contiki tour personaliser

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!

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

10 Things To Know Before Booking Your First Contiki Trip

So you’re looking to book your first Contiki trip – Congrats!!! I’ve been on a few and love each one more than the last! But, that doesn’t mean Contiki is for everyone. Here, I’ll also discuss some things you should know before booking your trip!

What Is Contiki?

First off, let’s start with the basics – what is Contiki?

Contiki is a Travel Tour Company for 18-35 year olds. They offer over 350+ trips around the world and take care of planning everything for you! Travel Tour Groups are typically between 20-40 people from all over the world. Each trip has a Tour Manager to oversee transportation, room accommodations, and more. It takes all the stress out of planning a trip because everything is taken care of for you!

Top 10 Things You Need to Know Before Your First Contiki Trip

1. there are a handful of (optional) add ons.

Contiki’s tag line is “Travel with No Regrets” which you will quickly realize is so true. Contiki includes a lot in the tour package price (typically all breakfasts, some added meals, most activities, etc). However, there are a handful of additional activities called “Free Time Add Ons” available to purchase.

You’ll learn more about the Add Ons for your trip on the first day. Your guide will tell you all about them, the costs, and when it’s offered. Typically, they will require you to pay right then for any/all of the additional add on you want to do. From my experience, you always have to pay in cash. The number of add ons will depend on your trip. For instance, when I went to Thailand there were about 4 add ons but when I went to Ecuador there were over 10 add on experiences!

2. Contiki Has a Party Reputation (BUT..!)

There is no secret Contiki has a party reputation. It’s known for combining cultural travel experiences with copious partying and drinking, especially in Europe. That can be fun, if you’re into that.

But, if you’re not into the EXCESSIVE partying, don’t fret. There are ways to avoid it. First of all, don’t book over the summer months. This is typically when the younger crowd (18-22) travels over their summer break and parties. Also, Europe tends to have the biggest party trips, so maybe avoid the European tours if you’re looking for something more relaxed.

Personally, I love to drink and have a good time (hello, I go to Vegas every year), but prefer to avoid the party scene on Contiki trips. Don’t get me wrong – I still drink and have a good time, I just don’t wake up daily with a hangover.

3. You’ll Spend a Lot of Time On The Bus

Did you find an itinerary you love on Contiki’s website and say to yourself “ wow, I can see XX amount of cities in XX number of days?! ” – yeah, you can because Contiki packs your schedule in tight! This often means early mornings (5AM) and long hours on a bus to get to the next destination. Some trips are better than others, but definitely something to google before booking a trip (estimated distance between the two cities). While this isn’t a deal breaker for me, I prefer to know how much time I’ll have in the bus so I can prepare activities to do to keep me sane. The long hours on the bus definitely shocked me on my first Contiki trip and I wish I had been more prepared.

4. Bring Portable Chargers

You are bound to have jam packed schedules each and every day of your trip. Whether that’s driving on a bus for hours, touring a new destination, or participating in activities, you will find yourself away from the hotel for the majority of the day. If you’re like me, you use your phone for pictures, calls, texting, GPS, etc… so it dies quickly! Be sure to bring a portable charger so you’ll always have access to your phone!

5. Bring Extra Cash for Tips

Not only do you need extra cash to pay for your “Free Time Add Ons” (if you want to partake in those), you’ll also need cash to tip your tour guide and your bus driver! Contiki recommends $3 per day per person. Tipping is up to your discretion.

6. Some Hostels are Bare Bones

I found this out the hard way. I typically don’t stay in hostels when I travel so Contiki was a bit of a shock for me! Most of the accommodations are great – but they don’t always have all of the necessities. For instance, I have been in Contiki hotels that have no hair dryer, no shampoo, no AC, etc. I don’t typically travel with a hair dryer but now on Contiki’s I do. The trip is so fast paced that you don’t have time to sit around and let your hair dry.

7. People Travel Solo, with Friends, and with Significant Others

You’ll see many different types of people on your Contiki trip from all around the world. Some opt to travel solo while others come with a few friends or their significant other. Either way, you will all have something in common – excitement to see the world with new friends.

8. Tours are Fast Paced

I’ve mentioned it in some of the other bullet points, but almost all Contiki tours are go-go-go. You’ll find yourself in a new city in the blink of an eye. It’s great for making the most of your time off, but it’s important to take care of yourself. People can easily become exhausted half way through the trip from lack of sleep, lack of hydration, or just general fatigue. Combat that with copious amounts of water, sleeping/napping when you can, and not going too hard every night.

