contiki tour guide pay

The Scoop: What to Know About Contiki

This tour company for 18- to 35-year-olds takes a slightly different approach than the typical guided tour provider..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

Here at TourScoop, we use our real-world, real-person travel expertise—honed over decades of travel—to help travelers make great decisions about tours. Today we’re going deep on Contiki, a tour company focused on travelers ages 18 to 35. We’ve outlined everything we think you might need to know about Contiki.

Most tour companies focus on older travelers, but Contiki Tours stands out for its dedication to younger travelers between the ages of 18 and 35. It has been offering tours since 1962, and today has more than 200 trips on six continents.

Contiki does things differently than most tour companies. Not only is it geared to a totally different demographic of young people, it shines for its affordability, dedication to sustainability, and LGBTQIA focus, not just as a welcoming space for travelers but in the stories it tells about the places it goes.

Financially, it’s a tour company for people who haven’t spent a lifetime building savings. Initial deposits are low ($200), payment plans are flexible, and most tours are priced for budget travelers. Also of note, if parents or others are helping cover the cost, they can contribute funds once the tour is booked via the Manage My Booking online.

Contiki has a bit of a party reputation, especially on trips in Europe (in its description of itself, Contiki says it offers itineraries “so fun it feels like all of your best Friday nights combined”. That said, past guests also report that the experience is truly what you make it, so it can be a good fit for lots of different traveler types, with experiences that range from meetings with locals, checking out hidden cultural gems, and taking cooking classes.

TourScoop Takeaways : Contiki

• Countries: 200 trips on six continents
• Tour Size Average: Trip sizes vary depending on the destination and the trip type, and range from 12 to 53 people. (More in the Tour Types section below)
• Tour Type: Primarily Coach

How to Book

To book, you can book directly through Contiki , online, over the phone, or via the chat.

Credibility Check

Contiki has a Feefo rating of 4.7/5 based on over 2,000 ratings in the last year. On TourRadar , Contiki has a rating of 4.7/5 based on over 5,000 reviews.

BEST OF THE BEST: Best Tour Companies for Guided Tours

Tour Destinations

Contiki runs 200+ trips, with itineraries in Africa, Asia, Australia Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, New Zealand, and North America.

Europe is Contiki’s most popular region, and within Europe, the most popular trips include Greek Island Hopping , European Discovery , and  Italian Escape .

Recently, demand for Asia tours has been on the rise, with particular interest in itineraries like  Thai Island Hopper West ,  Japan in a Week , and the new  South Korean Soul tour.

Contiki has more than two dozen tour types , and browsing by type in addition to by destination can be a great way to figure out what trip will be the best fit. The tour types are: Active, Adventure, African Safari, Beach, Christmas, City Breaks, Detour Mini Adventures, Festival Travel, Gap Year Travel, Hiking and Trekking, Island Hopping, New Year’s Eve, Plus+ Trips, Pride, Reunion, Sailing, Short Breaks, Ski & Snowboard, Small Group, Solo, Train, U.S. National Parks, Wildlife, Winter, and World. There are also specific trips for travelers between the ages of 27 and 35 (the elders of the Contiki universe).

That’s a huge list, so here are more details about a few of the trip types:

• Detour Mini Adventures : These three- to eight-day tours focus on unique experiences in special places, rather than tours of countries or regions. Think: hiking national parks in Croatia and learning to be a safari guide in Kruger National Park. These trips are smaller, with a maximum of 16 travelers.
• Short Trips & Festivals : These city-break style tours focus on big events like Hogmanay New Year’s celebrations in Edinburgh, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, and Oktoberfest in Germany.
• Contiki Plus+ : Contiki dubs its Plus+ tours as “same good vibes with a hint of fancy.” They cost a bit more, but come with slightly nicer hotels and rooms that max out at two people. If you are traveling with a friend or a significant other, you can room with them and won’t have to share.

Group sizes vary by trip. In popular destinations like Europe and New Zealand, groups range from 24 to 53 travelers. In regions like Asia, Africa, and Latin America, group size is usually between 12 and 30. Most small group trips max out at about 24, and Detour trips don’t exceed 16 travelers.

Tour Guides

Contiki calls its guides Trip Managers rather than tour guides. In Europe, the average age of Trip Managers is 26 years old, putting them squarely in the demographic they serve.

Contiki recruits Trip Managers who are calm and effective problem solvers and skilled communicators who love sharing adventures with other travelers. The company has an extensive training program that teaches both logistics and education about the destinations they lead groups to. Trip Managers in Europe take a 58-day immersive training trip across the continent that includes classroom training and on-the-road learning.

What’s Included on Contiki Tours

• Transportation: Contiki tours include all on-tour transportation, which can include air-conditioned motorcoaches (tour speak for nicer buses), minibus, or 4×4 vehicles. Depending on the itinerary, it might also include trains, cruises, ferries and any flights that happen during the tour.
• Accommodations: Tours also include accommodations, which really span the spectrum and include hotels, hostels, boats, camp sites, jungle lodges, and the company’s 16th century French Chateau. Tours also include all transportation (including internal flights) during the tour.
• Guides: Your Tour Manager guide will get you safely from place to place, tell you interesting things, and generally make sure everything is working for everyone. Some tours also have local guides or guides specific to an attraction.
• Some Experiences: Any activities marked “Included Experiences” on the itinerary are covered in the cost of the tour. Most tours have some free time, which gives you the chance to go out and experience a place independently and do what you want to do. (You can also pay Contiki to join free time tours if you want to stick with the guide.)
• Some Meals: The number of included meals varies wildly by specific tour, but it’s pretty standard for many or most breakfasts to be covered (usually at the hotel/hostel), along with a few pre-arranged group dinners. For the other meals, Trip Managers usually have good advice about where to go to fit into your specific budget.
• Wi-Fi: Most accommodations come with included Wi-Fi. Some buses have Wi-Fi (but it can be spotty, depending on where you are).
• Some Tips: Gratuities that are covered by the cost of the trip include those at restaurants and hotels (most of the time; check your trip documents to make sure). See below for the gratuities that aren’t covered in the cost of your tour.

What’s Not Included on Contiki Tours

• Getting There and Home: Flights before and after your tour. You can book flights through Contiki, but it’s not included in the base price of the tour.
• Insurance: Comprehensive insurance isn’t included in the cost of the tour, but it is required. You can purchase through Contiki or separately.
• Visas, etc.: Depeding on where you’re gong, you may need a visa to allow you entry into another country (only some countries require visas) will be provided by Contiki if you will need one for your destination, but it’s up to you to apply and pay for the visa.
• Add-On Activities: If you see Free Time Add-On activities, those are the ones not included in the price of the tour. You can book these at an additional cost.
• Some Tips: Tips for the Trip Manager, Motorcoach Driver, and Local Guides are standard (and based on what you can afford) and generally paid at the end of the tour. Gratuities are a big part of the way these folks make their living, so it’s good to budget some funds to thanking them.

Typical Travelers

Unlike most tour travelers, Contiki travelers skew young. The company creates and operates tours specifically for travelers between the ages of 18 and 35. That means there are a lot of college students, recent grads, and people in their 20s and early 30s.

The average age of a Contiki traveler is 28. In the U.S., nearly 70% of travelers are solo, and well over half are female. About a quarter of Contiki travelers from the U.S. are repeat guests.

Communication

Once you book, you can sign into My Contiki (on the Contiki homepage, look for the Traveler log in link at the top right) and see all your information. About three weeks before your departure date, Contiki will send you all your documentation via email.

Loyalty Program

If you’ve already traveled with Contiki, just check the “Past Passenger” box at checkout and you’ll receive 5% off.

Contiki also participates in the Global Tour Rewards program, which gives guests the chance to collect and spend rewards across all the TTC tour companies, including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold, Costsaver, and Brendan Vacations.

Ways to Save on Contiki Tours

Because Contiki is geared toward younger budget travelers, it has a lot of options to make travel more affordable. The deposit to reserve a tour is $200, and travelers can wait until 60 days before departure to pay the balance. There are no booking or change fees, and its Part Pay Program gives travelers interest-free options for paying.

Contiki has a handful of ways to make tours even more affordable. They include:

• A multi-trip discount: When you book two tours that are seven days or longer each, you get a discount of 5% off the less expensive tour.
• Return customer loyalty discount: Select tours are offered at discounts of up to 5% to people who have already traveled with Contiki.
• Triple share discount: On some Europe tours, triple-share rooms are available at a 5% discount.
• Book-with-friends discount: If you book the same tour with four or more friends, you all get 5% off.
• Military discount: Members of the military (active and retired) get $100 off trips that are seven days or longer.

Sustainability Efforts

Contiki’s parent company, The Travel Corporation, selected 11 of the UN’s 17 global sustainability goals to power its five-year plan (known as  How We TreadRight ).

Contiki reports regularly on its progress toward sustainability goals like reaching net zero emissions by 2050, sourcing half of its electricity from renewable resources by 2025, halving food waste at hotels and on ships by 2025, boosting the amount of local and sustainable food products, reducing the amount of printed materials, reducing single-use plastics, and more.

Additionally, Contiki is a (very) active participant in its parent company’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences program, which focuses on activities that are both educational and supports sustainability. These experiences, which Contiki is scaling up to be available on 50% of its itineraries by 2025, are aligned with those same UN Global Goals for sustainable development.

Health and Safety Practices

Contiki follows local health guidelines in each destination, and Trip Managers can help guests access medical care on trips. Contiki also takes personal safety seriously, and says it is “committed to providing a secure and safe environment for all our travelers regardless of their gender, sexuality, ethnicity or religious beliefs.” It has a zero-tolerance policy on harassment directed at travelers or team members.

Family Companies

Contiki is a part of The Travel Corporation’s family of brands, which also includes Trafalgar , Insight Vacations , Uniworld , and about a dozen other tour and travel companies.

More from TourScoop:

• Tour Review: Trafalgar’s National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas
• 10 Great Tours of Australia This Year and Next
• 10 Standout South Africa Tours

Road Scholar Debuts Special Trips for Retired Teachers

New Vacation Trend: European River Cruise Companies Are Now Targeting Family Travelers

New Year Tour Sales: They’re Big and They’re Limited Time

What’s tourscoop.

Tour Scoop’s team of travel experts brings you in-depth tour company overviews, tour itinerary reviews, the latest tour news, and travel tips and advice written just for guided tour travelers like you.

More about us

The Scoop: What to Know About Collette

For more than a century, Collette has been leading award-winning tours.

The Scoop: What to Know About G Adventures

Award-winning small-group adventure-travel tours are the G Adventures specialty.

The Scoop: What to Know About Avalon Waterways

This award-winning river cruise company focuses on experiences and food.

The Scoop: What to Know About Intrepid Travel

Local experts, a focus on sustainability, and immersive small group experiences help set Intrepid Travel apart from other tour operators.

• Travel Advice

The truth about being a tour guide with Contiki

HAVE you ever wondered what it would be like being a tour guide overseas? Is it all just one huge party? An Aussie traveller who works for Contiki reveals the truth about the job.

Qantas’ major change for overseas flights

Airport named Australia’s best yet again

Qantas’ ‘one billion’ point win in 72 hours

LONG days. Spectacular sights. And a LOT of planning!

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to work as a tour guide?

Sydneysider Laura Pestell, 24, who has spent two years working with Contiki in Europe and six months in Australia, talks about the highs and lows of the job.

What made you want to become a tour manager and how did you make it happen?

I always wanted to work with people and make a positive impact on their lives. I also loved geography and travel and being a tour manager seemed like a good fit.

What’s the job really like?

Completely ridiculous! There’s nothing ‘normal’ about the job, it’s fun, full of mind-blowing experiences and of course hard work. It’s like being a little bit of everything, a jack of all trades. Teacher, nurse, guide, you name it! During the season it’s such a whirlwind and you never know what will get thrown your way.

Is it really just one big party?

