Overseas Adventure Tours (OAT) compared with Odysseys Unlimited (OU)

I was under the impression that these were the same company, that OAT was more expensive with smaller groups. No personal experience with either.

If you do a search in the box above for OAT and Odysseys Unlimited, you'll find numerous entries already in the travel forum discussing these two companies, most of which appear positive. There's also a lot on the forum about Road Scholar tours, as well as (here comes the obvious) Rick Steves tours.

Which trips in particular?

I’ve traveled once with each company and have another one booked with Odysseys Unlimited.

They’re both good companies. OAT groups are somewhat smaller - max of 16 and OU max is 24.

I’ve looked at both company offerings many many times, and taken trips apart as part of my choosing process.

OU uses consistently nicer hotels. A definite step up.

I think you’d be fine with either company. I will add that I travel most with Road Scholar. And it’s because they have so many offerings and because their deposit is so modest. Road Scholar has the worst of the hotel choices of these 3 companies…sometimes it’s a bit more basic than I like, but the itineraries make up for it.

I would suggest you book your own airfare.

Hard to evaluate. Have completed two Odysseys U via a university alumni tour program. Great trips. First class.

Odysseys Unlimited offers a higher level of travel. . We have traveled with them twice( Egypt, Japan) and were very satisfied with our travel experiences. Highly recommend them.

Friends travel often with OAT and from what they have told us, much less is included in the price. You have to pay extra.

I can help! As a fairly new retired educator and just recently returned from a fantastic (my first) OU tour (Patagonia and Easter Island). I also chose Intrepid (also first time) for Morocco last year, their premium level option and it, too, was fabulous. Many similarities, so I would suggest including them in your research. (Both carry your suitcases right to and back from the hotel room, a surprise luxury for me with my small carry on and a RS veteran!)
Well the travellers on my OU tour in Patagonia were certainly big wine drinkers! And ditto for the Intrepid group! Food was also very important, so you should be pleased with either
So, I have now been comparing OAT and the two others for Egypt and Jordan next January. Pricing seems similar, the overall itineraries and hotel class similar, too, as well as group size. Most all tours go the same places, I think it's at what pace, class of hotels/included meals and, what else is or isn't included.
As a former educator I find myself sort of picky about the teaching depth (and engaging style) of the tour leaders and local guides. Both/all were phenomenal, very akin to RS.
It likely can come down to the slight but important lengths of stays in each location, travel time, shopping stops, etc. For example OAT initially interested me for their 5 days on the Nile (vs 3 with OU) in the small authentic boat, but, looking more closely there's not a lot planned. They also require staying on for Alexandria, after, post-tour for the dates I want. And their Jordan, as an add-on doesn't look as comprehensive as OUs or Intrepid's- it's head spinning, comparing!
Intrepid has partnerships they support with the tours - a fossil shop and several women's collectives in Morocco, etc. All were interesting and for shopping it helps to know your $ are staying in the local economy and vetted for quality. And there are home visits where you eat with a family. So does OAT and OU for Egypt...
So I think you can feel quite confident just going with the itinerary you like best. On these tours were people who had used the companies for many, many trips, very loyal.
As an introverted and independent solo traveler it has become a balance- it is just SO nice to have a clean private bus or van magically appear to whisk you back to a lovely hotel or on to the next stop!
I always choose my own flights. I like a longer layover than typically booked and also, if something goes awry, dealing directly with the airline rather than trying to contact the company. Lastly, because I travel from the West Coast I arrive a full day early to account for delays. Usually I can stay at the same hotel as the tour.
I hope this was helpful!

You have to pay extra.

I've taken 11 tours with OAT. Here is a complete list of things not included for which you have to pay extra.

• About half the lunches and dinners (sometimes a little more or a little less)
• Beverages with the included lunches and dinners (except at the Welcome and Farewell Dinners, and in countries where it's common to include beverages with the meal)
• Tip for the Trip Experience Leader (recommended $10 - $12 per day; all other tips are included)
• Typically two optional excursions described in the itinerary. These vary in price. Of course they are completely optional. I've done some that the entire group opted in for and some where just 2 or 3 participants came.
• Occasionally the Trip Experience Leader will offer a spontaneous optional activity or offer to arrange an extra activity that has a cost.

That's it. No other extra money needed other than your personal shopping. I just checked the Odysseys Unlimited website. Looks like they have the same inclusions. I don't know if they have optional excursions.

After taking one trip with OAT, I find everything Lane said being correct. However the 1st 2 points (1/2 meals paid and the drinks included), are similar the RS trips.
I made a comparison of the RS vs OAT trips to Croatia/Slovenia, apples to apples - the result was that OAT was less expensive. And OAT has a few more advantages: small groups (max 16), porters for the luggage, and there is only a 1-night stay - in general there were 3-night stays in each place. The only thing I didn't like was the trip leader's tip not being included. My 2 cents.

I can’t speak for OU but I’ve had good experiences with OAT. I prefer Rick Steves tours. Tips are included and hotels are near city centers where some OAT hotels were a bit away from sites. Not sure if that is the case since I’ve not used them in the past ten years.
Make sure you book your own air unless you can have input into time of day your travel would be. Our last name starts with W and we were in the last seats of the plane. We had to be up and out of our last hotel at 2:00 AM for the flight they put us on.

I have taken only RoadScholar groups. High praise.
*No extra fee excursions unless I sought them myself.
*I happen to not care about toting my own Carry On suitcase which I check anyway.
*Great guides and group leaders.
*Alcohol available but not included usually. A plus for me.
*No tipping.
*Really nice hotels in good locations.
* Extremelynice busses with good drivers.

OAT trips tend to be long for me. I hear OAT does not charge a single supplement.

Road Scholar has some trips termedIndependent,with more free time and fewer meals. We have taken those, too.

Diane said:

some OAT hotels were a bit away from sites

I think that was true in the past, but after they've gotten some negative feedback about it, they've changed to hotels that are well-located in or near city centers.

NYCMOM said:

OAT trips tend to be long for me. I hear OAT does not charge a single supplement.

It's correct that OAT does not charge a single supplement, which is the primary reason I have traveled repeatedly with them. I will be doing my first Road Scholar tour later this year, and I'm looking forward to it. I'm also doing my second Explore Worldwide tour this summer. My only complaint about them is that they tend to have shorter stays in a single location.

OAT has just started what they call "Immersions." These are shorter tours (8-12 days) than their usual itineraries. They currently have 20 destinations available as Immersions: https://www.oattravel.com/marketing/2026/immersions