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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

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Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

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Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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• World's Best

The 15 Best Tour Operators in 2022

These are the companies Travel + Leisure readers trust to provide them with travel expertise and memorable experiences.

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite tour operators .

When it comes to an itinerary, Travel + Leisure readers want more than a string of photo opportunities — and the right tour operator makes all the difference in creating a trip of a lifetime versus one that simply checks off a list of sights. This year, our readers were especially drawn to companies that utilize local expertise and experience to thoughtfully design trips that will entertain as well as inspire.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey , T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated tour operators and safari outfitters based on their staff and guides, itineraries and destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and overall value.

The top picks were noted for their deep knowledge of destinations and guides who "go the extra mile." One reader who has been traveling for more than five decades said a trip with Classic Journeys (No. 2) was the "very best" they had experienced. Others noted attention to pandemic safety details, while one who went to Norway was charmed by a "wonderful surprise dinner in Bergen out on the water that was fantastic."

Tour operators that seamlessly navigated the logistics of a trip also came out on top. Quasar Expeditions (No. 9) was noted "for really planning out every detail" so that "all you have to do is show up and have a great time." Meanwhile, of TCS World Travel (No. 10), a guest said: "You never lift a finger and just spend your time actually exploring the destination." They even added that they "learned so much" along the way.

Among the five companies on this year's list that weren't on last year's were two women-only tour operators that cater to travelers of all ages. AdventureWomen (No. 14) has multiday tours designed by women from Bhutan to Yellowstone National Park, while Explorer Chick (No. 15) has everything from day trips — like glassblowing in Baltimore and cave rappelling in St. Louis — to full itineraries in Machu Picchu and the Galápagos. One reader said her Everest Base Camp trip with AdventureWomen was filled with "like-minded women" who "bonded so well," while another said she felt it was a "safe tour group for women."

No matter which tour they chose, readers were most taken by the people they met along the way, as one said of Trek Travel (No. 13): "By the end of the trip, a group of strangers felt like longtime friends." Find out which other companies round out the list of the best tour operators below.

1. DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.

A tour with DuVine goes far beyond just riding a bike — it's a way to really see the character of a destination. Case in point: even those who say they're not necessarily cycling fans have been converted. That's part of what helped the tour operator — which runs trips in Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and Africa — skyrocket from No. 14 last year to this year's top spot. Its "top-notch biking equipment" and "challenging but doable itineraries" didn't hurt either. One reader was especially taken by a guide picking figs off of a local tree in Puglia for an extra energy boost during a tough climb, as well as another guide singing to the group after dinner. As another reader put it simply: "They exceed your expectations."

Score: 99.12

More information: duvine.com

2. Classic Journeys

Score: 99.04

More information: classicjourneys.com

3. Artisans of Leisure

Score: 98.38

More information: artisansofleisure.com

4. (tie) Black Tomato

Score: 98.33

More information: blacktomato.com

4. (tie) GeoEx

More information: geoex.com

4. (tie) Wilderness Travel

More information: wildernesstravel.com

7. Inside Japan Tours

Score: 98.14

More information: insidejapantours.com

8. Kensington Tours

Score: 98.03

More information: kensingtontours.com

9. Quasar Expeditions

Score: 97.84

More information: quasarex.com

10. TCS World Travel

Score: 97.78

More information: tcsworldtravel.com

11. Butterfield & Robinson

Score: 97.33

More information: butterfield.com

Score: 96.95

More information: tauck.com

13. Trek Travel

Score: 96.90

More information: trektravel.com

14. AdventureWomen

Score: 96.11

More information: adventurewomen.com

15. Explorer Chick

Score: 95.87

More information: explorerchick.com

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Mission Travel Tours   Reviews

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Reviews 4.7.

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Mission Travel Tours Trip to Greece & Rome

Mission Travel Tours did a great job of organizing and managing our "Footsteps of Paul" trip to Greece, Turkey and Rome. Thanks to Pete and Christine, we got to see and experience the best of Athens, the Greek islands (plus an amazing 1/2 day in Turkey) and Rome in a 10 day tour. They did a great job and I recommend them very highly!

Date of experience : April 01, 2024

Footsteps of Paul trip 4/2024

The whole experience was great! It started with meeting them at the Footsteps of Paul information meeting at Mile High Calvary in Highlands Ranch before the trip and continued from Greece to the cruise ship to Rome. Pete & Christine put together a really amazing trip from hotels to restaurants to the on location trip guides. Christine was very helpful with accommodating our eating restrictions for the various restaurants. They both were helpful and a resource when my daughter become sick on the cruise ship, including documentation for the claim afterwards. Overall, they were both great and made the trip fun & enjoyable for both of us! We would definitely travel with them again

You guys were amazing

You guys were amazing. It was such a pleasure to travel with you. I felt comfortable and organized. You guys were such a blessing and when me and Matt are ever able to travel again, I plan on calling you guys!