I wish! Being a tour manager is an amazing job but we’re there to make sure everyone else has an amazing holiday which requires a lot of work behind the scenes, while we might be out showing the group around Paris one night we’re also up first thing making sure everyone is looked after.

What are the highs and lows of the job? What have you learnt along the way?

Being involved in our travellers’ experiences and watching them see the world or do something completely unexpected is the most amazing feeling. On one of my most recent tours there was a guy from Canada in his 20s who had been saving for 10 years to see the Australian outback, I felt lucky to be his tour manager and show him my country that he’d worked so hard to get to.

When it comes to the lows of the job, there isn’t a lot of sleep on tour. You’re the first one up organising breakfast and getting everyone pumped for what they have planned for the day, and sometimes the last to bed.

We don’t even use the word “weekend”.

But considering I have been to nearly 40 countries with Contiki and met so many people it’s a small price to pay.

What’s a typical day like?

There’s no such thing as a typical day when you’re a tour manager. Every day there are phone calls to make, bookings to do and general organising needed for the day ahead. It could either see me talking about the history of Italy as we drive through the countryside, relaxing poolside at Contiki’s French Chateau, white water rafting in the Swiss Alps or exploring the backstreets of Barcelona.

How often are you working and do you get much time off to explore?

When you’re on tour you are working 24/7 but that doesn’t mean you don’t get to explore at the same time. If the group is off on an excursion the tour manager is organising the next thing, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do the planning while in an amazing cafe in Rome or a tapas bar in Madrid, there’s always time to find something new and enjoy where you are.

How do you cope with being away from your family and friends for long periods of time?

I’m really lucky to have the support of friends and family back home, they understand the amount of time the job requires and understand when I go MIA for months on end. But I definitely need to make extra effort to stay in the loop, luckily technology makes it a small world when it comes to keeping in touch!

What are the most memorable places you have been too with Contiki?

My most memorable are those places that are completely different to home and have organised chaos like Spain or Turkey, there’s a buzz in the air that’s so addictive. The places that surprise people often become my favourite as well, when I have taken groups to Kata Tjuta National Park people often say they can’t wait to see Uluru but some of the other stops along the way are just as mind blowing and their reactions make me so happy.

What are the best/most outrageous things you have seen or done on Contiki?

There are so many bizarre things that can happen on tour and people tend to let loose so you see and experience some pretty awesome things! Probably the best thing is watching as people experience things they normally would never do like bungy jumping in New Zealand, paragliding in Austria or skydiving in Lauterbrunnen.

What is the best travel advice you can give to first time travellers?

Get involved with everything and become a “yes” person, you never know when or if you will ever come back so make each trip count, trust me once you get the travel bug the list of places you want to see will be forever growing. Do everything you can to make sure you get the most out of each trip, and take more photos than appropriate!

Australian airline Qantas has announced a major change for passengers flying overseas — and the best bit is that it won’t cost you a cent.

A major Australian airport has been named the best in the Pacific the same week a huge project kicks off with big changes for Qantas passengers.

Just days following the “biggest ever” change to the airline’s frequent flyer program, Qantas has dropped another major feat.

Join our Adventure: Get all my insider tips for traveling on a budget

12 Pros and Cons of Contiki Travel – Is Contiki A Good Fit For Your Next Vacation?

Looking to book a vacation with Contiki and you’re on the fence about it? Stress no more, I’ve got the inside scoop to the pros and cons of Contiki trips! The pros… the cons… you’ll find it all here!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you book using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

First, a little bit about my experience with Contiki: I’ve personally been on (4) Contiki Trips – Northern Thai Highlights , Ecuador’s Lava Line , Moroccan Adventure, and Ultimate Vietnam Experience.

I found out about it in the craziest way – from my neighbors trash! When I saw a travel magazine that had been thrown out and figured I’d check it out because I loveeeee to travel. I had never heard of Contiki but was immediately intrigued when I saw that they were a tour company aimed towards 18-35 year olds. I flipped through the magazine and was in awe of the amazingly fun pictures, descriptions, and itineraries. Then I spent the rest of the afternoon researching online if this would be a good fit for me.

Within 2 weeks, my friends and I had signed up for a 7 day trip to Thailand with this tour company. We didn’t know what to expect but were excited to check out a new country and maybe make new friends. We anxiously awaited the 8 months and boarded our flights ready for an adventure….

….And an adventure it was!!

Contiki had a jammed packed itinerary for us with so many unique activities! We loved each and every one of them. Every day was better than the last and it was over in the blink of an eye. Even my two friends, who had never been out of the country, loved every second of their time with Contiki in Thailand – they made navigating a new country very easy, safe and stress free!

I’ve listed some of my favorite things about Contiki below, as well as some of my least favorite things!

Use this as a guide for the best pros and cons of Contiki to decide if it is a good fit for you!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• Contiki’s motto is “ Travel with no regrets ” and they sure know how to make that come true! You’ll get to see and do everything that will make your Instagram explode with likes.
• There is a $200 deposit when booking the trip. If you find out later on that you can’t go, you can transfer your deposit to a different date or different trip completely! They don’t require the full payment until 45 days before the trip.
• Most all trips are based on double occupancy. If you want to travel alone, and have your own room there is an additional fee.
• They say 55% of travelers on their trips are female… however, I feel like it’s probably closer to 65-70%.
• Before you go, you’ll receive an “itinerary” and list of the hotels you are staying in. There is no formal schedule saying 7:30- Meet in Lobby; 8:00- Board Bus. It was very vague.

Pros – WHAT I LIKED ABOUT CONTIKI:

Read about my favorite parts of traveling with Contiki below:

They really know their audience. This tour is for 18-35 year olds and it was definitely geared towards activities that age group would find fun! It was every bit educational, adventurous, and fun as you’d want it to be! On our tour we biked, hiked, swam in waterfalls, played with elephants, went to local bars, and more!

Each tour has (1) Contiki Guide and (1) Local Guide. This was great because you got the best of both worlds. If you’re going to multiple cities, it is possible that the Local Guide will change throughout your trip – however, your Contiki guide will always be the same! This was great because we really had the best of both worlds. It was nice to have a constant guide with us every step of the way. It was also nice to know that we were getting a local guide so that could really tell us about their hometown.

Breakfast was provided each morning . Breakfast at the hotels always had a good variety of food options. In Thailand , there was always a mix of Western and Thai food. Ecuador breakfasts were simple but filling. Most tours include breakfast each morning and a few other meals which is a great way to experience a taste of local flavor.

There is a lot of driving in the motor coach. That might sound like a negative to most people, but Contiki did what they could to make the experience a positive. The motor coach itself was very nice and always air-conditioned. They made designated bathroom stops which was nice. Sometimes we would play games on the bus or watch movies.

There are like-minded people on the tour . It’s a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Every time I travel with Contiki, I meet people from Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and USA. It is fun seeing those cultures blend and experience a new one together.

Our tour guide was always able to recommend the safest and best bars for our nights on our own. Going out in a foreign country can be daunting because you never know what a dangerous place is. Our guide was always knowledgeable on the area and had great recommendations.

Experience the country as a local. Because you are on a tour, you are able to do things that you couldn’t if you were a solo traveler or here on your own! Contiki provides experiences to allow you to see what the local life is like by bringing you to locals houses and farms. You get to speak with locals and learn from them in their community. For instance, we played soccer with a local community in Ecuador and we talked to a local villager (our guide was a translator) about life in Thailand and about her newborn baby.

Cons – WHAT I DID NOT LIKE ABOUT CONTIKI:

Like any travel company, there are pros and cons of Contiki! Find out what I didn’t *love* about my Contiki Trip below:

My idea of “luxury” accommodations and their idea is completely different. Now, I’m not saying the hotels were BAD. But, they were far from luxurious. Some didn’t have a hairdryer or common amenities. Others were in iffy locations or slightly rundown. We weren’t in the hotel rooms very much, so it wasn’t bad, but I would have spent an extra couple hundred dollars for nicer hotels and a better experience at night.

They did not provide a packing list. I wish they had provided us with suggested items to bring along on the tour. I say this because I do not typically bring a towel with me as the hotels always have one. However, since we were moving hotels each night, we couldn’t bring the hotel towels with us. We did a lot of outdoor activities in water (river, lakes, waterfalls, etc) and really needed a towel each time to dry off.

Be prepared for some ‘add-on’ expenses if you want to see and do everything. For instance, they picked a hotel outside of a city, and then expected us to pay on our own to get to the city to experience the nightlife as a group. They asked $5 for the group picture. They took us to a cemetery but didn’t pay for the museum access. On my particular trip, these were small add-ons, but I know other trips have more expensive add-ons. It wasn’t a make or break, but just something I wish I had known prior.

You can’t go at your own leisure. Well, duh – you’re on a tour! However, this is most definitely still a negative for me. There are some places I would have loved to spend a few extra hours exploring and enjoying when we only had 30 minutes. There were also one or two places that I could have skipped altogether. Also, all the potty breaks that take 20 minutes when you only need 2-3 minutes is sometimes frustrating.

Contiki provided a genetic itinerary without much detail. Having a more detailed itinerary would have allowed us to better plan our free time. Unfortunately, the itinerary they gave us weeks before the trip was pretty generic. “Wake up here, go here, explore here, and have some free time before going here”. There wasn’t any detail to what we were doing, how we were getting there, how long we had at each place, and how much free time we had. This proved difficult when trying to book events in advance for our free time. They also provided a list of the hotels – see below for an example.

There you have it – an overview of the pros and cons of Contiki! To me, the Pros outweigh the Cons significantly, but only you can decide that for yourself! Overall, I loved my trips with Contiki. I went it in with average expectations and I was blown away by the fun adventure each and every day! Now, whenever I’m interested in visiting a new country, I look up the Contiki trip to see if it’s something I can do!

Save this post for later on Pinterest: Pros and Cons of Contiki Travel https://pin.it/6n62kkk

Related Contiki Posts:

• Review: My Experience with Contiki’s Lava Line Ecuador Trip
• Top 10 Things to Know Before Booking your Contiki Trip
• Book Your Contiki Trip Now  (affiliate link)

Similar Posts

Top 12 Tips for Traveling Abroad You Need to Know

Top 5 Best Things To See at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Georgia

Important Thailand Travel Tips to Know Before You Go to Thailand

The Best Stick-On Gel Nails (ManiMe Review)

Top 10 Tourist Travel Tips for Japan – great for first time visitors in Japan

Review: The River Kwai Jungle Raft “Floatel” in Thailand (Unique overnight Experience)

A few of my Aussie friends and my ex who is a kiwi did contiki on a few tours through Europe. They said they had a good experience and met amazing people but if they knew about the tours beforehand and the limited time, add ins etc they would never have done that or chosen much shorter yours with them so they could go and extend in some Locations.

Makes sense! There are definitely pros and cons to each contiki trip and it’s not for everyone! So far, I’ve loved all of my experiences with Contiki! 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• WORK WITH ME
• WHERE HAVE I BEEN?
• Komodo National Park
• Koh Sichang
• Phi Phi Island
• Czech Republic
• Switzerland
• The Netherlands
• British Columbia
• New York City
• North Dakota
• Yukon Territory
• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Christchurch
• Franz Josef
• Lake Tekapo
• Backpacking

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CONTIKI

Contiki Tours are an organised group tour of young like-minded travellers from around the world, in groups of 13-50 people, aged 18-35. The tours can span from a couple days, to 1 week, 2 weeks or even up to 45days, so there is something for every type of traveller. Contiki tours are perfect for first time travellers, solo travellers, social travellers, adventurers and groups. Simply, they are perfect for anyone who doesn’t want the burden and stress of having to plan a trip themselves – Contiki organises accommodations, destinations, transportation and all the little bits in-between.

Trip Styles.

Contiki can sometimes be characterised as very intense and fast pace, this is because they’re trying to give you a taste of various destinations in a short period of time. You should take this into consideration before planning your trip, because this pretty much means, no sleeping in, lots of hours on a bus and less time to explore some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. But fret not, there are also tours that offer a more relaxed pace, offering you more time at each destination to see and do more. It’s really worth considering how you want to travel, because depending on which pace you choose will determine what you are able to experience.

