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10 Great Travel Expeditions for Your World Travel Bucket List

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If your primary travel goal is to fully explore a place, its people, and the local culture, you may want to consider expedition travel.

The main point of this form of travel is to seek out the je ne sais quoi that makes each destination unique.

It’s all about tasting the traditional food , hearing the music, learning about the history, and seeing the forest beyond the trees.  

Travel expeditions offer a greater sense of who we are, but that comes from a deeper understanding of who others are.

Read on for our in-depth guide to 10 of the best expedition trips in the world, including expedition adventures on six of the seven continents and tips on the best tours. 

READ MORE: 20 Best Caribbean Islands to Visit (If You Love Nature & Hate Crowds)

BEST TRAVEL EXPEDITIONS GUIDE

• Australia’s Outback
• East African Safaris
• Ancient Egypt
• Galapagos Islands
• Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail
• Polynesian Islands

READ MORE: What Is Ecotourism? (The History & Principles of Responsible Travel)

1. The Amazon

In terms of the world’s truly wild places, there are few, if any, that compare to the Amazon. The world’s largest river is tops on many a traveler’s bucket list, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best places for an in-depth expedition.

Its murky waters are filled with mysterious creatures, both dangerous and enchanting. Its gargantuan forest– the biggest tropical rainforest on the planet – is impossibly dense, with diverse species of trees and a vast array of wildlife.

The indigenous people living along its shores (known as Ribereños ) and beneath its canopy are arguably among the least swayed by modern conveniences.

The Amazon isn’t accessible by car (in fact, it doesn’t have a single bridge across it), but it can be explored by boat. Small ship cruises take groups on incredible expeditions into the far reaches of the massive river system.

There are so many reasons to visit the Amazon. Travelers can see pink river dolphins , scarlet macaws , and howler monkeys. They can visit wetland reserves, fish for piranha , swim in the river, and visit local villages.

The Amazon River accounts for 20% of the world’s fresh water, flows over 4,000 miles, and is surrounded by over one billion acres of forest. That’s a lot to explore!

READ MORE:   21 Incredible Animals That Live in the Amazon Rainforest

2. Antarctica

You won’t likely find a more extreme destination for an expedition than Antarctica . This place is so remote that much of its surface has been mapped only by satellite, having never been observed by humans on the ground.  

Completely covered in ice averaging about 1.5 miles thick, Antarctica supports only indigenous populations of climate-adapted plants and animals.

Its waters are frigid enough to dissuade most sea creatures. But that means it’s home to ocean animals that are not often found in other parts of the world, including Penguins , Icefish, Leopard seals, Blue Whales , and more.

Of course, Antarctica is not the sort of destination where you can go out on aimless jaunts. Not only are the temperatures sometimes frightening—it is the coldest continent on earth—but the expanse of ice can be disorienting.

In other words, expeditions to Antarctica tend to be via boat and carefully coordinated by responsible tour operators.

This is truly a destination unlike any other on the planet. Animals congregate in unbelievable masses. Humans have yet to conquer it, but somehow, we can still behold the edges of it in wild wonder.

READ MORE: 30 Antarctic Animals You Can See on an Antarctica Cruise

3. Australia’s Outback

The Australian Outback simply refuses to be tamed. Depending on where in Australia you are when you ask, its boundaries could be anything west of Sydney to hours inland.

Spanning 2.5 million square miles, the Outback is the symbol of Australia , encompassing every state on the continent. Nearly three-quarters of the Outback is arid desert . But, due to its vastness, the temperature and climate can vary significantly from north to south.

Like the rest of Australia, it is home to unique wildlife , including Emus, Kangaroos, and memorable-looking lizards known as Thorny Devils.  

An Australian road trip through the Outback is an epic 4-day journey through nothingness. The train trip is very expensive and takes 50+ hours without getting off for stops.

Then there’s flying, which is what most people do. Cruise ships can stick to the remote coast and stop for diversions further inland.

In the extreme northwest, the state of Kimberley, Australia is wrought with rich Aboriginal culture, beautiful waterways, incredible geological formations, and cool weird animals , including enormous saltwater crocs!

READ MORE: 20 Weird & Cute Australian Animals

4. East African Safaris

If there were but one place in the world you could take a wildlife-focused expedition, how could anything possibly top East Africa?

Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park alone is home to over 100 species of mammal and 400 types of birds. Whether you choose to visit Kenya , Rwanda , Tanzania , Uganda, Zimbabwe, or some combination thereof, an East African safari is like something out of a dream.  

We’ve all seen these iconic endangered African animals so many times on television and in zoos, it almost seems like that’s where they exist.

Then, suddenly, you find yourself watching huge herds of African elephants crossing the savanna, the heads of hippos and crocodiles skimming the water’s surface, or a pride of lions on the Serengeti . What an incredible sight to see!

African safaris take travelers deep into the wilderness, often into remote camps that are not easily accessible. 

Typically, camps are set up near watering holes or salt licks, where animals often saunter in for a spell. Jeeps drive out to find grazing zebras, migrating wildebeest, and lanky giraffes on the move.

Suffice it to say, this is one of those incredible adventure expeditions everyone should do at least once in their lifetime!

READ MORE: The 20 Safest Countries in Africa to Visit

5. Ancient Egypt

Perhaps no ancient architectural accomplishment in human history garners more press and admiration than the great pyramids of Egypt . 

There are many familiar names in Egypt’s extensive list of historical treasures: The Sphinx, Cleopatra, the Pyramids of Giza, King Tut, the Nile River.

Suffice it to say, UNESCO has had a field day with World Heritage Sites in Egypt, and there are about five times as many still waiting for recognition on the tentative list.  

Lots of people settle for seeing the structures convenient to Cairo. But a good Egypt expedition will explore the cities of Luxor and Aswan as well, and a cruise along the Nile River– the highway of ancient Egypt– is an absolute must.

This type of sightseeing is vastly improved when you go with a knowledgeable guide who can point out the detailed minutiae of each site and provide historical background information.

Any good Egypt expedition will have knowledgeable specialists to help immerse travelers in the scene.

READ MORE: T he 7 Safest Countries in the Middle East for Americans to Visit

6. Galapagos Islands

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 600-plus miles for from the nearest shore of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands appear to be a rather humble archipelago.

Where Africa and the Amazon have vast land for animals to roam, the Galapagos Islands seems to hug its decidedly distinct fauna and flora in.

Ever since Charles Darwin popularized the place with the early 19th century voyage of The Beagle , scientists and naturalists have studied its wildlife and plants while geologists have investigated its volcanic origins.  

Widely considered one of the world’s best small ship cruises, the Galapagos Islands are fairly difficult to explore thoroughly without taking an expedition.

Due to its unique and fragile ecosystem, the archipelago is well protected. And though travelers are welcomed, the footprint of tourism is kept as low-impact as possible.  

We want to keep it that way because the diverse array of Galapagos Islands animals are practically fearless of human interaction.

The islands are best-known for Giant Tortoises , Marine Iguanas , and warm-climate Penguins , as well as Sea Turtles and Sharks . There are also plenty of migrating Whales and birds, including the famous Blue-footed Booby.

READ MORE: Galapagos Birds: 25 Spectacular Species You Can See on a Galapagos Cruise

7. The Himalayas

The Top 25 tallest mountains in the world are all in the Himalayas, including such famous climbing summits as Mount Everest and K2. When it comes to mountain expeditions, there is literally no grander place to explore!

To put it in perspective, the Himalayas have nearly 40 mountains that are over 25,000 feet tall. The tallest mountain in the Alps isn’t even 16,000 feet. The tallest in Africa— Kilimanjaro —doesn’t even touch 20,000.  

The Himalayas are home to famously lofty religious sites, including the cliff-hanging Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan .

The mountains are also home to beautiful conservation areas, with the renowned Chitwan National Park of Nepal serving as home to One-horned Rhinos, Asian Elephants, and Bengal Tigers.  

The most popular expeditions into the Himalayas including visiting and viewing Mt. Everest and exploring the monasteries of Nepal and Bhutan.

Seriously bold climbers might attempt the Annapurna Circuit , which includes six peaks over 23,500 feet high. Though only the 10th highest in the world, Annapurna is arguably the most dangerous mountain to climb.

READ MORE: 20 Best Mountains in the World (For Your World Travel Bucket List)

8. Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail

The hike along the Inca Trail that leads to its famed archeological site, Machu Picchu , is perhaps the most sought-after travel expedition on the planet.

High in the mountains of Peru, the trail takes visitors back in time and deep into the Inca culture. Machu Picchu, a big-time UNESCO World Heritage Site, just crowns the Andes mountains’ majesty.

It’s an amazing city among the clouds– a testament to how ingenious and industrious the ancient Inca civilization was. Few places on the planet are quite so picturesque.

Hiking the Inca Trail isn’t for the faint of heart. It involves rigorous high altitude exercise for several days in a row. Luckily, expeditions to Machu Picchu can circumvent the extensive hiking: It can even be reached by train!

Any Peru expedition should ideally include getting familiar with the indigenous population, particularly the one found in and around the city of Cusco.

In fact, the communities are so prevalent throughout the country that it’s almost unavoidable. Luckily, it’s an extremely colorful culture, with exceptional textiles, music, and food.

READ MORE: The 20 Best Places to Visit in South America

9. Patagonia

The breathtaking landscape of Patagonia is one of dramatic views, unique wildlife, and seriously beautiful glaciers.

Any awesome Patagonia expedition must include time in Torres del Paine National Park , a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve packed with snow-clad peaks, green valleys, sparkling lakes, craggy massifs and unusual flora .

There are also the Southern Ice Fields, the Grey Glacier , Milodon Cave and Salto Grande (“Big Jump”), a massive waterfall. Additionally, you’ll find unique endemic animals, including Rheas, Guanacos, Andean Condors, and more.

It can take a lot of planning to explore Patagonia properly, requiring several modes of transportation. The remote region is located at southern tip of South America, so an expedition is a great way to get the most of it.

Beyond Torres del Paine, El Calafate has the gigantic Perito Moreno Glacier, which constantly loses large chunks of ice into a lake.

Los Galciares National Park has more glaciers to view, as well as green valleys and roaring waterfalls . And Cape Horn is the southernmost point of the Americas. All are worth including in any trip to this fantastic region!

READ MORE: 20 Awesome Tips for Planning Your Patagonia Trip

10. The Polynesian Islands

Perhaps no other place on the planet provides such a stunning vision of tropical paradise as the Polynesian Islands .

A scattered array of tiny landmasses located out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Polynesia is replete with show-stopping coastlines, dynamic volcanic landscapes, and swaying coconut palms.

Polynesia culture and history is almost as renowned as its ocean breezes and peaceful lagoons. Their petroglyphs and monoliths, such as the stone heads of Easter Island , provide glimpses of ancient tribal history.

While lots of people choose to visit one of the islands on a luxury vacation, cruise expeditions can be equally as luxurious, but with poignant experiences as well.

A small ship cruise can sail from island to island, exploring the different coral formations, animals, cultural highlights, and local foods. It’s much too far to travel just to sit on a beach the whole time!

The Polynesian islands are dotted with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Henderson and Easter Island. They’re full of amazing sailing stories, such as the tiny population of the Pitcairn Islands.

There are also unusual birds , marine mammals , and colorful fish. If paradise is a real thing, the term could fit many of these idyllic destinations!   –by Jonathon Engels

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Expedition Cruises – Complete Guide to Cruising Remote Destinations

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: April 3, 2024

We have taken a lot of expedition cruises from the Polar regions of Antarctica and Greenland to Costa Rica, Panama, and the Amazon. Having traveled to all seven continents, we have learned that some remote places must be visited on expedition ships. Recently, we toured the Galapagos with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions. With the perfect blend of luxury and adventure, it was an incredible visit to this isolated archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. But there are many places to explore by expedition cruising, and we have personally been to all of them! Today, we will round up not only the best places to take an expedition cruise but also what to expect on a small ship to help you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.

Table of Contents

Everything You Need to Know About an Expedition Cruise

Are you ready to embark on an adventure like no other?

Unlike traditional cruising, expedition cruises focus on adventure, exploration, and education. Expedition ships take you to places beyond the reach of ordinary travel with like-minded travelers, expert guides, and fewer passengers making them a a unique way to explore some of the most off the beaten path and remote destinations on the planet.

Right Now, Hurtigruten Cruises is offering up to 50% off on select cruises worldwide. Find the Expedition Cruise that suits your needs and save now!

If you are considering booking an expedition cruise , we are going to give you all the details about what to expect on expedition ships, what the expedition team does to make the most of your adventure vacation, and where the best places to book an expedition to the most remote parts the world.

What is an Expedition Cruise?

An expedition cruise is designed for adventure seekers looking to explore remote destinations and immerse themselves in the natural world. These cruises offer a blend of adventure, education, and exploration. Days can be spent exploring the coast in small groups on a zodiac, panga or skiff boat with an expedition team. Evenings entail lectures and presentations o enhance your understanding of the area’s wildlife, culture, and history. Book your expedition cruise here today.

With vessels being smaller ships to accommodate fewer passengers, expedition cruise lines offer intimate experiences. Each expedition ship we’ve been on in the past has anywhere from 35 to 90 passengers.

What are Expedition Cruise Lines Like?

They have zodiac boats on board to search for wildlife or navigate around smaller islands, icebergs, coves and off-the-beaten-path tributaries. Being able to hop aboard zodiacs directly from the ship allows passengers to explore the diverse landscapes of destinations more intimately.

Activities on an Expedition Cruise

You’ll do everything from daily hikes and kayaking to stand-up paddleboarding and snorkeling. Kayaks, zodiacs and SUPs are all stored onboard. When booking your expedition cruise, you can sign up for some activities in advance and others as late as the night before the excursion. All equipment is supplied for guests, from snorkeling gear to kayaks.

Activities, day tours, food, and drinks are all included on expedition cruises. You never need to worry about booking excursions as you’ll have a full day of adventures. Zodiac boats take passengers out in search of wildlife and to cruise past extraordinary landscapes.

Onboard, you can expect a casual atmosphere focusing on exploration and education. There is no need to pack a ball gown or suit and tie; travelers can relax in their hiking pants and fleece jackets after they trekked through the rugged environments.

There isn’t traditional entertainment on board like regular cruises, but the days are so packed with adventure you’ll be happy to relax in the evening. At night, you can sit back with a cocktail or glass of wine to listen to lectures, browse their libraries, or take a dip in the hot tub.

Most ships even allow visits to the bridge to visit the captain and learn how the ship is sailed.

What is an Expedition Cruise Ship Like

Some expedition cruise ships are more rugged, offering a traditional expedition experience, while others offer a more luxurious expedition. Each expedition cruise ship we have been on has had a full bar, dining room, sun deck, and hot tubs. Many offer all-inclusive drinks or at least free wine and beer with meals.

Expedition cruise ships prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility, ensuring that explorers can enjoy the beauty of pristine ecosystems without leaving a significant footprint. Lines like HX Hurtigruten Expeditions are renowned for their commitment to sustainable and immersive travel experiences.

Where to go on an Expedition Cruise

Many people immediately think of Antarctica when booking expeditions, but expedition cruises go all over the world. We have been to the polar regions of Greenland , Scandinavia , and Alaska , plus we have taken expeditions through South America from Costa Rica, Panama , Ecuador, and the Amazon .

When choosing an expedition cruise you will want to decide if you are seeking ice and snow or rainforest and beaches. Are you interested in wildlife such as seeing a polar bear in person or swimming with sea lions? Or are you happy to relax on zodiacs and spy on whales, from safety and comfort?

We are going to highlight some of the best itineraries in South America, The polar regions and the South Pacific that we’ve taken around the world to help you plan your trip. So, are you ready to start planning your trip of a lifetime today? Let’s get started.

1. The Galapagos Islands

Located off the coast of Ecuador, The Galapagos Islands are a remote archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. We have visited twice. Once by land and most recently on an expedition cruise with Hurtigruten.

The Galapagos Islands are a living museum of evolution, home to an array of unique wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin. When taking a Galapagos cruise, you can expect to snorkel with sea lions, swim with eagle rays and sea turtles, and walk among the giant tortoises. The Galapagos tortoise is the star attraction of the islands with some giant tortoises reaching 500 pounds and living more than 100 years.

Book your Galapagos Cruise and save up to 50% on Feb and March Sailings:  Details here.

Activities on a galapagos expedition cruise.

It is all about the wildlife here as an expedition cruise to the Galapagos will have you encounter sharks, spy on the endemic marine iguana, see the dance of the Blue Footed Booby, and watch Darwin’s famous finches fleet and flutter. There are even penguins in the Galapagos!

Each island offers something different, from the volcanic landscapes of Fernandina Island to the fun bars of Santa Cruz Island and the white-sand beaches of Española Island.

With strict environmental policies in place, an expedition cruise is one of the most sustainable ways to experience the Galapagos. On a small ship, you’ll sail from island to island and visit different eco-systems and coa

HX Hurtigruten has four itineraries in the destination, starting with two nights in Quito .

• Eastern Loop Itinerary –   In Darwin’s Footsteps : 9 days/8 nights (6 nights on board)
• Western Loop Itinerary –   Iconic Wildlife & Sublime Scenery : 7 days/6 nights (4 nights on board)
• Northern Loop Itinerary –   Nature and Wildlife Expedition Cruise : 7 days/6 nights (4 nights on board)
• Combined Northern/Western Loop –   Nine of the Best Isles : 11 days/10 nights (8 nights on board)

2. Antarctica

When planning an expedition cruise, the polar regions are usually the first place that springs to mind. Antarctica was our first expedition cruise and we were hooked on the White Continent. We took a cruise to Antarctica with Quark Expeditions. Quark has a diverse fleet of ships throughout the polar regions splitting its time between Antarctica and the Arctic.

Antarctica is the ultimate bucket list destination and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There is a lot more to the continent than just snow and ice. We had many adventures in the Antarctic from kayaking around icebergs to walking with penguins and we took a hike beside a glacier. Kayaks are onboard and you can book them ahead of time to make sure you have the chance to discover glaciers and sea us in an up close and personal visit.

Activities on an Antarctic Expedition Cruise

Antarctica is a place where nature reigns supreme, with vast colonies of penguins, seals lounging on ice floes, and whales breaching in icy waters. We saw several different species of penguins, seals, and whales as well as a surprising number of bird species. Antarctica is a place where the wildlife is as curious of you as you are of them.

