Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

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63 Reviews

4.4 out of 5

David Wilkinson

Reviewed July 2016

Cycling from Prague to Budapest

Thoroughly enjoyable trip. A great way to meet new people, have great laughs and the best way to see the fantastic countryside. Bikes were well serviced. The first four days were the toughest, but the most scenic. The latter days were mostly flat and a breeze.

Most Inspirational Moment

The rolling hills of the Czech countryside. Picturesque.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two. Very friendly. Enjoyed a good laugh. Always ready with a cheery smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Even with Brexit, everything was cheap outside of Vienna. Just bring a can do attitude and grit for the first days of hills.

Suggestions

Well worth every pound spent. I was the youngest and occasionally I was out done by the oldest - but fits all levels as everyone was happy to wait and enjoy the views.

William Lang

Reviewed July 2016

Prague to budapest

Excellent trip

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all good

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely excellent. Nothing was too much trouble for Jan

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Ellen Rogin

Reviewed July 2016

Loved the Prague to Budapest trip!

We had such a great time on this trip. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I hadn’t traveled with Exodus before. It exceeded our expectations. Our guide, Jan was fabulous. He was super knowledgeable not only about the route and biking but about every city we were in. I didn’t realize we’d be getting guided tours (by Jan) in many of our stops. If he didn’t know an answer to a question asked (which was rare) he made sure to find out for us. He also made sure we were well taken care of on the ride. As a newer biker I appreciated that he made sure we all knew the route, that there were breaks and that we were safe and had fun.

As American’s we loved the diversity of people in our group. Many Britts and people from other parts of the world as well. Made for really interesting conversations. Looking forward to our next trip with Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

I have to say that finishing the 500k ride feeling good, seeing what we saw and having made new friends was fabulous!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jan was fabulous! Knowledgeable, conscientious, and fun to be with.

paul fletcher

Reviewed May 2016

Prague to Budapest Ride

The trip had some fantastic sites along the way with a very good standard of hotels. The itinery for each day was excellent with some great cycling to be partaken with each day offering something for everyones taste. There were a few hills the first few days to be enjoyed or for those that were not ready full support given. The pace was set to the slowest rider and there was no pressure from the group or leader to rush the experience. I would fully recommend the trip to anyone who is interested in medieval architecture and history as the guides take you to some beautiful sites and relay some very intersting facts along the way.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few inspirational moments in the trip, the beautiful city of Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Telc, Vienna, the Cathedral in Esztergom and the beautiful Budapest. The ride along the Danube was also very beautiful and not to be missed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Johan had an excellent historical knowledge which he was able to pass on where ever we turned up to. He made sure the group were well provided for and made to feel safe throughout. His excellent knowledge of the route brought in some great little coffee and lunch stops at just the right time in local restuarants along the way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would recommend taking an extra day at the start and end of the trip or an early/late flight so that you get to explore Prague and Budapest more fully as they are both beautiful cities with a lot to see.

Suggestions

I fully recommend this trip as it takes you through four very different countries with rich and exciting histories with some great cycling along the way.

Bruce Patterson

Reviewed May 2016

Prague to Budapest Ride

Another completely satisfactory cycling holiday with Exodus, combining a well thought-through itinerary, good to outstanding hotels, historic and cultural enlightenment, great exercise in the company of other like-minded, easy going participants, led by 2 top-notch local group leaders with excellent English who went out of their way to take care of us and to share their knowledge and love of their countries.

Most Inspirational Moment

Biking along the former Iron Curtain boundary and hearing our group leader's stories of'the oppression experienced by those he knew and the courage of those who risked death to cross the border to freedom.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exodus couldn't have found a better group leader than Jan. I think the whole group felt grateful that to be in such capable and caring hands which allowed us to have fun and enjoy our holiday the way we'd hoped we would.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes. You only need to bring one water bottle (the van carries water so you can top up along the way). The bikes provided are good ones with pedals that accomodate both biking and regular shoes. You'll need 3 different currencies, but not ahead of time as local ATMs dispense them and at a better exchange rate than most currency exchange places. Paniers (sp?) are provided, but daypacks are a good idea to keep in the minibus.

Suggestions

I'd been interested in this trip for a while. To say I'm glad I took it would be an egregious understatement as it ranks up there with the "musts" that I didn't know I shouldn't miss until I treated myself to the experience.

Anthony Mcnulty

Reviewed October 2015

Great mix of Exercise and Culture!

The trip was very much according to expectations and as the trip notes described. I was on an October departure and that was “out of season” for some places so some of the usual restaurants/stops that the guides would typically use were closed but they adapted accordingly… The guiding was excellent and as a pilot this trip had 2 guides based on previous comments/feedbacks that it was difficult for one guide to manage if group was fragmented. I was impressed by how they adapted the trip and listened to our feedback to make changes on the go. I was also positively impressed by the amount of history and information on the locations that the guides were sharing. The initial days were a bit hilly but very manageable for anyone cycling regularly. The bikes were hybrid/trek types which were ideal for the purpose as we had multiple terrain types but primarily road. The agenda was quite full so morning starts and new hotel every night… with typically 90mins to 2hours in the late afternoon between arriving back at the hotel and heading out again for a city tour and dinner. It was a wonderful trip with many varied experiences and locations!