9. Contiki Cough Is Real

Unfortunately, you’re likely to get a small cold when traveling with Contiki . This is bound to happen with any group tour as people are all close together throughout the day. Plan accordingly and bring your favorite cold medicine from home so you can try to fight it off early.

10. You’ll Make Life Long Friends

Believe me when I say, there is nothing that bonds people together better than travel and experiencing new things. I have made some amazing friends on my Contiki trips that I keep in touch with years later! We still have a group chat and touch base with everyone from time to time!

So, what do you think?! Are you ready to book your first Contiki trip?! Save this post for later on Pinterest: https://pin.it/2s0KVW1

Related Posts:

• Review: Traveling With Contiki (Pros & Cons)
• Review: Traveling With Contiki to Ecuador
• Book Your Contiki Trip Now (affiliate link)

Similar Posts

Travel Hack: Earn 5% Cashback on Flights with WayAway Plus

Virtually Explore the New 7 Wonders of the World

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

14+ Important Thailand Do’s and Dont’s for Tourists

First Timer’s Guide to Napa Valley – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go To Napa

30+ Important Things To Know Before Visiting Morocco

Leave a reply cancel reply.

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

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

771 Published Articles

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

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3106 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 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.

• Work With Me

7 Things to Know Before Booking Your First Contiki Tour

Taking part in a Contiki tour will be one of the best travel decisions that you ever make. I went on my first Contiki in 2014 and it was essentially what inspired me to start a travel blog! In 2015, I went on my second Contiki tour and now, I’m getting ready to embark on my third tour in just a few weeks!

As I’m preparing and planning for my third Contiki tour, I’ve found myself reflecting on all the things I’ve learned from completing two tours already and all the things I wish I had known before embarking on my first one.

I wanted to write a post today to talk about some of the things I wish I had known before I hopped on my first Contiki tour, to hopefully give you aspiring Contiki-ers a little taste of what to expect and how to better prepare!

Some activities have added costs

While Contiki includes a lot of different excursions, meals, and activities in the base price of their tours, called “No Regrets Inclusions” there are some experiences that aren’t included in the base price of your trip. These are known as “Free Time Add-Ons”. You can’t prepay for these, so you need to budget for them ahead of time and plan to have enough cash to cover them while you’re on the tour. However, with that being said…

You don’t have to do everything with the group

I know that on a group tour it can be easy to experience FOMO (fear of missing out) if you decide to skip one of the group’s “Free Time Add-On” activities. I’ll be honest, on Contiki tours, most people opt to participate in all of the “Free Time Add-Ons” – but you definitely do not have to. Just because you’re on a group tour doesn’t mean you’re obligated to spend every moment with the group. If there’s something that you’ve been dying to see or do in a particular destination, don’t be scared to break off from the group to have your own experiences!

You will drink A LOT more than you expected

This was probably the thing that caught me the most off guard on my first Contiki trip. Almost every night on a Contiki tour ends at a local bar or pub – remember you’re on a tour with a bunch of 18-35-year-olds, there is a heavy party culture present. Be sure to plan a bar budget and pack some hangover cures because regardless of how late you get in from the bar, the coach waits for nobody in the morning.

You will spend a lot of time on the coach

Depending on which tour you do, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few hours to half a day on the coach during days you’re traveling between cities. My advice is to pack a neck pillow and lots of entertainment that doesn’t depend on an internet connection. i.e.) a good book!

The Contiki Cough is real

You’re going to get sick, be prepared. There is really not avoiding it when you squish a bunch of people together on a coach bus and close living quarters for a couple of weeks. It’s bound to happen, so just be prepared and bring some cold medicine from home to save yourself the trouble of having to ask for some in Italian.

Bring portable chargers

You’re going to be sharing a room with at least one other person, but it could be up to three other people depending on the trip style. There is never going to be enough outlets for all of you. If you can find a multi-outlet plug, that’s going to be your best bet, but another alternative is to bring portable chargers for your devices and recharge them during the day when you’re out exploring.

Save cash to tip at the end of the trip

Contiki is really weird about explaining their tipping process. I didn’t know until two days before the end of my first Contiki tour that my trip manager and bus driver were expecting tips in cash at the end of the trip. I was much more prepared on my second trip, setting aside the recommend $3 a day for both my trip manager and bus driver before my tour even started. Tipping is always at your own discretion, but your trip manager and bus driver do work hard, so try to save some of your bar cash to thank them at the end of your trip.