When kayaking, we had penguins jumping in front of our vessels, whales surfacing beside us for closer looks, and lazy seals basking on ice flows as we passed close by.

Besides the whales and seals, expedition cruises to Antarctica often include visits to research stations and there are opportunities for polar plunges, zodiac cruising among icebergs, and witnessing the spectacular phenomena of the Southern Lights.

You can extend Antarctic cruises to various destinations from an addition to the Falkland Islands, a long layover in Buenos Aires or to to see the King Penguins of South Georgia Island.

While an Antarctic vacation doesn’t usually involve immersing in the culture of a destination, if you add the Falkland Islands or Buenos Aires, you can experience the distinct cultures of these regions. Antarctica’s cruising season is from November to March. Check out prices here.

Discover more about our Antarctica Adventures

• 19 Best Things to Do in Antarctica
• Fascinating Facts About Antarctica
• How to Pack for an Antarctica Cruise
• Arctic or Antarctica? How to Choose Your Polar Expedition
• Antarctica Photography – 8 Easy Tips and Tricks

3. The Arctic

An expedition cruise to the Arctic is a journey to the top of the world, offering unparalleled opportunities to witness wildlife and landscapes that few have seen.

When we cruised with Quark Expeditions, we were able to discover untouched fjords by kayak, we explored the West coast of Greenland and were in awe of massive icebergs and calving glaciers. What makes an Arctic cruise different from Antarctica is how you can immerse and learn Indigenous peoples of the Arctic. As we cruised its coast, we stopped at different villages to learn about their way of life. Travelers had the chance to sample local cuisine, learn about the impacts of tourism, and spend an afternoon with a local family.

Activities in an Arctic Expedition Cruise

From the majestic polar bears of Svalbard to the ice-filled fjords of Greenland, the Arctic is a region of stark beauty and fragile ecosystems. The Canadian Arctic and Svalbard are itineraries where you can spot a polar bear or visit Greenland to discover some of the largest icebergs on Earth.

Quark vessels split their time between Antarctica and the Arctic. They were the first expedition cruise to take passengers through the Northeast Passage to the North Pole and have branched out to all different areas of the polar regions. The Arctic is best visited from June to September. Check out prices and availability here.

Discover more about our Arctic Adventures

• Greenland Travel Guide
• Kayaking in Greenland – The Greatest Arctic Adventure in Photos
• Incredible Greenland – The Final Frontier for Adventure Travel
• The People and Culture of Greenland
• Ilulissat Greenland – Icebergs are Born at Ilulissat Fjord

Alaska’s rugged wilderness is a prime destination for traditional cruises which we have taken ourselves. But we have also visited Alaska while expedition cruising , offering us a unique chance to explore remote fjords, glaciers, and wildlife.

From the awe-inspiring Glacier Bay National Park to the historic towns of the Inside Passage, Alaska is a land of beauty and adventure. We have been to Alaska four times and each time we visit, we discover something new and fall in love with it all over again.

Activities on an Alaska Expedition Cruise

Whale watching, bear spotting, and glacier trekking are just a few of the activities that make an Alaskan expedition cruise unforgettable. This destination invites adventurers to witness the calving of glaciers in Glacier Bay, encounter grizzly bears in their natural habitat, watch black bears feed on salmon, and kayak through the serene waters of Prince William Sound in search of sea lions, whales, and sea otters.

Besides the unique flora and fauna of Alaska, you’ll have the opportunity to visit remote Alaskan towns and view some of the highest mountains in North America.

The blend of native culture, pioneering history, and the raw beauty of nature delivers an unforgettable experience, emphasizing conservation and respect for the wild.

Discover more about our Alaskan Adventures

• Alaska Cruise Packing List – What to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise
• 19 Best Things To Do in Skagway, Alaska
• 22 Best Things to do in Ketchikan, Alaska
• 45 Best Things to Do in Alaska
• 25 Best Places to Visit in Alaska

5. The Amazon – A River Through the Lungs of the Earth

An expedition cruise on the Amazon River immerses you in the heart of the planet’s largest rainforest, a treasure trove of biodiversity. This voyage is not just about observing; it’s about experiencing the Amazon’s immense ecosystem, from the pink dolphins swimming alongside your boat to the symphony of sounds in a rainforest teeming with life.

Visits to local communities offer insights into the rainforest’s cultural significance and the challenges of conservation. It’s an adventure that connects you deeply with nature’s intricacies and the importance of preserving such a vital ecological haven.

Activities on an Amazon Expedition Cruise

We explored the Amazon with International Expeditions which has been taken over by Exodus Travels. We have also traveled with Exodus Travels so we know they are in good hands.

There are plenty of activities on an Amazon cruise. Instead of Zodiac boats, guests explore the river on skiff boats which are hard metal boats that can handle the rushing water. Cruising through small tributaries, there are chances to spy on animals such as sloths, parrots, monkeys, and pink dolphins. You’ll have the chance to go fishing for piranha, head out on jungle hikes and have some evening local entertainment.

Discover more about our Amazon Adventures

• Surprising and Fun Facts About the Amazon River
• Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Bolivian Amazon
• What to Expect on an Amazon River Cruise – Life on the River
• 10 Reasons to Visit the Amazon River

6. Panama and Costa Rica

Many luxury cruises pass through the Panama Canal but to cruise the famous canal on an expedition cruise is truly unforgettable. We started in Panama and cruised through the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal. It was then along the coast of Panama to Costa Rica which is lined with dense rainforests, pristine beaches, and indigenous communities.

From rainforest hikes to spot exotic birds, snorkeling in coral reefs, and visits to Emberá villages to learn about traditional ways of life we had an exhilarating trip of a lifetime balancing cultural experiences with adventure tourism and nature.

Activities in Panama and Costa Rica

We took a South American vacation from Panama to Costa Rica with UnCruise and had plenty of opportunities to go snorkeling with sea lions, sea turtles, and sharks, kayaking through mangroves, and relaxing on remote white sand beaches.

Discover more about our Panama and Costa Rica Adventures

• What to Expect on a Panama Canal Cruise
• 24 Best Things to Do in Panama City, Panama
• 16 Best Things to do in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
• 21 Best Things To Do in San Jose, Costa Rica

7. Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific

Expedition cruising can also take you from Australia to the South Pacific. We took a Holland America cruise through Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, and Fiji to Hawaii. This was an amazing way to cruise through the South Pacific. While we traveled on a traditional cruise ship with excursions booked to explore the islands, there are several companies offering tours around Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific Islands.

Lindblad Expeditions has cruises to French Polynesia to explore the Pacific Islands. The South Pacific can be very expensive and with so many islands to explore, a cruise is one of the best ways to enjoy this remote corner of the planet.

Activities from Australia to New Zealand

Not only will you have the chance to go snorkeling, sailing, and kayaking, but there are plenty of stops to see cities, villages, and nature in Oceania. From taking part in sailing a yacht that won the America’s Cup and visiting Hobbiton in New Zealand, to snorkeling in Fiji, kayaking in Australia, and basking on the beach in American Samoa, there are countless adventures to be had in the South Pacific.

Discover more about our South Pacific Adventures

• What to Expect on a South Pacific Cruise
• 12 Things to Do in Fiji – The Ultimate South Pacific Dream Trip
• The Best Things to Do in Melbourne, Australia
• 23 Amazing Things to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand

Who To Book an Expedition Cruise With

• Hurtigruten
• Quark Expeditions
• Lindblad Expeditions

More about Hurtigruten Expeditions

• HX cruises to the Galapagos are  carbon neutral , and the  MS Santa Cruz II  was fully refurbished ahead of the 2022 launch
• With a guest capacity of 90 passengers, it is one of the largest vessels in the destination, affording guests intimacy yet more space to explore, including a locally inspired restaurant, Science Center, Panorama bar and lounge, panorama bar & lounge, sky deck, expedition lounge, Science Corner, library, fitness center, outdoor hot tubs and Discovery Room with movies and board games.

How Much Does an Expedition Cruise Cost?

Embarking on an expedition cruise is an investment in a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with the average cost varying widely depending on destination, duration, and the level of luxury offered onboard.

Typically, prices for these adventure-packed voyages start from around $3,000 per person for shorter trips to more accessible locations and can soar up to $30,000 or more for extensive journeys to remote corners of the globe like Antarctica or the Arctic.

These costs reflect the all-encompassing nature of expedition cruises, covering not just accommodation and meals, but also expert-guided excursions, educational programs, and the use of special equipment like kayaks, zodiacs, snorkeling equipment, and even rubber boots to enhance the exploration experience.

The price also accounts for the specialized design and operation of the ship, aimed at providing safe and environmentally responsible access to some of the planet’s most protected and pristine environments.

What type of Traveler should Consider an Expedition Cruise?

Expedition cruises are tailor-made for the curious and adventurous traveler, eager to delve beyond the surface of traditional tourist destinations.

Ideal for those in relatively good shape with a thirst for knowledge and an appetite for exploration, these cruises appeal to nature enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, history buffs, and cultural explorers alike.

That said, people with injuries or mobility issues may find expedition cruises taxing as there is a lot of activity from something as simple as getting on a zodiac boat bouncing in the waves on a beach, to hiking uneven terrain. Before booking, make sure to tell your operator about any issues you may have to see if an expedition cruise is right for you.

If you’re someone who seeks a deeper connection with the natural world, values educational experiences led by expert guides, and relishes the opportunity to venture into the heart of remote landscapes, then an expedition cruise is for you.

Whether it’s navigating the icy waters of Antarctica, trekking through the lush rainforests of the Amazon, or encountering the unique wildlife of the Galapagos, expedition cruises offer a unique blend of adventure, learning, and personal growth.

We have noticed that these cruises attract like-minded individuals, making them a perfect choice for solo travelers or those looking to connect with fellow explorers.

So are you ready to set sail on the trip of a lifetime?

Plan more Cruises around the world

• Canal du Midi Cruise – What to Expect While Barging the South of France
• Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay – How to Choose Your Cruise?
• European River Cruise Tips

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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• How we Pack
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• Norfolk 1997
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The 'Giant Expedition' Rigs

This page outlines our previous touring bikes which we sold in 2019.

They have certainly have been very reliable, they have now done over 10,000 miles over some tough terrain in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland and they have been excellent. The only slight problems we have had were initially with the 'Magura' hydraulic brakes (leaking master cylinder, but that was soon fixed) and broken front carriers, the Giant alloy ones weren't really up to it.

We did made some slight modifications from the the original specs.

• Added ' Post Moderne ' suspension seat posts - very useful on East Germany's cobbled roads!
• Replaced the 'Rat trap' toe clip pedals with Shimano SPD combination cage pedals (PD-M324)
• Replaced the stands with a stronger Esge Pletscher rear bike stand Multi Zoom.
• Fitted 2 'Topeak' bottle cages and stainless steel drink bottles.
• Fitted 'Bike buddy' fuel bottle brackets to the down tubes.
• We have replaced the front racks with Tubus Nova stainless steel lowrider racks as the previous ones broke in Iceland.
• After 10 good years of use we replaced the excellent Alesa X-plorer alloy rims with Mavic A719 rims. The front hubs were replaced by Schmidt SON 28 Dynohubs and the rear hubs with Shimano Deore XTR's. The Front chainsets where replaced with the Shimano Deore LX HollowTech ll crank and BB combination.

Our rigs on tour in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland 2011 with e-werks, new Mavic rims, Schmidt SON 28 Dynohubs and Shimano Deore LX HollowTech ll front chainsets.

The rigs on our tour in Iceland in 2008.

The rigs on the Lofoten isles Norway with new front Ortlieb panniers, Brookes saddles, Bike buddy fuel bottle carriers and Frank's anatomical bars!

The 'loaded rigs' on our North Sea cycle route tour complete with new Ortlieb rear panniers and racpacs.

The 'loaded rigs' on our tour in Poland complete with suspension seat posts and new bottles.

You may be wondering what the red bag is under the cross bar? - it contains a small delta wing kite , great for a bit of fun in the evenings, on the campsite or the beach or park en-route.

Best touring bikes: Machines for old-school, long distance riding

The best touring bikes to load up for the long haul or just for local load-lugging

• How to choose

The best touring bikes are designed to be loaded up for comfortable long-distance riding, but they're also a robust, reliable option for local riding with a load or just for commuting .

They're a bit old school now, with bikepacking being the trendy fast and light way to ride far, either on one of the best endurance bikes or the best gravel bikes . The availability and range of models reflect that trend, although touring bikes still offer a great way to see the world.

They're built strong, often with a steel frame and fork and have reliable wheels with plenty of spokes for strength, as well as a wide gear range, which may be via a triple chainset with a smaller range of "speeds" in the cassette or hub gear. Expect an upright ride position and comfortable touchpoints.

Luggage is normally carried in panniers and bags attached to a rear rack, often supplemented by a front rack, as well as a bar bag. Mudguards are also normal, making riding more comfortable in all weathers, while multiple bottle cages mean that you can keep hydrated even when you're far from a tap.

Below, you'll find our pick of the best touring bikes and below that is our buyer's guide to how to choose the best touring bike for you.

Best touring bikes: our picks

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

This Genesis touring bike option comes fully loaded, with front and rear racks, lights and a bottle cage, while its 35mm wide tyres give a comfortable ride. There's a Shimano Tiagra triple chainset, which gives a total of thirty gear ratios, which head below 1:1 for loaded climbing. 

Read more below

Another steel-framed tourer with many of the extras you'll need already there. The Kona Sutra has a high ride position and is equipped with a Brooks leather saddle for a retro touring vibe, although the disc brakes and wide gear range keep it up to date.

Yet another steel-framed option with front and rear racks and an upright ride, the Salsa Marrakesh has 3x9-speed gearing and mechanical disc brakes. Its 42mm Teravail tyres should provide comfort and grip wherever you travel.

Another long-haul steel model, the Disc Trucker has a very upright ride position thanks to its riser stem and yet more rise to its bars. A triple chainset that goes as low as a 26x34t ratio helps with long rides over steep roads.

With 42mm WTB Resolute tyres, the Marin Four Corners is a bike that can handle poor road conditions. The steel frame and fork are robust, while the triple chainset, nine-speed gearing and mechanical disc brakes should prove reliable. 

The Giant Toughroad takes a slightly different tack from most touring bikes, with flat bars, an alloy frame and carbon fork. Its 50mm wide tyres and very wide gear range equip it for off-road adventures.

Best touring bikes

1. genesis tour de fer 30, specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Genesis Tour De Fer is a great option in this category. It's a top all-round bike, featuring a solid steel frame, durable tyres, disc brakes and all the practicalities such as three bottle cages, front and rear racks, mudguards and dynamo-powered lights.

Simply put, this is a bike ready for whatever you need to do straight away, whether it's commuting, leisure riding or touring. The bike offers an easy, calm ride, and is comfortable enough to get on and go right away.

35mm Schwalbe Marathon tyres come as standard, with their puncture-proof reputation. The Shimano Tiagra triple groupset gives you plenty of range including a sub-1:1 ratio to haul your loaded bike up the hills. You might need that range, with the extra features adding significantly to the bike's weight though.

2. Surly Disc Trucker

Another do-anything bike, the Disc Trucker features a sturdy and good-looking steel frame and fork. It is, however, more suited to road riding than exploring gravel and mud, though it's not to say that you can't tackle gravel tracks with it. The rise to the bars, paired with a long head tube gives a comfortable all-day ride position.

Mounts for three bottles, a pump, and mudguards add to the practicality, while the tyre clearance will let you get some meaty rubber in there. Surly quotes 2.1" tyre clearance on 650b wheels and the smaller frame sizes come specced with this wheel size for better toe clearance.

A Shimano Alivio MTB triple groupset with Sora road shifters provides steady and reliable 9-speed shifting, although it's quite a low end spec. Like the Genesis and the Trek, the Disc Trucker relies on TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes for reliable, low-maintenance stopping power.

3. Giant Toughroad SLR 1

What do you get when you combine a mountain bike, a touring bike and a gravel bike? No, this isn't the start of one of your dad's jokes, you get the impressively capable Toughroad SLR 1. More suited to the offroad than any of the bikes we've looked at so far, Giant calls it a do-it-all bike capable of commuting, but make no mistake, it's built primarily for dirt and gravel.

There's no suspension fork, but the giant 50mm tyres are a dead giveaway. An 11-42 MTB cassette on the back will also help with tackling the steep stuff, although there's not the absolute range of the triple chainsets on the bikes above. Pannier racks front and back and three bottle cage mounting points mean you can pile on whatever you need to take with you.

There are plenty of modern features on the bike, including thru-axles, hydraulic brakes, and tubeless tyres. A reliable Giant wheelset and Shimano Deore groupset round off this bike. You might find the lack of variation in hand position with the flat bar configuration gets tiring on longer rides though.

4. Kona Sutra

The first thing to strike you about the Sutra is its retro features; the Brooks leather saddle and steel frame give a different look to many of the bikes we've looked at. Disc brakes and thru-axles remind you that this is a thoroughly modern bike, though.

It's another bike for touring and commuting on the road and on some gravel/dirt surfaces. Mudguards and front and rear pannier racks are included, while there are other bosses for more additions if needed.

The 10-speed Shimano GRX gravel groupset with Tiagra shifters gives plenty of range, although not as much as a triple like that specified on the Trek, while the hybrid hydraulic/cable-operated brakes should give a bit more stopping power than the TRP Spyre cable brakes specced elsewhere, they are more of a faff to maintain though. It's a classy-looking bike that can work well anywhere.

5. Salsa Marrakesh

A great-looking steel frame is the first thing to catch the eye on this bike, while the fat 42mm tyres give a signal as to its intentions. It's as comfortable off-road as on, whether you're touring, commuting or just riding for fun.

As with the bikes above, front and rear racks are included, though if you want to add mudguards, be warned that the wide tyres will need to go on a diet ­– down to a 40mm maximum.

It's a solid entry into the touring selection, even if it is a bit on the weighty side, however, though not so much that you'll be struggling under the weight. Components include a Shimano Alivio groupset with Microshift shifters as well as TRP Spyre-C disc brakes and wheels and tyres ready to be set up tubeless.