Contiki is perfect for taste-testing destinations so that you can grasp an idea of what places you’d love to come back to in the future. 

The various paces and trip types are;

• Discovery Plus
• High Energy
• In-Depth Explorer
• Freestyle Camping
• Sailing & Cruise
• Festivals & Short Stays
• Winter & Ski

Contiki tours are perfect because they take away the headache of planning. Planning your own trips takes a lot of time and researching. Contiki makes it as easy as “bags to coach”, so all you need to do is get there on time.

The Contiki Pack.

Before departure, Contiki provides you with a passport wallet to bring on your travels.

• Europe and UK sim card
• ‘Know before you go’ pamphlet
• Miniature Europe travel guide
• Trip information and Itinerary
• Hotel list duplicate for family/friends
• Booking summary and accommodation details

Kick Start Meetings at Contiki Basement.

Tours leaving from London have a kick-start meeting at the Contiki Basement the night before the trip departs. Located by the Royal National Hotel (which is also the meet-up spot), they begin at 6pm, so all you have to do is ask at the Contiki Basement reception desk where the meeting is – usually it is in the Royal National’s breakfast buffet room. On Bedford Way, it is clearly signed.

The meeting is quite underwhelming. The name gave me the impression that we were all going to sit down and get to know a bit about each other and learn all about what will be going on with the tour and learn the rules etc. The reality was a little intro with two other tour groups, checking our details (Travel Insurance and Emergency Contacts) and meeting our Trip Managers. It is a great opportunity to meet your fellow travellers, though I found that once everyone had filled out their forms they left – which was understandable, everyone’s jetlagged!

What you need to bring to the meeting;

• Trip documents (provided in your Contiki Pack)
• Travel Insurance info

The Contiki Basement is open;

• May 1 – September 30: 9.00am – 8.00pm (Summer Hours)
• October 1 – March 31: 11.00am – 7.00pm (Winter Hours)
• April 1 – April 30: 11.00am – 8.00pm

Me Time Optionals.

Just as the name states, these experiences are little bonus experiences and excursions that you have the option to do while on tour in your ‘me time’ – meaning the part of the tour where travellers are left to explore or relax on their own. The price for these is not included in the overall tour cost, so you can basically pay per optional activity. The price range for these can really range, some perfectly fitting to the average budget, and some are more costly – like skydiving in Switzerland. The ‘Me Time Optionals’ are a perfect opportunity to bond with your new friends, as most people usually opt to do all of the excursions – but it’s completely up to you. You don’t have to decide on which ones you want to do straight away, a few days into the trip you are given a form where you can tick each one you want to do – as some require pre-booking. Then you are given a few days to pay, they are generally pretty flexible.

If you opt to spend your ‘Me Time’ according to your own plan, you typically arrive at the destination one day, and then the next day is the day to explore it. Your TM will give you a short tour of the area as well as providing a map and highlighting the popular landmarks for you – from there you are off to roam for yourself.

Contiki offers a good balance between guided time and history lessons, i.e. in some places you are taken to places you don’t want to go to. In Paris you are taken to a perfume shop/museum, and it’s up to you how much you pay attention to the demonstration. In other places you may be offered a short walking tour which is great as an introduction.

Note: The coach will ALWAYS go with the tour group and scheduled optional activities.

Your Destinations.

As I said before, Contiki is perfect for taste-testing a destination. You will always get to see the major landmarks in each country. No doubt about it. In Paris? You will stand on top of the Eiffel Tower. The smaller things, might not meet your expectations, where the itinerary says you will see something, it may just be a drive by, or a short stop. Like any destination, there’s usually TONS to see, but Contiki is generally fast-paced, so you may find more use for your time than waiting in line at the famed Anne Frank Huis.

One of the biggest perks of being on a Contiki tour, is that they get you access to things that would be difficult to plan yourself, like skipping long lines at the Eiffel Tower.

Trip Manager and Drivers.

Your Trip Manager (TM) is one of the most important assets of your journey. They know everyone and they know pretty much anything about the destinations – they are there to answer your questions, and inform you on the local history, attractions and also provide you information regarding the tour. The TMs are there to make you feel safe, and ensure that you are having a good time, but in saying this, they are not the Mummy or Daddy of the trip, they aren’t there to hold your hand – it’s completely up to you to make sure you are there in time for the bus.

Your TMs and your driver can pretty much make or break your trip. The driver is the one responsible for getting you from point A to point B, and the more experienced the driver, the more likely he is to know all the short-cuts, back routes, and ways to avoid rush hour – so fingers crossed they are perfect with time management.

During your journey you are also able to use hashtags for your TM and Driver – and they pick their favourites to go towards winning more Contiki Tours. #ContikiMike #ContikiPaolo

Your Fellow Travellers. 

18-35yr olds, the average Contiki tour is made up of a mixture of various traveller dynamics. Solo travellers, pairs, couples, friends, and siblings, you’re pretty much ensured to make yourself comfortable somewhere or another. The TMs are always there to help if you’re feeling a little shy, and know that making friends on a Contiki tour is one of the best parts of the journey – they’ll become your friends for life, not matter where on the globe they reside. Your Contiki Family will become your family away from home.

When it comes to group dynamics, you shouldn’t be worried about who you’ll end up touring with. The groups can range up to 50 people, so you’re guaranteed to meet people you jive with.

Contiki Rules. 

I cannot stress enough how important it is to be on time. Not only will arriving early get you in the good books, but Contiki is known for leaving people behind who don’t show up on time. If the bus leaves without you, you are pretty much left to sort out how to meet them at the next destination. If you are lucky, you can jump onto another Contiki bus, but know that this won’t always be an option. Obviously if they know you are near, the TM isn’t going to leave a member of your Contiki Family behind, but there is a limit – every 5 minutes you are late each day takes off more and more time that you could be spending at your new destinations.

Accommodation. 

Contiki has accommodations at both ends of the spectrum. They usually level themselves out – i.e. the closer you are to the centre of the city, the more likely the hotel will be quite basic, because otherwise it would cost you $$$. The further away from the city, the nicer the establishment – so you’re basically paying for location or quality. Either way, they have their plus sides. The negative to the accommodations located further away from the city, you may have to organise transportation to get back and forth. The Contiki bus always offers fixed pick-up and drop-off times, and your TM will always let you know how to get around by public transportation.

On Contiki tours, you have the option to share a room with 1 to 3 people, or single. For most trips you will only have to share with one other, though when booking the trip, you have the freedom to make this choice. If you really want the private room, you’ll have to pay a bit extra, but I would REALLY recommend at least sharing with one other traveller – if you’re solo, this is the perfect chance to make a relationship with someone else on your trip.

Each tour and its location varies on the quality and types of foods and how many meals are provided in the overall cost. More often than not, breakfast is always provided, and some dinners – but some meals are left to you, or are available through cultural dining experiences in the ‘Me Time Optionals’. There’s a balance of average meals, to amazing meals, but it’s up to you how you spend your money in your free time. If you have a dietary requirement, Contiki is happy to accommodate you and ensures you get a special meal at group dinners. On days where you are free to organise your own dinners, it’s a perfect opportunity to find a local restaurant with your Contiki Family.

Drinking and Parties.

Contiki is pretty well-known for it’s party scene. Travelling with a group of young people, it’s not hard to see why. A perfect way to get to know your fellow travellers, it allows people to let off some steam, get more comfortable around these strangers and dance,  a lot . Trying local drinks is always fun – and if you plan for it, you can hit up Oktoberfest in Germany! But again, like the ‘Me Time Optionals’, it is totally up to you to decide whether you want to drink and go out. You can go out, and not drink or not go out at all, or you can drink until your head hurts – just make sure you’re able to get onto the bus the next day. Basically, it’s up to you to be responsible, know your limits, but also have fun, create bonds, and know that there are plenty of options available to you.

When there are group events on at night, the coach will take you there. Most of the time there will also be a pick-up time, but it is NOT available late at night. The general routine through the week was to go out every second night before coach days, as you can nurse the hangover without wasting a day of travelling.

There will be hookups. It’s basically up there in that party-scene genre. People are away from home, making new experiences, far far from the general judgey people that they know from home. Contiki is pretty much a conductor for hookups, putting a large group of young adults together, all high on life, seeing the world, and mix that with some nights out and alcohol, you can see where this is going. But know, everything that happens on Contiki tours is completely respectful, people will always judge, its human nature, but everyone understands that its a part of the Contiki lifestyle, everyone’s there to have fun. You might even get a holiday romance on board the coach, #ContikiCouple.

Pleeeease., don’t overpack. Pack clothes that can mix and match together instead of a new outfit everyday. Mid way through your journey there are laundry facilities available to the Contiki Family, around 20Euros it’s worth splitting a laundry bag with your roommate/s.

As well as this, you should think ahead about what sort of luggage you want to bring, backpack or suitcase. Backpacks are perfect if you are going to have to do a lot of walking and carrying your stuff, but suitcases are more suited for coach journeys as most of the time you’ll only have to move your bag to your room, and from your room.

Note: You should pack a few outfits for going out, you’ll want to feel nice when you’re out for the evening. Also, make sure you bring stuff to do on your downtime on the bus, as well as things to make you comfortable – the chances are high that you’ll want to take a nap after an early morning wake up. 

Just so you know.

There WILL be a theme party. You will not know what it is beforehand, and you’ll have enough time as everyone else to prepare for it.

Now don’t take me too seriously when I say down time, because this is pretty much only when you’re on the bus and sometimes late at night when everyone is winding down. Sometimes after arriving at a new destination you are gifted a few hours before dinner, but some people choose to use this time to explore the local area or socialise – time will fly.

On the Road.

When driving from one place to another, after departure, your TM will let you know when your next stop is, which is usually somewhere to refuel, grab a snack and take a bathroom break. There is a bathroom on the bus, but this is only there for emergencies (and once the tank is full, it can’t be used at all until it can be emptied, which can’t be done in most places). Sometimes the coach takes you the scenic route when first arriving to give you a scope of the beautiful city, it all depends on time.

Your coach is your home, so keep it clean and respect it. Chances are high that a few of your fellow travellers will be cursed with the Irish flu, so this is something to consider on nights out, can you handle the hangover? There are plastic bags available throughout the coach. The bus has a clock visible at the front, and nice big windows that are cleaned nightly by the driver. The seats are as comfortable as a coach bus can be expected to be, they recline, but it’s pretty much like being on an economy flight. By the toilet in the centre of the bus there is a charging station – but you will still need adaptors.

On board the bus, music is played usually from the TMs iPod (or your fellow travellers), but as well as this, every tour gets a ‘day song’. This song will play for the rest of your trip, to psych you up each morning.

Note: THE CONTIKI COUGH IS REAL. Pack cold and flu tablets, whatever you need. Sitting in a bus of circulated air means if one person is sick, chances are someone else will get it.

It’s been said that the average tipping on Contiki tours is $2 a day each for the driver and your TM, but there is absolutely no pressure – pay what you think is fair. They will hand you an envelope, and you can put whatever you want in it.

Getting the most out of your travels, my top tips:

• Your attitude is everything. Be positive or your negativity will bring you down.
• You won’t get along with everyone.
• Not everyone will enjoy it – don’t ask me why, just be aware.
• Do the things that you  enjoy . You paid for this trip, so make it what you want to be. If you want to sight see, do it. If you want to drink the trip away, do that.

The Post Contiki Feels.

When you get home, like any exciting trip overseas, you’re going to have that travel bug well embedded. Take advantage of that and go out, see your friends, explore your hometown. It won’t last forever, and soon enough you’ll get those Post Travel Depression feels – that feeling when you notice your every day life just isn’t as exciting as it was during your travels.

Want some tips on taking advantage of the travel bug once you’re home? See here .

Check out their website: www.contiki.com for more info.

