Expat Explore Review | What You Need To Know

Expat Explore is great for a more mature audience, ranging from 30 to 75+ years old. If you book with Expat Explore expect to be in the company of people from all over within that age bracket. Expat Explore has around 80 tours operating in about 50 countries. What makes them unique is what they offer: multi-country itineraries and, flexible bookings. The value you get from their tours is another thing that sets them apart. My Expat Explore Review will show that you don’t have to spend a ton on their tour packages to get an incredible experience.

If you’re seeking deep cultural immersion while having fun with a great group, then Expat Explore is right up your alley. Let us take a deeper dive into my Expat Explore Review and see if it’s the right fit for you.

What is Expat Explore Travel?

Founded in 2005 by two South African expats (living in London), Carl Cronje and Jakes Maritz created Expat Explore out of their love of traveling. They’ve grown from giving a handful of tours to close friends to offering 79 tour packages across 50 countries (Europe, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia). Their main focus for their travel guests is to explore the best the country has to offer, have fun and keep it affordable. Their mission is “Travel Made Possible”.

Expat Explore Overview

Accommodation: With Expat Explore, you’ll generally stay in 3 and 4 Star hotels. During this particular tour, we stayed in the following hotels: K+K Fenix in Prague (4-star), B&B Hotel Wien Hauptbahnhof in Vienna (3-star), and Impulso Fashion Hotel in Budapest (4-star). The hotels were clean and comfortable, but be prepared (at least in Vienna) for smaller beds, which are often similar to twin beds. Don’t expect a queen or king-size mattress.

Hot Tip: Solo travelers can opt for a private room as an added ‘single supplemental’.

Group Size: Luckily, this was a smaller group; there were only 13 of us total. Usually, with rail tours, you will have fewer people, no more than 20. I prefer rail for this reason because it makes it easier for the guide, and it’s more personal.

Guides: Like with all tour companies, you meet your tour guide along with the group on day 1 of the tour. There you get to know one another and off to an evening meal. Justin was our tour guide and was very knowledgeable and provided a wealth of information on every location we visited.

Food: Complimentary breakfast is provided on each day of the tour, while lunch and dinner will be on you. I saved money by filling my belly up at the breakfast buffet and grabbing a banana on the way out for the day tour. When I got hungry, I got some cheap street food that was delicious and cheap.

Transportation: My particular Expat Explore tour involved rail. However, not all Expat Explore tours will use rail, so you may want to double-check the modes of transportation they plan to use. I prefer rail because it’s far more efficient and faster, giving you more time to explore the city.

Optional Add-Ons: Expat Explore offers optional excursions (palaces, concerts, cruises, day trips). You only pay for what you actually want to do, no forced upsells.

Cost & Value: For what you get, the value is excellent. Your tour price includes the following

• Accommodations
• Logistics across multiple countries
• Tour guides
• Breakfast

What’s not included:

• Lunch and dinner
• Optional add-ons and activities

Expat Explore – Prague to Budapest Rail Express Itinerary & Review:

My tour with Expat Explore was Prague to Budapest Rail Express for 8 days, which was perfect. This tour included Prague, Vienna, Slovakia and Budapest. I decided on the rail because of my previous experience traveling via bus, I wanted more time in the city and the rail tour was the best option.

Day 1: The tour started in Prague which was my second time visiting this beautiful city. This second time around was far better to be truthful. I partied way too hard in 2008 and doing a walking tour while hungover is never ideal. The first night our guide Justin took us to a restaurant for a traditional Czech dinner. The food was excellent as was the atmosphere. I will say the hotel was away from the “Old Town” where most of the action is however, I simply walked it using Google Maps. I decided after dinner to walk to the Old Town on my own and just explore. The weather took a turn with rain, so it was either a 20-minute walk or a $7 USD Uber ride back to the hotel (it was nearly midnight)…take my money!

Day 2: Was a wondrous day, we did a walking tour of the city, walking the famous Charles Bridge, and discovering the Christmas markets full of handicrafts and food. Lots of mulled wine just about everywhere and trdelnik…which is a must try when you visit Prague. The Astronomical Clock is a must-see and of course, walking around the Old Town Square. We spent what seemed like several hours in and around St. Vitus Cathedral. The best part is that these attractions are 100% free to experience (minus the food and drink, lol). It was truly beautiful and I can’t recommend it enough to any traveler. We got to visit a hidden gem in Prague and that is the Lennon Wall, for any Beatles fan this is probably a site you’ll want to visit.