6. Marin Four Corners

The Marin Four Corners is part tourer, part gravel bike. It's got the clearance for really wide tyres on 650b wheels (which is the stock wheel size specced on smaller-sized frames), but you can also set it up for a more traditional touring configuration with 700c wheels.

The steel frame is bombproof while the long head tube gives an upright ride position so you've got plenty of visibility all around. There are mounts for a rack, mudguards and to lash extra kit to the fork legs, so you can load up to head into the unknown. It's a bike more geared to gravel than the road, unlike the more traditional tourers like the Kona and the Genesis.

7. Trek 520

Marketed as a bike for long-haul travel, the Trek 520 is the longest-running bike in Trek's stable, although its days look to be numbered. The 520 is no longer sold in the UK or US, but international buyers in some countries still have a choice of two specs on Trek's site, including the Sora/Alivio option above.

Like the Genesis, the Trek 520 comes with front and rear racks, although you'll have to add mudguards for all-weather use. Small updates include mechanical disc brakes with a thru-axle alloy fork, while the 9-speed Shimano Sora gearing provides massive range from its triple chainset, albeit with quite large jumps across the 11-36 tooth cassette.

It's also nice to see tubeless-ready wheels specced (although not the tyres), so you can set up tubeless, which should up dependability on long rides. 

How to choose the best touring bike for you

Whether you're looking for a practical way to get to work, want that extra durability so that your bike will stand the test of time or want to travel to far-flung corners of the earth with nothing but a tent and a change of clothes, a touring bike a great addition to your stable of steeds. 

You can still get around quickly – whether you're hitting the roads, gravel paths or other rough terrain – but plenty of space for mudguards and racks, as well as a more relaxed position, make a touring bike a better all-round option than a road bike, a hybrid or a mountain bike. 

The relaxed geometry and more upright riding position are also handy for commuting, and the best touring bikes are often built with durable, easy-to-maintain components so they can be fixed when hundreds of miles away from a bike shop. This lends itself to fewer mechanicals and lower running costs. Steel frames also have a far better chance of being repaired all over the world compared to aluminium or carbon fibre if you're on a big trip.

What types of touring bike are there?

Touring bikes can range anywhere from predominantly road-going bikes with horizontal top tubes and 700c tyres, to rugged mountain bikes with knobbly mountain bike tyres. 

What the best touring bikes tend to share, however, is a durable design, comfortable geometry and the ability to carry luggage. Some opt for bikepacking bags , which usually consist of frame bags and oversized saddle bags, whereas others opt for the traditional rack and pannier bag method of carrying luggage. 

As with any bike purchase, consider the riding you plan to do with the bike. For those looking to travel far and wide, a bike with more luggage-carrying capacity will be preferred. For those who are looking to travel off-road, look for a bike that can handle the rough stuff. Live in the mountains? Look for a wide gear range. 

What's different about touring bike geometry?

Touring bike frames feature a relaxed geometry , with a taller head tube and shorter top tube for a comfortable and more upright riding position compared to a racing road bike. In addition to this, they feature a longer wheelbase, which keeps the bike stable even when loaded with heavy luggage. Since they're designed to be cycled over long distances, they're equally designed to stay comfortable for as long as possible.

If you're a geometry nerd you may notice the trail is a little lower than you'd expect for a relaxed ride, but this is often done to counteract the slowing effect on the steering of a heavy front load to avoid the bike feeling like a barge when laden.

Which gearing should a touring bike have?

Gearing-wise, what you should pick really depends on what type of riding you'll be doing. If you're taking on hills regularly, then you'll want a cassette with larger sprockets on the back. Some touring bikes offer a triple chainset too, with easier gearing on offer compared to a double chainset. The addition of extra gear combinations into the mix will add an extra component to maintain, so those on flatter terrain might prefer a single chainring at the front.

The majority of touring bikes offer standard external gear systems – the chainset, chain and cassette we're all used to. Some do have internal gearing though, with an enclosed rear gearbox which requires a lot less maintenance and is less prone to damage but is heavier and will cost you more. Belt drives are also available – this is a multi-tooth belt instead of a chain, so no regular cleaning or lubrication is required. Hub gears like the Rohloff system are favoured by riders taking on huge worldwide tours for their durability. 

Should I look for rim brakes or disc brakes?

As with much of the cycling world, rim brakes and disc brakes are both available, with rim brakes found more often on lower-end bikes. Rim brakes feature two pads grabbing onto the wheel rims to stop the bike, while disc brakes grip onto a separate rotor on the wheels instead.

Disc brakes feature better and more consistent braking performance, which is useful for a heavily laden bike, and are better in wet weather, though. Both adjustment and maintenance are far easier with rim brakes, however, with an Allen key and some new pads all you really need.

Rim brakes will wear down your rim eventually, prompting a rim swap and wheel rebuild or a new wheel. Whereas that's not an issue with disc brakes, and there's more leeway to keep riding with a buckled disc brake wheel or a broken spoke.

Hydraulic disc brakes are generally maintenance-free in operation, however, if you snag your brake hose on a tree in the middle of the Atlas Mountains, there's little chance of repair unless you packed a bleed kit and spare hose. 

What should I look for in touring bike contact points?

Saddles are an important factor, being the main point of contact with your body. Padded saddles may look more comfortable but looks can be deceiving, with thinner padding usually better for you once you've gotten used to it after a few rides. Saddles should support your sit bones, and additional padding can move the pressure elsewhere and rub more, making things more uncomfortable over time.

If you're planning a long trip and already have a saddle that you like, it may be worth swapping out the saddle that comes with the bike, if you're not sure how comfortable it will be for the long haul.

On a multi-day trip, handlebars need to be comfortable as well. Some bars have a slight rearward sweep, which can feel more natural when riding on the tops. A shallow drop is likely to be more comfortable to use as well.

Which pedals should I choose?

It's worth choosing pedals wisely too. While the best road bike pedals give good power transfer, the best cycling shoes that work with them are difficult to walk in, which could be an issue if touring or even for a trip to the shops.

On the other hand, flat pedals may make it difficult to keep your feet well-positioned for longer rides. They will allow you to use standard shoes, which are easier to walk in, but unless the soles are relatively stiff, your pedalling will be less efficient and you may get foot ache after a long day riding without adequate support.

Gravel bike pedals are a good option, as they still let you clip in for more efficient riding, but the cleats are recessed on the sole of the shoes and so can be walked in much more easily. You'll need gravel shoes to go with them that accept two-bolt cleats. These will have soles designed for efficient pedalling and foot support, but most are not too stiff to walk in comfortably.

Alternatively, some of the best commuter cycling shoes also allow you to fit two-bolt cleats.

You can learn more about the pros and cons of two-bolt versus three-bolt pedals in our explainer.on Shimano SPD vs SPD-SL systems.

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Paul has been on two wheels since he was in his teens and he's spent much of the time since writing about bikes and the associated tech. He's a road cyclist at heart but his adventurous curiosity means Paul has been riding gravel since well before it was cool, adapting his cyclo-cross bike to ride all-day off-road epics and putting road kit to the ultimate test along the way. Paul has contributed to Cyclingnews' tech coverage for a few years, helping to maintain the freshness of our buying guides and deals content, as well as writing a number of our voucher code pages. 

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Best touring bikes 2024: tourers for adventures on two wheels

Although there are many bikes capable of cycle trips, the best touring bikes remain the optimal tool for longer journeys

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Our pick of the best touring bikes

What to look for in a touring bike.

The allure of the open road is one of cycling’s enduring themes. Touring by bicycle allows for this on a grand scale, travelling for several days, often in far-flung places with all your kit strapped to the bike. Of course, micro-adventures closer to home can be just as much fun and still keep the spirit of adventure alive.

Whether you’re planning an expedition abroad or fancy exploring more local roads in far greater detail, a touring bike is the ideal tool for the job. Designed for cycling long distances in comfort, the bikes should be both stable and reliable in their handling, as well as providing all the mounts you need for pannier racks and bags and mudguards . Self-sufficiency is one of the tenets of cycling touring, so the bikes are usually designed with ease of maintenance in mind, too.

The good news for touring cyclists is that the range of bikes available to cater for their needs has grown substantially in the last few years.

In this guide, we've rounded up the more traditional options. If you're thinking of going off-road, perhaps investigate gravel orientated options in our buying guide here , and if you plan to go quick and travel light, see endurance road bikes here .

There's more on what to look for in a touring bike below - but first, here are our top picks of the best touring bikes.

Genesis Tour de Fer 30 touring bike

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

This is a bike that's been created exclusively to provide a comfortable and practical ride for a touring cyclist. The Reynolds 725 Heat-Treated Chromoly frame promises a springy ride and an incredibly strong base.

The 160mm rotor mechanical disc brakes are a more modern introduction with a nod to practicality, especially in the wet. Although we’ve found mechanical TRP Spyre brake calipers aren’t quite as powerful or as easy to modulate as a hydraulic brakeset, they are easy to adjust and highly reliable – perfect for a long-distance tour.

A 10-speed Shimano Tiagra drivetrain is about right for a bike at this price point, but in our experience, a 50/39/30 crankset provides gears that are just a bit too big for cycle touring – particularly over hilly terrain. 

But you can always swap this out for a smaller ringed option down the line. We find that with a cassette of 11-34t, going for a granny ring of 26t is generally a good bet.

We’ve always found Schwalbe’s Marathon tyres to be highly puncture resistant and with a good wear rate. In 35c, these are capable of traversing broken roads and tamer gravel, but if you’re planning on spending a large amount of time off road you would want something a bit plumper.

Handily, this bike come with many of the accessories we think are a must. Firstly, mudguards, but also dynamo powered front and rear lights, bottle cages and the Tubus pannier racks front and rear.

Surly Disc Trucker

A spin-off of Surly's much-revered Long Haul Trucker, the Disc Trucker keeps many of the much-loved versatility and can-do attitude, but this time with the addition of mechanical disc brakes and thru-axles – unlike the Genesis Tour de Fer 30 which has disc brakes and QR axles.

Opinion is a little split on thru-axles for touring – if you have any catastrophic issues with your hubs in more remote countries, you're unlikely to be able to find a replacement locally. That said, those kind of hub issues are quite rare and if it does happen you can always get a replacement sent out. For the improved alignment between the rotor and the caliper, we think the benefits outweigh the negatives.

A multitude of braze-on mount means the Disc Trucker is capable of running front and rear bags, full-coverage fenders, two water bottles, a spare spoke and even a pump peg. However, in not coming with these accessories, you will have to factor these into the cost, making the value for money a little less than the Genesis Tour de Fer 30 or the Kona Sutra.

With both 26" and 700c wheel build options available, the Disc Trucker can be as adventurous as you choose. The 26" (in sizes 42-58cm) is capable of taking up to 2.1" tires, while the 700c version (in sizes 56-64cm) has room for up to 42mm tires — both with fenders.

Although touring bikes generally do have a more relaxed position than a typical road bike, designed as they are for comfortably covering long distances, the Disc Trucker does have a particularly high front end. This isn't necessarily a problem, but if you are coming from a road cycling background, you may find just such an elevated position a little uncomfortable 

Made from a CroMoly Steel, the Disc Trucker comes equipped with a Shimano Alivio/Sora drivetrain, with the 48/36/26 triple Alivio crankset and 11-34 9-speed Shimano cassette provides a gearing range we find to be a great balance between top-end speed and low-end winching – particularly if you’re planning on maxing out the rider and kit weight limit of 161kg (355lb).

Kona Sutra All Road touring bike

The gloss black Sutra is made from Kona 's Cromoly steel frame and is kitted out with smooth-rolling Schwalbe Marathon Mondial 700x40c tires on WTB STi23 rims, which are now tubeless-compatible.

The current model has replaced the previous Shimano Deore 3x10 drivetrain with 2x10 chainset from Shimano's GRX gravel range. It's a move that's unlikely to please the touring purists. The 46/30t chainrings are matched with a 11-36t cassette, which sees the bike's gearing range reduced. It should still see you up the steep climbs, just perhaps not in as much comfort as before.

Gone too are the bar-end shifters, replaced with Shimano 10-speed Tiagra road shifters. Again it's quite the change, moving the Sutra from a traditional tourer into a far more modern interpretation. It reduces some of the bike's previous mechanical simplicity, which is appealing if your tours are long and overseas. That said the move to STI levers will appeal if you're used to riding a regular bike.

Another nod to modernity are the TRP disc brakes, which are blend of mechanical and hydraulic, and the frame's thru-axles.

With a Brooks B17 leather saddle, mudguards and a front pannier rack finishing off this tourer, this good-looking bike oozes style.

The leather Brooks saddle does require a bit more care than what you might be used to – it need to be kept covered from heavy rain and needs a semi regular application of cream to keep the leather supple. But by functioning essentially as a hammock, it is exceptionally comfortable and only gets better over time as it moulds to your shape – it wears in, rather than out..

Ridgeback Voyage

Classic styling never goes out of date - and the vintage-looking Voyage has got it by the bucket load, though a redesign means that modern tech has not been overlooked.

The Ridgeback Voyage uses Reynolds 520 tubing for the frame, with a CroMoly steel fork. A rack and full mudguards (fenders) come as standard. 

The Shimano 48/36/26t triple chainset paired with an 11-34 cassette offers a good range of gearing although with relatively large jumps between the gears due to having just nine gears at the rear. 

We don’t find this to be too much of an issue when taking it steady on a cycle tour but would prefer something a little tighter if multiple very high mileage days are planned.

Shifting and braking is taken care of by Shimano's reliable Sora levers and Tektro cantilever rim brakes. The latter certainly help make the Voyage a maintenance-friendly machine - easy to maintain and find replaces for, even in remote locations - although disc brakes may be a preferred choice for all-weather tourers.

Alex rims with a high spoke count are pretty dependable, even if not the flashiest and fitted with 32c Continental Contact tyres, they can handle a little off road, but are best suited to the tarmac.  

Trek 520 disc touring bike

Constructed from Trek's CroMoly steel, the frame has been designed around disc brakes and fitted with a rack and fenders mounts.

The Bontrager Affinity rims are tubeless-ready, which might be worth setting up if you want a bit of a faster ride when commuting. But for long-term touring it’s generally best to stick with inner tubes so as to avoid the added complication of sealant drying out. Bontrager’s 38c H1 hard-case Ultimate tyres offer good puncture resistance themselves.

The drivetrain is a mixture of Shimano parts with Sora shifters. The crankset is a triple, with 48/36/26 tooth chainrings, and the cassette is an 11-36 so you'll have ample gears when the road goes up. TRP Spyre C 2.0 mechanical disc mechanical discs look after stopping.

However, with only nine sprockets on the cassette, the jumps between the gears are a little large, as with the Ridgeback Voyage. But if this does cause you an issue, and if you find yourself not using all of the gears, you could fit a tighter range cassette for smaller jumps.

Like the Genesis Tour de Fer 30, the wheel axles are QR, which can make getting the rotor and caliper aligned properly a little more difficult than with a thru-axle system

The overall weight comes in at 14.26 kg / 31.4 lbs in a size 57, which is lighter than some of the more traditional options.

Cube Travel Pro Trapeze touring bike

Cube offers its Travel Pro tourer in both a traditional crossbar and step-through frame design, with the latter making mounting and dismounting this robust, aluminum bike easy and convenient.

The convenience theme is carried through much of the bike. It's equipped with a Shimano Nexus internal hub gear system and a Gates CDN Belt Drive system which offers super low maintenance compared with a more traditional chain and derailleur system.

With this eight-speed hub, the jumps between the gears is a little larger and the overall range a little lower than you can get with a derailleur system, and it's not quite as efficient. But that said, if you're planning on taking it steady on your cycle tour, those points are pretty immaterial compared to the benefit of much lower maintenance.  

There's plenty of clearance for extra-wide tires and the wheels are currently wrapped in Schwalbe's Marathon Almotion 29x2.15in rubber.

Finishing off this functional tourer are full-length fenders, an adjustable CUBE stand Pro kickstand, a Knog Oi bell, lights (front and rear), and a semi-integrated carrier for pannier bags; these features will have you covered for any adventure.

Salsa Marrakesh

The Marrakesh is designed to take you touring wherever you wish — including a trip around the world if necessary. The frame is built from 4130 CroMoly tubing and has a serious array of mounts. There's room for up to five bottle cages thanks to extra fork mounts plus it comes fitted with front and rear racks. There's even a mount to carry a spare spoke.

Elsewhere there are bar-end shifters and a 3x9-speed Shimano Alivio groupset. The gearing range is designed to get you up the steep stuff even when fully loaded thanks to 48/36/36 triple chainring paired with an 11-36t cassette. The shifters also make roadside maintenance a little easier.

Its world-touring credentials are further aided by its generous tire clearance - 700 x 40mm even with mudguards (fenders), and comes stock with Maxxis Roamer 42mm tires. This means you should eat up the miles in comfort even when the road gets rough.

It's difficult to lay out specific criteria when it comes to choosing a touring bike because the beauty of touring is that it can be whatever you want it to be – there is no single best touring bike for everyone, what is best for you depends on the type of tours you want to go on. However, there are key elements to consider when selecting your two-wheeled riding buddy, which will enable you to get the best touring bike for you.

Touring bike frame

If you're planning a longer trip, and intend the bike to be used primarily for such adventures, then the resilience and comfort of steel is a sensible choice. As such, most of the best touring bikes will feature this metal. The amount you're willing to invest will dictate the weight, strength and character of the steel you end up with.

When looking at steel touring bikes, expect to see the word 'Chromoly' a lot. This is a form of low alloy steel that is used when strength is particularly important. It takes its name from two of the primary alloying (mixing of metals) elements used: “chromium” and “molybdenum”.

If you're planning on using the bike for touring and other duties: club runs, commutes, shorter rides where speed might be more in your interest, consider aluminum or carbon .

Bikes suitable for touring will have a relaxed geometry: a shorter top tube and taller stack to put the rider in a more relaxed position. The wheelbase will be longer, to create a feeling of stability. You'll also notice that the chainstays are longer - this means panniers can be mounted without a chance of clipping your heels and it allows for better distribution when panniers are full.

Touring bike wheels

Elsewhere in the cycling world, we talk about low weight and aerodynamics when it comes to bicycle wheels. And sure, if you're aiming to break a world record on your cycle tour then those are probably still very important areas to consider.