Feel free to ask me any questions you have about Contiki tours!

Holly O'Sullivan

Holly is the founder and content creator of THATraveller. Holly travels the world, photographing, writing and vlogging about all of her journeys.

You Might Also Like

My top 10 bucketlist moments (that changed my life), movies for the solo traveller, beginners tips to amsterdam’s “coffee shops”, no comments, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Everything You Need to Know for Your First Contiki Tour (Plus 17 Trip Recommendations)

If you’re currently deciding between Contiki and another method of travel, what I hope to do is provide some exposure and answer some questions about Contiki that I wish I had known so I could’ve considered it as an option sooner. Read on for everything you need to know about Contiki tours, along with 17 of my personal recommendations for itineraries to choose!

Some articles on Rachel Off Duty contain ads and affiliate links. If you plan on buying or booking something I’ve recommended, please consider using my links, which help power this site at no additional cost to you! To learn more, read our Privacy Policy .

Some articles on Rachel Off Duty may contain affiliate links. Read more in our Privacy Policy.

Some articles on Rachel Off Duty may contain affiliate links. Read more about this in our Privacy Policy .

I recently took my very first Contiki tour along the coast of the Mediterranean – through Spain, France, Monaco, Italy , and the Vatican. As someone who travels equally as a solo female , a couple, and part of a small group, I am not the kind of person who’s tied to one dedicated travel style and I tend to appreciate the benefits each way of seeing the world can provide. Contiki’s was the first large group tour I’d been on since college, though.

As soon as I announced earlier this year that I’d be going on a Contiki tour, I was instantly met with 3 types of responses: 

Praise – I love Contiki! I went on several tours / I’ve been dying to go (I specifically received more excitement than I expected to from people who are now 50 or 60 years old reminiscing on the Contiki tours they took in their 20s!) 

Skepticism – What’s it like traveling with that many people? Isn’t it just one big college party? 

Lack of Awareness – What’s a Contiki? 

I actually fell into the last category myself! I had no idea what Contiki was until recently. And now that I’ve been on a tour myself, I so regret not having known Contiki was an option when I was in college and just beginning to dip my toe into international travel without my parents. But even now, a couple of years out of college, I still had a blast. Something about being in a karaoke bar in Florence at 2 in the morning really brings the ‘youth’ out in everyone, you know? 

If you’re currently deciding between Contiki and another method of travel, what I hope to do is provide some exposure and answer some questions about Contiki that I wish I had known so I could’ve considered it as an option sooner. At the end of this post, you should have all the facts you’ll need to decide whether to book a Contiki trip, and which Contiki tour (because there are several!) is the perfect choice for you!

What is Contiki? 

Contiki is a social (group) travel company for ages 18-35. The company has been around since 1962 when it got its start in London as a minibus operation taking backpackers and holiday seekers from London to Europe on months-long expeditions. Since then, Contiki has grown into one of the most popular travel companies in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. More recently, they’ve started gaining steam in the US too. 

Today, Contiki operates over 350+ unique tours across 6 continents ranging from $179 to $9,000 in price. The tours run anywhere from 3 days to over 40 days, and either focus on one particular destination or a variety of cities and countries in close proximity. 

Contiki Tour Structure 

Contiki offers 8 different tour categories to appeal to a wide-ranging group of travelers with different interests, whether it’s traveling on a budget, seeking out local experiences, or squeezing in a quick getaway without taking too much time off from work or school .

If you decide to book a Contiki tour, you can use code CONTIKIRACH100 to save $100 on any 7+ day itinerary

1. contiki discoverer tours:.

What it Is: Discoverer tours are meant for seeing and experiencing as much of each destination as possible.

Availability : All regions except Africa and the Middle East

My Discoverer Tour Picks (Click to View):

2. Contiki In-Depth Explorer Tours:

What it Is: In-Depth Explorer tours are aimed at focusing on culturally rich exploration within a particular country or region.

Availability : All 6 continents

My In-Depth Explorer Picks (Click to View):

3. Contiki Iconic Essentials Tours:

What it Is: Iconic Essentials tours are focused specifically on essentials and a destination’s most famous sites, with the idea of giving you the most bang for your buck.

Availability : Europe only

My Iconic Essentials Picks (Click to View):

4. Contiki Sailing and Cruise Tours:

What it Is: Sailing and cruise tours are itineraries with an emphasis on water and beach activities.

Availability : Australia and Europe only

My Sailing & Cruise Picks (Click to View):

5. Contiki Short Trip and Festival Tours:

What it Is: Short, usually 3- or 4-day trips aimed at either attending festivals, taking a weekend getaway, or adding on to an existing trip you might already be taking.

Availability : Australia, New Zealand, Europe, USA, and Canada

My Short Trip and Festival Picks (Click to View):

6. Contiki Ski and Snowboard Tours:

What it Is: Ski and snowboard tours are centered around winter sports and activities.

Availability : Asia, New Zealand, Europe, USA, and Canada

My Ski and Snowboard Picks (Click to View):

On Contiki’s site, you can filter their 300+ trips by the above categories to narrow down your search. If you’re more of a solo adventurer, you can also filter the trips to only see itineraries with maximum free time (versus a structured itinerary).

Most, if not all, Contiki itineraries will list out a number of different free-time add-ons (FTAs) that are not included in the base price of the trip. This is something you should be aware of and budget for upfront, because you will only be able to pay for these FTAs while you’re already on the trip itself.

Of course, you can opt out of any FTA you don’t want to do. But from my experience, there will be at least a handful of add-ons that you’ll either really enjoy or won’t want to miss out on (if the rest of the group is participating and there’s no better alternative, for example). These FTAs can be anything from a special meal to a full-day excursion. On my Contiki trip, some of the most fun FTAs we were offered included a tour of a monastery and a Tuscan dinner experience, a pasta making class in Rome, and a bike tour of the city in Nice. The bike tour was, without question, one of my favorite memories from the entire trip. 

What Kind of Traveler Would Like a Contiki Tour (and Is it Right for You?) 

While the Contiki brand markets itself as a travel company for 18-35 year olds, the average age of a Contiki traveler is 26. Old enough to have disposable income, but young enough to have the energy and stamina needed to sight-see all day and maybe even go out for a drink at night (and then do it all again the next day). 

Contiki is actually a prime tour for both friend groups and solo travelers. Many tours are large enough for entire groups of friends to book altogether and be guaranteed space. Beyond that, tours like Contiki are great for groups because no one from your friend group needs to be tasked with the planning, logistics, or budgeting, which is often the most stressful and time-consuming part of traveling with other people. On the flip side, solo travelers have an advantage too, because Contiki allows individuals to visit new countries and cities with a guaranteed arsenal of companions along with a dedicated trip manager, which can be a huge relief, especially if you’re thinking of using Contiki as your first exposure to international travel. About 45% of all Contiki travelers book tours with at least one friend or a significant other, and close to 55% travel solo. 

I love planning trips and figuring out itineraries , but one of my favorite things about going on my Contiki tour was not having to worry about a single thing for once! Everything from my transportation, to my hotel room, to my meals and activities was handled. All I had to do was show up and enjoy, which was such a nice change of pace from what I’m used to. 

Transportation Style 

The majority of Contiki tours involve a coach bus or minibus. Contiki coach busses are something the company takes great pride in because they are essentially the symbol and walking billboard of the brand. Because of this, each Contiki coach is outfitted with bright colors on the outside, and plush seating arrangements on the inside. The busses have AC, a TV, WiFi, USB charging ports, and individual tray tables at the back of each seat. I’ll admit, the WiFi isn’t the best (you only get 100 MB of free WiFi on each device every 24 hours, and while you can purchase additional data, it’s spotty at best. However, it’s better than having nothing, and does get the job done if you’re just trying to catch up on texts or scroll through Instagram. 

Depending on your itinerary, you will be spending a lot of time in the coach. So pack a neck pillow, a book, and plan to spend this time catching up on sleep, work, reading, or getting to know the other travelers on your tour! The coach can be a pretty fun experience in itself. Also, Contiki’s drivers are top-notch, safe, and incredibly precise. I absolutely adored Paolo, our driver for the week we spent in Europe. 

Food & Drinks

You will have some meals and drinks included in your Contiki tour, while others will either be FTAs or free time to explore and eat on your own. Each itinerary on the Contiki site will list out the meals included so you can get a decent idea of what you’ll be responsible for while you’re on the trip. 

To get an idea of what tips of meal FTAs are offered for the itinerary you’re considering, scroll down to the itinerary section of the trip description and click on ‘See Detailed Itinerary.’ This will show you all of the FTA meals available and how much they will cost! 

For the meal inclusions, it’s important to also know that some of these meal inclusions will simply be whatever free food is served at the hostel or hotel you’re staying at. 

Accommodations

The accommodations you’ll stay in range from hostels to hotels to what Contiki refers to as ‘Special Stays’ in unique lodging. Think chateaus in France and floating rafts in Thailand! Regardless of the accommodation type, expect to share your room with between 1 – 4 other travelers throughout your trip. This may be a good or a bad thing, depending on how you view it, but hostel-hopping is an extremely common practice outside of the US and an incredibly easy way to meet new people. In my experience, despite having limited space for luggage, I got along with my roommates right away and we ended up banding together for the majority of our Contiki tour which was great since we all went into the trip as strangers! 

If you’re considering a tour that moves around frequently and doesn’t spend more than 1 or 2 nights in any location, I’d strongly recommend not bringing more than a carry on with you on the trip. All that moving around with a check-in luggage can be a huge pain and honestly not worth the hassle (speaking from experience!).

Conscious Travel

What I was really intrigued to learn that I don’t think many people know is that Contiki partners with the TreadRight Foundation to support and sustain people, wildlife, and environmental issues in the countries they impact. In addition to a number of organizational commitments (called ‘Contiki Cares’), Contiki has also created several opportunities to learn about sustainability and participate in volunteer opportunities while you’re on tour. Some of these opportunities include learning about bush medicine in Australia , supporting community building efforts in Ecuador , and visiting elephant rehabilitation sanctuaries in Thailand .

When making the decision to book a tour with Contiki or a similar tour operator, definitely pay attention to their values and the initiatives (if any) they’re supporting, as this is essentially what your dollars will be supporting. While many people associate Contiki with lots of partying and quick-hit trips through countries, there are actually a number of itineraries on offer that focus instead on slow travel, cultural immersion, and contribution to society and sustainability. Now that I know about the Contiki Cares program, I personally would love for my next trip with them to be one that includes a community or sustainability initiative (I actually have my eyes on this trip , which includes a visit to a women’s co-op in Jordan).

To learn more about Contiki’s approach to conscious travel, go here.

Overall Pros + Cons: 

Logistics figured out for you

Epic itineraries

Unique experiences

Like-minded travelers

Highly organized

Lots of partying, if you choose (pro and con)

Sustainability and conscious travel initiatives to participate in

Dedicated trip managers and drivers 

Price & financing options 

Cons: 

Packed schedule 

Shared lodging

Faster pace 

Price (listing this as a pro and a con, depending on how you look at it and depending on which trip you’re interested in) 

Use code CONTIKIRACH100 to save $100 on any 7+ day Contiki Trip

I was selected as Contiki’s Travel Ambassador for the 2019-2020 year. That said, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

#OffDutyDestination #ContikiAmbassador

Read This Next:

My Contiki Mediterranean Quest Itinerary Review: 10 Jam-Packed Days in Europe

Where to Stay in Nice, France: The Hôtel Ozz

Enjoy this post? Pin it for later!

Hey there! I’m Rachel, a travel writer and a full-time advertising / marketing expert. In 2019, I traveled more than 25 times while working 9 to 5, and since then I’ve committed myself to living a more adventurous life, even if it means bringing my laptop along for the ride. Are you hungry to travel more, but overwhelmed with how to juggle work and play? You’ve come to the right place!

