contiki tours europe cost

Contiki Tours Europe: No regrets... except? [Latest Review]

Founded in 1962, Contiki is a renowned travel company providing organized tours for young travelers. This is our comprehensive review of their European tours!

If you are a solo traveler yet to get the hang of independent travel, hiring a tour operator is not a bad idea. You would feel more comfortable in a foreign country where the language used, transportation options, and safety concerns are different. In our previous article, we reviewed EF Ultimate Break , a tour operator for the youth. 

But, if you need an alternative that offers a wide range of trips or feel left out because you are just a few years older, Contiki can still help you feel young! It is more popular, especially for covering a lot of destinations in a short period. But is it necessarily better? Don’t rest your case until you read our review! 

Below, we have covered important aspects of Contiki, mainly focusing on its Europe tours. 

What is Contiki?

Founded in 1962, Contiki is a renowned travel company providing organized tours for young travelers. At present they offer over 300 trips to more than 50 countries around the globe. Contiki aims to “bring travelers together to discover the world” and provide them with localized, unique, and adventurous experiences. It is an ideal choice for first-timers, solo travelers, and anyone who likes their travel arrangements to be done by an experienced and reliable third party. It’s also noteworthy to mention that Contiki supports sustainable travel in different ways with the help of their TreadRight Foundation.  

Can you go on Contiki if you are over 35?

Unfortunately no. Contiki only accommodates travelers aged 18-35 years for their trips. Even their tours primarily cater to the young crowd with more emphasis on partying, nightlife, and socializing. That said, assuming you're under 35, when you think about it, the age limit is actually useful. You know what to expect, feel more included, and have a higher chance of getting along with your fellow group members. If you were really keen on going and you're over 35, don't fret! Contiki's parent company owns other tour brands for those over 35 that are likely to be more your style anyway.

What are the features of Contiki?

• Organized group tours: You will be traveling with a group of nearly 50 people! 
• Tour manager: There’s a tour manager appointed to oversee all the important aspects of the tour. There would also be local tour guides to guide you. 
• Accommodation: Depending on the budget and tour type, accommodation can range from budget-hostels to 3-star hotels to campsites. 
• Transportation: The cost of internal transport is borne by Contiki. You have to book flights and take care of travel insurance.
• Meals: Your breakfast is covered by Contiki throughout the trip along with a few other meals. For the rest, you can try out places you like or go along with Contiki recommendations.
• No Regrets Inclusions: These are activities that Contiki deems as mandatory or one-in-a-lifetime experiences. They are included in the tour cost.
• Free-Time Add-Ons: Contiki also provides activities that you can include in the tour at an added cost.

How does Contiki work?

What you have to do is relatively simple. Browse through their long list of trips for destinations around the world and pick one that speaks to your taste! Book a spot by making the payment, and the Contiki team will handle the rest for you. All you have to do afterward is get prepared for the journey!

Which Contiki Europe tour is the best?

Circling Europe is every traveler’s dream because there’s so much diversity to experience. But handling all the travel arrangements as you move from one country to another can be a daunting task. Contiki does an excellent job in helping you with it. 

The best Contiki Europe tour is subjective as it depends on what you wish to see and explore. We have highlighted the most popular Contiki tours Europe so you can pick one for your liking.

If you need a tour that covers a single destination in detail, you may want to consider Contiki Greek Island Hopping, Simply Italy, Spanish Spree, and Contiki Ireland. If you like to cover Europe as much as possible, go for its multi-destination tours like Europe in One Week, Adriatic Unearthed, European Discovery, European Magic, and European Highlights. 

How much is a Europe Contiki Trip?

The cost depends on the number of destinations covered, trip style, and trip length. On average, Contiki tours Europe can cost from $300-$9000. For an example, exploring London for 3 days will cost you $290 while the European Explorer tour that goes for over a month will cost you around $8000. But, remember that you have to allocate more for flight tickets, visa, travel insurance, additional excursions, meals, and of course, tipping. 

What we like about Contiki?

So many tour choices.