However, if you mainly want to get to somewhere rather far away, and you'd like to arrive there with a wheel that's still true and contains the same number of spokes you left with, then a strong wheel is what you desire. Look for a higher spoke count that you might opt for on a speedy road bike.

The best touring bikes will generally have at least 36 spokes per wheel, tandem touring bike can even go as high as 48. 

Touring bike tyres

It's incredible how much difference a set of tyres can make to a bike. The frame can be designed with comfort top of the agenda, but put on some narrow rubber shoes and pump them up to the wrong tyre pressure and you'll be bumping about all over the road.

Most touring cyclists will want to go for wider tyres - 28mm+, when compared with their road racing cousins. The further off the beaten track you want to go, the wider they should be. If you plan on tackling some light trails, look for 32mm+.

Touring bike brakes

Traditionally, touring bikes had rim brakes and these will certainly do the job for most road-based tours. However, disc brakes do provide far superior stopping power, especially in the wet, and they are now more common than rim brake on the best touring bikes

Since disc brakes don't rely upon the rim to bring the bike to a halt, they also reduce the risk of the rims becoming worn through debris building up on the pads.

Add in that many touring cyclists are carrying luggage, therefore adding to the overall load, powerful brakes that work in all weathers do seem like a sensible addition. However, not everyone likes the appearance of disc brakes on a traditional steel machine and the pads are a tiny bit harder to replace and set up, which is worth considering if you're maintaining your bike on the road.

Luggage and Lights on a touring bike

A purpose-built touring bike will come with pannier racks fitted, as well as fenders and perhaps even built-in lights. These all add to the overall weight, but if the intended purpose requires them, it's no bother.

If you plan to use the bike for other purposes, like group rides, then you may want to look for a bike that comes with eyelets for guards and racks, so that you can remove and fit them as and when.

There's a lot of clever luggage solutions around these days, such as frame bags and oversized saddlebags , that allow you to do away with panniers if you'd rather distribute weight differently.

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.

The Belgian has taken to using them himself – at least for now

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The Best Family Expedition Cruises to Book in 2024

By Kerry Spencer

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

There’s a growing appetite for expedition travel, including cruising, among intrepid families. From gazing at serrated teal icebergs in Antarctica to island-hopping in the Galápagos , there are a slew of exhilarating expedition voyages designed to meet the needs of families looking for more meaningful shared travel experiences. As an added boon for parents, some even offer onboard kids programming, nature guides for younger travelers, and interconnecting cabins to accommodate larger broods.

To help make next year's family vacation the best one yet, we pulled together five of the best new routes to book in 2024.

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Young guests explore by stand up paddle board and kayak in Port Althorp, Alaska.

Lindblad Expeditions

Itinerary : Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness

Departures : Weekly between May 11 and September 1, 2024, and May 10 and September 7, 2025

Experience : Breaching orcas in sapphire waters and brown bears preying on wild salmon are just two of the possible wildlife encounters on this seven-night Alaskan adventure. Take in this cinematic landscape on Lindblad Expeditions’ identical 100-passenger National Geographic Quest or National Geographic Venture from Juneau to Sitka (or vice versa). Cruisers can look forward to taking in ravishing fjords, thundering waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains on guided kayak tours, forest hikes, and zodiac rides in destinations such as Tracy Arm fjord and Icy Strait—complemented by a day sailing the eye-popping Glacier Bay. Plus, children and teens can opt into the National Geographic Global Explorers program, with the chance to earn a zodiac “driver’s license” and record wildlife sightings in a field notebook among the activities.

HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions)

Itinerary: In Darwin’s Footsteps in the Eastern Galápagos Islands

Departures: 26 departures between March 2024 and March 2025

Experience : Embark on a 10-day carbon-neutral Galápagos expedition with HX on the recently refurbished MS Santa Cruz II (minimum age to sail is six). The itinerary begins with two nights in Quito , Ecuador, with a visit to the smoldering Cotopaxi volcano. Travelers are then whisked to the Galápagos, where it’s all about taking in the endemic wildlife. Hike, swim, snorkel, and kayak in several of the eastern islands—including San Cristobal—where Charles Darwin first landed in 1835. Here, you can witness endangered giant tortoises and catch sight of pink flamingos. Spot curious sea lions and blue-footed boobies on Mosquera, land iguanas on South Plaza Island, and prowling black-tip reef sharks and green turtles off pristine-white beaches. The intimate 90-passenger MS Santa Cruz II is excellent for families, thanks to interconnecting cabins and suites for larger groups. For younger cruisers, the Young Explorer program was created for kids ages 6-12—and there are dedicated kids’ naturalists aboard.

Itinerary : Broome (Kimberley) to Darwin, Australia

Departures : June 8, 2024, through July 29, 2024

Experience : Savor the unfathomable beauty of the Kimberley’s on a 10-day voyage from Broom to Darwin (or vice versa), aboard Silversea’s luxurious Silver Cloud . The 254-passenger vessel features spacious all-suite accommodation, a pool deck with sumptuous sunbeds, 20 zodiacs, and 10 kayaks. Since there are no dedicated children’s facilities onboard, older children and teens are more suited to this mind-expanding voyage. Take in the vibrant Ashmore Reef, deep in the Indian Ocean. It’s home to 500 marine species, including turtles, dugongs, and dolphins—with swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking on the agenda. This breathtaking voyage features the Kimberley’s Ord River, home to freshwater crocodiles and fruit bats. Step on a zodiac to King George Falls, with its twin 260-foot drop surrounded by soaring ochre rock formations. Additionally, don't miss Hunter River’s thick mangrove system, which shelters rapacious saltwater crocodiles and Indigenous rock art scribed thousands of years ago in Vansittart Bay.

Abercrombie & Kent

Itinerary : Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands

Departures : December 20, 2024

Experience : Families with children seven and older can join Abercrombie & Kent on this 19-day expedition aboard the plush 199-passenger Le Lyrial to the frigid waters of Antarctica . Following two nights in Buenos Aires , adventurers depart Ushuaia, Argentina, in search of rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatrosses in the Falkland Islands, and fur seals and king penguins in South Georgia. In the stark Antarctic Peninsula, younger passengers will get to handle a zodiac tiller (weather permitting) in the shadow of colossal icebergs and gob-smacking glaciers in search of penguins, seals, and whales. Part of the luxury operator’s family program, there will be A&K Young Explorers guides, kids’ activities, such as marine mammal identification—and Father Christmas makes an appearance onboard. After a thrilling day of wildlife spotting, gather to sip velvety hot cocoa in the panorama lounge, soak up pristine views from your spacious suite, and splash in the heated outdoor pool.

Itinerary : Christmas Magic with Renaud Capuçon

Experience : Pack your crew's thermals for this nine-day expedition on Ponant’s exquisite 245-passenger icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot (minimum age to sail is eight). This parent-pleasing voyage features Ponant’s stellar Kid Explorers Club in partnership with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, with special appearances by French classical violinist Renaud Capuçon. The LNG-powered (liquefied natural gas) ship departs Helsinki for Stockholm , before zigzagging north to the Narnia-like wilderness of the Gulf of Bothnia. Marvel at starry pitch-black skies from the promenade deck as you sail by snowy peaks toward Lapland’s thick boreal forests. Visit cinnamon-scented Christmas markets in the capital cities and the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland. A highlight is Lulea, Swedish Lapland , where snowmobiling, naturalist-led snowshoeing walks, and ice fishing on a frozen lake are on offer.

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2023 Giant Bicycles Expedition 2

Published sizing recommendations, stack and reach vs. category trend.

The Bike Insights Upright/Aggressive scale is based on analysis of a bike’s proportions relative to similar sized bikes in the same category.

• Giant Manuals
• EXPEDITION BIKES-2001
• Owner's manual

Giant EXPEDITION BIKES-2001 Owner's Manual

• page of 8 Go / 8

Table of Contents

2 rear suspension.

• NRS TM Rear Suspension System
• Selecting Air Pressure, "Zero-SAG" Adjustment
• Rear Suspension Tuning
• Removing the Rear Shock Assembly or Pivots
• 3 Front Suspension

4 Riding with Luggage

5 cleaning and maintenance.

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Page 1: table of contents, page 2: sizing, page 3: rear suspension, page 4: selecting air pressure, "zero-sag" adjustment, page 5: rear suspension tuning, page 6: removing the rear shock assembly or pivots, page 7: front suspension, page 8: cleaning and maintenance, this manual is also suitable for:, rename the bookmark, delete bookmark, delete from my manuals, upload manual.

Giants budget expedition touring bike - the "Tracker"

Now 20 years old, i hope that this review still makes interesting reading.

Spending over 1000 pounds on a touring bike is not a luxury everyone can afford, so this issue we look at a bike that will get you touring for under 400 pounds, a remarkable acheivement.

With 400 pounds to spend on a fully equipped expedition tourer you have to expect compromises and here it is in the frame. Only the seat tube is butted chromo, the rest is hi-tensile steel, pushing the weight to 34 pounds. The forks too are Hi-ten, but seem responsive enough. In fact there's nothing inherently wrong with such a frame, the lower grade steel dictates thicker tube walls to maintain strength, but this gives a stiffer frame, exactly what a heavily loaded tourer needs. The TIG welding is neat and the tubes oversized and ovalized. Every conceivable braze on is included including three bottle cage sets and dynamo bracket. The wishbone stays have rack braze ons and the sloping top tube gives a low standover height and a longer head tube, good for headset life.

Here are more signs of cost being cut with minimal effect on durability. Alivo hubs are not XT, but have a well supported axle and pretty good seals. These are laced to Rigida rims identical to the ones on my 1500 pound tourer, using stainless steel spokes all finished off with Vredestein semi- slick 40mm *700c tyres. They'll take a hammering - a nice choice.

More mix-and-match, the SRAM shifters being a bit woolly, but mate with a servicable Alivo front mech and excellent STX RC rear derailleur which should last a long time. The chainset is again Alivo - nice looking with long lasting steel rings 42/32/24, which with the 12-28 cassette give pretty low gears, though if you really are going to load up I'd go for a 14-32 set...

Again good basic kit - Dia-Comp two finger levers and Alivo canti's, not flash, but they work impeccably...

Finishing kit

Here you need to remind yourself that this is a 400 pound bike because the list of kit is amazing. A "Bob Yung" front low rider rack, a tough tubular rear rack, Bumels mudguards with stainless fittings, Zoom stem, straight alloy bars with bar ends, rattrap pedals with clips and straps, a good quality seatpin topped by a Sell Marco Gel saddle, built in lock, a full dynamo lighting set and even a pump. Add three bottle cages and bottles and you really could set off round the world tomorrow on this bike - remarkable.

What's it like to ride?

With 34 lbs weight and a Hi-Ten frame this isn't going to be a ball of fire. It has the "dead" feel of a very stiff frame and is sluggish compared to something more expensive, but load it up front and rear and the bike is in it's element, shrugging off heavy loads like an oversized 531 frame, but at a fraction the price. Steering is stable and easy and the riding position nicely spreads the weight between hands and bum.

Fancy serious touring? Lottery not come up? Well here is the answer, a bike I'd be happy to tour on myself. The 700c wheels won't cope with very rough surfaces, but tarmac or tracks are fine, and you'll leave friends touring on mountainbikes far behind. I have to keep asking myself - 400 pounds.... How do Giant do it?

Rating 6/10 Value 10/10

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Expedition cruises: The ultimate guide to cruising to remote, hard-to-reach places

One of the fastest-growing segments of cruising in recent years has been "expedition cruising," a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places such as Antarctica on small, hardy vessels.

This is a type of cruising so different from what the big mass-market lines offer that it might as well be considered an entirely different form of travel.

With traditional cruising, the experience often revolves heavily around shipboard activities, dining, drinking and entertainment. Yes, a traditional cruise is partly about getting you to (mostly mainstream) destinations for brief visits. But at its core, it's a resort experience.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

An expedition cruise, by contrast, isn't designed to be a resort experience. It's a cruise that is all about getting you to an off-the-beaten-path place that, in many cases, has little or no land-based infrastructure and can be reached no other way but by ship. You are "cruising" in the sense that you are traveling by ship. But the trip isn't about the ship. It's about where the ship can get you.

As I've been lucky enough to experience many times over nearly three decades of writing about cruising, expedition cruises can get you to some of the least visited and most wondrous places in the world — including parts of the Arctic and Antarctica that as recently as a century ago had never been seen by humans.

Here is a guide to everything you need to know about expedition cruises and cruising.

What is an expedition cruise?

Expedition cruises are ship-based trips designed to get you to remote and hard-to-reach places that most people never get to see.

It is travel by ship to places so far off the beaten path, such as Antarctica, that the journey itself is a bit of an adventure. Adding to the adventure is that, in some cases, you don't know what you're going to do from day to day once you reach your destination. Your expedition leader will make the call depending on the movement of wildlife, changing ice conditions (if you're in a polar region) and the waves and the weather around possible landing sites.

Should whales pop up off your bow on an expedition cruise to Antarctica, for instance, your expedition leader might decide to scrap morning plans for a landing near a penguin colony in favor of whale watching. Then you'll visit penguins in the afternoon. Or not.

Maybe changing ice conditions will make it possible to do a landing on floating ice for a hike. Eventually, you'll probably make multiple landings at penguin colonies, maybe hike across floating ice and hopefully see whales and other wildlife. But how it all happens will be at the whims of nature.

In that sense, being on an expedition cruise is a bit like being part of a team of explorers on an "expedition" — hence the name.

As vacations go, expedition cruises have more in common with safari vacations in Africa or trekking trips in the Peruvian Andes than traditional cruises.

On an expedition cruise, the focus is on remote wilderness areas and the wildlife that inhabits them. This could be Antarctica's rocky, ice-lined shoreline, with its massive penguin colonies, or the uninhabited islands of the Galapagos, with their giant tortoises and Darwin's finches.

What is an expedition cruise ship like?

The typical expedition cruise vessel is custom-built for these remote and rugged areas. Expedition ships typically are small and agile, so they can tuck into remote bays and waterways that big ships can't reach.

And they're inordinately tough. Expedition ships are typically built with strengthened hulls to allow them to bump through ice in polar regions and with unusually large fuel tanks and food storage areas to allow them to operate long periods in remote areas without re-provisioning (in some cases, as long as 40 days).

In addition, expedition cruise ships travel with their own landing craft — typically small rubber Zodiac boats — to get passengers ashore in remote areas. Expedition ships also often carry other adventure gear for exploring in remote areas, including kayaks, paddleboards, snowshoes, snorkeling equipment, wetsuits and sometimes diving equipment.

A handful of expedition cruise ships even travel with submarines for underwater exploration and helicopters.

Expedition ships also will have "mud rooms" where you will find cubbies to store your outdoor clothing and gear. Many expedition cruise ships will have waterproof rubber boots for you to borrow — either for free or for an extra charge — that you will need for "wet landings" on beaches by Zodiac boats. They'll be stored in the mud room, as well.

Instead of a cruise director and the other entertainment staff found on traditional cruise ships, you'll typically be accompanied on expedition cruises by an "expedition team." The group is made up of expedition leaders with deep knowledge of the destination along with scientific experts such as biologists, geologists and ornithologists, and often a historian, who will lead landings and lecture on board.

Many expedition ships also sail with a photography expert. One well-known expedition cruise company, Lindblad Expeditions, staffs many of its ships with National Geographic photographers who will teach you how to use your own cameras to capture the scenery and wildlife you're experiencing.

In short, expedition cruises are designed for exploring and learning. Unlike most traditional cruises, an expedition cruise is not meant to be a resort experience, though an increasing number of expedition ships are being outfitted with more upscale amenities than in the past.

These luxury touches include a greater variety of dining venues, including high-end restaurants, as well as elegant bars and onboard spas. However, these amenities will play second fiddle to the off-the-ship adventures at the core of the experience.

How small are expedition cruise ships?

Historically, expedition ships have carried no more than 200 passengers — a manageable number for an exploration-focused vessel operating in a remote location such as Antarctica. But a growing number of expedition ships carry more. Viking designed its new expedition ships to carry 378 passengers. Some new Hurtigruten expedition vessels are designed for around 500 people.

Even these bigger vessels are far smaller than traditional, resortlike cruise ships, which often can carry 3,000 passengers or more (with some capable of carrying nearly 7,000 passengers).

Note that by international agreement, some remote places that expedition ships visit, including Antarctica and parts of the Arctic, have limits on how many passengers can land from an expedition cruise vessel at any given time — an agreement designed to protect wildlife and historical structures from the impacts of large group visits.

In some places, such as Antarctica, the limit is broadly set at 100 people, with some sensitive landing spots having even tighter restrictions. As a result, expedition ships that carry more than 100 people only can land a portion of their passengers in a destination such as Antarctica at once.

If you're on such a vessel, you'll have to wait your turn to go ashore and might miss out if changing weather forces the ship to reposition. This is one reason travelers who want the most in-depth expedition cruise experience should choose a small ship with relatively few passengers.

I prefer expedition ships that carry in the vicinity of 100 people for this reason. I also look for vessels that are built for toughness, as they can access more remote and hard-to-reach places than less-tough-built vessels.

How tough are expedition ships?

When sailing in polar regions, you'll want to look at a ship's polar-class rating to gauge its toughness. There are seven polar classes, from PC1 (which stands for polar class 1) to PC7 (polar class 7). PC1 is the highest polar-class rating, meaning the ship can go anywhere in polar regions year-round. At this level, the ship is a true icebreaker that can crunch through all sorts of floating ice (and, as you'll learn on an expedition cruise to a polar region, there are many types of floating ice).

There currently are no passenger vessels with a PC1 rating, though a new Ponant icebreaker called Le Commandant Charcot has an almost-as-high PC2 rating. With such a rating, the 245-passenger ship is cleared to crunch through ice all the way to the North Pole, which it sometimes does .

Most expedition cruise ships are rated PC5 or PC6, which means they can operate in medium first-year ice (ice that is only a year old and not outrageously thick) with some older ice inclusions. But they're not designed to go to a place like the North Pole.

A ship rated PC7 is only designed to sail through thin first-year ice, and ships without polar-class ratings should steer clear of icy areas. This is one reason you don't see a lot of big, mass-market cruise ships heading down to Antarctica or up to the Arctic — at least not in particularly icy areas. These ships generally don't have polar-class ratings.

Where can I go on an expedition cruise?