Recent Adventures:

Top Woman-Owned Travel Companies That Should Be on Your Radar

Los Angeles Staycation Idea: Two Days in Palos Verdes, California

How to Ask Your Boss for More Vacation Time (The Right Way)

Let's go places.

• Updated on: September 23, 2019

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Follow the Off Duty Life

Join a Community of Go-Getting Travelers.

Sign up below!

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

Contiki Review – Travel Tours, Group Vacations & Adventure Holidays

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

777 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3130 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Director of Operations & Compliance

1 Published Article 1171 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20

Young Travelers

Solo travelers, friends or groups, destinations, contiki australia, contiki europe, contiki japan, contiki new zealand, contiki thailand, contiki usa & canada, contiki reviews, contiki vs. topdeck, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Contiki provides travel tours for young adults. The tour company was incorporated in the mid-1960s after a group of friends posted a flyer on a noticeboard advertising space on their 12-seater minibus to travel around Europe. To this day, group travel is still immensely popular, as you not only get to explore a fantastic destination, but you get to make lots of friends in the process.

Contiki is one of the best European bus tour companies out there, but it also offers group tours all over the world. Many tours use coaches, and groups can be as large as 52 people. In some destinations such as Africa and Latin America, group sizes can be as small as 12 people up to a maximum of 30.

Each tour has a driver and a trip leader that will be with you for the entire journey, and local expert guides will also join you for specific activities. With your travel, accommodations, and itinerary arranged for you, all you need to worry about is having an incredible time.

Who Are Contiki Tours Good For?

Contiki tours are exclusively for travelers from 18 to 35 years old so that you can experience a new destination with like-minded young vacationers. The tours are incredibly social and many travelers meet lifelong friends. Including a combination of scheduled activities and free time, the tours let you tick-off bucket list experiences and landmarks before enjoying a beer with your new pals.

Whether you’re an experienced traveler or are embarking on your first solo trip, Contiki tours are perfect for single travelers. You’ll experience the excitement of independent travel while having the logistics taken care of. Rather than having to approach a new friend in a hostel bar, you’ll get to know your fellow travelers in a less daunting environment.

Tour prices are based on twin sharing with a fellow traveler of the same gender, but you can also upgrade to a private room for a fee.

It’s not just solo travelers that choose Contiki tours. Groups of friends often join tours together as they love the idea of meeting more new people as well as getting to travel with their friends. You can all book your places and pay final balances independently, avoiding 1 person having to be responsible for everyone’s finances.

Contiki Tour Types and Destinations

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to travel. To help travelers choose which tours might suit their travel style, Contiki has tagged its tours under various categories.

Contiki’s Adventure tours include the usual transport and accommodation, but they also include unique travel experiences for adventurous types. You could be quad biking through the Cambodian countryside or soaring high above the Sonoran Desert in Arizona in a hot air balloon.

Hot Tip:  Be sure to check out our adventure travel essentials before your next trip.

African Safari

Africa’s incredible landscapes are teeming with wildlife, large and small, from majestic elephants bathing in watering holes to color-changing desert chameleons. African Safari tours include plenty of wildlife encounters and other bucket-list experiences such as Victoria Falls, the Sossusvlei salt pans, and Table Mountain.

Beach Trips

Contiki has picked some of the best beaches in the world to create tours with the perfect blend of sun, sea, adventure, and nightlife. Beach Trips tend to follow the coastline of a destination, so you can enjoy surf lessons to beach yoga and sunset cocktails to fresh seafood dining.

Hot Tip:  We take the pain out of packing for your beach vacation with this printable packing list .

Discoverer trips offer an excellent balance of culture, iconic sights, and adventure. You’ll tick off lots of bucket list experiences as well as authentic local encounters, which are often the most memorable moments. These tours are generally longer than 9 days, so you’ll get to immerse yourself in a destination.

Iconic Essentials

Iconic Essentials tours cover comprehensive itineraries around Europe and include some excursions and lots of free time. This means that you can tailor-make your trip to only see the sights that are important to you. If you’re used to traveling solo or are skeptical about touring, this tour type could be a good compromise — travel and accommodation are arranged but many of the excursions are optional.

Hot Tip:  Check out the best compact, mirrorless, and DSLR cameras for travel so that you can capture iconic sights on your tour. 

In-Depth Explorer

In-Depth Explorer tours enable travelers to experience a destination like a local, with lots of authentic experiences to immerse yourself in the local culture. Accommodations include well-situated, independent hotels, so you’ll enjoy the comfort and convenience while knowing you’re supporting local communities.

Island Hopping

Why stay on 1 island when you can experience them all? Island Hopping tours allow travelers the opportunity to experience the unique culture and quirks of island life while enjoying the journey in between. Relax on palm-fringed sandy beaches, sip a cocktail while watching an island sunset, or go in search of marine life with a snorkel or diving excursion.

Hot Tip:  Make sure you’re prepared for your beach tour with these recommendations for the best travel beach towels and blankets .

Sailing and Cruise

Sail between beautiful islands and buzzing port towns with a Sailing or Cruise tour. On some tours, your ship is your transport and your accommodation, so you’ll only need to unpack once for your whole trip. When it comes to sightseeing, you’ll get the best of both worlds, with regular stops for land-based exploration and plenty of incredible views of the coastline.

Short Trips and Festivals

Short Trips and Festival tours are great for those who want to explore a city for a couple of days or combine their holidays with a festival or celebration. These include music festivals, New Year’s Eve celebrations, or local public holidays, so you can celebrate in style while soaking up the local culture.

Hot Tip:  If you’re heading away on a short break, you might want to upgrade to one of these recommended carry-on bags , including wheeled cabin bags and backpacks.

Ski and Snowboard

Ski and Snowboard tours offer the perfect solution if you’re looking to explore a new destination while getting in some slope time. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned pro or a complete beginner, you’ll have the option to book lessons and chances are there will be someone on your tour of a similar standard. Enjoy the cool and crazy vibes of Tokyo before taking a train to one of the nearby ski resorts or hit the slopes in Lake Tahoe on a sightseeing trip through California, Arizona, and Nevada.

Small Group

Some of Contiki’s groups accommodate up to 50 people, which some travelers love, as it allows them to meet more people. If you prefer a smaller, more intimate travel experience, Contiki offers Small Group tours with tours averaging 12 to 24 people.

Volunteering

Contiki’s Volunteering tours allow travelers to give back to the countries and communities they’re exploring. Volunteer tours combine exploration with a service element, such as participating in sustainable development projects.

Other Tour Types

Contiki has a variety of other tour types:

• Backpacking
• Christmas Tours
• Group Travel
• Guided Tours
• Hiking and Trekking
• New Year’s Eve Tours
• Sightseeing
• Solo Travel
• Winter Holidays
• World Tours

Contiki provides over 350 tours to 75 destinations within these countries, continents, and regions:

• Latin America
• Middle East
• New Zealand
• U.S. and Canada

Contiki Top Tours

Contiki offers itineraries of up to 22 days to explore this vast country. Many cover the popular east coast from Sydney to Cairns, while others venture into the remote outback to watch the sunset at Uluru. Sail around the Whitsundays, learn to surf at Byron Bay, or see where the rainforest meets the reef at Cape Tribulation.

• Includes transport, accommodation, breakfast, and some activities

Hot Tip:  As flights are not included in the tour price, you might be interested in the best ways to fly to Australia with points and miles . 

Contiki is well-known for its European bus tours, but some destinations utilize transportation by train or boat for coastal areas. It’s usually unnecessary to fly between destinations as combination tours like European Discovery typically cover neighboring countries. Let’s take a look at a sample of what’s available.

Contiki Croatia

You can discover Croatia as a standalone tour or as part of a combination Balkans or European tour. With one of the longest coastlines in the Mediterranean, it’s the perfect sailing destination, stopping at the historic coastal cities of Dubrovnik and Split and the beautiful islands of Korčula and Hvar.

• Includes transport, accommodation, some meals, and activities

Contiki Greece

You can island-hop your way around Greece or visit as part of a wider European tour. With most tours starting in Athens, you can explore the iconic Acropolis and Olympic Stadium before sailing between the likes of Mykonos, Santorini, and Ios.

Contiki Italy

Contiki runs a wide variety of trips to Italy, ranging from week-long tours visiting some of its most iconic cities and coastlines to 45-day European tours. From exploring Roman ruins and floating cities to sampling fresh pasta or delicious wine at a 16th-century Tuscan winery, you’ll most definitely be living la dolce vita .

Japan is an enchanting county of contrasts, from bustling cities to ornate temples and magnificent mountains to war memorials. With the high-speed bullet train, it’s pretty easy to get around to Kyoto and Hiroshima, and some tours include a trip into the mountains for skiing or snowboarding.

Hot Tip:  If you’re planning to visit Japan in Spring, take a look at our ultimate guide to the cherry blossom festivals .

Explore the North Island, South Island, or both with a Contiki New Zealand tour. Cruise across the Bay of Islands, go white water rafting down Kaituna River, or spend a night on the town in Wellington. Contiki tours range from 6 to 19 days.

• Includes transport, accommodation, some meal, and activities

Hot Tip:  If you’re flying from the U.S. to New Zealand, find out which U.S. airports Air New Zealand flies direct from .

Embark on the ultimate Thailand adventure and tour the northern jungles of Chang Mai and the exotic coastlines and islands of the south. If you’re looking to visit more than 1 country, some tours combine Thailand with neighboring Cambodia or Malaysia.

If you’re looking for a tour closer to home, Contiki offers trips throughout the U.S. and Canada. These range from 2-night city breaks exploring Los Angeles , Orlando, or New York, or trips up to 26 days covering most of the eastern and southern states.

Hot Tip:  If you decide that a group tour isn’t for you, check out the best road trips in the U.S.  that might inspire you for your next vacation.

My Contiki is a platform for you to manage your profile and bookings and view trip itineraries, including the details for your Trip Manager (the person responsible for running the trip day-to-day). If you want to chat beforehand with people that will be on your tour, you can do this in the Meet Up area and you can also access any social media groups that the Trip Manager or your fellow travelers might set up.

Contiki is a well-reviewed tour company with the following overall ratings:

• Feefo : 4.6 out of 5
• Contiki.com : 4.6 out of 5
• TourRadar : 4.7 out of 5

These are some recent reviews from some of Contiki’s top tours. It’s clear to see that the Trip Managers contribute hugely to the enjoyment of the tours. The majority of the negative reviews for Contiki center around the lively nature of the tours and a focus on drinking culture. While this may suit some young travelers, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

Australian Outback Adventure “The trip itself was incredible, we had so many activities, most of them you had to pay for but it was defiantly money well spent, it was worth it!! There was a lot of travelling involved but it was all an amazing adventure, and we got to get to know everyone much better.” — Emma Mccaw

Croatia Island Sail “Dani was incredible, made it such a fun experience. She was so knowledgeable with history and local tips. Gave us plenty of down time and got the party started at the right times. It was a great week and would definitely recommend to friends” — Harriet Gilmour

Japan Winter Wonder “The trip manager was absolutely brilliant. We visited amazing places and our accommodation was very good. We were well looked after and our trip manager always made sure we were enjoying ourselves. There was so much to do everywhere we went and there just weren’t enough hours in the day to do them all but we always saw the highlights in every city.” — Anonymous

New Zealand The Big Tiki “Honestly can say one of the best trips I have been on! Amazingly well organised and the included activities were very good. A big thanks to Dan and Pat for organising it all so well and going above and beyond to make sure we made it to our activities!! The accommodation was very very good and I thought the itinerary covered everything key.” — Anonymous

Spotlight on Greece “The trip manager was really cool and took us to amazing local spots! The activities went from nature to museums to wine and dining! It was all a blast and I highly recommend for anyone who has only a week to get away! The locals are all so friendly and the food is amazing! Beautiful hotels and easy transportation included! A must see!!” — Melanie Button

Thai Island Hopper East “Everything was great. Especially for the price of the trip. Trip manager was amazing and everything was set out for us. Best experiences with not a worry in the world.” — Alexander Brighton

United States Grand Southern “Trip is well thought out stopping at great spots around the U.S. The extra add ons were fantastic, a large variety of what you normally get on organised tours. The trip manager Hayley Jo was beyond amazing, she went above and beyond to make sure anything was possible on the trip! Would highly recommend the Hot air balloon and snowmobiles, was such a great day!” — Emma Walker

Topdeck is another popular tour company covering many of the same destinations as Contiki , with both companies extremely popular for European bus tours. Both appeal to the same target market, however, Contiki does have a firm age limit of 35, and Topdeck caters to “18-30 somethings.” The travel style is very similar across both operators with socializing at the core, and both offer small group tour alternatives for those looking for a less party vibe.