Have you been on a Contiki tour? What do you wish you knew before you went?

CHECK OUT MORE OF MY CONTIKI POSTS :

• An in-depth review of Contiki’s Eastern Trail tour
• Contiki Cares: How Contiki is supporting sustainable travel
• How to pick the perfect Contiki for your travel style
• The only Contiki review you ever need to read

Related Posts

My Croatia Itinerary & How I’d change it if I did it again

My IUD changed how I travel

A History of Bacalhau in Portugal + Is it Sustainable to Eat Codfish?

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.

The Good, Bad and a Brutally Honest Contiki Review (Are Contiki Tours for You?)

By: Author Taylor Lorenz

Posted on Last updated: 04/29/2022

To kick off my solo travel career I opted to try a group tour so I wasn’t 100% alone. It was through a friend that I heard of Contiki tours and soon after I found myself on not only one, but three different tours back to back.

But what’s the truth, the brutally honest truth of Contiki travel? Below I cover exactly what to expect as one of few completely honest Contiki reviews.

Keep in mind that this is based on my experiences and that others may have had significantly different experiences, though the majority agree that Contiki tours are awesome and a wildly good time.

Table of Contents

What is Contiki?

Contiki is a tour company created for 18-35’s who want to travel the world and live by the Contiki slogan #NOREGRETS. They do a pretty good job of following up with their slogan on trips that are pretty much dream itineraries for travellers who want to see as much as possible with limited time.

Contiki offers tours for destinations around the world including Europe, Asia, USA and Canada, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand and their latest tours are now in Africa too.

With tours as short as a weekend to as long as 45 days, there is something for everyone. They offer budget to luxury, priding themselves in offering eight different travel styles. And with 53 years of tours under their belt, they know a thing or two about doing it right.

They’re also known for having 50% of their travelers as solo travelers, making it easy to meet others.

Contiki Europe Reviews

I personally only went on Contiki tours in Europe and I did the following two:

• London to Athens Plus Mykonos and Santorini Island Escape
• Oktoberfest

My short take Contiki tour reviews? All of these tours are awesome and I would recommend them to anyone travelling solo or who wants to see as much as possible in a short amount of time.

Expect for Oktoberfest, that was a completely different type of trip and it was too, totally awesome with excursions and transfers and Oktoberfest tables organized for you.

Should you go on a Contiki tour?

This is the short answer.

Yes, if…

• You like to party
• You want everything organized for you
• You’re a solo traveler wanting to meet people
• Your budget is not small

No, if…

• You have a tight budget
• You don’t care about meeting people
• You want to explore more in places
• You like luxury or relaxation

And for the long answer…read through these highlights and not-so-great things about Contiki tours to help you make a more informed decision.

READ MORE: 15 Benefits of Travelling Alone

Kind of People on Contiki Tours

If you’re Australian and are debating going on a Contiki tour to get away from your country or to meet people from around the world…you’ll probably end up meeting more Australians than anything. Little did I know before leaving for the trip that Contiki tours are insanely popular in Australia and widely known across the country.

When I mentioned Contiki tours to people back home in Canada, not many knew what I was talking about.

Contiki Culture

Contiki tours are targeted to a younger market, with most traveler’s being between the age of 19-23. That age is a party age. So if you’re not a big partier then you may want to reconsider.

I’m not saying that it isn’t fun without the partying because it is, you still do and see awesome things, but there is usually a lot of drinking involved. Like drinking almost every night. It’s always a good time.

Contiki Tours for Solo Travellers

There’s something about traveling with people that really affects how quickly you become close. In no time you will find some people who you mesh well with, and by the end of the trip, you’ll be crying because you have to go on your separate journeys.

These tours bring people together in a way that’s different than your friends at home which make them ideal for solo travellers. Since my tours I’ve met up with multiple people and travelled with a few from these trips. Travel friendship bonds you in a way like no other.

What are Contiki guides like?

The guides are so much more than a guide. They’re not just the ones telling you what time you have to be on the bus by, they’re also the ones partying with you until the last one calls a quit.

They’re not just giving you phenomenal tours of a city, they’re also there to chat with you at breakfast. They’re not just your tour guide, they’re also a part of your family, your Contiki family which you’ll love dearly in the end.