You'll find expedition cruises to remote places all over the world. But two destinations account for a disproportionately large portion of all expedition cruises: Antarctica and the Arctic.

This is not by coincidence. Antarctica and large portions of the Arctic are tough to reach any other way than by expedition ship. They are the last two places in the world with large uninhabited areas without infrastructure for tourism.

Many expedition cruise ships will spend nearly all their time in either Antarctica or the Arctic, oscillating between the two destinations based on the changing seasons. They will explore the Arctic from June to September, when the weather is warmest in the region, before repositioning to Antarctica for the months of November to March, when the weather there is warmest.

Related: The best cruise destinations for every type of traveler

That leaves just a few months when the ships move between the Arctic and Antarctica. Sometimes, they'll sail empty between the two regions. Other times, they'll offer a handful of one-off voyages while in transit.

Other destinations known for expedition cruising include the Galapagos, the Amazon River, the coasts of Costa Rica and Panama, Mexico's Sea of Cortez and Alaska.

Take a look at some of the key expedition cruise destinations:

In many ways, Antarctica is the ultimate expedition cruise destination. It's a place that is almost impossible to reach other than by expedition cruise ship, and getting to it by expedition ship is a true adventure that merits being called an expedition.

It's also one of the most spectacularly scenic places you will ever see, with wildlife found nowhere else. Getting to experience Antarctica on an expedition cruise — something I've done several times and hope to do again — is a true trip of a lifetime.

Antarctica trips typically start in Ushuaia, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile — the southernmost settlements in South America. From there, your ship will make a two-day crossing of the Drake Passage — the notoriously rough waterway between South America and Antarctica — before spending five or six days exploring the icy coast of the continent. A return trip across the Drake comes at the end.

Some longer Antarctica itineraries add in visits to South Georgia Island and the Falkland Islands on the way to or from Antarctica.

Alternatively, a handful of tour companies operate so-called fly-cruise trips to Antarctica that use hardy airplanes to fly tourists directly to the continent from Punta Arenas — no sailing across the Drake required. On such trips, travelers still explore the coast of Antarctica by cruise vessel. But they don't board the vessel that will take them exploring until after they land on the continent.

As I've written about before, there are pros and cons of both types of Antarctica trips .

Related: Skip the Drake: What it's like flying to Antarctica on a chartered plane

A few cruise vessels sail to Antarctica from Australia and New Zealand, though this is less common.

Once in Antarctica, you'll land by Zodiac boats to visit penguin colonies and hike through the snow to the remnants of early explorer huts, sail through ice-filled fjords, and (if you're lucky) watch whales during Zodiac boat outings. All around you will be soaring mountains, glaciers and floating icebergs.

TPG has a broad array of guides to cruising to Antarctica, all written by in-house writers who have firsthand experience traveling to Antarctica, including:

• How to get to Antarctica: The pros and cons of flying vs. cruising
• 6 ways to travel to Antarctica in luxury and style
• The 11 best Antarctica cruise ships
• These are the best times to visit Antarctica
• Antarctica gear guide: What you need to pack
• An untamed world: Discovering the wild dreamscape of Antarctica
• I just spent the night in an igloo in Antarctica — here's how you can, too
• Why kayaking in Antarctica should be on your bucket list
• Antarctica reading list: These 8 books are must-reads before a trip

The Arctic is the second great destination for expedition cruising — and, for me, it's a toss-up as to which polar region I find more mesmerizing.

Like Antarctica, it's a land of ice and icebergs and snow, and often spectacular wildlife on display, as well as historical sites related to early explorers. It also has a cultural element that you won't find in Antarctica, as some land areas in the Arctic are home to Indigenous peoples such as the Inuit, who have occupied the areas for hundreds of years, if not longer.

On some Canadian Arctic itineraries, for instance, expedition ships will stop at one or more of the Inuit settlements that dot the region. Sometimes an Inuit guide will be along for the voyage to talk about Inuit culture and life.

The Arctic offers a far more diverse array of expedition cruise itineraries than Antarctica. You'll find sailings that typically focus on just one but occasionally more of the following Arctic destinations:

• The Canadian Arctic, including the Northwest Passage
• The North Pole

Until recently, a handful of expedition cruise companies also operated sailings to remote parts of the Russian Arctic, including the ice-covered islands of Franz Josef Land and polar bear hot spot Wrangel Island. A few expedition cruise vessels even have made a complete crossing of the so-called Northeast Passage — the 4,000-mile-long, ice-clogged route across the Russian Arctic that connects Western Europe to the Americas.

Related: 8 things to know about cruising to the Arctic

The latter trips have included stops in remote places that had never been seen by humans until the 20th century, and such voyages have been relatively rare. In 2018, I took part in just the fourth expedition cruise across the Northeast Passage by a Western cruise vessel — a monthlong trip that included many days where we never saw signs of civilization. Additional vessels operated by Russian companies also have made the journey with travelers over the years.

All such trips in the Russian Arctic have been canceled since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and it's unclear if and when they might resume.

While there are commonalities to the expedition cruises offered in all the Arctic regions (you'll see ice, for instance, and probably a polar bear, no matter which one you choose), each region of the Arctic is a little different.

If I had to choose just one Arctic cruise (and this is a question I get a lot from would-be Arctic cruisers), I probably would pick a sailing around Svalbard. Located between the top of mainland Norway and the North Pole, it's a relatively compact archipelago where you can get a taste of many of the Arctic's allures in a relatively short time. You'll see ice-carved mountains and glaciers, as well as polar bears, reindeer, Arctic foxes and massive bird colonies.

Related: I didn't think I'd like an Arctic cruise — here's why I was wrong

That said, an expedition cruise down the west coast of Greenland would be a close contender. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything as stunning as the Ilulissat Icefjord and the huge icebergs that spill out of it into Disko Bay. Put that place on your bucket list. You will not regret it.

The Galapagos

The wildlife-filled Galapagos, where most islands are uninhabited, is another classic expedition cruise market — one with an expedition vessel ecosystem all its own, thanks to unusual local regulations.

By law, only vessels based year-round in the Galapagos can offer expedition sailings in the islands. As a result, expedition ships that sail in other parts of the world can't operate in the Galapagos, and the ships that do operate there are unique to the destination.

In addition, vessels that operate in the Galapagos can't hold more than 100 passengers. That means that most Galapagos-based expedition vessels are small. Many hold just 16 to 48 passengers.

Cruise companies that have expedition vessels based in the Galapagos include Hurtigruten Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions, Silversea Cruises and Celebrity Cruises . The latter is a big-ship line that, a bit incongruously, also owns a Galapagos cruise operation using vessels a small fraction of the size of the rest of its ships.

Other cruise companies and tour operators that offer expedition cruises in the Galapagos, typically using chartered vessels, include Avalon Waterways and Abercrombie & Kent. Note that it's not uncommon for more than one travel company or cruise brand to sell sailings on the same ship in the Galapagos.

The Galapagos comprises 19 larger islands, all but four uninhabited, and the typical weeklong Galapagos cruise includes stops at just five or six of them. That said, many lines offer back-to-back itineraries that include stops at different islands, allowing you to create a longer sailing that is more diverse in its stops.

Cruise lines will generally break the islands into north, south, east and west loops. However, some lines offer inner, outer and central loops. Others feature a combination. The best way to choose among them is to decide which islands you'd most like to visit.

Related: TPG's ultimate guide to cruising the Galapagos

Several expedition cruise companies and adventure tour companies offer expedition-style sailings up the Amazon River, particularly in the portion located in Peru. These trips are generally operated by tiny vessels that remain on the river year-round.

Among the companies known for Amazon sailings is Aqua Expeditions, which operates two small vessels on the Amazon out of Iquitos, Peru — the 32-passenger Aria Amazon and the 40-passenger Aqua Nera.

The vessels travel along the Maranon River, the Amazon's largest tributary, as well as other neighboring rivers (the Yarapa and Yanayacu-Pucate) in search of such local wildlife as three-toed sloths, toucans, macaws, taricaya turtles and the Amazon's elusive pink dolphins.

Most Amazon voyages also include stops at small villages along the riverways, though the focus is on wildlife watching from the river.

Other companies offering similar trips include Exodus Travels, Lindblad Expeditions, Pandaw and Delfin Amazon Cruises.

When imagining an Alaska cruise, most people think of the many sailings offered by big-ship lines such as Princess Cruises and Holland America — traditional cruise voyages that focus on Southeast Alaska's main tourist towns of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. But Alaska also is the stomping ground of a handful of expedition cruise operators — most notably UnCruise Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions — that offer expedition cruises into the wilderness areas of Southeast Alaska. On these trips, the focus is not on the region's towns but on its scenic wild lands and wildlife.

Both UnCruise and Lindblad operate small expedition ships in Alaska that mostly carry fewer than 100 passengers (even the biggest UnCruise vessel in Alaska carries just 82 people) and have Zodiac boats for landings as well as kayaks, paddleboards and other adventure equipment.

The ships essentially serve as a floating adventure platform to get you into the most remote areas.

A typical seven-night Alaska expedition cruise might include whale watching in Frederick Sound; a visit to Dawes Glacier and ice-filled Endicott Arm; landings in Tongass National Forest for hiking as well as kayaking, paddleboarding and Zodiac boat touring; and boat-based searching for bears, Sitka deer, sea lions, eagles, mink, porpoises and mountain goats.

The trips often begin and end in one of Southeast Alaska's small towns, such as Juneau or Sitka.

One other small cruise company, American Queen Voyages, operates a 186-passenger expedition ship in Southeast Alaska that combines wilderness experiences with more traditional cruise-type stops at the area's towns. Every sailing includes a visit to Ketchikan, Petersburg and Wrangell, as well as outdoorsy pursuits, making it a hybrid of a traditional sailing and an expedition cruise.

Related: The pros and cons of small-ship cruising in Alaska

Alaskan-owned Alaskan Dream Cruises offers small-ship, expedition-style voyages that combine wilderness experiences with at least one and sometimes several stops at small Southeast Alaska settlements such as Pelican, Kasaan, Wrangell, Petersburg and Kake.

Which cruise companies offer expedition cruises?

Most of the big cruise brands that offer traditional cruises (think Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line ) don't own expedition ships or offer expedition cruises. Instead, for the most part, specialized expedition cruise companies have emerged over the past few decades that do nothing but expedition cruises.

That's not always the case. Traditional luxury cruise operator Silversea Cruises , for instance, in 2008 began building up a separate expedition cruise division that has become a major player in expedition cruises. In just the last two years, traditional cruise brands Viking and Seabourn also have gotten into expedition cruising with new, specialized expedition ships.

In addition, luxury river cruise specialist Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours recently unveiled its first two expedition ships.

Indeed, a move by traditional cruise operators to add expedition cruises to their offerings is one of the big trends in cruising right now.

Still, many of the best-known brands in expedition cruises aren't companies you would know if all you know is traditional cruising.

The biggest and most notable players in the expedition cruising space as of 2023 include:

• Adventure Canada
• Antarctica21 (only in Antarctica)
• Aqua Expeditions
• Atlas Ocean Voyages
• Aurora Expeditions
• Celebrity Cruises (only in the Galapagos)
• Lindblad Expeditions
• Hurtigruten Expeditions
• Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
• Heritage Expeditions
• Ponant Cruises
• Quark Expeditions
• Scenic Luxury Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
• Swan Hellenic
• Oceanwide Expeditions
• Poseidon Expeditions
• UnCruise Adventures

In addition, many well-known tour companies such as Abercrombie & Kent and Overseas Adventure Travel market expedition trips on vessels chartered in whole or in part from other companies. Abercrombie & Kent, for instance, operates trips to polar regions on vessels chartered from Ponant.

Among the companies with the longest track records in offering expedition cruises to remote places are Lindblad Expeditions and Hurtigruten Expeditions.

Lindblad Expeditions was founded in 1979 by Sven-Olof Lindblad, whose father, Lars-Eric Lindblad, led the first expedition trips to Antarctica (in 1966) and the Galapagos (in 1967). Lindblad Expeditions later pioneered expedition cruise voyages to places like Baja California and parts of the Arctic.

Lindblad Expeditions currently offers more than 100 expedition cruise itineraries across all seven continents.

In recent years, Lindblad Expeditions has partnered with National Geographic and has renamed its ships to include National Geographic in their monikers. For instance, one of Lindblad's premier vessels sailing in polar regions is called National Geographic Resolution. If you hear someone say they did an expedition cruise with National Geographic, they probably mean Lindblad Expeditions.

Related: Why Lindblad's new ship may be the ultimate polar exploration vessel

Hurtigruten Expeditions, a Norway-based company that caters to an international clientele, traces its roots to a cruise service from Norway to Svalbard in the Arctic that started in 1896. The company likes to say this early entry into cruising to a remote place makes it the founder of expedition cruising. It also bills itself as the world's largest expedition cruise line.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, a German company that caters heavily to Germans but draws some English speakers, also was a pioneer in expedition cruising, operating some of the first voyages in parts of the Arctic. The first four voyages by a Western cruise vessel through the Northeast Passage, including the one that I did in 2018, for instance, were on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition ships. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises also did some of the first sailings across the Northwest Passage — the fabled routing across the Canadian Arctic.

Some of the brands mentioned above, including Lindblad, Silversea and Ponant, offer expedition cruises in a wide range of destinations. Others are more focused.

UnCruise Adventures, for instance, is a specialist in adventurous, outdoorsy, ship-based trips in remote parts of Alaska, although it also offers expedition cruises in the Sea of Cortez and other parts of Central America. It also offers Hawaii cruises that combine outdoorsy pursuits with a cultural-focused visit to the island of Molokai and a day in the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui.

Expedition cruise operator Antarctica21 only operates voyages in and around — you guessed it — Antarctica.

How long are expedition cruises?

As with traditional cruises, there is a wide range of lengths for expedition cruises. For trips to remote places such as Antarctica and parts of the Arctic, even the shortest trips available can be 10 days. Some itineraries extend to two weeks or more.

If you're planning a trip to Antarctica, note that just getting to the starting points for such trips in Ushuaia, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile, from the United States (assuming that's your home) can take two full days — longer if, like many Antarctica-bound travelers, you add in a stop in Buenos Aires, Argentina, or Santiago, Chile, on the way. (Pro tip: You may want to do just that to break up a grueling transit.)

As a result, even the shortest vacations to Antarctica from the United States are usually two-week-long affairs. If you pick a sailing that includes a stop at South Georgia Island and the Falkland Islands, you're looking at a minimum of three weeks away from home.

Related: The ultimate guide to picking the right cruise line for you

Expedition cruises in the Arctic also can stretch into multiple weeks. If you're short on time, as noted above, your best bet is a sailing around Svalbard, which can be done in a week plus travel time to reach the archipelago.

You can find some expedition cruises in the Galapagos that are shorter than a week. But as with Antarctica, it's a destination that takes a long time to reach. The typical U.S. traveler heading to the Galapagos will fly first to Quito, Ecuador, and spend at least a night there, maybe several, before continuing to the Galapagos. After all that travel, you might want to make the most of it and stay in the islands longer.

Expedition cruises in the Peruvian Amazon typically are short — sometimes just three days long. But they're often paired with other touring to create longer South America trips.

How much do expedition cruises cost?

Expedition cruises can be expensive, with pricing on par with traditional luxury cruises. It's not unusual to see expedition cruises to Antarctica and the Arctic priced at $1,000 per person per day — or more. Add in flights to reach the starting points for such trips, pre- and post-cruise hotel stays and other extra costs, and you could pay $15,000 or more per person for such trips.

If that seems high, remember that expedition ships are specialized vessels that are expensive to build on a per-berth basis (particularly those with polar-class ratings). They also require a relatively high ratio of staff to passengers to operate compared with mass-market cruise ships.

In short, expedition cruise companies face a high cost on a per-berth basis to operate their vessels — and those costs will be reflected in the cruise fares.

Related: These expedition cruises are $30,000 and have no set itinerary

Can anyone do an expedition cruise?

Travelers with mobility issues may find it difficult to get the most out of expedition cruises, as the trips are relatively active.

By definition, expedition cruises involve visiting remote places with little or no infrastructure for tourists, and the lack of infrastructure extends to a lack of docks and tender boat services that would allow a passenger with mobility issues to get on and off the vessel. In addition, once you land at an expedition cruise destination, you will often be moving over uneven terrain.

In many cases, touring from an expedition ship starts with stepping off the side of the vessel onto a small, open-to-the-air rubber Zodiac boat bobbing in the waves and then being driven by a guide in that small vessel a considerable distance to the shore, sometimes in choppy seas. Once at the shore, passengers often must climb over the side of the boat into ankle-deep or deeper water and wade ashore in what is known as a "wet landing."

Touring from there can involve hiking over rocky areas, snowfields and ice in search of wildlife.

If all of the above sounds like something you wouldn't enjoy doing, you might want to skip an expedition cruise and focus on more traditional cruises instead.

That said, I've seen many travelers with mobility issues on expedition cruises enjoying the experience, even if the landings part of the trip came with some difficulty.

One line that has designed its expeditions vessels specifically to be more widely accessible for passengers with mobility issues is Viking, a line that traditionally has catered to travelers ages 55 to 75 years old.

Viking's two expedition ships, which debuted in 2022, were built with an unusual enclosed marina that allows passengers to easily transfer into 12-seat "special operations boats" while still in the protected interior of the ship. It's a first for an expedition cruise ship, and it makes it easier for passengers with mobility issues to get on and off the ship and see wildlife and scenery up close.

Bottom line

Expedition cruising is nothing like traditional cruising. It's all about getting to off-the-beaten-path destinations, including places with no infrastructure for tourism, such as Antarctica and parts of the Arctic, Galapagos and Amazon River basin. If you're hoping to see scenic wonders and wildlife, and you're up for an adventure, then an expedition cruise may be right for you. If so, you'll find a wide range of both destinations to visit by expedition cruise ship and companies that offer them.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your 1st cruise

A Massive List Of Expedition Touring Bikes For Round-The-World Rides

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Following an unspeakable amount of research, here’s my tabulated list of expedition-grade touring bikes being built and sold around the world , featuring bicycles from 43 manufacturers and makers in 9 countries on 3 continents.

The list is designed as a starting point for you to research suppliers of bicycles that have been designed not for short cycling holidays, nor as mainstream do-everything touring bikes , but for ultra-long-distance, heavily-loaded bicycle journeys in remote parts of the world on varied and challenging terrain.

