OAT Versus Road Scholar

A first-time traveler's guide to choosing between OAT and Road Scholar

Whether this is your first international trip or your 30th, choosing the right tour company can make a big difference.

OAT and Road Scholar are both excellent choices for senior travelers—but they aren't exactly the same. We'll look at the pros and cons of each, including travel style, cost, discounts, solo travel, activity level, group size and more.

I've taken 19 trips with OAT and have traveled internationally many other times on my own. I also have friends who are loyal Road Scholar travelers. So this isn't about declaring one company the winner. It's about helping you understand the differences and decide which may be the better fit for you.

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Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) vs. Road Scholar: At a Glance

Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) offers a much more curated selection of roughly 100–150 itineraries. Its portfolio focuses on international small-group adventures and small-ship voyages.

Company Overview

Road Scholar offers roughly 4,000 learning adventures, with a strong emphasis on travel within the United States as well as international destinations.

Group Size

Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT): Small groups are a hallmark of the OAT experience, typically with 10–16 travelers on land trips and up to 25 on small ships. The smaller groups can make OAT trips feel more intimate and agile when navigating small villages or using local transportation.

Road Scholar: Varies depending on the itinerary. Small groups usually run 13–24 people. Some ocean voyages or city programs can have larger cohorts that are divided into smaller study groups.

Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT): Cultural immersion with an adventurous edge. Trips emphasize learning about the local way of life through home-hosted meals, school visits, and off-the-beaten-path experiences. The vibe tends to be more hands-on and active.

Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel): Educational immersion is at the core of its programs. It can feel like a mobile classroom led by field experts, local professors, and specialized guides. The atmosphere is intellectually curious, and focused on culture, history, nature, the arts.

Primary Focus

Pricing & Value Structure

Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT): Competitive base pricing, with particularly attractive options for solo travelers, including many trips with low or no single supplement. Some optional excursions are offered for an additional cost.

Road Scholar: Highly inclusive pricing. Most excursions, field lectures, entry fees, and tips for local guides and drivers are bundled into the upfront cost, leaving relatively few unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. Road Scholar is a nonprofit organization.

Solo Traveler / Single Supplements

This is one area where OAT really stands out. OAT says that 92% of its 25,000 single spaces have no single supplement, with the remaining 8% carrying low supplements. More than half of OAT travelers travel solo. For seniors who want their own room without paying a substantial premium for traveling alone, that's a significant advantage.

Road Scholar is very welcoming to solo travelers, and nearly one-quarter of its participants travel solo. Nearly all programs offer private rooms, although travelers generally pay more for their own room. Solo travelers can also choose to share a room with another Road Scholar traveler to avoid the single supplement, and some programs offer single rooms at no extra cost.

Discounts / Savings

This is where the thrifty traveler should pay attention. OAT regularly offers special deals, including discounts and, on selected departures, free international airfare. Many of its specials are aimed at departures just 2–3 months away, which can produce significant savings if your schedule is flexible.

OAT also offers a 5% Frequent Traveler Credit based on the regular trip price toward your next adventure. That can be $$$.

Road Scholar offers a substantial selection of special offers, including free or discounted airfare, recently reduced prices, early-booking savings, and selected programs with no single supplement. Its offers change regularly, so it pays to check before booking.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) if:

• You prefer smaller groups, with land trips typically limited to 16 travelers.

• You want immersive, off-the-beaten-path international adventures with plenty of interaction with local people and communities.

• You're traveling solo and want a strong chance of avoiding a single supplement—OAT says 92% of its single spaces have no single supplement.

• You like hunting for travel bargains, including special offers and a 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next OAT adventure.

Choose Road Scholar if:

• You prioritize educational experiences, history, culture, and expert-led learning.

• You want the option of traveling within the United States as well as internationally.

• You prefer highly inclusive pricing, with many excursions, lectures, entry fees, and gratuities included in the program price.

• You enjoy a somewhat more structured, educational approach to travel.

Jesse's Take

I've traveled internationally more than 30 times, including 19 trips with OAT. I've learned that there isn't one “best” tour company. There is, however, a company that may be best for you.

If you're looking for an educational experience, Road Scholar deserves serious consideration. If you're looking for a small-group international adventure and you're the kind of traveler who loves finding a good deal, OAT is hard for me to beat. Its last-minute and solo-travel deals can be particularly attractive. And for frequent travelers, OAT's 5% Frequent Traveler Credit has actually earned me a trip that cost virtually nothing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Road Scholar or OAT better for seniors?

Neither is automatically better. Both are designed with older travelers in mind, but they have different approaches. Road Scholar emphasizes educational experiences and learning, while OAT focuses more on small-group international adventure and cultural immersion. The better choice depends on the type of travel experience you want.

Is OAT cheaper than Road Scholar?

It depends on the trip and what is included in the price. Both companies offer special deals and promotions, so it's important to compare the total cost of specific trips. OAT can be particularly attractive for solo travelers because 92% of its single spaces have no single supplement, and its Frequent Traveler Credit can provide additional savings on future trips.

Is Road Scholar more educational than OAT?

Generally, yes. Education and learning are at the heart of the Road Scholar experience, with programs often built around lectures, experts, history, culture, and specialized subjects. OAT certainly provides opportunities to learn about the places you visit, but its emphasis tends to be more on cultural immersion and experiencing local life.

Which is better for solo travelers, OAT or Road Scholar?

Both are excellent choices for solo travelers. Road Scholar welcomes solo travelers and offers the option of sharing a room to avoid a single supplement, while nearly all programs also offer private rooms. OAT has a particularly strong advantage for solo travelers because 92% of its single spaces have no single supplement.

What is the difference between OAT and Road Scholar?

The simplest way to describe the difference is education versus cultural adventure. Road Scholar puts learning and educational experiences at the center of its programs, while OAT emphasizes small-group international travel, cultural immersion, and interaction with local people. Both offer excellent travel experiences, but the overall style is different.

Does OAT have smaller groups than Road Scholar?

Generally, yes. OAT land adventures are typically limited to 16 travelers, while Road Scholar small groups generally range from about 13 to 24 participants, depending on the program. Group size can vary for both companies, but OAT's smaller land groups are one of the things that attracted me to the company.

Does Road Scholar offer international trips?

Absolutely. Although Road Scholar has a substantial selection of U.S. programs, it also offers hundreds of international learning adventures around the world. So if you're looking for international travel, Road Scholar is definitely worth considering.

Do either OAT or Road Scholar offer a first-time traveler referral bonus?

OAT does. New OAT travelers receive $100 in travel credits toward their first adventure when they are referred by an existing OAT traveler. Simply say, "I was referred by Jesse Slome, #932019" and you get the credit. I also get a 1-time only credit towards a future trip.

Road Scholar has a refer-a-friend program, but it currently uses a monthly prize drawing rather than offering a guaranteed first-trip discount to the person you refer.

So if you're considering your first OAT trip, make sure you take advantage of the $100 credit.

Written by Jesse Slome, The Thrifty Senior Traveler
Originally published September 7, 2026 | Last updated September 7, 2026