What are the groups like?

Put a bunch of boys and girls together, mix in a lot of drinking and spontaneous decisions because well why not, you’re on vacation! And you’ll find some drama, usually amongst the girls, and usually over a boy. You’re with the same people on a bus day in and day out, cliques can form and people get mad when boys sleep with more than one girl. Shit happens, people get jealous, this is nothing new, but something that can be expected.

Luckily this never happened on my trip! Though my big tour was 30 girls and 4 boys, two of which were gay, one found out his girlfriend at home was pregnant while on the trip and the last ended up marrying one of the girls he met on the trip!

Contiki Cough

Don’t be surprised to hear from past Contiki tour goers about the Contiki cough. You’re on a Contiki bus with the same people and sharing rooms, someone is bound to get sick. And then it spreads. With the lack of sleep and busy schedule you know one person will get sick and share their gems amongst everyone. Most common is the Contiki cough, or a cold, or both.

What do you see on a Contiki trip? What is the pace like?

Tours in general are known for being quite quick and the Contiki tours are no different. I took a slower pace tour and found myself jumping from city to city in the blink of an eye. You can spend anywhere from 1-3 nights in each city, which some people think is too little.

I like to think of it as a small taste of each place. It’s just enough to know if you like the vibe of a place before you move on. Then you’ll know exactly where you’ll want to come back to in the future.

The good news is that different kinds of tours are offered for different paces, budget and accommodation style.

READ MORE: Groups Tours: Are They A Good Idea for You?

Is there any freedom?

Yes! What’s great about Contiki tours is that it’s not back-to-back events with every minute of your day planned. There are nightly events which you can attend (at an extra cost) or you can do your own thing. As long as you’re on the bus when you need to be, that’s the only time the tour guide ever does a headcount.

You’ll always have the day to yourself. This is when your tour guide and bus driver will take a break and you and your new-found BFFL can see all the sites your heart desires.

Food & Accommodation

If you want local experiences, to try amazing food, and stay in good accommodations then don’t take a Contiki budget tour. I can’t vouch for their luxury trips but the budget ones bring you to restaurants that every tour goes to, and accommodation  can  have bed bugs (guess who slept in a hotel lobby in Greece because we discovered bed bugs in our room at 2AM?).

Accommodations are often outside the city centre because they are cheaper. You have time to discover your own tasty food during the day and opt to go out for your own dinners if food is important to you.

Best Contiki Tours

Ready for a Contiki trip? These are a few of the most popular Contiki holidays that look pretty epic. As you’ll soon realize, Contiki Europe is the most popular.

Greek Island Hopping

Countries Visited:  Greece (Paros, Santorini, Mykonos and Ios) Tour Length: 11 days Best for: More relaxed, chilled travellers

European Discovery

Countries Visited:  England, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland Tour Length:  12 days Best for: Travellers with limited time who want to see the most

Simply Italy

Countries Visited:  Italy, Vatican City Tour Length:  15 days Best for:  Italy in-depth

Countries Visited:  Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland Tour Length:  8 days Best for:  Ireland in-depth

European Horizon

Countries Visited:  England, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland Tour Length: 11 days Best for: Europe highlights with minimal time

Is Contiki Worth It?

Only you can decide.

Contiki Tour Highlights

• Maximize what you get to see in limited time
• Make great friends
• My Contiki seamlessly makes handling documents and meeting people a breeze
• You never have to worry about booking a thing or transportation
• Expert guides who go above and beyond
• Ideal for solo and group travellers

Contiki Tour Downsides

• Expensive (as are all tours)
• Always large groups (which could be a good or bad thing)
• Heavy focus on partying (only a downside if you’re not into that)
• Fast-paced aka little time for relaxation on the majority of the tours but not all

The truth about Contiki tours is that they’re made for young travelers, people looking to have a great time, see some sights, drink some French wine, and meet people. The experience is as much of a party,and about meeting people as it is about travel.

People will sleep together, you will see some amazing sights, you’ll make good friends, you’ll get little sleep, you’ll party lots, you’ll try unique experiences for each area, and most of all, you’ll come out of it with no regrets (as they promise), which is pretty good. Just don’t be one of those people who gets #NOREGRETS tattooed on them and I’m sure you’ll leave with none.