In other words, this is a list of the very finest touring bikes in existence, designed for the most demanding cycling expeditions on Earth.

Any of them could take a rider round the planet. Most of them have.

There’s no clearly agreed-upon name for this category, so “expedition touring bike” is the one I’ve decided to use.

Why bother listing all of these touring bikes in one place and then coming back to update the list every year?

Simply because expedition touring bikes (and the accompanying specialist knowledge) can be hard to find in this ultra-tiny niche, and my goal with this blog is to help you get out riding on the right bike .

Expedition touring bikes rarely appear even in specialist touring bike shops and usually have to be specially ordered, often involving at least one in-person visit to a workshop, sometimes several.

Because so many of these bikes are built to order, the table is sorted by  country of origin . Your ability to test-ride and get the bike properly fitted is critical at these prices and for this purpose, so where you’re based plays a big part in the expedition bike buying decision.

You’ll find columns comparing each bike on the main differences I’ve written about in detail in my touring bike FAQ series of posts, including wheel size , frame material , drivetrain type , braking system , etc. This means you can easily shortlist the bikes that fit your requirements without trawling specification charts. Some are available in different configurations, eg: derailleur and Rohloff models of the same bike, so I’ve mentioned this (and the difference in price) where appropriate.

Where there is more than one variant for a given bike, the price for the cheapest option is listed .

If these price tags make you feel physically sick, by the way, and you’re not afraid of putting in a bit of effort, you can probably get a touring bike for cheap or free. Check out the story of how my scrapyard-rescue touring bike made it all the way across Eurasia .

There are also plenty of mainstream touring bikes available at lower prices.

If you know of any expedition touring bikes that are missing from this list, let us know in the comments. Thanks!

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Also relevant to this post:

• How To Custom Build The Ultimate Expedition Touring Bike (With Pictures)
• What’s The Best Touring Bike? (2024 Edition)
• The Best Cheap (Sub-£1,000) Touring Bikes for Low-Budget Adventures

Comments ( skip to respond )

102 responses to “a massive list of expedition touring bikes for round-the-world rides”.

Hi my friend. I am from China. I always refer to cycling weekly and cycling news and bikeradar. one funny thing, the best touring bike on all three sites is the Genesis Tour De Fer 30. i respect and adore the knowledge you have and do. Especially DIY bikes. But it’s too hard to DIY a bike in China, really too hard. If I wanted to buy a touring bike would this still be my first choice right now? Do you know why all three sites have this bike as their first choice I’m curious…

The Tour De Fer is a well respected touring bike, so if it’s all you can find available near you, go for it! As for why it’s the top tourer on all three sites, I’m not sure… perhaps the same freelance copywriter wrote all three articles! None of these big sites specialise in touring, and commercial media outlets are generally more interested in search engine rankings than anything else!

Hi Tom, currently a UK man living in Australia and wanting to cycle home on a trusty steed. I feel I’m getting bogged down in the research. This list is great though thanks. Bikes im looking at are the Vivente Gibb, very expensive due to the Rolhoff and belt, but the Anatolia models have been discontinued. I’m also looking at upgrading the wheels for a Masi Giramando — putting Ryde Andra rims on both. What do you think? Love you content

Hey Ahmed. My first thought would be to see if a second-hand or ex-demo Vivente Anatolia is available in your size anywhere nearby (Australia is rather large!). My second thought is to take a look at the Riverside Touring 520 from Decathlon . Both options should be a bit more budget friendly than Vivente’s now very limited range of very expensive touring bikes. Hope that helps!

Hi Tom, great site, thanks. Sorry to have to tell you that Tim Stredwick of Velosmith cycles retired last year — does not build frames or whole bikes anymore. I know this because I finally have the money for one and he only lives a few kilometres away from me but I missed out by a year. Gutted! Thanks again, Pete MacFarlane.

Thanks for the update, Peter! I guess all good things must come to an end…

Hi Tom, I am fortunate enough to own a number of the bikes that you mention above, but just a couple of possible corrections for your list: the vsf bikes that you mention are mostly 700c, I believe, rather than 26″ and the Spa Cycles steel (and titanium) tourers are mostly drop bar rather than flat.

Thanks Paul – I’ve updated the VSF listing. Spa do both flat and drop bar bikes so I’ll leave both in.

The Koga Worldtraveller is also available as a Rohloff build with belt drive, see https://www.koga.com/en/bikes/trekking-bikes/collection Although anyone considering a Koga will probably have come across Alee Denham and his steed ?

Indeed it is. For what it’s worth, the belt drive makes even less sense to me than the Rohloff – but hey, if you’re sponsored by Koga, why not? ?

I’d second the Chinese brand LKLM. They only have two models — LKLM 318 or their World Traveller. The 26” 318 will take 650 and a 700C model is available. The World Traveller is made from Reynolds 725. I live in Vietnam so just got the frame shipped and had it built up at a LBS. I’ve got an Oxford Bike Works Model 2 in the UK but haven’t been able to get home to fetch it so I caved in and gambled on LKLM 318 and it is great ride. For expedition riding I’d go for their World Traveller but alas I’m only able to do a few weeks at a time.

Thanks for your inspirational site. It has really helped me as I’ve got more interested in touring.

Hi Tom, I recently bought a handmade Patria Terra. I use it daily on short and long hauls. It‘s a terrific little thing.

Thank you for your articles.

Hey Tom, What about the Salsa Marrakesh?

Hi Will, you’re right – it seems the current spec of the Marrakesh is better suited to world touring than the Vaya, which seems to have mutated into a light touring / gravel bike. I’ve updated the article to reflect this. Thank you!

I think the list you’ve put together is quite good, but I wish that you had included titanium builds. I know the cost of those bikes might really make some heads spin, but for me they’re the only way to go.

Sonder Santiago from Alpkit is another touring horse, worth being added to your list:

https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/sonder-santiago

I believe the prices they ask for such excellent builds, based on a steel frame with replaceable hanger is just top-notch! Real winner for me.

another great dutch builder (only in steel): m‑gineering.nl

check out his work. imo better then most listed but I am biased 😉

Thanks John! I’ll add this next time I update the list 🙂

Dear Tom, Ihave been following for a while, I just want to say (and is not for mere nationalism) that some Italian makers are absent from you list ‑Bianchi, Olmo, Wilier — and others are now (late, but better late…) making Tourism and Gravel bikes. Just for you to know. Ciao

Thanks – I’ll look at their listings!

Hi Tom, Could I ask a favor? Could you please consider adding the Chinese/Taiwanese to your list? I’m riding an LKLM 318, and it’s every bit as good as any other touring bicycle I’ve ever ridden, including the Surley LHT. In the past, people have questioned how good a Chinese touring bike could be. Considering that most midrange touring bike frames come from China or Taiwan, it seems a bit incongruous to exclude them. They build world class equipment, and should be recognized for it.

Happy to include Chinese/Taiwanese bikes on this list if you would be good enough to share some recommendations…

I would update that list to include the Vivente ‘The Gibb’. It would be my own choice over and above the ‘Anatolia’ even if it does cost twice as much. Let me know if you have a list for dirt road expedition bikes anywhere. I’d be keen to look at the options. Thanks.

I have a Vivente “The Gibb”. It is an outstanding bike and tremendous value for money. Apart from the Rohloff, which is a wonder in itself, Vivente touring bikes come fully equipped and ready for touring. The box could even be delivered to your tour’s start point — eg. an airport. All the tools for assembling it and hitting the road are included in the box! You’d likely want a set of panniers. That’s basically all you’d have to buy unless you were taking front panniers as well. Then you’d need to fit a front rack. I’d be surprised if you could find better value, anywhere in the world.

Hi! I’m considering the Gibb, but wondering what the main difference between it and the Stirling are and why you went for the former?

Thanks in advance!

Mercian will build a Rohloff King of Mercia if you ask them to, that is beauty of buying a custom frame, you can have it built exactly how you want it.

Hi Tom, Great list and aid to investigation. Thanks for doing the leg work to get it together. Curious that the Thorn Nomad did not appear on the list as it’s been around a few years?

Still no Thorn Nomad on the list? Any reason for this — seems like a great expedition touring bike?

It is indeed – just added it.

Thorn Nomad Mk3 is 26” / 700C. 🙂

Updated – thank you!

You might add: Franklin Frame out of Newark, Ohio, building touring frames since 1976. I’ve been riding their custom Franklin Frame Mountain Expedition Touring bike for 27 years without a hitch. I bought it in 1990, and it’s got 100,000 miles on it. Phil Wood hubs and bottom bracket. Forty spoke rear rim. I’m riding it 4,000 miles this summer, coast to coast. Frosty Wooldridge, six continent world bicycle world traveler

Thanks Frosty! 🙂

Hi Tom, what do you think about the Ortler Grandtourer 2 ? https://m.fahrrad.de/ortler-grandtourer‑2–386510.html

Pelago bicycles from Finland have some bikes that performs well for expedition.…

I have a 1980’s Specialized Expedition I would like to sell. Would you know where would be the best place to advertise, or know anyone who would be interested. It is in great shape.

If you’re in the UK, I’d try the Singletrackworld or Thorn website forums.

One of the most comprehensive lists of tourers I have seen — well done.

What’s your opinion on the future of 26″ wheels for tourers? One of the main reasons tourists started using them was because, when the MTB craze first hit the world in the 80s, the 26″ wheel size became nearly universal. Thus easy to obtain a wide tyre in virtually any country.

Now MTBs are nearly all either 700c or 650b wheel size, 26″ tyres and rims are starting to become not so common. Here in Australia you’re now more likely to obtain a 40–622 than a 45–559 tyre.

What’s your opinion?

Cheers in advance.

What do you make of Sven cycles tourer? Its got the spec and in same price range as Oxford bike works bikes. I need a reason not to get one, tossing up between Sven and Oxford Bike Works, or possibly thorn. Sven’s tourer won tour bike of the year 2014, is it not expedition grade? http://www.svencycles.com/ what be great to hear ya thoughts.

I can’t see any mention of a tourer on the Sven website, but it seems like comparing apples to oranges to bananas. Sven is a bespoke framebuilder, OBW is a one-man custom assembler & fitter, and Thorn is a relatively large mix-and-match mail order company. If I were you I’d call all three and see who you want to work with.

Thanks for putting such an intersting list together. I have 3 tourers, a Spa 725 touring, a Dawes galaxy 531, and a Trek 520 from 1994 which I think is true temper. The components are the same on each, brooks b17, deore lx, bar end shifters, rigida sputniks, marathon tyres. For some reason even though they are all well fitted to me the Trek 520 is by far my favourite ride for loaded touring.

Great list Tom!

Would you consider the Trek 920 an expedition touring bike? 

I test rode both the Specialized AWOL Elite and the Trek 920 today and loved both of them. I liked the Trek 920 a wee bit more as it felt more rugged, smooth and relatively lighter.

Hi, out of curiosity, does anyone know the make of steel bike ridden around the world by Alastair Humphreys, that he covered the logo on because they wouldn’t give him a discount? It had a very distinct curved top tube. You can see it here: http://blog.escapethecity.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Alistair‑1–600-x-450.jpg and AH’s story here: http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/

It’s a Specialized Rockhopper from the ’90s

Hi Tom: Thank you for your time putting this together, its been very helpful. An addition you may wish to consider is the USA, Gunnar, Grand Tour, Steel, Derailleur/Rohloff, V‑brakes/Disc, Drop, price varies with build.

http://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/grand-tour/

Cheers, Doug

Hi Tom, you left out the german bike company Cube. Check out their travel series. Their producing very nice touring bikes. I am geting the cube travel rf in the coming weeks. Cant wait!

Gareth that’s the exact model I am looking at. But for some reason it seems to be always left out in blogs & articles discussing touring/expedition bikes. It’s impossible to find any reviews of it. I am not by any means an expert in touring & expedition bikes but still to me the cube travel looks like an excellent option for the price (799€ for the entry model). Did you end up buying one yourself? what are your thoughts?

I’m curious how the recumbent went for you? Have noticed you mention it on this blog for a while. Do you think a recumbent is a good idea for an expedition bike? I know you said it was supremely comfortable but how about safety/visibility in 3rd world city/traffic conditions? Ease of repair or replacements of parts? I’ve never tried one but often daydreamed about tackling the Australian desert on one, just cruising along watching the clouds go by and chewing up the miles with a drink in one hand 🙂

If I was to head off on another long road tour without too many epic mountain ranges I’d certainly consider a recumbent. Lots of people use them and there are plenty of tour-specific ones available. Flags help a lot with visibility; it’s not as much of an issue as you might imagine in my experience.

I don’t recommend recumbent touring bikes because they require that you stay seated for all conditions. Upright bikes allow you to pedal out of the saddle or when you need torque, such as when climbing. Because touring bikes are usually heavily laden, this can be frequently than one might expect. To a long distance rider, there are no such thing as a flatland ride, and downhills are a just a cruel trick to reduce your recuperation time before having to grind your way up that next big hill. Recumbents have to rely on ultra-low gearing to reduce the energy burnoff rate within your legs. Upright bicycles can also use the same low gearing, but then allow you to ride out-of-the-saddle to use different muscle groups and spread the wear. Further, recumbents use a limited set of muscles in your legs, whereas upright bicycles spread the effort between more individual muscles and muscle groups, hence do not exhaust the glucose within each muscle as quickly. Many within the recumbent world may dispute these comments, but after riding my TourEasy for several years, I’ve gone back to an upright bike. Thankfully, saddle technology has quite improved in the last several years, and saddles are available that reduce the internal fatigue on one’s body from riding long distances over many days and weeks. Recumbent touring bikes seem like a brilliant answer to many of cycling’s problems, but expedition bicyclists encounter a wider range of conditions than most recumbents are adept at, such as dirt roads, hills, poor shoulders and mud. Lastly, recumbents offer a smaller visual presence than do upright bikes, hence do not get noticed as much by cars. They also make looking behind you difficult and require good sized mirrors. My best advice? Take this list seriously and get yourself a very-very comfortable saddle. Happy trails…

Orbit Cycles of Sheffield folded a while back. There is a website but it’s dead.

I have just rejuvenated a Dawes Sardar for my son for his 18th. Totally resprayed and rebuilt with modern components and hub dyno. The frame is around 12 years old, 631 tubing and with the option of disk or canti brakes. A good expedition bike can last a lifetime and well worth the money. This has been past over to him to now enjoy trips across Europe.

Surly Ogre? and Rivendell Hunqapillar? You’ve got both the Troll (very dirty) and other 700c (not 26″) bikes, so …

Perhaps you need a “dirtiness” rating/spectrum column.

Oh yeah, should have said also: Impressive list! I didn’t know there were this many out there.

Thanks, Patrick. I’ve chosen what seems to be the best all-rounder from each manufacturer as a long-haul expedition bike, with the idea that people can dig deeper from there…

That is a very impressive list there Tom, must have taken you a while to put it together. I’m looking to spend around £1500 for a bike that will get me across europe and back so this is just what I needed.

Glad to be of service – I hope you have a great ride!

Woow great list Tom!

What could i say, your post is trully one of the best ive read for a while.

As I’m currently looking for a touring bike I came across your site and I love it! Just found it interesting that I’ve narrowed it down to two bikes and neither of them were on your list.

I’m looking at either a Salsa Vaya, which I understand is probably not an expedition bike — or a bike from ROTOR bikes. http://www.rotorbikes.com

Anyways your list has given me a lot more reading material and completely screwed up my plan. Thanks!

This isn’t a list of touring bikes, though – it’s very specifically a list of high-end expedition touring bikes. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other touring bikes which will all do a fine job too (including the two you mentioned). No two tours have the same needs…

I’m assuming you’ve been through my list, but if not: http://cyclingabout.com/a‑complete-list-of-touring-bicycle-manufacturers-with-prices/

Cheers Alee – I did indeed find your excellent list during my research for this. Good job!

Another bike to look at would be the Jeff Jones touring cycle. http://www.blog.jonesbikes.com/jones-as-a-city-and-touring-bike/

Designed for touring with bigger tires, but not a fatbike, it looks good. I use Jeff’s H bar handlebars and they are well built so I’d imagine the bike would be too.

Wonderful job! Chapeau! It’d have spared me hours of web searches had I found it before. All my previous findings are there and there are a lot more. Thanks Tom! Too bad there are very few entry level models in the market for this kind of bikes.

Thanks for the comprehensive list. Just to say its been really useful for me to look through all the different builds as I’m having to replace my drivetrain (bike came with Sram, which has failed mid tour), lots of interesting combinations here.

Happy to be of service!

I’m simply fascinated by people who ride bikes a long way (44.3 miles is my furthest so far!!!) and am equally fascinated by your list! I feel chuffed to see a mention of Spa Cycles as I recently ordered a Tubus front carrier and Ortlieb panniers from them and they were the cheapest.

Indeed – they’re one of the UK’s most prominent touring specialists.

Sorry, now I see the lonely Cinelli Hobo as a rapresentative for the country. How about Bianchi, Bottecchia, Atala, and countless more?

If there really are countless more Italian expedition touring bikes in production, please do contribute by listing them here! Bear in mind, though, that I won’t include any bike in this list that doesn’t truly qualify as an expedition tourer, as it would dilute the usefulness of the article.

None from Italy? Bummer.

This is one of the best comparison tables I have seen in a long time. And that’s not praise I give lightly.

Excuse me while I pick myself up from the floor 😛

If not a Pugs, then I’d definitely petition for an ECR. Rolls ok on asphalt, and excels on dirt. It would be on my shortlist for tackling, say, the length of the Americas.

Great to have you here, Cass! Fancy helping put together a similar chart of really dirt road-oriented expedition bikes/framesets? 😉

hi just to prove you dont need to spend mega bucks back in 1988 I bought a british eagle mountain bike for £249 it had renaulds tubing frame no suspension and shimano LX group set over the next 10 years I rode it 20 miles a day to work and back did around 12 polaris challenges toures the south west of England the midlands and lots of the north ok so I bought s few bits as they broke eventualy my son rode it for around another 6 years till it was stolen I know I did at least 50k miles on it so whatever you buy trust it and love it oh and I still remove the brookes saddle from every bike I get rid of the old adage is true a brookes worn in fits yer bum you cant alter your bum to fit a plastic saddle 

ride on and think circles when it gets hilly

I’m shocked at no mention of the Surly Pugsley. The bike can run either 26 or 29 inch wheelset. Depending on the rim size you can run tires from 2.25 to 4.0. No other bike on the list can run with two drivetrains, so if the rear hub or derailleur craters you can swap front to rear and keep going. It has a full complement of brazeons and has the stopping power of disc brakes. The Pug has been proven time and again in the toughest conditions found on earth.