Days 3 to 5: We left Prague early in the morning and arrived in Vienna at about 12 noon which was great. The rail system in Europe is fantastic, well-run and clean. Vienna is considered to be Europe’s cultural capital. This goes back centuries, thanks to the monarchies that ruled and the music that was born from Mozart and Beethoven. Vienna can be expensive, especially in the City Center of Vienna with luxury brand stores all over that ooze money.

Day 4: Technically is a free day but I choose to see the Schönbrunn Palace (this was an add-on) which was the summer residence of the Hapsburg monarchs and royal family. The obscene wealth in this palace is insane. Not far we sat at a café to experience coffee and cake the Viennese way. We walked around a bit where we eat lunch at a local market and had some incredible goulash. Later that night, I chose to go and experience a classical music concert at the Kursalon Hübner which also was an add-on.

Day 5: Technically a free day; however, I chose to knock off another country with a day trip to Bratislava in Slovakia. When we exited the train station in Bratislava our first stop was the Presidential Palace. Since that was off limits to visitors, we did have access to the Grassalkovich Garden right behind the palace. After a short walk, we entered the Old Town via St. Michaels Gate. It’s incredible to think it’s from the 13th century and its must see attraction if you ever come to Slovakia. We started getting a little hungry so our guide pointed to a food stand offering cheesy potato dumplings covered with bacon and schnapps to keep warm. Slovakia was worth the day trip in my opinion, I mean you’re there you may as well experience it. Lastly, we decided to have a late lunch at Modrá Hviezda Restaurant…excellent food!

Days 6 to 8: were spent in Budapest and I have to say this was my absolute favorite! Budapest was just incredible, it reminded me of NYC’s Lower East Side during the mid 90s without the crime. Budapest is very safe and the vibe of the city was just phenomenal. I have to say the food was just outstanding! I had dinner on a river cruise on the Danube River. For those who like taking photos, the countries already mentioned have tons to offer but Budapest is loaded with incredible architecture from castles, bridges, basilicas and bathhouses. I spent the better part of the day at Buda Castle which is a sight to see. It’s a massive complex so plan to stay there for a few hours. There are over 100 natural thermal springs bubbling underneath the city, giving Budapest the nickname “the City of Spas”.

I need to give an honorable mention to Fatal Etterem, this restaurant offers genuine Hungarian food with huge portions. Not exactly the cheapest but I choose to indulge myself.

To all you younger travelers, if you want that bohemian Central European atmosphere, you must go to the Jewish quarter! I loved the nightlife there and you can’t leave Budapest without experiencing it for yourself. Whenever I travel, I never leave the day the tour ends it’s always the following day. So glad I did because I got to experience the “ruined bars” at Szimpla Kert. In short, Szimpla Kert is a two-story dilapidated building that was taken over by artists who decided to open up about a dozen bars inside. Karavan is a few doors down, is essentially an alleyway lined with food trucks and more alcohol.

I absolutely loved this city!!!! I’ll be back one day, that’s for sure!

Should you go on a tour with Expat Explore?

Yes! Especially if you want maximum experience for your money. Expat Explore delivers:

• Full immersion into the local culture
• You want everything organized for you
• You want to see multiple countries
• A social but not overwhelming group atmosphere
• You want great value from your trip

I never once felt shortchanged or disappointed.

Final Thoughts On Expat Explore:

Prague to Budapest Rail Express with Expat Explore was top-notch. I got to visit 4 countries, explore new cultures, see incredible landmarks and eat incredible food. There was NEVER a moment I felt cheated or let down. The comfort and speed of this rail tour made it so much more enjoyable. Prague, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest are simply…beautiful. I sincerely hope this Expat Explore Review will make you consider taking this awesome tour.

This itinerary hit the sweet spot:

• Enough structure to see the highlights.
• Enough freedom to explore on your own.
• No rushed border hops or exhausting travel days.
• got the perfect balance of structured guidance and free time, no micromanaging.

The day tours run by our guide and local guides were excellent in that they were able to share with us the rich history of each location. They took the time to answer any questions and see all the important and culturally significant sites. The value I got for my money was fantastic!

Highlights included:

• Prague’s Old Town and Charles Bridge.
• Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace and classical music concert.
• The day trip to Bratislava.
• Budapest’s ruin bars and food scene.

My recommendation is if you want to see more countries, stress less, and spend smarter, Expat Explore is a solid choice.

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