Date of experience : April 24, 2024

From the time we stepped foot in Greece…

From the time we stepped foot in Greece to the final event in Rome two weeks later, the planning and execution of this amazing once in a lifetime trip, was pulled off flawlessly. The tours were exactly what we hoped for and our memories will be treasured.

Footsteps of Paul Tour

We are so grateful for everything that Pete and Christine did for our group. We travelled to Greece, Turkey, and Italy for the Footsteps of Paul Tour and they were right beside us the whole way. They were very knowledgeable and helped us with any questions we had. Everything was very well planned and organized so that we could thoroughly enjoy our trip. We just absolutely loved them and would highly recommend Mission Travel Tours.

The tour guides where amazing

The tour guides where amazing, the places we went where life changing and the food was to die for. Pete and Christine handled everything which allowed me to relax and take it all in.

Mission Travel Tours are Tops in the…

Mission Travel Tours are Tops in the travel agency business. Professional, efficient and personable. We enjoyed working with them and would recommend them to all who seek travel assistance. We traveled to three countries - Greece, Turkey and Italy and all travel plans were spot on - not a single challenge did we encounter.

Date of experience : April 19, 2023

Footsteps of Paul

We enjoyed a great 2 week tour of Greece , Greek islands, Ephesus, and Rome,Italy with our group of approximately 60 people. We were met in Athens airport and the buses were clean, comfortable and modern. The hotels were also very comfortable, and ones I would certainly stay in again if I was booking rooms myself. The local guides were very knowledgable and although English was not their native language, was excellent. The itinerary was full of activities and reflected the stated mission of traveling in the footsteps of Paul. This was our first trip with Mission Travel tours, and I look forward to traveling with them again.

Date of experience : May 01, 2023

Our Mission Travel trip to Israel

Our Mission Travel trip to Israel was awesome! Christine planned everything for us....it was fun, inspiring, educational; all rolled into one. It was a walk through history and faith for sure. We were impressed with the hotel selections. The staff at the hotels were very accommodating and friendly. Having breakfast included was a plus. The farewell dinner was very nice. Our guides were knowledgeable, asked us lots of questions and quickly learned what we enjoyed. Each catered to our requests and the things that we were interested in. We highly recommend Mission Travel Tours.

Date of experience : June 18, 2022

Amazing Jordan-Israel-Egypt Tour

My wife and I traveled to Jordan, Israel And Egypt in July/2022. Mission Travel Tours handled the whole trip and we couldn’t be happier with the results… we had an amazing time. Christine was wonderful explaining and accommodating all our requests, our private tour was without a doubt simply wonderful. Thank you Mission Travel Tours.

Date of experience : August 11, 2022

Reply from Mission Travel Tours

It was a pleasure to be able to put this trip together for you and your wife. Thank you so much for traveling with Mission Travel Tours. I look forward to helping you in more adventures!

If you're looking to check off one of…

If you're looking to check off one of your bucket list items with a fabulous trip, Chris from Mission Travel Tours is the person for you. Her highly personalized and professional level of service will certainly exceed your expectations and will make things extremely easy for you. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for the perfect trip. I spoke with her on several occasions to help plan my getaway.

Date of experience : April 11, 2022

Great service!

Even in the midst of Covid and all the complications resulting from it, we still had an amazing time traveling throughout France with Mission Travel Tours. We were still able to do everything on our tour and the hotel recommendations were perfect. Our chauffer driver was awesome, we had a great time with Jean. We would recommend Mission Travel Tours for sure.

Date of experience : September 14, 2021

This was our 3rd tour with Mission…

This was our 3rd tour with Mission Travel Tours and I cannot thank the team enough for another awesome vacation especially during these times. My husband and I needed to get away and our trip to Italy could not have come at a better time. Our time in Italy went as planned from each private transfer, 4 different amazing accommodations, and all the tours we went on everything went as planned. Thank you team.

Beautifully planned, an exciting trip!

Everything about our trip was handled so well, we never had to worry about anything. Everything was spectacular! It was actually 3 tours in one, so extremely complicated, but it all worked out beautifully. Our tour was Greece, then a 4 day cruise to the Greek Isles, then 4 days in Rome. And changing venues was seamless, as far as I could tell. Thank you Mission Travel and Tours!

Footsteps of Paul of Greece and Rome…

I just took a tour of Greece and Rome planned by this company. I feel our group saw more than I could have ever dreamed of. They are easy to work with, quick to communicate with, and very knowledgeable about the things that should be seen and what aren’t necessary. Our group was larger so we enjoyed spending time with Christine and Pete. What a lovely authentic, Christian couple. I would highly trust them with any future trip. I strongly recommend them. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks MTT for an amazing journey!

A professional team since the day of my inquiry. They gave me a detailed, clear, and organized itinerary. The experienced agent was very helpful and cheerful. All around, the tour was very informative and the tour guide was knowledgeable of the places that were explored. I really enjoyed my stay!

Date of experience : October 04, 2021

Pete and Christine are simply amazing!

Pete and Christine are simply amazing! They worked very hard to ensure our group got the most out of our trip and then some. They were able to attend our trip with added a personal touch. It felt like family. Looking forward to our next adventure with Mission Travel Tours!