When it comes to cost, Topdeck comes in cheaper than Contiki on the overall tour price, but this is often because there are more entrance fees and excursions included with Contiki. Topdeck provides a lot more free time, so any activities would be additional.

Contiki is an extremely popular tour company for young people, but large group tours are not going to suit everyone’s travel styles. Contiki tours are known for their lively, party atmosphere, which many travelers love. It’s as much about meeting new people and socializing as it is about exploring a new destination for them.

Many travelers make lifelong friends within their tour group, and the company states that many people have even found love on a Contiki tour. Contiki recognizes that not everyone wants to travel in a large group and has created some tour categories that have a more in-depth focus on the destination or for traveling in smaller groups.

As with other group tour operators such as G Adventures and Intrepid Travel , Contiki is committed to sustainable travel by supporting local communities, ethical animal experiences, and planting 1 tree for every traveler that uses e-documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go on contiki if you are over 35.

Contiki has a maximum age limit of 35 for all of its tours, so if you are over 35 you would not be permitted, unfortunately.

Should I go on a Contiki tour alone?

Whether you’re an experienced traveler or are embarking on your first solo trip, Contiki tours are perfect for single travelers. You’ll experience the excitement of independent travel while having the logistical side of things taken care of. Rather than having to approach a new friend in a hostel bar, you’ll get to know your fellow travelers in a less daunting environment.

Tour prices are based on you sharing with a fellow traveler of the same gender, but you can also upgrade to a private room for a fee.

Are Contiki tours safe?

Contiki is committed to providing a safe environment for all travelers, and Trip Managers are there to support travelers with advice and recommendations on safety. Although most traveler’s experiences are problem-free, there is always a small element of risk when exploring an unknown destination.

Are Contiki tours good for couples?

If you’re a sociable couple happy to be around the company of others, you’ll likely enjoy a Contiki tour. If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic trip with lots of alone time, it probably won’t suit you.

Do Contiki trips include flights?

Entry and exit flights from the meeting point are not included in the tour price. Any flights that form part of the itinerary are included in the price (unless otherwise stated) and these are often used in Asia and South America where it’s necessary to cover large distances in a short space of time.

Is Contiki a party tour?

Contiki tours do have a reputation for being party tours, featuring a reasonable amount of free time to explore the local nightlife. Although the atmosphere can be quite lively and social, it’s up to the individual whether they decide to partake.

Was this page helpful?

About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Be back soon!

This website is under maintenance. Check back tomorrow!

*If you’re the owner of this website and have questions, reach out to Bluehost. We’re happy to help.

Hostel Kit | Your All In One Hostel Packing Guide

How To Pack For International Travel

Best Travel Clothes for Men In 2023 and Beyond!

How To Travel When You’re Broke A/F

How to Find Cheap Flights: Exploring the World for Less

Proven Hacks for Beating Jet Lag Like a Pro

Trending tags.

Discover the Ultimate Travel Hacks That Will Make You a Jet-Setting Pro!

Avoid These Travel Mistakes And Travel Smarter

• Essential Items
• Packing Cubes
• Travel Tech

10 Best Essential Items For Budget Travelers

10 Best Minimalist Backpacks For Budget Travelers

The Best Packing Cubes For Stress-Free Travel! | Trip Tested!

7 Best Travel Tech Accessories | Cool Travel Gadgets

5 Best Tour Companies For Young Professionals

Tour Radar Review | Is It Worth Using Them?

Busabout Review | What Happened? 2023 Update!

Contiki Review | Is It Really Any Good? Pros & Cons

Intrepid Travel Review | The Only Review You Need

Expat Explore Review | What You Need To Know

Staying In A Hostel | What You Need To Know

Contiki is great for a particular audience, the 18 to 35 year old traveler. but are they any good.

Contiki #NoRegrets

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

Contiki is great for a particular travel audience. Generally, it’s aimed at younger budget-minded travelers 18 to 35 year olds. Contiki has hundreds of tours operating all around the globe and their whole thing is ‘social travel’. This is for those that want to soak in the cultural side of the destination and dive deep into the local nightlife as well. It makes sense any 18 – 35 year old looking to travel on a budget and party at the same time. Let us take a deeper dive this Contiki Review and see if it’s the right fit for you.

What is Contiki?

Founded in 1962 Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company catering to the 18 to 35 year old market. The idea came from the founder looking to travel on a tight budget yet still have fun and see Europe. Currently, they operate over 300 tours around the world so it’s easy for anyone to find a cool trip anywhere on the globe. I need to mention they won’t allow travelers over the age of 35 to join their tours.

Let me say right now that the average age for a Contiki traveler is 18 to 27.

Accommodations: BUDGET! You’ll be staying in either in a hotel or a hostel so understand these aren’t 4 or 5-star hotels or hostels. However, Contiki does its best to find the best 3-star type hotel or hostel. Depending on the continent that 3-star Euro accommodation will be a 5-star somewhere else. The negative is if you’re sharing a room, you’re hoping your roommate won’t snore and will be courteous with the shared space.

That being said, I never felt unsafe in the locations I stayed in. For the most part, you’ll be out all day and partying most of the night, that bed is there for you to crash.

Hot Tip: If you want you can book your own room, that’s supplemental when you book the tour through Contiki directly.

Group Size: As with any Contiki tour you can expect a minimum of 20 or more travelers with you on the bus. I remember when I did a short 8 day trip I was with 25 or so other travelers. Many travelers will book multiple tours with Contiki so it’s common that during a trip a few will drop off while others will join the group.

Contiki Guides: They round up the whole group in the lobby of the hotel / hostel and they take you on the tour. Yes, they’re like the chaperones we had during a school trip. With one difference, they’re all young and they too want to party. They will take you around the city and do a pub crawl, hit up a club or some really cool local spot.

Food: Breakfast is provided on all the tours however from what I remember lunch and dinner was all on you. To save money you can catch some street food that is delicious and cheap.

Cost: Totally depends on where you plan to go and for how many days. A tour can range from $800 to $3500. Traveling to Europe will obviously cost more than Asia. Also, you’ll need some spending money for whatever comes up, I remember all I brought was $500 for the week.

Drinking and Partying: As you probably already know Contiki definitely has a partying atmosphere however I strongly suggest those 18 to 20 years old travelers to perhaps hold off on going to the US. The legal drinking age in the US is 21 and it’s strictly enforced. I’ve had many of my Australian travel mates say that when they visited the US the younger travelers couldn’t visit any bars or clubs.

Contiki Review:

My very first solo tour was with Contiki, I landed in Germany and ended in Prague. I can’t tell you how much fun I had. I have to be 100% honest, I was partying like an animal with everyone else so much of my day was spent being hungover. I pretty much drank Red Bulls to pull it together and finished the tour like a champ. The tour started in Berlin where I met with the tour guide and he was extremely helpful in getting me situated to my room, the rules of the tour, and explaining what optional add-ons were available.

The guide we had was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area and took his time in explaining everything. He was very outgoing so that made the tour better.

Having a good guide is everything!

The breakfast buffet I do remember was absolutely incredible! After a full night of drinking the first thing I wanted to do is chow down on food to soak up the alcohol….we all were doing it.

The negative part was the bus transportation from Berlin to Prague, it was a 5 hour drive so we lose most of the morning.

Prague was the city I fell in love with. I was really awestruck by how beautiful that city is and how much more fun I had in Prague rather than Berlin. The food and beer in Prague I felt was better and there was more to do and see. When the tour ended, I really wanted to stay but alas I had to return to my life in California. That trip forever changed how I viewed traveling alone.

Final Thoughts On Contiki:

Should you go on a Contiki tour? 100% absolutely YES, if you…

• Like to party
• Want the whole trip planned for you
• Want to meet new people
• Are on a budget
• Really like to party!

Optional Add-Ons: These are excursions that Contiki sets up that do cost extra. Depending on the country you’re in they can be just about anything but always check what the add-ons are and see which you want to do. Remember these are totally optional.

Bus / Coach: This is the only real negative about Contiki, when traveling from one city to the next you’ll be on the bus or coach for a while….in some cases a few hours. That can be a real drag because you lose precious time just sitting on a bus.

Beware of Australians! Seems that all Australians go on a Contiki tour at one point in their lives. Just kidding after doing so many of these tours some of the most fun people I’ve met are from Australia and frankly, they do make the coolest travel buddies.

Most Popular Contiki Tours:

Here are just some of the more popular tours that Contiki runs catering to so many tastes. The best part is they’re constantly running specials with deals left and right. Here’s a glimpse of their more popular tours:

Let’s also take a look at a few more of their more popular trips!

Contiki Trip Ideas!

Contiki is constantly offering specials on their tours so don’t forget to check out their last-minute deals .

South America is a great destination for any budget traveler, check out some of the deals with these destinations Contiki is offering. – BOOK NOW!

Perhaps you’re looking for something more of an exotic destination, Contiki has you covered with a Bali Island Hopper Tour. – BOOK NOW!

Cambodia is another destination that is VERY budget-friendly and fun. Explore the magic Cambodia has to offer and BOOK NOW!

Here are some more of Contiki’s Top European trips, take a look and book your bucket list trip today!

Contiki Review

Contiki offers fun filled tours for the 18 to 35 year old traveler. The tours are fully organized so you don't have to plan anything. Here's a breakdown as to whom would benefit the most from traveling with Contiki.

• Meeting new people
• You see a lot in a short time
• Great value for the money
• 360+ tours to choose from
• Not fun for non-partygoers
• A lot of time spent on Bus / Coach
• A little fast paced

Strapped Traveler

Like you, I love to travel and have learned over the years I can travel to nearly anywhere in the world on a budget. My blog aims to guide you into traveling abroad on a budget and still have a great time. Visit us regularly for the latest in travel gear and trip ideas that won't break the bank.

Related Posts

Recommended

• Destinations
• Product Reviews
• Tour Guides
• Travel Hacks
• Travel Tips
• Uncategorised

Don't miss it

Travel The World On A Budget And Lead A Rich Life!

• Affiliate Disclosure

© 2023 Strapped Traveler - Your guide to traveling world wide on a budget! .

Home » Blog » Your ULTIMATE GUIDE to Contiki

Your ULTIMATE GUIDE to Contiki

So last month I had the pleasure of being honoured in Contiki Holiday ‘s Contiki Legends Campaign.

Well you might just call me the Queen of Contiki, as I’ve had an ongoing partnership with them for over   3 years  , during which I have been on  14 Contiki trips covering: South America , New Zealand ,  Australia , Europe ,  Scandinavia , Southeast Asia and the USA .

In this guide I am going to go over a lot of the things I have learned about my experiences on  Contiki  in hopes to give some insight for those looking at taking one for themselves.

What is a Contiki Trip?

Contikis are an organized tour group of young, like minded travellers from around the world; particularly from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, the UK and South Africa. They are group sizes of 13-50 people, aged 18-35 and can span a couples days, 1 week, 2 weeks, or up to 45 days (alot of different time options here) .

Who is Contiki perfect for?

First time travellers, solo travellers, social travellers, adventure travellers, youth travellers, and those that don’t like the hassle and the stress of planning a trip by themselves. For those that want to see the world and not be burdened by having to sort out accommodations, where to go, see and transportation back and forth. 