It’s certainly a brilliant bike, but it is nevertheless primarly a fatbike, and they’re really not best suited for the type of journey this article is about – long-term worldwide expeditions incorporating at least as much asphalt as dirt roads. All the bikes in this list are very much long-haul touring generalists for that reason. Fear not – I’ll feature it in another article more specifically about the kind of trip the Pugsley would really excel at…

Hardo Wagner Trekking — a world tour biest! After touring 30.000 km in all conditions the frame is still good as new. http://www.rad-spannerei.de/en/hardo-wagner-bicycles.php

Thanks – added!

I wonder why you have featured the Intec T07 — it’s perhaps not a bad bike, but for expedition style touring I would rather use the M‑series M01 — derailleur setup, M02 — Rohloff-specific frame. Look under MTB/ATB

Good call, thank you.

Idworx is German made (not Netherlands ;0 ) Tom

Nice to see my favourite and future ride to be; the Condor Heritage on the list.

Matt and I used a pair of Van Nicholas Pioneer titanium framed, belt driven, Rohloff hubbed bank account breakers. But they were practically maintenance free and ideal for the lazy cycle tourist.

I love my Koga Randonneur and its is similar to a World Traveller but it s steel framed which I prefer

Well spotted – thank you.

I would also suggest you add the touring bikes offered by the Canadian company Brodie, specifically the Elan and Elan Vital. I have a V‑brake version Brodie Elan from a few years back and have taken it well of the beaten path on touring expeditions.

Might consider adding the Canadian made Marinoni Touring bikes — Turismo and Turismo Xtreme.

Check out meissner raeder in Dresden, Germany.

Thanks – I’ll check them out when I can get to their website – seems to be down at the moment.

Did the Sury Troll not qualify? It is increasingly being used for rougher routes spanning the Americas & Central Asia. They have room for up to 2.75″ tires (3″ unofficially) without using non-standard parts. Runs v‑brakes or disc (Surly states it can only run 160 mm disc rotors on the rear, but I am happily running 200 mm to slow my 95 kg of body & 30–50 kg of kit), derailleur or rohloff, can handle heavy loads & has more attachment points than you can swing a dead cat at 😉

The main drawback is that the stock wheelset is not very strong or tentioned correctly. So as an off the shelf build it may not qualify for this list, but as a frame you build up yourself, it is my first choice.

I forgot to mention the Surly Long Haul Trucker uses the same wheelset as the Troll. Replacing my wife’s LHT wheelset later this year before we embark on a 12 month cycle tour in South America.

Sounds like a very sensible upgrade!

That’s interesting – I’ll put it on the list as a frameset option. Thanks!

HI Tom , great list , I’m from Oz and had a beautiful touring bike from SEVEN titanium , ss coupler system , rolhoff , cut in the chain stays for gates drive. Sadly had to sell but a beautiful ride.

Forgot to tick the notify box.

Looks good, Tom. All my touring bikes are in that list — except the Tern Verge S27h ( http://www.cyclepeter.com/verge-s27h-folding-touring-bicycle-review/ )

Yes – niche types of bike (tandems, fatbikes, 29ers, recumbents, folders) are best covered separately. Thanks for the link!

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10 Best Expedition Vehicles To Explore The World In

Some of the best Expedition vehicles in the world are built just for millionaires, but many out there can be afforded by the average person who likes to explore where the roads finish. Even some of the best camper vans can’t go where expedition vehicles can go. These are the ultimate exploration devices, bringing with you the comforts of home and the power of tanks. If you’re into van life , this is like that, but with a million dollar budget.

Below we have put together a list of the 10 best expedition vehicles from around the world, Canada, America and even Europe. They come in all different shapes, sizes and budgets, but we can assure you, these are some of the best money can buy. The list goes in no particular order. Enjoy.

1. Global Expedition Truck – $1,000,000

Global X Vehicles are a US based company that quite literally make some of the craziest, and most expensive Expedition vehicles around. The one we are looking at now is their Patagonia edition, a 27 foot long truck that feels as if you’re bringing along a 5 star hotel attached to a tank.

To get inside the Patagonia you need a ladder and some pretty strong calves, but once you’re in you really get to see what you’ve spent your money on. It can sleep up to a family of 6, comes with a full sized shower, a cooking area bigger than my flat, a king sized bed, more windows than the London Eye and a dining area fit for a king. You can access the cabin from the living room and it has more smart technology than Elon Musk himself. This is a serious expedition vehicle, and one that can travel across the world with everything but the kitchen sink… oh wait it has that too.

Outside of this expedition vehicle you have lots of storage, and areas to access some of the interior goodies. For example, it has a garage, skylights, access to water and electric bits, it can hold a motorbike, has night vision cameras and even an awning to keep the sun from burning your family of 6. If you’ve got a spare one million dollars, this might be the new home you’ve been looking for.

2. Earthroamer – $500,000

If you’ve been researching expedition vehicles, or just like watching videos like this one, then you’ve most likely came across Earthroamer. Earthroamer create some of the best looking expedition trucks on the market, and they’ve even sold vehicles to celebrities such as Aquaman himself.

Earthroamers are built on fully upgraded trucks, with kitted out lift kits, new suspension and a whole lot of horsepower, because as you can imagine, these things aren’t light coming in at around 9,000KG. On the exterior of the Earthroamer you can add attachments and upgrades all day long, for example awnings, barbeque area, storage, bike holders, showers, you name it. The Earthroamer on the exterior is incredibly modular. 

Inside is where you get to see the true craftsmanship of the brand. Brown leather seating, glossy wood, champagne holders, swing out TV, a kitchen area built for Gordon Ramsey, and a bed that can easily fit four people. The lounge area also sleeps two, so it’s perfect for a family, or a road trip with friends. It has a full sized shower, high end insulation, a giant fridge/freezer and even electric steps to get you down from this castle. It’s a looker, that’s for sure.

3. ATV Shaman 8X8 – $175,000

If you want something fit for a zombie apocalypse, or something that can plow straight through rocks then this half tank have camper hybrid might be something to put on your Christmas list. With 8 wheels, an escape hatch, central driving hub and enough seating space for your whole neighbourhood the Avtoros Shaman is one that you want to buy, but probably shouldn’t.

Coming in at just $175,000 it’s a lot cheaper than most on the list, and that’s because as much as it is an expedition vehicle, some normal roads, and destinations might just be out of reach for some of us out there. For those of you thinking “it’s not that expensive” think again, because this thing only does 11 miles to the gallon… Yeah and it has a top speed of 44mph, so some would argue to rather walk.

It’s built primarily for excursions, be it in Iceland visiting waterfalls, or driving across the outback of Australia with tourists, this is what you’d buy it for. But like those of interested in camping, it seems as if the interior could easily be converted, should you want a bed inside. Just make sure you keep the handbrake on, as not even a mountain will stop this.

4. Bliss Mobil 6X6 – $400,000

Bliss has been around for some time now, and it wasn’t until they revealed their 20ft 6X6 Mercedes Zetros that things really started to pop. Much like GlobalXVehicles, they have added what can only be described as a hotel on the back of a large truck.

You can choose from two different setups, either the two bed, or the four bed. Allowing families or partners to choose which they go for. Obviously the two bed opens up for more space in the living/kitchen area. The exterior hosts a tonne of goodies, including a bat wing awning, an outdoor cooking area, a shower and a place to keep your quad bike… Yep, it comes with a quad bike.

While your partner is cruising on the quad, you can jump inside to your home and experience what only the rich can. A palace on wheels. It comes with a king sized bed, a giant kitchen, a bunch of technology, a full blown shower, air con and a huge seating area with adjacent windows for you to have breakfast at while watching your partner be a big kid.

5. Land Rover Camper – $100,000

The Land Rover is one of the best things to come out of the United Kingdom, just under Jaffa Cakes and even though it’s small, compact and somewhat cheap, it’s still one of the best expedition vehicles on planet earth.

A company called Alu Cab who specialise in camper accessories for expedition vehicles have designed one of the best Land Rover Defenders we’ve ever seen. They’ve attached a pop top roof, an awning, a double bed, a small kitchen and even an outdoor shower. This is all you need to travel across countries in a vehicle, and because it’s a normal sized vehicle and doesn’t have eight wheels you can get through small towns, go up large terrains and even rock crawl should you want too.

Like my partner always said, size doesn’t matter.

6. AEV Jeep Camper – $150,000

If you haven’t heard of AEV then you need to get a grip, also known as American Expedition Vehicles, they’re commonly known for completely pimping out already beastly vehicles into something fit for Hercules himself. But one of our favourite has to be the Jeep Camper . At its core, this is a Jeep Wrangler Camper unit that works extremely well on any terrain, rock crawling, off roading, you name it, the Wrangler is one of the best.

Due to its size, it’s also easy to drive around the city, meaning stocking up your camping gear and food essentials is as easy as pulling up outside your local supermarket. It even comes with a huge pop top allowing you to stand up within your camper when off the grid. Like any pimped out Wrangler it comes with a lift kit, new suspension, off road tyres, a snorkel and light bars. 

On the inside, things are even more sleek, with matte black interior, high end storage, Dometic fridge, a sofa bed, for the kids, wood detailing and obviously the double bed up top for the adults. This is aimed at those wanting to rock crawl, and test their vehicles to the max while living off the grid for a few days. The solar panels on top will also keep all of your technology charged too, so if creating content is your thing, this is the vehicle for you. All of this will cost you $150,000+.

7. Orangework Expedition Vehicles – $420,000

Meet the Yellow Land Submarine. Created by a conversion company in Germany called Orangework , they’ve taken inspiration from the classic school bus and converted one of the craziest, and most vibrant look expedition vehicles known to man. Built on top of a Mercedes G Wagon this is a half a million dollar vehicle built for the rich who like to be seen. This is quite literally the opposite of a stealth camper.

This four-tonne Mercedes Camper is not for the faint of heart. With a 224-horsepower engine and permanent four-wheel drive, this Orange Works creation is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Never mind getting from A to B as quickly as possible; this will get you there before you’ve even had time to fasten your seat belt and check your wing mirrors! Battery power comes from two 280-watt solar modules designed to keep you away from the campsite and out in the wilderness, and the indoor/outdoor shower combo is perfect for cleaning yourself, your off-grid gear, and any passers-by that you want to mess with.

On the inside, it’s clean, minimalist, and has everything you could ever dream of in a camper. Cooking 3 course meals in this is a breeze, and getting that comfortable sleep in the middle of nowhere is guaranteed with the thick, insulated walls. This is one of Europe’s best looking expedition vehicles, hands down.

8. Four Wheel Campers – $25,000

One of the most affordable on the list and certainly one of the most realistic. Four Wheel Campers create high end campers that slide onto the back of your current truck. Installation is easy with the legs that extend, you then park your truck under it, lower the legs and lock it in place. Taking less than 30 minutes to set up you’re ready to turn your work truck into a camper.

We had the privilege to camp in one of these for weeks on and and can confirm it works a treat on custom off road trucks. Because it’s a pop up, when you’re driving, it’s folded down into a compact nature adding only two feet over extra head space on your truck. Once popped up, your camper is transformed into a off grid home, with a queen size bed, a cooking area, desk space, and tonnes of storage.

If you want to upgrade it you can add awnings, an outdoor shower and even space for your mountain bikes and surfboards. It’s an incredible invention and it opens up luxury off grid homes to a wider, more affordable customer. Plus the team behind it are great, genuinely friendly people who love what they do, it’s like a big family, and they’re constantly doing events for their customers. Superb service.

9. Fiat Ducato 4X4 – $350,000

The Fiat Ducato is one of Europe’s best panel vans, and like any decent panel van, it becomes a great camper van, should it be converted correctly. Fiat teamed up with 4×4 specialist Automobiles, body customizer Olmedo Special Vehicles, and interior specialist Technoform. This beast features a custom LED light bar, a front winch, new oversized wheels, crazy storage space and a solar panel on top for all you gadget junkies.

Inside is where it gets real fancy, you have a custom built modern dining area, a kitchen with a stainless steel sink and glass top stove, a FULL SIZED bed which features a television for those netflix and chill kind of nights. And our favourite and certainly under appreciated feature is the four seater dining room, with spinning seats! It has enough space for you and 3 friends to eat and prepare food, plus it’s a great place to get your work done, should you be hustling off the grid.

The Fiat Ducato Camper hides a 2.3L MultiJet-2 diesel engine which contains 150hp, combined that with the four-wheel drive, and you’ll be plowing through any terrain Europe throws at you. The Fiat team have gone overboard with this one, and added in a tonne of extreme sports goodies, showing that its target market is sport addicts who like to live in the mountains. Well played Fiat.

10. UniMog – $1,000,0000

One of the heaviest Expedition Vehicles on our list is the UniMog , a road legal tank build for those who want size over power. Specifically the UniMog camper is the one we are featuring today, originally the UniMog was used by the military to transport large cargo and even vehicles, but for the human race that wasn’t enough. They wanted to turn this reliable off road truck into a monster that can carry a small container on the bag.

In this container you will be greeted with a luxury retreat, built with only the finest of materials. A large kitchen, room to sleep 6, a cinema room, windows to take in your surroundings and a full blown shoer that can fit two. The double bed actually floats, and with a push of a button it will raised into the roof creating space for you to eat with your family and friends.

Based on the Mercedes U4023 it has a 3,850 mm wheelbase, is almost 7 metres in length, and is completely kitted out with solar panels, so that not only can it power your giant home on wheels, it can also power your outdoor generators and electric toys should you have them. This is one of the most expensive on the list coming in at one million dollars. Just make sure you got somewhere to park this thing.

And that’s our list of the best expedition vehicles from around the world. Showcasing affordable $25,000 rigs, to the dream like million dollar homes on wheels fit for kings.

More content from the Van Clan Team

• Too big? Take a look at these off road campers .
• You’ll need these best camping chairs also.
• Team it up with the best teardrop campers .

Please note that all comments will be checked by our team before being approved.

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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

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Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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Moscow Tours

The glorious capital of mother Russia

Home / Russia travel Destinations / Moscow Tours

Moscow Tours overview

Our private Moscow city tours allow travellers the benefit of an expert tour guide with you in every step. All you have to do is take it all in and enjoy. Explore a city born from an imperial past, yet an enduring symbol of Soviet Russia. This is a city between two worlds. When you visit Moscow , you will see how its art and architecture reflects a crossroad between Europe and Asia. Moscow revels in the centuries of comings and goings of great minds that have called this world-renowned metropolis home.

Moscow Travel Highlights:

• Rich in history and culture, reveals some amazing stories. Our captivating Moscow tours have a way of bringing the past to life as you follow a Soviet trail through the city
• Explore numerous world-class historical and contemporary art galleries and museums in Moscow , including the Tretyakov State Gallery, the Pushkin Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, and many more

Moscow holds the World's Best of Jaw-dropping Art

• Be enthralled by the monumental architecture of famous churches and iconic buildings, such as the Kremlin, the Red Square, and Saint Basil’s Cathedral
• Experience the magnificent Moscow Metro, whose grandiose architecture, intricate mosaics, and dramatic sculptures have made it a must-see attraction when travelling Russia
• Indulge yourself in one of their many famous theatre art performances, whether it be an opera or ballet performance in the glamorous Bolshoi Theatre or a post-drama or comedy production in the Gogol Centre

Captivating Adventures to Experience in Moscow

• Take a Moscow river cruise along the mighty Volga River for a unique perspective into exploring Russia’s hidden gems and treasures
• Feast on exotic Russian cuisines while strolling through the street markets or at a fine dining restaurant, and enjoy countless specialty stores sampling vodka, caviar, and chocolate
• Shop to your heart’s desire in Moscow’s two most lavished shopping centres, GUM and TSUM, where items range from the most glamorous high-end fashion brands, art, and jewellery to antiques and traditional handicrafts

Must-Visit Moscow Landmarks

The Red Square, Saint Basil’s Cathedral, and The Kremlin top every visitor’s list. These iconic buildings have defined Russia for centuries, but Moscow’s culture doesn’t stop there. Visit Izmailovsky Park, one of the largest urban parks in the world (six times larger than New York’s Central Park) or marvel at the Ostankino Tower, once the tallest structure on earth. Chase down real adventure and ride the Moscow Metro for a true taste of Russia in what visitors call part bomb shelter, part art gallery.

Moscow is an elite paradise with the highest concentration of billionaires on the planet, so nothing is off-limits. Moscow is full of history and possibility – both a political hub and billionaire playground. Visit Moscow and decide for yourself what this dynamic city means to you. Explore the expertly designed Moscow tour packages below for some more inspiration.

Explore Moscow Tours

Moscow Vibes – Three Day City Escape

This handcrafted Moscow tour is perfectly planned weekend exploration of Russia capital's most famous tourist attractions. You will enjoy a panoramic tour of this magnificent city, will explore mighty Kremlin and Red Square and indulge in world-famed Moscow metro and Arbat street.

Classic Moscow - Art, History and Culture

Breathe in the history of Moscow, explore its Imperial and soviet past, dynamic contemporary culture and lifestyle. On this 5-day tour of Moscow, you'll visit the must-see sights with your private guide and explore the city at your own pace.

Highlights of Moscow & St Petersburg

Immerse yourself in the art, history and culture of Russia and explore the contrasting styles of Moscow and St Petersburg in just one week. Experience the iconic landmarks of Moscow, then, take a fast train to Saint Petersburg, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Moscow and St Petersburg in Style

This carefully crafted 9-day itinerary tells the tale of two cities – Moscow, the source of Eastern political, economic and spiritual influence, and St Petersburg – Russia’s cultural epicentre and window to Western Europe.

Moscow, St Petersburg and Golden Ring Rendezvous

This tour of Moscow, St. Petersburg and the Golden Ring explores the places that shaped Russia’s history – past, present and future. Uncover Moscow’s ongoing revolutionary spirit, before journeying back in time to rural, medieval Russia. End in St Petersburg, a city of royal splendour and undeniable romance.