Date of experience : May 29, 2023

Joyful Journey

Joyful Journey with Christine and Peter was a Biblical, education, complete with fun and adventure. Brenda and I were totally amazed and excited to learn all about the Aposle Paul and his life and journey. Thank you 🤗🙏🏻

Christine made us feel comfortable the…

Christine made us feel comfortable the whole trip. Their app was so helpful as we were able to keep up on what we were doing each day. Thank you had a blast, will use you guys again in the future for sure.

Christine was amazing

Christine was amazing. She had to handle a difficult situation with my wife’s health and she went above my expectations. Thank you Christine.

Date of experience : June 29, 2022

Thank you so much for trusting Mission Travel Faith Tours with your travels. Many Blessings to you on your trip.

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Guest Reviews & Ratings

See what others had to say about their experience with CIE Tours below.

CIE Tours Customer

An excellent tour the sites and towns were interesting. the included meals were at wonderful restaurants. 2 and 3 night stays in each town made traveling easier..

The tour director was first rate. All daily tour guides were knowledgeable and friendly. The sites and towns were interesting. The included meals were at wonderful restaurants. 2 and 3 night stays in each town made traveling easier.

Barbara Ann Clark

Cie is top notch.

CIE is the first tour I have taken. They are well established with the places we toured. The bus was very comfortable and our driver, P.J. was fantastic! We learned lots of Irish history, music, and fun tidbits. This was a great first time tour to take. I will be booking with CIE again and I might be lucky enough to get P.J. again.

James Justin Gross

We loved every minute of our time on this tour. The program was well thought out and featured a wonderful variety of experiences. It was great fun touring with our group from different parts of the USA. Our guide Marco worked diligently to navigate road conditions, potential rail strike, we learned a lot from his depth of knowledge and familiarity with the places we visited. Italy is a food destination and every meal was better than the last. Tuscany is so strikingly beautiful especially in the Spring. This is our second tour with CIE. It's great to have everything pre-planned. I highly recommend CIE tours.

Cheryl Louise Dolan

I liked Florence the best, could have shipped Bolognia. If I would have known that the 7 and the 10 day tour were combined, I would have taken the 10 day tour. Too difficult to add on then. Guides were wonderful at each city.

The tour director was good at keeping everyone on track. The tour hit all the hot spots. There was a lot packed into every day which could be a bit exhausting for us older folks. Food at the hotels was not up to Italian standards. Tour guides were excellent. Hotels were nice.

Dream vacation!

Excellent service, great guides!

No worries about flights or transfers from and to the airport. Activities were great for a first time traveler to Italy. Great accommodations and daily breakfasts. Lunch and dinners included were great also.

First time with CIE...great tour!

Excursions were great and well organized. Tour director was excellent, as were local guides. Would highly recommend.

Cindy Morlen Sunderland

It was quite the experience I will, and have recommended CIE tours very professional tour. Director was so informative. He told us the history and the legend he was entertaining and thoughtful and very professional, and quite a perfectionist. The rooms were so nice. and the meals were amazing We will be in touch with Molly, Mcshea for our next CIE tour. Thank you so much

Richard Joesph Welch

A learning experience.

guide was very personal and informative

Perfection!!!

This company has top notch customer service. If there was anything we needed, they saw to it that we were taken care of. Everything was provided for us and we could just sit back and enjoy the views, the information given to us while on the bus and ease of making all our special stops , ferries, and other amenities so easy . We were always on time for our tours and had additional to explore parts of the towns on our own. Our tour guide (Marian) and bus driver (Dan Fitzpatrick) have to be the best in the business. Loved EVERYTHING about this tour, including the other passengers on the bus with us. Not sure how they did it, but we were from all over the USA and everyone got along great and felt like family before departing to go back to our individual homes.

Richard Eugene Matthews

Maria & Jon were knowledgeable professional and fun! Transportation was clean & comfortable.

Julie Halsey

Can’t wait for my next one.

Everything was excellent and the hotels were really nice.

Anthony Bartczak

Evergreen ireland tour was fantastic.

The service during our tour with CIE was top notch. Professional, knowledgeable, thoughtful and helpful. Thank you CIE for an amazing vacation.

Laurie Ann Mc Dermott

Struck gold with my “irish gold” tour.

Excellent!!!

Mr. Donald Joseph Barto

The trip was fantastic from start to finish . CIE really knows how to run a trip from top to bottom with no hidden fees .

Alec Edward Brown

Amazing trip.

CIE was very helpful in getting us all the documents and info we needed, and did a great job during the tour keeping us all on track and on schedule. The hotels were beautiful, stops were everything we hoped for and the beer was delightful. Great tour all around.

Give C.I.E. tours a try, you won't regret it!

We were met at the airport and taken as close to our hotel as possible, as we arrived on St. Patrick's Day and the roads were closed for the parade. Exceptional circumstances. Wonderful service and ideas on where to do lunch on our own, always wonderful recommendations. They got us back to the airport in plenty of time for our return flight, also. Service was wonderful.