Contiki offers enough choices to overwhelm you – literally! So, there’s a high chance you will be able to find the exact trip you are looking for. They cover almost all the destinations, and their tours are categorized under different themes to suit every traveler’s style. Whether you are looking for budgeted-vacations, week-long trips, or months-long adventures, Contiki has got you covered.

Everything is planned

If you have little experience figuring out the logistics of travel or if you are heading to a remote destination where it’s difficult to get around alone, Contiki is a really good option. From lodging to transport to dining, the Contiki team will cover all the essentials for you. It’s very convenient and hassle-free.

New friends

Like its rival EF Ultimate Break, Contiki also offers the wonderful opportunity of getting to know travelers from around the world. You can mingle with like-minded people from different cultures and share your experiences. In fact, some have even ended up falling in love with a fellow traveler in their group!

Ample Flexibility

Unless you are informed about a schedule on the previous day, you have the freedom to explore and do your own thing, whether it's shopping, eating, or just relaxing.

Safety is a major concern for female solo travelers, especially beginners. Contiki ticks the safety box very well by selecting good places for accommodation, hiring reliable drivers, and keeping you informed about places you should avoid and places you should be cautious about.

What we don’t like about Contiki?

Too much partying.

Like we said earlier, Contiki has a party atmosphere and even hosts theme parties on its tours. Continuous partying and drunken nights might not appeal to everyone, especially travelers close to the upper age limit. So, we think you should give it some thought before selecting Contiki. 

Knowledgeable tour managers 

Your tour manager can significantly alter your travel experience. You could get someone well-informed about the places you visit, aspects you should be cautious about (culture, customs, etc.), and excursions worth taking. There’s also the chance of ending up with tour managers who schedule things based on their preferences or profit without focusing on travelers’ requirements. 

Pace of their trips

For some, Contiki tours Europe are a great option as its tours try to cover a lot of places within a limited timespan. But, for travelers who like to take their own time and enjoy exploring, this is not the case. If you are the latter, multi-destination Contiki tours might feel like a rat race for you. 

Cost of Excursions 

Contiki offers a host of No Regrets excursions that travelers can take part in. But, they are usually very expensive and can take a big chunk of your budget. 

Accommodation

Many travelers have complained of accommodation being located far from the city. Contiki does this in order to lower costs, which is fair considering that you don’t spend a lot of time at the hostels. The low quality of selected hotels/hostel was another factor we noticed in many Contiki tours Europe reviews.

Is Contiki good for singles?

Contiki is great for singles! It's an awesome way to make a whole bunch of friends really quickly. If you're looking to meet someone special be careful however as you have to spend the rest of the trip with them. It's not unlike how it was usually not the best idea to date people on your floor in college. That said, it's a great opportunity to get to know people and have a great time. You can always "cuddle up" near the end of the trip if that's what you're looking for. ;)

Don't just take our word for it, here's the honest review from someone who've been on a Contiki trip!

Is Contiki good for couples?

Most of the people who go on Contiki tours tend to be single, so it's not the best idea to go in a couple, unless both of you are really keen to be social and make friends. The risk of going in a couple is that you keep to yourself more. Single people gravitate towards other single people as well, so it's something to keep in mind. That said, it's still a great opportunity to meet some really cool people, and see how well you and your significant other travel together. Just be sure to go into it with the right mindset and you can still have a great time. That means not treating it like a romantic trip together, but rather an adventure to both meet some cool new people!

So, are Contiki Tours worth it?

We highly recommend Contiki for travelers who want to visit specific destinations but unsure of what they want to see.

It’s also great if you are really nervous about traveling for the first time. However, some of us like to challenge ourselves by journeying on our own. We like doing the legwork, exploring options, and being excited about the itinerary we create!

Speaking of creating amazing itineraries with friends, have you heard of Pilot?

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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Contiki tours review: the good and bad of traveling europe with contiki.

Is a Contiki Tour right for you?

Product Reviews

We receive a lot of questions from people asking me about our thoughts on joining tour groups in Europe — most notably Contiki Tours. For those of you who aren’t aware, Contiki is a well-known and very popular bus tour company that caters to students/youth travelers. Not surprisingly, based on their younger clientele, they have earned a reputation as being a booze-filled party tour.