Most Inspirational Moment

I very much enjoyed the cycling through the forest part of the trip (Czech Canada) which was very enjoyable and of course the achievement of arriving in Budapest!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were lucky to have 2 guides, both were very experience on the trip and excellent leaders. They constantly reached out for feedback and give the group options to customise the trip as much as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely be prepared from a fitness perspective so you can enjoy it... If you are regular cyclist it should not be overly challenging. The weather was changeable so suggest also to bring plenty of layers and waterproofs. Consider going 1 day earlier and/or staying 1 day later to have more time to enjoy Prague and Budapest.

Dave Gundy

Reviewed October 2015

Prague to Budapest bicycle ride

Great fun! As a solo traveler, I was particularly gratified to find myself in a very compatible group. I’d do it again.

Most Inspirational Moment

The ride through the "Canada" national park in the Czech Republic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

BOTH leaders were wonderful: Jan and Donna. They were knowledgeable and informative and flexible, and they possessed a good sense of humor.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the Exodus agent told me that I could bring my own bike, it's a very good thing that I decided not to do so. My road bike would've be completely unsuitable for some of the surfaces we rode on. The rental hybrid was exactly what I needed. I'm glad, though, that I brought my own saddle.

Suggestions

Yes: keep my on your mailing list.

Lucy Callander

Reviewed July 2015

Cycling Prague to Budapest

This was a wonderful trip. The towns through Czech and the countryside into Vienna are beautiful. The Route flattens out once on the Danube and the scenery to Budapest is OK but the first part of the trip is the most scenic. It is pretty full on cycling and at times I felt like all I did was cycle, eat, sleep, but I really enjoyed it and came home much fitter than when I left.

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it to the end! Whilst I never got on the support vehicle, I did walk up a few hills.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dana, our leader was fabulous, well organised and kept everyone going at a good pace. Had great local knowledge and history on the areas as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Day 2 and 3 cycling have a few hills and I found the hardest. It's a fair amount of cycling everyday so do some training before you go!

Suggestions

The hotels were all nice, our hotel in Vienna was excellent and a wonderful location. However, the hotel location in Budapest was very disappointing. It was a 20/30min walk to the metro, another 20min into downtown. I aslo wouldn't want to be walking back alone at night.

K&N Bevan

Reviewed July 2015

Good trip, but some areas that need attention

Overall this is a really great trip, where you get to see some lovely places. There are only modest coach transfers which is great as maximises the time on the bike and/or sightseeing vs taking out some of the less attractive bits of road. There is variety in the cycling over the trip, which meant it was always interesting.

Most Inspirational Moment

Some of the smaller towns were really lovely. The cycling around the Czech-Austrian border was very picturesque as well.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dana was a great leader, but there is too much going on for one person to manage. There were a number of issues that she had to deal with, but she always maintained a smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider buying your own map of the area. Check out the Budapest hotel, particularly if you are staying on.

Suggestions

Most of the niggles on this trip have been commented on in earlier reviews. The trip needs two guides; with 15 different cycling speeds on what can be at times a complex route with the van only seen at breaks. Exodus are really relying on the group sorting out many of its own issues (navigational, mechanical and others) which largely we did as a well bonded group. Maps or some brief daily navigational details would have been good. The location of the Budapest hotel was also an issue (although when raised by an earlier reviewer, Exodus replied that it would use more central hotels thereafter); ours was 15 minutes walk through a not very salubrious area before getting the underground. I would have felt uncomfortable I this area had I been on my own.

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Keith and Nicola for their review regarding the set-up of the trip and the hotel used in Budapest; we are reviewing these aspects with our local operator and we are confident that this will prevent any similar disappointments from recurring going forward.

Tim Martin

Reviewed July 2015

Nice Trip But Could Be Better Still

I had read the reviews of this trip before booking and would agree with all the good points mentioned in them as well and enjoyed the trip.

But I think a few small changes could improve it even more.

Most Inspirational Moment

I liked the cycling in the Czech Republic the most and the vist to Cesky Krumlov. The cycle paths here were fantastic and the rides the rolling terrain and forests was excellent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jan was a good leader and and had time for everybody on the trip. I would of liked him to have an assistant on the trip to help out with the cycling with a group of 14 though.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In June we had cold and wet weather for the first 5 days and most of us were not quite prepared for that. So make sure you have a good rain jacket. The rear pannier on the hire bikes is very handy for clothes, cameras etc so you won't have to take your own bag if you are hiring a bike. The bikes are heavy though and the worst hire bikes I have had on 8 trips. If you take your own bike there are several gravel sections so a little uncomfortable if on a road bike with thin tyres.

Suggestions

The harder days cycling are in the first 3 days and no build up for the lesser experienced cyclists. The last 4 days or so are completely flat and the days on the dyke in Hungary are tedious. I think the trip should be reversed to have the easier days cycling from Budapest to start ending up with the more challenging days at the end. Some people found 9 days in a row of cycling quite difficult as well. By reversing the trip and changing the itinerary order it would be ideal to include a rest day in Vienna. The group leader needs an assistant as 14 people with basically no van at the back of the trip is too hard to manage. We had some people get lost and a long wait for a bike repair because of this. The van cannot follow for much of the trip as it is on cycle paths. Also, the days on the dyke in Hungary should be reviewed. Rather than just following the cycle route to Budapest thought should be given to cycling through some of the other terrain and maybe a transfer at the end. But overall it was a very enjoyable trip and I'm glad I have done it. It could just be that bit better with a few changes.

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