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Explórus Travel

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Explórus Travel - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

An Honest Travel Talk Tours Review 

Are you looking to book a tour with Travel Talk Tours ? Read this first.

I am not one to usually book a tour and would much rather explore a country at my own pace and to my own itinerary. However, with the desire to go to Egypt and Jordan, I decided it was best to book a tour. Based on what I had heard about safety concerns from other travellers. 

After much research I stumbled across Travel Talk tours, which offered a great range of tours travelling through both areas. I also read a few reviews online, which gave me confidence in the company. After reading the itineraries, I decided this was the company for me. 

This blog post will contain my full review on my experience with Travel Talk tours, and whether I would recommend them to others. I am not being paid or sponsored to write this post.

Table of Contents

Who are Travel Talk Tours?

Travel Talk tours are a UK based company, offering unique experiences all around the world. They have a large range of itineraries for most countries, meaning there is plenty to suit any traveller. They also use local guides, to offer a more authentic experience. 

They cater to the ages of 18+ with their tours ranging from adventure to laid back. The group size is usually around 10-30 people. And from what I experienced; they are not a party tour company like Contiki! 

When and Where did I go? 

I booked the “Fantastic Jordan and Egypt” tour, which was an 18-day tour, travelling through Jordan and Egypt. I went on this tour on the off season, during the months of May and early June. 

How Were the Guides? 

Our guide for Jordan was simply fantastic. Omar was full of knowledge, had a great sense of humour but was also very caring of everyone on the tour. One person got sick, and another had blisters on their feet, he made sure they were well looked after and had everything they needed to get better. 

Sometimes it’s hard to make history interesting, but he managed to do this! He also made the handling of payments for extras, tipping and much more very easy. Which takes a lot of stress out of a holiday. 

Adham was our guide for Egypt, and he has some incredible knowledge! It was great having a guide you could ask almost any question and they would have an answer for you. Although he cared about the group, it was a little less than the Jordan side. This I can understand as the group for Egypt was twice the size of Jordans. 

Adham did do an excellent job of accommodating for my friend and I when it came to vegetarian meals, which was very appreciated! Sometimes meaning searching for some falafel sandwiches when we couldn’t eat much at buffets. He also did help with extra things like helping plan transport outside the tour, which is always helpful! Overall, he too was a fantastic guide. 

Was the Price Reasonable? 

Overall, I thought the price was very reasonable for what I was getting. I essentially explored all of Jordan and Egypt in one tour, and we packed a lot in! Could of I gotten it cheaper if I did I by myself? Most likely. But I wouldn’t of the got the information I got on this tour. 

The entry fees and extra activities are not included in the price, which did end up making this a bit more costly. The entry fees for Egypt are quite pricey and unfortunately you don’t get a choice if you’d like to visit a spot or not. 

I paid $3673 AUD for the whole tour. This included: 

• All accommodation, in 4& 5-star resorts 
• Airport transfers 
• 2 internal flights: Amman to Jordan and Dahab to Cairo 
• All transport: buses, trains and a felucca 
• 17 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners 

What was the Transport like? 

Transport was perfectly fine in both countries. Both buses had A/C, charging points and the bus in Jordan even had free WIFI! The buses were very comfortable, even for the 4am starts or overnight trips. 

The overnight trains were well overnight trains! They were clean and had good service, it was an efficient way to get from one place to another. The airline used was Air Cairo, which is your basic internal airline. We got 23kg of luggage for these internal flights. 

My only negative with the transport was there a lack in communication with when my internal flights were. I had to email Traveltalk multiple times to get my flight information. For my final flight I was told it wasn’t included during my tour, which set me into a panic to try and organise. Later being told that it was. So, the communication part, may need a little more work. 

What was the Accommodation like? 

The accommodation all round was very nice! If you are used to travelling as a backpacker and staying in hostels, this will be very luxe for you. Some of the hotels had incredible views and facilities. They were all in pretty good locations, had good security and comfortable beds. All of the hotels had AC and private bathrooms. 

The best accommodation was in Luxor.  This was luxe . There are also several amazing restaurants in the complex, the Thai food was mouth-watering.

• Everything is organised for your, which is actually a nice way to travel. Just make sure you are on the bus on time! 
• You get very knowledgeable guides.
• Cultural experiences. You will get to experience some things and places which you probably wouldn’t if you travelled by yourself. 
• Ease of transport and comfort.
• You get the chance to meet some incredible people from all over the world. I actually made some of the best friends on this trip and created some incredible friends!
• You don’t have to organise ticket entries, as the guides do this for you. They also handle all of the tipping with a tipping kitty paid at the start of the tour.
• SIM cards were organised for us in Egypt, which made life so much easier.
• Long bus rides, this is going to happen regardless, as the travel times are long. 
• You don’t get a choice whether you want to visit somewhere or not. Some days you just want to stay in a hotel room and relax, you don’t get this option. 
• Long days. You see a lot on this tour, which means there is little down time.
• Early morning starts. If you enjoy a sleep in, you won’t get many on this tour! 
• Not much choice on where to eat. Most nights you can choose where you want dinner, but if it’s during the day – you will go where the tour goes. This is usually a buffet which is at ‘tourist prices’. 
• The tour is very fast paced. You also don’t get an option on how long you want to spend at a place. For the pyramids we only had 1hr, which wasn’t enough time. 