We want to say upfront that we prefer traveling independently — after all The Savvy Backpacker is focused on independent travel. That said, we don’t have any problem with these kinds of tours. So, with that in mind, our goal for this article isn’t to talk you into or out of a Contiki Tour. Our goal is to give you the facts, both good and bad, so you can make an informed decision on whether a tour like this is right for you.

Quick Overview of Contiki Tours

Contiki is the most popular bus tour company for young travelers (18-35). They operate in Europe, Russia, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Asia — but most of the info in this guide will be focused on their European tours.

They host more than 150,000 travelers each year and they’ve been doing tours since the early 60s.

Multiple Tour Options

One nice thing about Contiki is that they offer a wide variety of tour options — ranging from week-long trips to multiple-month excursions. They also have tour options that visit just about every part of Europe so that’s really nice.

Their most popular tours are their “budget” tours (which basically means the accommodation consist of budget hotels and campsites).  You can view all their European tours here .

The tour prices range from around $1000 for about a week to well over $6000 for multi-week trips. Their most popular tours will be around $2000. Visit this page to see all their prices .

Travel Styles

In the past, we’ve ragged on Contiki because they were traditionally seen as a party on wheels. Don’t get us wrong, we can totally see why people would be into that and we don’t have a problem with it… but not everyone is into that kind of travel.

But these days, while some of the tours still have that party atmosphere, Contiki now offers a lot more options to fit other travel styles — which we think was a great move.

Here are their main travel styles:

• High Energy
• Discovery Plus
• In-Depth Explorer
• Freestyle Camping
• Sailing and Cruising
• Winter and Ski

Click here to see all their travel styles

Accommodation

All the accommodation is provided by Contiki and is included in the price —so you never have to worry about finding a place to sleep (conversely, you have no say in where you stay). Each tour usually features multiple types of accommodation but there are basically three types of accommodation:

• Budget Hotels: They claim to only book “2-3 star” hotels but many have reported that some of the hotels were very “budget”.
• Hostels: Similar to budget hotels. You’ll be sharing a room — which is normal.
• Contiki Owned Campsites: Think summer camp with shared cabins —not tents. The company’s employees staff the site.

On average, the quality of the accommodation tends to be on par with that of a budget hostel. The type of accommodation differs in each city and some are nicer than others. Some places are not that great, but some are fairly nice (for budget standards).

Much like a hostel, expect to share a room with 2-4 other people. However, you can usually pay extra to have your own room.

Be aware that your accommodation might not be located in the city. Depending on the tour, a few of your hostels/campsites could be far outside the city (sometimes 30-60 minutes by train/taxi). These locations are often not on any public transportation routes, so you’ll have to fork over 40-50 euros for a taxi ride if you want to spend time in the city.

Contiki’s website does a pretty good job of telling you what to expect on each tour/destination so be sure to do some research.

Breakfast is provided every day and it usually consists of standard food you’d find for free at almost any hostel (milk, cereal, toast w/ jam, coffee, and tea). You will sometimes get lucky and have eggs or sausage.

Lunch is always up to you. A lot of times you eat at rest stops because you’re usually on the bus during lunchtime.

Dinner is provided about half the time. Most of the time the staff at the campsite cooks it and sometimes you have to help with some of the cooking and cleaning.

In some cities, there are optional “special meals” that are served at restaurants but they’re fairly expensive. Some have reported that the meal is delicious and some told me that it was mediocre at best — it depends on where you go. For a budget traveler, this extra fee is a lot of money and I know you can get a cheaper meal in any European city.

Travel Pace

The breakneck travel pace seems to be a complaint that a lot of people have. Contiki Tours aims to hit as many places as possible so you often end up barely scratching the surface of each destination. You’ll only spend a day or two in large cities (Paris, Rome, etc) and half days in smaller towns.

On the other hand, you do end up getting to see a lot (albeit briefly).

In many instances, you are dropped off in the center of town, given a map, and told to meet back at a specific location/time. If your accommodation is outside the city, the bus will take you back to the campsite/hotel at night, otherwise, you meet at the bus in the morning (6-8 am).