The simplest truth is that you’ll spend a decent amount of money, you’ll have a great time and you’ll scratch the surface of travel, seeing only the best of the best things to see in each place.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links which I earn a small commission from and are at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure policy for details. Thank you for supporting my small business!

Disclaimer: Taylor’s Tracks is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.Com and affiliated sites.

Uluru Explorer

What's this trip about?

Travel themes, destinations, attractions.

• Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Welcome to your outback adventure! Today in Uluru, you'll have the option to see the spectacular Field of Lights, and even take part in a dot painting workshop too. Afterwards, we'll settle in to our accommodation and get some sleep, ready for a full day of exploration in the morning.

Voyages Outback Hotel & Lodge (or similar)

This morning it's time to say our sad farewells to our Contiki family. Australia, it's been real. We may shed a tear, but we'll never forget what we've experienced together in this spectacular land. And just remember, it's not goodbye, just see you soon.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Contiki .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Contiki Reviews & Ratings

Other contiki reviews.

Trusted Customer

Sweet As South

Sweet as South with the Trip Manager Ollie and Driver Lewis were Mean As. Th...

Derek Alves

People, Activities, Weather where all amazing. I had such a fun time on this tour.

Lifetime bucket list trip!

Amazing to have Contiki handle all the logistics thank goodness, I didn't have to look up anything to do in the area, and the must-sees, Contiki had that handled. Lo...

See all Other Contiki reviews

Tour Operator

We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.

No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.

We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.

With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.

About the company: Contiki are the world leaders in social 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 core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip, travel confidently, accommodation.

• 1 Dinner (D)
• 3 Breakfast (B)

Become a member

• Save up to $700 per person
• Access members-only specials
• Personalize trip recommendations

Tour Companies

Things to do, itineraries.

By Destination

By Mode of Travel

River cruise, land journey, rail journey, small ship cruise, ocean cruise, remote journey, luxury yacht cruise, private jet air tours, private air tours, why choose apt.

• Inspiration

Travel agent

Tour personaliser.

• On Tour Feedback
• Port Details

Find your next trip

Canada, alaska & usa, egypt & jordan, new zealand, south america & antarctica, special deals, voyage magazine, tour personaliser, travel agent.

Explore the world with APT

Discover the new and go beyond the expected with APT Luxury Travel. Unearth richer experiences and reveal hidden treasures. Be stimulated by rare sights, tastes and sounds as you explore the world like never before with APT’s range of travel styles including river and coastal cruising, rail journeys, private air tours and 4WD adventures. From expert guides to our unforgettable Signature Experiences, APT will help you discover the world in a whole new way.

NEW ZEALAND

Discover exceptional natural wonders, fascinating cities and proud Māori culture on an APT New Zealand tour. See for yourself the hidden jewels Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud, has waiting to be unearthed.

From the sacred lands of the ancient Kimberley and the treasures along her coast, to the enchanting wilds of the Apple Isle and everywhere in between, see Australia in APT luxury by land, rail, ocean and air.  

THE KIMBERLEY

Answer the call of the Kimberley, a world away from it all. Beyond spinifex deserts and secluded gorges, explore the Bungle Bungle Range, Mitchell Falls and El Questro Wilderness Park – the natural born heroes of this wilderness frontier. An APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventure is packed with unexpected highlights.

Chart a course through shimmering turquoise waters as you cruise Croatia and Montenegro's island-speckled coastline on a yacht. Discover all the must-see sights and hidden gems of this fascinating region.

Choose Your Dream Holiday

Heart of Tasmania

Hobart Return

Southern Tourer

Christchurch Return

New Zealand Wonderland

Auckland → Christchurch

Kimberley and Top End

Darwin → Broome

Croatian Island Discovery

Dubrovnik → Zagreb

Our Ways To Travel

Apt luxury vacations.

For the ultimate holiday experience, discover the essence of each destination in style and comfort. Enjoy the finest accommodation, culinary experiences, sightseeing and service.

APT Travelmarvel

APT Travelmarvel holidays offer superior comfort and marvellous value, providing you with the perfect balance of inclusions and leisure time.

Call us: 1.800.528.9300 Low Price Guarantee

Get Exclusive Deals by Email!

The tour you have requested has changed, please do another search.

To request Pavlus Travel to remove your personal information, please complete the following form and indicate which services you would like your information removed from. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.