Moscow & St Petersburg Winter Escapade

Experience the romantic, winter wonderland atmosphere and festive city lights of Russia’s two biggest cities and celebrate the New Year! You’ll discover some of the cities' most iconic attractions and lesser-known gems.

Northern Lights in Russia: Arctic Winter Magic

Explore main sights of mighty Moscow and cultural capital of Russia - Saint Petersburg. Head to Karelia, where we’ll stop to admire the Ruskeala Mountain Park and historic Kizhi Island. Discover the customs of the indigenous Saami in Kola Peninsula and observe Aurora Borealis dancing in the sky.

A custom tour made to order

We understand sometimes our set departure dates do not align with your ability to travel at that time, or you just want to travel bespoke. We got you covered.

Go custom — gives you the choice & flexibility of creating your own bespoke itinerary, using our tours for inspiration.

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Districts [ edit ]

Central Moscow districts [ edit ]

Outlying districts [ edit ], understand [ edit ].

Moscow is the financial and political centre of Russia and the countries formerly comprising the Soviet Union. It has a population of around 13 million and an area of 2,511 square kilometres (970 sq mi) after an expansion in 2012. One-tenth of all Russian citizens live in the Moscow metropolitan area. Moscow is the second most populous city in Europe, after Istanbul , and has the most populous metropolitan area in Europe, with some 21 million residents. Moscow is in the UTC+3 time zone; there is no daylight saving time.

Many years since the break up of the Soviet Union, the economy has improved, and the modern era has brought upon a wide variety of construction projects, modern architecture and newer transport systems replacing the derelict ones during Soviet times.

Geography [ edit ]

Moscow is a large metropolis on the Moskva River, which bends its way through the city. The historical center is on the northern bank of the river. The other major waterway is the Yauza River, which flows into the Moskva east of the Kremlin.

Much of Moscow's geography is defined by the 3 'Ring Roads' that circle the city at various distances from the centre, roughly following the outline of the walls that used to surround Moscow. With Red Square and the Kremlin forming the very centre, the innermost ring road is the Boulevard Ring ( Bulvarnoye Koltso ), built in the 1820s where the 16th century walls used to be. It runs from the Christ the Savior Cathedral in south-west central Moscow, to the mouth of the Yauza in south-east central Moscow.

The next ring road, the Garden Ring ( Sadovoe Koltso ), derives its name from the fact that landowners near the road in Tsarist times were obligated to maintain gardens to make the road attractive. In Soviet times, the road was widened, and there are now no gardens there.

The Third Ring Road, completed in 2004, is not much use for tourists but is a heavily used motorway which absorbs a bit of Moscow's traffic. It roughly follows the outline of Kamer-Kollezhsky val , the customs boundary of Moscow in the 18th – early 20th century. The outer edge of Moscow is largely defined by the Moscow Ring Road (widely known by its abbreviation: MKAD-Moskovskaya kolcevaya avto doroga), a motorway which is 108 km (67 mi) long and encircles the entire city (similar to London's M25 and Paris' Périphérique ).

Climate [ edit ]

The climate of Moscow features warm summers and long, cold winters.

Get in [ edit ]

See Russia#Get in for visa requirements to Russia.

By train [ edit ]

Moscow is a railway hub, with connections to all parts of Russia and far into Europe and Asia. Due to its hub status, Moscow's train stations are often crowded; trains are the usual form of intercity transport for most Russians. The stations have a reputation for being unsafe but paradoxically the threat of terrorism has improved things: security gates, policing and surveillance deter the casual thugs and villains. Guard your valuables and yourself as you would in any big city.

All long-distance trains are operated by Russian Railways and its subsidiaries, except for a few international trains with other operators. Tickets can be bought at stations or online . For domestic trains, you can show the ticket officer your online boarding pass; however, international trains require a printed ticket. There are usually ticket counters with English-speaking personnel - they may be marked as such, or the clerk may direct you to another counter if they can't cope with your English. See Russia#By train 2 for more details on travelling in Russia by train.

From Europe [ edit ]

All trains from Europe halted since 2020

Train stations in Moscow [ edit ]

Moscow has 10 train stations, 9 of which are near metro stations close to the center of Moscow. Be sure to note the station from which your train is departing, which will be indicated on the ticket, or online . Three stations ( Leningradsky , Yaroslavsky , and Kazansky ) are on one huge square, informally known as the "Three Stations' Square". A running joke among Moscow taxi drivers since the Soviet times is to be able to pick up a fare from one of them to the other, taking the unwary tourist on an elaborate ride in circles. Be prepared for enormous queues trying to enter or exit the Metro at peak times, as people are getting off or on the commuter trains.

By car [ edit ]

Many entry points to Moscow over the Ring Road and into the city feature rotating roadblocks, where teams of traffic police may stop a vehicle, especially if it is not featuring Moscow plates. You may be stopped and questioned but you'll be allowed to proceed if you have all the proper documents.

Foreign cars, especially expensive cars, might attract unwelcome attention, and there is cumbersome paperwork involved to enter Russia by car.

By boat [ edit ]

There is no scheduled passenger service to Moscow by boat; however, cruise ships do provide service to the Northern River Terminal, on the Moscow Canal near the Khimki Reservoir. The pier is not convenient to the city and it can take over 2 hours to reach the city centre by car.

A system of navigable channels and locks connects the Moskva River with the Volga River, which is further connected to the Baltic Sea , White Sea, the Azov, the Black Sea, and the Caspian Sea. In the Soviet times this allowed the official propaganda to refer to Moscow as "a port on the five seas".

By bicycle [ edit ]

Moscow is the easternmost destination of the EuroVelo cycling routes . Eurovelo Route 2 , the Capitals Route, is a 5,500 km (3,400 mi) route starting in Galway , Ireland , passing through Dublin , London , Berlin , Warsaw and Minsk before terminating in Moscow.

By metro [ edit ]

The Metro is open from 05:30-01:00. Station entrances are closed at 01:00, and at this time the last trains depart from all of the termini stations. After 01:00, many locals will enter the train station using the exits, which are still open. Service on the ring line runs until 01:30, although entrances are closed at 01:00. The down escalators are also shut off at 01:00.

There is signage in the Metro stations in English and the Latin alphabet, but these signs are not everywhere. Each train carriage has a map in Latin script and there is one near the entrance to each station. Note the direction of the train before you alight. It is worth printing a map of the metro system in both Cyrillic and Latin letters to take with you.

All trains in the system have free WiFi onboard, but you will need to have a Russian phone number to get the authorization code to access the WiFi. Some of the older train cars are not climate controlled.

2 or 3 stations may be connected as transfer points but will each have a different name. There are 2 stations called Smolenskaya and 2 stations called Arbatskaya , but the station pairs are not connected to each other despite having the same name. Some of the stations are very deep underground, and transfer times between certain metro lines can take a lot of time. In the city centre, it can save time to go directly to the above-ground entrance of the line you want to take rather than to enter at a connecting station and transfer underground. On the escalators, stand on the right and walk on the left except for peak hours, when standing on the left side is also allowed.

Some of the train stations include beautiful architecture and it is worth taking a guided tour of the metro system. The most interesting stations in terms of decor are Komsomolskaya (ring line), Novoslobodskaya (ring line), Kievskaya (ring line), Kropotkinskaya (Line #1 - red), Kievskaya (Line #3 - dark blue), Arbatskaya (Line #3 - dark blue), Ploschad' Revolyutsii (Line #3 - dark blue), Mayakovskaya (Line #2 - dark green). Also look at the architecture of the ground entrance building of Arbatskaya (Line #4 - light blue) and Krasnye Vorota (Line #1 - red). History buffs may appreciate that Metro Line #1 (red) has the oldest stations, opened in 1935.

The Vorobyovy Gory Metro Station on Line #1 (red) is unique in that it is on a bridge crossing the Moscow River. This bridge also carries auto traffic road on another level. There is a beautiful view through the transparent sides of the station. A great observing point around Moscow is located nearby on Vorobyovy hills, next to the main building of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

There are a couple of unique trains operating through the system and you will be lucky if you get to ride them. Aquarelle (Watercolor) is a train that includes an art gallery. The train operates daily on Line #3 (dark blue). The Sokolniki Retro Train is a train modeled after the original 1930s trains and it occasionally is placed into service, usually around a major anniversary of the metro system.

The metro is relatively safe, although pickpockets are a problem, as they are in any environment where a lot of people are pressed together. Opportunistic petty crime, such as snatching someone's mobile phone and jumping out just as the doors are closing, is also commonplace. Take the usual precautions at night when gangs of inebriated teenagers may look for an excuse to beat someone up. There is no train guard or conductor, so the first car near the driver may be the safest. Every car is equipped with an intercom to the driver's cabin; they are beige boxes with a grill and a black button near doors, and mostly work, unless visibly vandalized.

By tram [ edit ]

There are several tram routes, although trams are not common in the city centre.

By monorail [ edit ]

Moscow Monorail is a 4.7 km (2.9 mi) monorail line with 6 stations. It is slower, less frequent, and has shorter operating hours when compared with the metro (every 30 min, 08:00-20:00). However, the view is picturesque. It is useful to get to the Ostankino Tower, or to get to the VDNKh exhibition centre from Metro Line #9 (silver). Interchanges between Moscow Metro and Monorail is free, no additional fee will be charged.

By hop-on-hop-off bus [ edit ]

The hop-on-hop-off bus is a convenient way for tourists to see the major sights quickly and efficiently. The buses feature English-speaking guides to answer any questions. A 1 day pass costs $24 for adults and $15 for children.

See [ edit ]

Do [ edit ].

Moscow has many attractions, but many of them are not friendly to a non-Russian-speaker. English-language newspapers like The Moscow Times , Element [dead link] , Moscow News and others can help to navigate towards English-language friendly attractions and services.

Circuses [ edit ]

Theatres [ edit ].

• Bolshoi Theatre , one of the oldest and best known ballet and opera companies in the world.

Learn [ edit ]

Moscow remains the educational center of Russia and the former USSR. There are 222 institutes of higher education, including 60 state universities & 90 colleges. Some of these offer a wide-spectrum of programs, but most are centered around a specific field. This is a hold-over from the days of the USSR, when Sovietwide there were only a handful of wide-spectrum "universities" and a large number of narrow-specialization "institutes" (mostly in Moscow & St.Petersburg). Moscow offers some of the best business/management, science, & arts schools in the world. Moscow is also a popular destination for foreign students to learn Russian.

Work [ edit ]

You will need a work visa which is not an easy process. The visa needs to be arranged well in advance of traveling. It is possible to work in Moscow, you just need to find a good company to support you. The main obstacle for many foreigners will be a mandatory Russian language exam required to obtain a work permit.

Shopping malls [ edit ]

Large shopping malls are common near metro stations.

Tipping [ edit ]

For information on tipping in restaurants, see Russia#Eat .

Ethnic food [ edit ]

Authentic ethnic food from countries of the nearby Caucasus ( Azerbaijan , Georgia , Armenia ) is common in Moscow. Japanese food, including sushi, rolls, tempura, and steakhouses are very popular in Moscow. Other Asian cuisines including Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese are becoming increasingly more common.

Budget [ edit ]

Street food [ edit ].

Free-standing kiosks serving sausages, meat pies, or kebobs are plentiful, although the origins of the meat served is questionable and the food has been known to occasionally make people sick.

Muscovites are also fond of their ice cream, consumed in any weather, even in the dead of winter, cheap and usually of superior quality; kiosks can be found all over the center and near all Metro stations.

Foodcourts 2.0 [ edit ]

This term is used in articles by local food critics: since 2016, several special food courts were opened with independent and small food chains, for those people who get bored of McDonald's-like food. They offer a wider choice of cuisines.

Clubs [ edit ]

Nightlife in Moscow is bustling, intense and exciting. It starts quite late; it's common for the headliners to start at 02:00-02:00. Most noticeable are areas near Solyanka street and Krasniy Oktyabr' place. At summer time a lot of clubs opening open-air terraces called "verandas". Most of clubs in Moscow are very picky of who they let in, so make sure you have a positive attitude and dress up if you are going to a fancy club.

Gazgolder [dead link] (not far from Kremlin) is among the best.

Cafes [ edit ]

Moscow has several café chains with great coffee including Coffeemania and Coffee Bean [dead link] . Moscow also has a good selection of tea saloons. High-quality infusion teas such as Newby, are widely available in cafes, both in packets and loose.

Asking to add boiling water to the tea you ordered earlier is a practice that some cafes don't welcome, but normally it's acceptable.

Sleep [ edit ]

Stay safe [ edit ].

Moscow enjoys a relatively low crime rate.

Drunk people are the most likely sources of problems. In the past years, lots of policemen were corrupt, and it was best to avoid them. Nowadays Moscow has a Tourist Police force, whose officers are able to speak foreign languages and help tourists. Police officers are equipped with body-cameras.

It is preferable to avoid some parts of the outer districts of Moscow, especially in the south. Some of those areas are notorious for gopniks (drunkards notorious for muggings and starting fights with strangers, and will do so seemingly unprovoked), who normally hang out in sparse residential areas and in industrial zones. The same problems can be witnessed in the surrounding regions and in other Russian cities as well.

While traveling in Moscow, as in the rest of Russia, you should always have your passport with you. If you look non-white, your papers may get checked more often than otherwise. The police may demand to see your papers to check if you have been registered within 7 business days of your arrival into Moscow. Always remember that if you stay in a hotel then you are automatically registered and will be handed a confirmation paper at a time of check-in, so don't worry in this case. The police are usually looking for migrants from Central Asia and unless you fit this profile, you are unlikely to be questioned.

Women should take caution walking alone late at night since they may receive unwanted attention from drunk men. Women should also stay clear of large companies of men in front of bars, restaurants, etc. It is best to walk with a friend if possible.

Streets can become very slippery in winter. Wear shoes or, even better, boots with decent grip to prevent twisted ankles. Ice patches can be hard to spot. A waterproof raincoat is also sensible.

Traffic is poorly handled, and vehicle accident rates are very high.

If you need help with translation, ask students or pupils: younger people are more likely to be able to help you than the older generations.

Connect [ edit ]

For information on using telephones and buying SIM cards in Russia, see Russia#Connect .

Mobile Internet is quite affordable in Russia, but you have to buy Russian SIM-card first.

Wireless Internet [ edit ]

Moscow Metro has Wi-Fi in all trains. It is ad-supported.

Mosgortrans has Wi-Fi spots on every bus, trolleybus and tram. Also sometimes you can find Wi-Fi spot on a public transport stop.

Beeline Wi-Fi [dead link] operates the largest network of both paid and free Wi-Fi access points. If there is a charge, you can pay online via credit card.

There is a large network of free Wi-Fi hotspots in the city centre; check your device in the middle of a busy area and you may find one.

Many cafes and restaurants offer Wi-Fi - ask for password. Most bookstores offer free Wi-Fi, including "Dom Knigi" on New Arbat Street or "Respublika" bookstore on Tverskaya near Mayakovskaya Metro Station.

Some establishments that offer free Wi-Fi may require you to verify an authorization code sent to a Russian phone number before gaining access, but for the most part, foreign numbers also work as of 2016.

Cope [ edit ]

Embassies [ edit ].

Moscow is one of the global diplomatic capitals, competing with Berlin , Brussels , Beijing , Paris , London , Tokyo and Washington D.C. . Most of the world's countries have their embassies in the city.

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Moscow city centre.

Visit Moscow City Centre

Popular places to visit.

You can learn about the history of Moscow with a trip to Red Square. Experience the area's fascinating museums and acclaimed theater scene.

• Moscow Kremlin

Visit the most iconic square in Russia, which is bordered by many of the city’s most famous landmarks.

• Bolshoi Theatre

A centerpiece of the Russian arts scene, this theater’s magnificent auditorium and top-tier productions will impress even the most jaded theatergoer.

• St. Basil's Cathedral

Think of Russia and you probably picture this iconic building, whose onion-shaped domes overlook the Moscow skyline.

• Lenin's Mausoleum

Mourners and curious visitors stream to the grave to see the embalmed Vladimir Lenin, the famous revolutionary and one-time leader of the Soviet Union.

• Armoury Chamber

Visit one of Moscow’s oldest and most revered museums and discover more about Russian royal life and military history.

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Other neighbourhoods around moscow city centre.

Central Administrative Okrug

If you're spending time in Central Administrative Okrug, check out sights like Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or Chekhov Art Theater and hop on the metro to see more the city at Okhotny Ryad Station or Teatral'naya Station.

Kitay-Gorod

The museums and coffeehouses are just a few things visitors like about Kitay-Gorod. Palace of the Romanov Boyars and Old English Court are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Kitay-gorod Station (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya Line) or Lubyanka Station to get around the larger area.

You might enjoy the cafes while in Tverskoy. Hermitage Garden is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Mayakovskaya Station or Chekhovskaya Station to see more of the city.

If you're spending time in Arbat, you might enjoy attractions like Lotte Plaza and Pushkin House Museum on Arbat. You might also enjoy the neighborhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Smolenskaya Station to see more of the city.

Zamoskvorechye District

While you're in Zamoskvorechye District, take in top sights like Moscow International House of Music or Russian Museum of The Wood, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Paveletskaya Station or Dobryninskaya Station.

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Presnensky. Spend some time visiting top spots like Russian White House, and catch the metro at Ulitsa 1905 Goda Station or Vystavochnaya Station to see more of the area.

• Places of interest

More Hotel Options in Moscow City Centre

• Hotels in top Moscow neighborhoods
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Other Hotels near Moscow City Centre, Moscow

• Central Administrative Okrug Hotels
• Tverskoy Hotels
• Northern Administrative Okrug Hotels
• Arbat Hotels
• South-Western Administrative Okrug Hotels
• Presnensky Hotels
• Shelepikha Hotels
• Western Administrative Okrug Hotels
• Southern Administrative Okrug Hotels
• Eastern Administrative Okrug Hotels
• Zamoskvorechye District Hotels
• South-Eastern Administrative District Hotels
• Kitay-Gorod Hotels
• Zamoskvorechye Hotels
• Begovoy Hotels
• Dorogomilovo Hotels
• Yakimanka Hotels
• Meshchansky Hotels
• Meshchansky District Hotels
• Tagansky Hotels
• Things to do

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