Overall Opinion? 

I would book a tour with Travel Talk again and I am not a tour person! It does help with comfort and ease, especially in a country where there may be safety concerns or a language barrier. 

You do need to weigh up the positives and negatives. I personally wouldn’t choose a tour over travelling independently, but I would choose travel talk tours if I was going to go on a tour again. The guides, accommodation, transport, and overall service was very good. They also regularly have sales, so you can get tours at great prices! This was by far one of the better tour companies I have used.

In short, I would recommend Traveltalk tours to a friend. 

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beckkyhamilton

Hi beautiful people, my name is Beck! Thank you for dropping by. I’m an Australian travel blogger and amateur photographer, who loves a bit of a solo adventure. I’m currently working in Australia while travelling as much as I can manage!

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Vote for your favorite adventure tour operator!

USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

These 20 adventure tour operators — nominated by an expert panel — cater to travelers who crave excitement, challenge, and fun in their vacations. Whether you're looking for an individualized journey or group tour, they'll have something for you, with activities ranging from hiking and biking to rafting and kayaking. Which adventure tour operator would you most like to book with? Vote for your favorite once per day until polls close on Monday, May 27 at noon ET. The 10 winning tour operators will be announced on Wednesday, June 5. Read the official  Readers' Choice rules . 

These 20 adventure tour operators — nominated by an expert panel — cater to travelers who crave excitement, challenge, and fun in their vacations. Whether you're looking for an individualized journey or group tour,...   Read More

Best Adventure Tour Operator Nominees

Photo courtesy of Todd Mintz

Adventure Canada

Equipped with a fleet of small-scale cruise liners, Adventure Canada has mastered the art of both Arctic and Antarctic excursions. Across Canada, the Northwest Passage voyage highlights the idyllic beauty of Nunavut, while those hoping to spot polar bears in the wild should spring for a Heart of the Arctic expedition, with both featuring highly educated naturalists and archaeologists aboard the ship.

Photo courtesy of Tyson Mayr

Aurora Expeditions

A pioneer of Antarctic travel in the 20th century, Aurora Expeditions has evolved into a force within the industry that offers trips all across the globe. Polar voyages are particularly popular, with options ranging from the shores of Antarctica to the High Arctic, while other cruise routes include Costa Rica, Scotland, and Iceland.

Photo courtesy of Bindlestiff Tours

Bindlestiff Tours

Bindlestiff Tours specializes in small group adventures with a focus on the American Southwest, Alaska, and western Canada. Guests enjoy fully customized touring vehicles with enlarged viewing windows, free Wi-Fi at most campsites, and the myriad benefits of insider expertise, like the best spots to photograph a sunset or favorite local restaurants.

Photo courtesy of Kirstie Mullikin

Explorer Chick Adventure Co.

From snorkeling around the Galapagos to gorilla trekking in Uganda, Explorer Chick’s curated tours span five separate continents — and each one is crafted specifically by women, for women. Founded in 2014 by Nicki Bruckmann, this adventure company provides ample opportunity to explore gorgeous landscapes and forge new friendships all across the globe.

Photo courtesy of GomezDavid / E+ Getty Images

Frontiers North Adventures

While northern Canada may not be the most easily accessed region, Frontiers North Adventures is perfectly equipped for making your dream excursion come true. In addition to polar bear safaris and beluga whale watching, the company's Northern Lights and Winter Nights excursion offers an opportunity to catch one of the planet's most stunning natural phenomena in real life.

Photo courtesy of G Adventures, Inc.

G Adventures

Launched in 1990, G Adventures has earned acclaim for their wide array of high-end tours and strong commitment to positive social impact. Whether it's hiking in Iceland or biking in Vietnam, each trip is designed to reflect the company's G for Good philosophy, a concept that seeks to benefit all people and communities visited during a trip.

Photo courtesy of HX & Espen Mills

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) has earned widespread acclaim for their lavish cruises, with destinations ranging from the frigid depths of Antarctica to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. For wildlife lovers in particular, the company's Galapagos expeditions shine a spotlight on the rich biodiversity of the archipelago, while a Svalbard voyage is perfect for spotting polar bears in their natural habitat.

Photo courtesy of Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel

Toronto-based Intrepid is a treasure trove for small-scale sustainable tours, with more than 100 countries available to visit. With itineraries like lemur-spotting in the rural depths of Madagascar and cultural immersions across the Middle East, this storied adventure company is perfect for accessing some of the most remote corners of the globe.

Photo courtesy of Journeys International

Journeys International

Journeys International builds private and group trips to a variety of worldwide destinations, centering each adventure around the individual's or groups' travel goals. Each party is assigned an adventure specialist who makes personalized choices of locations and activities to include in the experience. All journeys are designed to give every person involved a special and unique trip of a lifetime.