Submit Request

Request a Galapagos Quote for 11/1/2020 – Galapagos Inner Loop – 7 Nights Roundtrip Baltra | From $8,512

Request a Galapagos Quote for 9/1/2019 – Galapagos Outer Loop – 7 Nights Roundtrip Baltra | From $8,743

Request a Galapagos Quote for 8/11/2019 – Galapagos Inner Loop – 7 Nights Roundtrip Baltra | From $9,380

All fares are in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, and reflect promotional savings, are for new bookings only, are subject to availability, and must be booked by September 1, 2019. Promotional savings in categories F-B on the December 21st sailing and categories C-D on the December 27th sailing only. *Included roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco is based on availability in class of service. Offer may be combined with applicable 3rd guest in stateroom offer but may not be combinable with other offers. Port, security, and handling charges of $149 per person are additional. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Call for details. Ship’s registry: Bahamas.

DESTINATIONS

TRAVEL STYLES

ABOUT CONTIKI

GET INSPIRED

1 (866) 266 8454

200+ expertly designed trips across 6 continents

Includes accommodations, local transportation & awesome experiences

Explore with a Trip Manager, Driver and other awesome travelers

SEE ALL TRIPS

🔮DECIDE MY TRIP🔮

Can’t choose between sale trips? Spin the wheel and let the universe decide...

LET'S GO!

Great value for money! Beyond words to explain, just book that flight!! Christopher, Ultimate South East Asia

This trip was amazing, the itinerary was perfect! Amy, Canada & the Rockies

This trip was great value. Great bunch of people. I'm glad I did it and I highly recommend. Steven, Canada & the Rockies

Tried and trusted by millions of travellers since 1962

Book with confidence

$200 fully flexible deposit*

No booking fee, no change fees

Pay over time, interest free

24/7 support

Find out more

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

Moscow tours, business travel to moscow, tour guide service, interpreting service

• Our Service
• Our Photo Album

Moscow tours, business travel to Moscow, tour guide service, interpreting service

We are here to navigate you through Moscow and beyond. We specialize in private and customer-tailored tours for individuals and groups.

Tour options include:

• Moscow tours in 1 day/2days/3days (Red Square tour, Kremlin tour, metro tour, panoramic city tour, etc);
• Moscow panoramic city tour / night Moscow by legendary retro cars ;
• Layover tours in Moscow;
• Moscow cultural heritage tours, Moscow themed tours;
• Russian home hosted visits (visit to the Russian dacha);
• Russian culinary classes;
• Moscow-St.Peterburg tour package. Two Russian capitals in one week;
• Moscow-St.Petersburg educational tours for students and children;
• Russian towns of the Golden Ring (Sergiev Posad, Suzdal, Vladimir); Trips out of Moscow
• Shore excursions (Moscow/St.Petersburg)
• Russian honeymoon tours, photo walks in Moscow;
• Moscow tours for children
• Christmas time in Moscow;
• AK-47 shooting tour, tank T-34 ride, segway tour, fishing in Moscow region.
• Group Tours ( offers for travel agencies)

We are officially endorsed by Moscow Government to guide in most iconic tourist attractions of Russia’s capital such as Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, museums of the Moscow Kremlin, the Tretyakov Art Gallery, etc.

We love our city and are ready to share with you our in-depth knowledge of Moscow, this old but very dynamic and amazing city. We will be glad to provide context and fun in equal measure opening up your eyes to Russian history, culture and art.

We know how to make the most of your time while you are here and will be delighted to turn your stay in Moscow into a life experience.

Why book with us?

• We love what we do.
• We highly value responsibility and individual approach.
• Our friendly booking service will help plan your itinerary according to your wishes. We are very flexible and design the tours individually for every customer.
• We are officially recognized by Moscow Government.
• Our training, qualifications, experience and personality will ensure that your visit to Moscow is a great success.

We take part in BBC series of documentaries "World's Busiest Cities"(Moscow)

Buy Tickets to the Bolshoi Theatre

Other special offers...

Interpreting and assistance at exhibitions and conferences, our garage ( vehicles+drivers), where to stay in moscow, what and where to eat in moscow, visa support, learning and discovery, our partners (trips to st.petersburg).

Copyright 2015 - Moscow Navigator

Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

• Trans-Siberian Railway Tickets
• Trans-Siberian Railway Ticket Booking
• Trans-Siberian Railway Car Classes
• Travel Procedure
• Trans-Siberian Railway Route
• Guides & Gadgets

Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

• Trans-Siberian Railway Tickets »