Trip Styles

Contiki can sometimes be very intense and fast pace , this is because they are trying to get you the most things done and seen within a short period of time . Know this before planning your trip , because if you are someone that likes to sleep in or dislikes travelling on a bus for longer periods of time, a fast pace trip visiting multiple countries is not going to be for you, and you won’t have as much fun as one that is a bit more relaxed. This is precisely the reason behind Contiki’s brand new trip styles. Customization! As they now have options of slower paces tours, and tours that spend multiple nights in one place, really allowing you to take in all there is to see and do!

Make sure you have an idea of what pace you are looking for .  Think about this hard and really evaluate HOW you want to travel, not just WHAT you want to see . You can never see everything at every destination you go to, so don’t push yourself to try.

• Discovery Plus
• High Energy
• In-Depth Explorer
• Freestyle Camping
• Sailing & Cruise
• Festivals & Short Stays
• Winter & Ski

Optionals are just as they sound, optional. They are little bonuses, extra excursions and treats that you have the option to add onto your tour, while you are on tour. These are there to give you a chance for more free time if you choose, or to join in an activity with your new friends.

These are completely up to you. Most of the time, the majority of the people do a lot of optionals. But people also don’t. This is the beauty of choice.  Go with the flow, a lot of times you might not THINK you want to do a certain optional, but once you start making friends on tour and THEY want to, you might very well be persuaded. And vice versa. Just make sure you keep those prices in your budget as they can add up quickly if you choose to do a lot (I always do a lot!).

Accommodations

Contiki has some wicked cool accommodations you will be staying at. But they vary and there is always a trade off.

If you are staying closer to the centre of town or, literally downtown and walking distance to where the action is, your accommodation will most likely be more basic, because those cost more $$$. In these cases you are paying for LOCATION as you are right outside the action!

If you are staying farther away, your accommodation will mostly likely be quite nice! But, you’ll need to take transportation to get to most places. Luckily, Contiki arranges a lot of scheduled pick up and drop off times to take you back and forth to the hotel and back. 

So basically, you get a mix of both.

Sharing Rooms+ Roommates

On Contikis you’ll either be sharing a room with 1 to 3 people (maximum of 4 total). The majority of trips it is only 1 other person.   Know before hand if you are a roommate person or not . If you REALLY MUST have a private room,  pay extra for the upgrade. This is your trip and being social all the time isn’t for everyone.

However, if you are a solo traveller, do no think you have to have a private room. Trust me, it’s actually much, much better if you don’t. Contiki will pair you up and  your new roommate will become your instant travel best friend(s).

Each location and tour varies on the types and quality of foods and how many meals they provide. Most of the time breakfast is always provided. Dinners here and there as well, lunches almost never.

In Asia food is cheap, so you will get buffet breakfasts and lots of fancier dinners. In Europe, a croissant is seriously the national standard for breakfast. Obviously food will vary with the price of the tour. (again, see tour styles)  In general,  yes you will have a few average meals, but you will also have many fantastic meals.

Contiki tries to accomodate all tastes. Some travellers want to try all the local foods, while others want to eat what they are used to back home. You can’t please everyone! That’s why they leave a lot of meals open, so YOU can choose!

On all tours though,   if you have a dietary requirement, they will accommodate  and make sure you get a special meal at group dinners! So no worries if your vegan, veggie, gluten-free or have allergies!  

Drinking and Parties

On Contiki there is drinking and there are parties.   This is very well know.   You are travelling with a group of young people, it’s what we do!   Most of time these are a fantastic way to bond and meet your new tour mates, plus it gives everyone a chance to dance, let off some steam and have a great time! Drinking is a part of alot of cultures, and getting the chance to try local drinks is always a treat.

For some people, they live for the party, other they don’t. While drinking is incorporated in many aspects of the tours, i t is okay to not drink on a Contiki. 

You should never feel pressured and you won’t feel left out.

Chances are there are other travellers in the group that don’t like to drink and party as well. There are lots of non drinking evening activities in every city! Find which group you fit in with.

Also, many time on tour, you can always go out with the group and just not drink. I have done so many times before.  Each group will have different levels of people that want to drink as much or as little as they like.   You are an adult, and it’s up to you to control your alcohol intake on tour and to be responsible and respectful of others.

Tour Leaders

Your tour leader is an extremely valuable resource. Seriously, they know everyone and are there to help you with your questions and problems. That being said, they are also not your parent. They aren’t there to make sure you make it to the bus on time and to baby sit you, nor to hold your hand around the city. We are all adults here, Contikis are for 18-35s.  

Making Friends + Solo Travellers

An average Contiki tour is made up of a mixture of solo travellers; a few pairs such as sisters, friends, brothers, a few couples, and maybe a group or two of 3-4 people. If you are a solo traveller, don’t worry, you WILL make friends and have people to share your experience with. (srsly, tour managers help with this)

If you are a couple, pair or group, make sure YOU are also open to making friends . Invite others to join your group, trust me, it will make for a better group dynamic for everyone, plus making friends in one of the best parts of Contiki.

Group Dynamics + Age Groups

This is a mixed bag and each group and tour varies. Generally, in my experiences:

The more expensive the tour, and the more remote and unknown the location ,  the higher the chance there will be a great number of couples and an average older age group.

The cheaper the tour, and the more “bucket list” items such as Paris, Italy, Australia, the more likely a younger age group.

But that being said, there will be also someone near to your age on every tour. Remember, they limit this to 18-35’s ONLY. So if you are 18 worries about 30 year olds (and vice versa), don’t. The group is big enough so that each and every age group can find their “perfect mini-group” of friends. 

General Contiki Rules

• Be on time, it  will win the heart of your tour leader and make the trip better for everyone.
• Don’t overpack. Seriously, you don’t need half of the clothes are you about to bring and you will be unpacking and repacking quite frequently.
• Backpack vs Wheeled Bag –  Wheels 100%. You won’t be traveling very far with your bags, so unless you plan on doing a lot of extra trips on your own before or after your trip, a wheeled bag is 100% what I recommend.
• There will be a theme party. Love it, embrace it. And no, you probably won’t know what it is before hand.

• Have something to do in the downtime, on the bus, boat or on the plane. (A book is a good option, or iPad) Usually thought Contiki has fun games and trivia, movies, etc they play during transportation time so you’ll never feel like you are wasting time. (blankets and pillows are nice!) 

• Bring multiple nightclub/ going out attire,  as you will find yourself wanting to dress a little nice for evenings out more often than not. Sweaty t-shirts and shorts ain’t gonna cut it.

In Conclusion

There is a reason I have done 14 Contikis  and plan on doing many more to come. They are one of the best ways to travel and seriously a lot of fun.

Have an additional questions? Feel free to ask me in the comments below! Also, there are dozens of Contiki staff members just a phone call away that will help you answer all your questions. 

Check out their website: http://www.contiki.com for more info!

Pssss, just for my readers:

Book a 7 day or longer Contiki Holiday and save $100 off the trip price. Use the promo code: PPCHEYNADINE

*Terms and Conditions apply

22 comments

hey nadine thanks for share this with us i did see contiki from time to time now i know more about them :)

you are very welcome!

Ahh this gets me really excited to plan a trip haha! I’m not sure if I understand correctly, but are the groups mixed with & open to people from all around the world? Because it will be so cool to meet people from different countries :)

Yes, it’s open to various regions so you’ll have people from your group from other parts of the world!

Yes! I am planning my first Contiki to Europe and already there are people from Australia and USA who have joined in the same tour as well (I’m Canadian) … Totally open to everyone around the world.

I already did 2 Contikis in Europe and on Feb, 2015 I’ll be on my 3rd in Thailand. For sure, Contiki is the best company ever. I agreed on 100% you said!

Thailand is amazing, such a great Contiki! Have fun and buy lots of neon clothes!

Wow, 14. I’ve only done “8”. I’ve got 2 more booked for next year, but they’ll probably be my last unfortunately :-(.

8 is still VERY VERY impressive!!! what regions have you done?

I’ve done New Zealand (the South and North islands separately so 2x trips), Canada (west coast, 1x trip), Europe (continent and the UK and Ireland, 3x trips including a London Explorer) and the USA (west coast, 2x trips including a LA Explorer). Next year is Peru in April and Scandinavia in June. By my calculations my 100th day on Contiki will be about half way through the Scandinavia trip.

Hi Nadine, just got back from the Southern Adventure tour USA which you did. I absolutely loved it! So I’m looking at booking another contiki for July in Europe (or Canada) and was wondering what the main differences are?

I’ve got a very specific question that hopefully you can answer. I’m booked on the simply Italy Contiki in May 2015(soooooo excited) and just wondering which would be better for luggage…suitcase or backpack. I used a wheeled duffel on the Costa rica Contiki I did in 2013, and while it worked well… There were moment of extreme frustration. I also did a Romania trip through another company this past October and had some difficulty on the cobblestone, and found my frustration was I greatly under packed, and had I rewear dirty clothing

I had more to the above question but was cut off! The wheeled backpacks I was looking at were through eagle creek and am just curious if you think it would be enough packing space (yes I’m THAT girl) or if I should just go with a suitcase and I’ll be fine on the European cobblestone!

“A night out at the Monte Carlo Casino in Montenegro” I think you mean Monaco :p ? I’m thinking about doing one of the usa trips :) ( i’m european myself and although i haven’t seen every country here yet it would feel a bit silly to do one of the european trips :p

Thinking of this trip for my two kids – 18yr old daughter & 19 yr old son. 19 yr old is in college so he has tasted the party life. 18 yr old graduating HS in June – not much of a partier, more of a “sipper”. Are they too young for this trip? (they want to go to Australia) Appreciate your input.

Donna, Did you end up sending your daughter on a contiki trip? I am considering sending my 18 year son and had the same type of questions.

Hi! Is contiki really strict with baggage weight? I am doing the wild western tour in USA this december. And I don’t think my clothes can fit in just 20kgs baggage limit. Please help.

Hi!! I am booking my second trip with continki (completed the Thailand one last year :-) Im looking to do the LA to the Bay for my birthday in October, do you know anyone whose completed this tour? Also, what would you recommend for amount of spending money – it’s 12 nights. Thanks in advance.

Hey Leanne,

How did LA TO THE BAY go? Iv just booked it for July 2017 and was just looking for an overview of the trip. 😊😊

Help! I’ve read so many mixed reviews. My boyfriend and I (ages 24, and 27) are planning a trip to Thailand but we want to see the most we can in the 3 week time period we have. We are thinking of doing the 14-day southeast Asian adventure (Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos) combined with the Bali Island shopper that sees 3 islands for 8 days. When our travel agent suggested Contiki, we were incredibly put off. We did not want a group trip, with a bunch of 18 year old binge drinkers. However, the more we’ve looked at the idea, it seems like it might be the best so that we don’t have to plan every single aspect of a 3 week trip, when we want to leave in September. I’ve read that the money isn’t worth what you get for Contiki, as the food isn’t great and the hotels have bed bugs etc. I read your whole review, but can you tell me more specifically about your time in Asia? Also, if we are going as a couple, are we going to be stuck in a room with 1-2 other people for most of the trip? Did you feel like it was worth doing Contiki in Asia, or because things are cheaper you could have just don’t the trip on your own? Also, did you feel that you spent too much time on a bus, and not visiting the locations, when you could have just hopped on a plane yourself and flew there even if a bit more expensive? Thanks! -D

Hey Nadine :) I am going on a Contiki tour in Europe later this year, so it ill be chilly – do you have any tips for Contiki tours in cold weather?

• Pingback: 9 USA Contiki Travel Tips to Know Before You Go + Travel GoPro Video – Pug Overboard

What are you thoughts? Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Get my FREE 90 Day Social Media Content Planner!

