
G Adventures starting from USD $70 per day
Topdeck starting from USD $42 per day
G Adventures starting from USD $58 per day
Topdeck starting from USD $75 per day
G Adventures starting from USD $89 per day
Topdeck starting from USD $122 per day
G Adventures starting from USD $68 per day
Topdeck starting from USD $44 per day
G Adventures starting from USD $114 per day
Topdeck starting from USD $146 per day
G Adventures starting from USD $61 per day
Topdeck does not have tours to Latin America
Looking for more info? Find reviews for G Adventures here and reviews for Topdeck here.