Photo courtesy of Ralph Lee Hopkins, Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic

New Zealand, French Polynesia, and Greenland are just a few of the dazzling destinations frequented by Lindblad Expeditions, a storied tour operator that's been working in tandem with National Geographic since 2004. While warm weather destinations span from Baja California to the Amazon, the company has earned abundant acclaim for their immersive Antarctic expeditions focusing on native wildlife amidst stunning scenery.

Photo courtesy of KenCanning / E+ Getty Images

Maple Leaf Adventures

The spectacular beauty of Canada is on full display with Maple Leaf Adventures, a small-ship cruise operator that's been in the business since 1986. While the bulk of their itineraries focus on showcasing locations across western Canada, gastronomes can also join in on the fun with a curated Craft Beer Cruise or Wines And Islands excursion across British Columbia.

Photo courtesy of Karin Watkins MT Sobek Photo File

MT Sobek has been a leader in the adventure travel industry for more than half a century. Today, travelers can choose from some 200 journeys around the world. Each one is designed to inspire and exhilarate, with interest categories like multi-adventure, family adventure, wildlife and safari, adventure cruising, hiking and trekking, cultural discovery, and rafting and kayaking.

Photo courtesy of Nantahala Outdoor Center

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Beginning as a small-scale rafting tour company back in 1972, Nantahala Outdoor Center has expanded far beyond just the rivers of North Carolina, operating tours from southern Iceland to the Zambezi River. Though their scope has expanded on an international scale, the company still excels at domestic adventure, showcasing the incredible rafting opportunities across the Southern United States.

Photo courtesy of REI Co-op / REI Adventures

Adventure travelers have long turned to REI to outfit their travels; with REI Adventures, they’ll also find more than 100 fully curated experiences across the United States. These active travel itineraries might involve cycling near Zion National Park, hiking through Yellowstone and Grand Teton, kayaking at Point Reyes, or enjoying a weekend of backpacking close to home.

Photo courtesy of Stubborn Mule Travel

Stubborn Mule Travel

A perfect fit for all ages, Stubborn Mule Travel has curated a wide variety of itineraries designed specifically for traveling families. Destinations span across five continents, and as an added bonus, the company also offers unique itinerary stops based off of the interests of each individual guest.

Photo courtesy of 104kelly // Getty Images

Thomson Safaris

Best known as the home of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania has earned worldwide acclaim for its abundant natural beauty — a quality that Thomson Safaris has been highlighting for more than 40 years. While there’s no going wrong with a classic safari, the company also offers food-focused tours and even plane excursions, each one led by a team of expert local guides.

Photo courtesy of Urban Events Global Team

Urban Events Global

Kevin Knight founded Urban Events Global as a travel company for African American adventure seekers looking to explore with like-minded travelers. The company hosts regular camping weekends, as well as group tours to destinations like Ghana, Dubai, Greece, and Jamaica. They can also plan a custom trip itinerary for you.

Photo courtesy of Ren Fuller // Women High On Adventure

WHOA Travel

WHOA Travel works with women guides and business owners to build unique travel experiences. WHOA group adventures are scheduled all over the world, from Kilimanjaro and Peru to Iceland and Bavaria. 

Photo courtesy of Wild Women Expeditions

Wild Women Expeditions

Wild Women Expeditions specializes in “amazing outdoor adventures for all women.” The company leads trips to more than two dozen countries around the globe, with activities like canoeing, kayaking, cycling, hiking, surfing, sailing, and yoga.

Photo courtesy of Beth Peluse / Zephyr Adventures

Zephyr Adventures

Equipped with a roster of trips that span from strenuous mountain hikes to e-biking excursions, Zephyr Adventures offers a diverse range of options for your next getaway. For a glimpse into the beauty of coastal New England, the Acadia National Park Hiking Adventure is a top choice, while those who prefer a more laid-back itinerary can spring for the Czech Republic Breweries and Walking Adventure.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Brandon withrow.

Brandon Withrow is a travel journalist based in...   Read More

Brandon Withrow is a travel journalist based in Northwest Ohio, covering ecotourism, wildlife, outdoor adventures, and eco-friendly stays, as well as the secrets of underrated cities. He appears in The Daily Beast, BBC Travel, Canadian Geographic, Business Insider, The Hill, and Sierra Magazine. You can find him at  www.brandonwithrow.com ,  @bwithrow  on Twitter, and  @bgwithrow  on Instagram.

Chez Chesak

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor...   Read More

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com .  

Dave Stamboulis

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer...   Read More

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand , which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe. 

Jacky Runice

Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home...   Read More

Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She...   Read More

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for   Insider,   Fodor's Travel ,   Yahoo ,  the Huffington Post , the  Washington Post,   Viator  and  Reviewed  among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer.    Jamie can be reached at  [email protected]  and can be found on  Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok .

Marla Cimini

Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion...   Read More

Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is:  www.marlacimini.com  

Meg St-Esprit

Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh...   Read More

Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh who covers family travel, lifestyle, education, and parenting. With their four kids in tow, she and her husband love to travel anywhere and everywhere — but have a soft spot for camping and outdoor adventures. In fact, her kids are well on their way to achieving their goal of visiting all 124 state parks in Pennsylvania. Meg believes travel doesn’t need to be luxurious or costly to be valuable, and aims to share that with her audience. Meg’s work has appeared in publications such as  The New York Times, Thrillist, The Washington Post, Fodor’s, Yahoo, Good Housekeeping, Romper , and more. Follow Meg on Instagram and Twitter at @megstesprit or check out her work on  https://megstesprit.com/

Melanie Reffes

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in...   Read More

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers  the Caribbean for a variety of publications  including  USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com.  A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started  young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico.   An avid fan of spicy food,   Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She  holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto. 

Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More

Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com , the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter  and Instagram .

Olivia Christine Perez

Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel...   Read More

Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel wellness expert, author, and the creator of  O. Christine : a travel and wellness platform inspiring thousands of people to travel more and get outdoors for their wellness. Living with an autoimmune disease herself, Olivia helps people find wellness through the outdoors, self-care adventures, and mindful travel experiences. You can follow her work at  ochristine.com  and  instagram.com/ochristine.

Shea Peters

Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent...   Read More

Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent world traveler that looks to the history of a location in order to tell the story. Growing up in a Southern family that loves to travel, Shea has seen 44 of the 50 US states and believes that every place has a story worth telling, regardless of how populated or rural. She's currently a regular contributor discussing travel, culture, history, food, wellness, and business at Travel + Leisure, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Oprah Daily, Women’s Health, TripAdvisor, Cosmo, and Revolt TV. When she's not traveling, rooting for some unlikable sports team, or taking a pilates class, you can find Shea in her rooftop garden that is currently flourishing above the streets of New York City. You can follow Shea on  Instagram  and  Twitter .

Tamara Gane

Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best...   Read More

Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

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Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Travel insurance is important because it can help cover the cost of unexpected medical expenses while you're traveling. It can also reimburse you for lost or stolen baggage, canceled flights, and other unforeseeable problems that may occur while you're away from home.

Simply put, there's a lot to consider.

But not all policies are created equal, and you must understand what you're covered for before you purchase a policy. This article will look in-depth at AXA Assistance USA travel insurance. We'll discuss the costs, coverage limits, exclusions, and more to help you make an informed decision about whether or not this particular travel insurance provider is right for you.

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

AXA Assistance USA is among the best travel insurance companies . It covers the fundamentals of travel insurance, with coverage for trip cancellations, medical expenses, and emergency medical/non-medical evacuation. With three plans, AXA also offers coverage for travelers with various budgets.

It's worth noting that many important add-ons aren't available for AXA's cheapest Silver plan, such as pre-existing condition coverage, rental car add-ons, and Schengen travel insurance. Cancel for any reason coverage is also only available for AXA's most expensive Platinum plan. 

Coverage Options Offered by AXA 

AXA Assistance USA offers three levels of coverage: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each plan comes with different protections and varying coverage limits, with the Silver being the most basic option and Platinum offering the most premium coverage.

Some policies might even include added coverage free of charge, such as a waiver for pre-existing conditions , which is free for Gold and Platinum plans as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your trip deposit.

Specialized Coverage Options

The plan you purchase will determine which add-ons are available. For example, those with a Platinum plan can add CFAR (cancel for any reason) coverage , allowing you to receive a full refund if you cancel your trip within 14 days of making the initial deposit.

Or, if you want extra protection for your rental car, depending on your AXA plan, you might be able to add a collision damage waiver (CDW). Policyholders with Gold plans can add $35,000 CDW, and those with Platinum plans can include $50,000 CDW.

If you're traveling within the Schengen Territory, which is made up of 27 European countries, you may eligible for Schengen Travel Insurance, which covers you in all 27 countries. This option is only available for Gold and Platinum travelers and coverage lasts up to 90 days.

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Cost

The premium you pay will depend on various factors, including the age of the travelers, destination, and total trip costs. The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your travel costs.

After inputting some personal information, such as your age and state of residence, along with your trip details, like travel dates, destination, and trip costs, you'll get an instant quote for the plans available for your trip. And from there, it's easy to compare each option based on your coverage needs and budget.

Now let's look at a few examples to estimate AXA's coverage costs.

As of 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following  AXA travel insurance quotes:

• AXA Silver: $83
• AXA Gold: $107
• AXA Platinum: $127

Premiums for AXA plans are between 2.7% and 4.2% of the trip's cost, well below the average cost of travel insurance. It's also relatively cheap compared to many of its competitors

AXA provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

• AXA Silver: $109
• AXA Gold: $128
• AXA Platinum: $153

Once again, premiums forAXA plans are between 3.6% and 3.8%, below the average cost for travel insurance.

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New York for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following AXA quotes:

• AXA Silver: $392
• AXA Gold: $462
• AXA Platinum: $550

Premiums for AXA plans are between 6.5% and 9.2%, which is roughly in line with the average cost for travel insurance. This is to be expected, as travel insurance is often more expensive for older travelers.