• The Americas
• Inspiration
• Packing + Prep
• Tips + Advice
• Contemplations
• Travel Vlogging Online Course
• How to Travel E-Book
• My Travel Gear
• WORK WITH ME

INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK YOUTUBE

APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

Vietnam Experience (12 Days)

• Fully Guided
• Christmas & New Year

Places You’ll See

• Learn about the Vietnam war, Ho Chi Minh
• Have dinner with a local Vietnamese Family, Mekong Delta
• Taste authentic Vietnamese food on street food tour, Hue
• Introduction
• Day 1 Start Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City To Mekong Delta
• Day 3 Mekong Delta To Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City To Nha Trang
• Day 5 Nha Trang
• Day 6 Nha Trang To Hoi'An
• Day 7 Hoi An
• Day 8 Hoi An to Hanoi via Da Nang
• Day 9 Hanoi to Ninh Binh
• Day 10 Ninh Binh to Halong Bay
• Day 11 Halong Bay To Hanoi
• Day 12 Depart Hanoi

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Customer photos.

Operated by Contiki

Contiki has been running tours for over 50 years, all exclusively for travellers aged 18-35 years old. Their mission is to bring young travellers together to see the world, focusing on unforgettable experiences and lifelong memories. Contiki believes in real travel experiences, and they care about making sure these experiences contribute positively to the people and places they visit. Every Contiki trip makes travel easier and more social by organizing accommodation, food, experiences and transport, so you can relax and focus on exploring the world with young travellers just like you.

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Awards Received

Customer reviews.

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.8
• Itinerary Excellent 4.9
• Guide Excellent 5.0
• Transport Excellent 4.8
• Accommodation Excellent 4.7
• Food Excellent 4.7
• Tour Operator Contiki 4.7
• Most Recent
• Most Popular
• Highest First
• Lowest First

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• December 2024
• January 2025
• February 2025
• August 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025
• November 2025
• December 2025
• January 2026
• February 2026
• Sunday 12 May, 2024 Thursday 23 May, 2024 English Almost Sold Out Multiple Room Types €1,734 + €459 additional upfront costs Confirm Dates
• Sunday 26 May, 2024 Thursday 6 Jun, 2024 English Almost Sold Out Multiple Room Types €1,576 + €459 additional upfront costs Confirm Dates
• Sunday 9 Jun, 2024 Thursday 20 Jun, 2024 English Almost Sold Out Multiple Room Types €1,576 + €459 additional upfront costs Confirm Dates
• -6% Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 23 Jun, 2024 Thursday 4 Jul, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €1,576 €1,476 + €459 additional upfront costs Confirm Dates
• Sunday 30 Jun, 2024 Thursday 11 Jul, 2024 English Almost Sold Out Multiple Room Types €1,734 + €459 additional upfront costs Confirm Dates
• Sunday 7 Jul, 2024 Thursday 18 Jul, 2024 English Almost Sold Out Multiple Room Types €1,734 + €459 additional upfront costs Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates
• Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 21 Jul, 2024 Thursday 1 Aug, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €1,576 + €459 additional upfront costs Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -11% Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 28 Jul, 2024 Thursday 8 Aug, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €1,576 €1,402 + €459 additional upfront costs 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -20% Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 11 Aug, 2024 Thursday 22 Aug, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €1,576 €1,255 + €459 additional upfront costs 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -20% Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 25 Aug, 2024 Thursday 5 Sep, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €1,576 €1,255 + €459 additional upfront costs 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h

Frequently Asked Questions

The intra tour air tax covers the air taxes for the flights included on this tour. It's imposed by the airlines and therefore needs to be paid before the tour departs to secure your flight as a part of this tour.

The internal air price covers the cost of your internal flights on Vietnam Experience and needs to be paid upfront before the tour departs.

Got a question about this tour?

Reach out to our travel experts.

Good to Know

• Currency ₫ Dong Vietnam

As a traveller from USA, Canada you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, G. As a traveller from England you will need an adaptor for types A, B, C, E, F. As a traveller from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types A, B, C, E, F, G.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Typhoid - Recommended for Vietnam. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Vietnam. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Cholera - Recommended for Vietnam. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Tuberculosis - Recommended for Vietnam. Ideally 3 months before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Vietnam. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Rabies - Recommended for Vietnam. Ideally 1 month before travel.
• Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Vietnam. Ideally 10 days before travel.
• Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for Vietnam. Ideally 1 month before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 30th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 30th June 2024, a minimum payment of €100 is required to confirm your booking with Contiki. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Contiki will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Contiki" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
• Kimberley Tours
• Kathmandu City and Nagarkot Tour
• European Encounter (Winter, Start London, 16 …
• 5 Day Community Tour
• Vietnam Adventure & Volunteering - 13 Days
• Imperial Escape
• Medium Lodge safari 5 days
• Travel Isn't About Where You Go...
• Contiki Experiences
• Contiki Munch
• Europe Summer Team
• Contiki Accomodation

Keep Exploring Vietnam

• Vietnam Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best Explorer Tours and Trips 2024/2025
• Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City
• Vietnam Explorer
• 12 days Vietnam
• From Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
• Operators in Asia
• Vietnam Experience (12 Days) Tours in Vietnam
• Explorer Tours
• Southern Vietnam Tours
• Vietnam Tours
• Group Tours
• Fully Guided Tours
• Historical Tours
• Christmas & New Year Tours
• Southern Vietnam
• Vietnam tours

DESTINATIONS

TRAVEL STYLES

ABOUT CONTIKI

GET INSPIRED

1 (866) 266 8454

Best of Spain, Portugal and Morocco

Save your space with a deposit payment

REQUEST MORE INFO

DATES & PRICING

The one that goes in-depth to explore the history & culture of Spain, Portugal and Morocco

32 days, 3 countries

Accommodation

30 nights in Hotels, 1 night in Special Stay

31 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 10 Dinners

Coach, Ferry and Flight

Maximum 24 people

Expert Trip Manager + Driver Team + Local Guides

Ready for a month-long adventure of culture, food & colourful experiences? Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites in Porto. Party in Ibiza. And even check out the magical markets of Marrakesh. This is your chance to explore the ins and outs of ALL of Iberia and Morocco’s iconic hotspots – with local guides to give you the inside scoop.

On the road to Net Zero

Find out more

Map & Itinerary

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

EXPAND ALL DAYS

Only $200 deposit to book

Pay over time, interest free

No booking fee, no change fee

24/7 support

Flexibility Promise

Your money is safe with us and the TTC Promise. Book today and enjoy the benefits of flexible travel dates and money guarantee. Contiki is part of the TTC Family. Learn more

FIND OUT MORE

Related Trips

This trip comes in different shapes and sizes. For more options, check out these itineraries.

LAST CHANCE

SAVE $1,536

Best of Spain and Portugal

2 countries

Best of Spain

Spain and Portugal Highlights

Moroccan Adventure

Other trips you might like.

Ibiza and Beyond

Portugal City and Surf

Rome to Barcelona by Train

4 countries

General FAQs

Your search for ""

What is Contiki?

Contiki are the world leaders in organized youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?

Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our two values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re About People’. We don’t just talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘ Travel.Together. ’ which means to travel with one another, with the destinations we visit, the people and cultures we enjoy and the environment.

You’ve never experienced travel like this.

Why only 18-35?

Focusing on 18-35 year olds allows us to tailor a dramatically more powerful travel experience and an itinerary so fun it feels like all of your best Friday nights combined.

Tailoring to select ages brings together like minded, likeable people, and allows us to use Social Travel planning to build great groups of people so fast you’ll wonder if you’ve been friends forever.

What destinations can I go to with Contiki?

A sunrise, shoreline or bright light for every whim. We are proud to offer more than 350 Global trips, intelligently designed for a seamless and simple social travel experience. Visit our search page to discover your perfect travel destination.

How does it work?

We’re reinventing hassle free travel. Whether you are a solo traveller or group you can be rest assured that there has been tonnes of planning behind every trip.

Booking with Contiki means you are saying yes to a smile inducing trip where the typically stressful elements just seem to magically happen.

No one does trips like Contiki, essential accommodation, transport, reservations and so much more is all taken care of. You can multiply the magic with trip add ons and numerous customisations for your free time.

Every single Contiki social travel trip is managed by one of our expert Trip Managers, who are there to provide hands-on support and ensure your trip runs smoothly whilst you stay in the moment.

From 2022 your good time will be good for the planet as all Contiki trips are carbon natural. Find out more here.

How many other travellers are on each trip?

Group sizes are completely dependent on where and how you choose to travel with Contiki. 

In Europe and in most of North America and New Zealand, group sizes can range between 24 – 53 awesome travellers. 

In regions like Asia, Australia, Africa and Latin America, and on some North America and New Zealand trips, our group sizes are considerably smaller – as low as 12 or up to 30 travellers max.

Detour trips offer a different type of experience and max out at 16 people led by a local host.

Wondering what is so great about travelling together? Check out the Contiki Social travel page.

Each group is administered according to our strict Covid policies which can be viewed here.

What’s included?

All essential trip elements have been catered to ensure a great time, with great people in great places. But you mean more specifically right?

Your accommodation, essential trip transport, and a good handful of meals are included in the cost of your Contiki trip (on most trips we offer breakfast every day, plus a hand-picked selection of authentic and tasty meals). 

To fill your days and Insta feeds we have Included Experiences, which are basically the sights and activities we think you just can’t afford to miss. Of course you also get our expert and highly trained team of Contiki staff to support throughout.

A day by day breakdown of inclusions and Free Time Add-Ons are available on the trip specific pages. 

We always try to accommodate special requests such as birthdays, proposals etc. Please chat to our team and we can explore how we may support the request.

What’s not included?

Contiki social travel trips have a large degree of flexibility built into them to enable you to truly own your experience. This means that some trip elements are not included in the initial cost and may require additional budgeting. 

Flights to and from your starting and ending points are not included in the cost of your trip. These can be added on during the booking process either online or via our contact center or booked independently by you.

Each trip contains the right amount of free time for you to explore or indulge your travel desires. We offer Free Time Add-Ons, which are additional experiences that are not included in the overall price. These add ons are highlighted on the specific trip page. Your Trip Manager will highlight these to you and organise their booking on trip. Exceptions may apply where pre booking is required but this will be made known to you in your pre departure information.

A number of meal times are left open for you to explore a region and its foodie offerings in greater detail, so budgeting for your taste in non-catered meals is important. 

Travel insurance and visas are also not included in the cost of your trip, and should be booked separately.

What are Contiki's sustainability credentials?

Travel comes with responsibilities. That’s why we’re determined to travel sustainably and consciously, and that’s why we’re willing to take a stand on issues closest to our hearts. Find out more details here . With the help of our four-point Climate Action Plan, we're now on a journey to Net Zero - committing to carbon reductions and evolving to support the transition to a low-carbon future. Find out more details here .

Do I need to purchase travel insurance for this trip?

Yes! It’s a requirement of traveling with Contiki that you take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, evacuation expenses, personal liability & loss of personal property and Covid related expenses before you travel with us. It’s also super important to check that your insurance covers all of the activities you’ll be trying out, particularly any adventure activities (for all you adrenaline junkies). For more information check out our full travel insurance FAQs.

Can I stay in my destination a few days before/after the trip starts/ends? And can Contiki help me arrange this?

Yes and yes! You can add pre- and post-trip accommodation to your booking in one of three ways:

When booking your trip online

In the 'My Travel Portal' after you've made your booking

By calling us any time on 0808 281 1120

In certain cities, you may even be able to secure a preferential rate for you pre- or post-trip accommodation.

Back To Top

About Contiki

six-two: Our Travel Magazine

Personal Security

Code of Conduct

Destinations

Request a Quote

Do not sell or share my personal information

Resources Hub

Download a Brochure

Join our Rep Program

Affiliates Hub

Brand Partnerships

Travel Insurance

Travel Updates

All trip prices are in   USD   $

Contiki is a proud part of TTC family of brands

© Copyright 2024 Contiki. All Rights Reserved. Contiki Holidays Limited, Travel House, Rue du Manoir St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JH, Reg No: 50681

Legal Stuff

Privacy & Cookie Policy

Booking Conditions