How to Purchase and Manage Your AXA Policy

The process of purchasing an AXA policy is simple. After obtaining your quote, you'll need to decide which of AXA's three plans you want to buy. When you pay for your plan, be prepared to provide additional personal information, like your birthday, phone number, and address. 

Once you finalize your purchase, you'll have a 10-day free look period, in which you can cancel your policy and get your money back. 

How to File a Claim with AXA Travel Insurance

To file a claim with AXA Assistance USA, head to the claims forms online to find the appropriate form. Once you've filled out your form and gathered the required documentation, you can email them to [email protected] or send them by mail to:

AXA Assistance USA

On Behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies

P.O. Box 26222

Tampa, FL 33623

If you need assistance when filing claims, AXA's claims office can be reached at 1-888-957-5015 (within the U.S.) and 1-727-450-8794 (outside the U.S.). Office hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET on Thursdays and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET on all other weekdays. 

AXA's U.S. branch has few reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau — just over 20 between the two sites. Its UK branch has over 1,100 reviews, most of which are overwhelmingly negative. However, the quality of AXA Travel Insurance UK isn't necessarily indicative of its U.S. coverage. 

In fact, on SquareMouth, where the majority of AXA U.S.'s reviews, reviews are generally positive. It received an average of 4.22 stars out of five across over 900 reviews. Customers reported that adjusting an AXA policy was easy and the customer service team was responsive. However, reviews on the claims process was more mixed, with spotty communication and long wait times. 

See how AXA travel insurance compares to top travel insurance providers.

AXA Assistance USA vs. AIG Travel Guard

When comparing AXA to Travel Guard , we'll look at the coverage levels from their mid-tier plans, the Silver plan and Travel Guard Preferred plan, respectively.

With Travel Guard Preferred plan, you'll get:

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $150,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to $225,000
• Emergency medical coverage of $50,000
• Coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $1,000
• Travel delay coverage of up to $800

Comparing those Travel Guard coverages with AXA's Silver plan, you'll see that AXA's coverage limits are a bit higher. With AXA's Silver plan you'll get $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, for example. And the baggage loss coverage limit is up to $1,500.

If you're looking for greater coverage limits, AXA makes the most sense in this scenario. But premiums will also vary based on factors like the traveler's age, trip destination, and trip cost. So you'll have to run your own numbers to make a final decision.

Read our AIG Travel Insurance review here.

AXA Assistance USA vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz Travel Insurance provides single-trip and multi-trip insurance for travelers who want to go abroad for an extended period of time. And, like with all insurance, the various plans have varying degrees of coverage.

Allianz Travel Insurance's most popular single-trip option is the OneTrip Prime plan, which offers:

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to $150,000
• Emergency medical coverage for $50,000
• Coverage for baggage loss, theft or damage up to $1,000
• Travel delay coverage up to $800

Looking at AXA's mid-tier Silver plan, you'll see that, again, AXA offers more coverage for emergency medical and baggage loss, theft, or damage than Allianz Travel Insurance. That said, if cost is an essential factor for you, you'll have to get quotes using your personal trip information to make an informed decision.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

AXA Assistance USA vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

Already have a great travel credit card, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum? Some of the standard coverages, such as rental car insurance, may be included in the card you already have. It's a good idea to research the terms of your credit card's travel protection before purchasing a separate travel insurance policy.

If you're driving to your destination and don't have any non-refundable trip expenses, the coverage from your credit card may be enough. Another time it might work is if you have health insurance covering you while abroad and you're in good health without worrying about possible medical costs.

It's essential to remember that credit card coverage is usually secondary. This means you'll have to file a claim with the other applicable insurance before filing a claim with your credit card company.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed AXA Assistance USA

We researched AXA by evaluating its travel insurance plans compared to other plans from the top travel insurance companies. The aspects we looked at included, but were not limited to, different coverage options, claims limits, what is covered, available add-ons, and extra services for policy holders.

What's important when choosing a policy isn't just the price — it's making sure you're getting adequate coverage that meets your needs without breaking the bank. Filing a claim should also be easy and stress-free if you ever have to use your policy.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

AXA Assistance USA FAQs

If you're diagnosed with COVID-19 before a trip and need to cancel, AXA may cover your expenses. Additionally, a COVID-19 diagnosis during a trip may be covered under AXA's medical expense, trip interruption, and trip delay benefits. Be sure to review your policy to ensure coverage details. 

While you may extend your coverage in certain circumstances, such as extended hospitalization, and update your travel dates prior to your departure, you can't extend AXA travel insurance plans while you're traveling. 

AXA's Gold and Platinum plan cover pre-existing medical conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. AXA's Silver plan does not cover pre-existing conditions and has a 60-day look-back period. 

You can download AXA claims forms on its website and email them to [email protected].

AXA isn't the most flexible travel insurance company and isn't great at specializing, but it offers comprehensive general coverage. Its prices aren't significantly more expensive or cheaper than its competitors.

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