You will spend a lot of time on the bus  — about 40% of the trip. Most people say that every second day is spent on the bus and most rides are 6-10 hours long. A lot of people spend their time on the bus sleeping off their hangovers or socializing. The bus stops every few hours at roadside convenience stores and gas stations.

Without a doubt, you’ll see a lot in a short amount of time, but things often tend to blend together when traveling at such a fast pace. Some people told me that they liked the fast pace because it gave them a good overview of where they want to visit again when they come back for their next European trip.

Note: Contiki does have some tours that travel at a bit slower of pace but their bread and butter tours are typically fast-paced.

Party Atmosphere

Contiki Tours have earned a reputation for being a party on wheels. I have heard from multiple sources that many of the tours quickly turn into drunken parties with lots of sex. This really isn’t too surprising — young people + hormones + plenty of alcohol + close quarters with the same people for long periods of time + interesting accents = hazy memories. It is basically a college party on steroids.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing because a lot of people have tons of fun on Contiki Tours.

Because of the constant parties and accelerated travel pace, many people have told me that they have fuzzy memories of Europe. Some people have an absolute blast and just love this style of travel. Hell, we really enjoy letting loose and maybe having a few too many drinks, but doing that multiple times a week will really wear you down.

Of course, you don’t have to drink/get drunk but there is a good chance the people around you will.

The Contiki Traveler

All travelers have to be between 18-35, but the average age is about 20-25. Contiki Tours is an Australian company so there are a lot of Australians, but there are also plenty of Americans, Canadians, Kiwis, Brits, and Irish (you’ll probably get a few other nationalities in there too). It seems that there are generally more females than males and about half of the people are traveling alone.

A large majority of former Contiki travelers often talk fondly of all the cool people they met and how much fun they had with them. A lot of people form really close friendships with their fellow travelers. For good and bad, many people’s best memories come from the people they meet—not from the sights. But, to be fair, some of our best memories of traveling came from the people we’ve met in hostels, so we can’t see how this is any different.

Group Travel Frustrations

When there are 50 people in a group it is inevitable that someone will be constantly late—this is especially true in the morning when there are a bunch of hung-over travelers. Just be prepared to wait a lot.

You also run the risk of having a lame group. I have heard a few stories about travelers expecting a party only to find out that most people didn’t want to do anything. Or people could just not get along well and then you’re stuck with them for the duration of the trip.

Although, most people have very little conflict or frustrations stemming from group travel.

Tourist Traps

The tour guides are rumored to get kickbacks for bringing their guests to certain bars/shops/restaurants, so it is hard to always believe that the guide is showing you the best places to go.

For example, on some tours you are taken to an Italian leather shop as one of your destinations, but it is basically a glorified tourist gift shop (there are also silver, glass, diamond, and other shop “tours”). The people in the shop demonstrate their craft but then hit you with a big sales pitch. We’ve also heard stories about how the tour guides give travelers “city maps” but the maps really only highlight these “gift shops.”

We’ve also been warned that many of the “extra” excursions are extremely overpriced. It is usually best to book those on your own at a fraction of the cost. Unfortunately, there is a lot of pressure to purchase these extra tours because you can either go or be stuck at the campsite (which doesn’t have access to the city).

Tipping is highly encouraged by the staff. Each person gets their own envelope w/ their name on it and you’re supposed to put your tip in it. We don’t have a problem with tipping but some past guests thought this method seemed a bit forceful.

Reasons People Choose Contiki

Again, we’re not against these kinds of tours and we totally understand the benefits they provide. Below are some of the reasons people love Contiki Tours.

No Need To Plan

Some travelers simply don’t want to plan their trip and they would rather just let someone else take care of all that work. We think this is understandable, and we admit that travel planning can take a lot of time.

Planning can also be frustrating and honestly it can get overwhelming. We kind of like the planning part of the experience (obviously, we created this website) but we don’t fault anyone for just wanting to have a good time without having the headache of planning.

Many travelers think traveling around Europe is difficult, but using trains, planes, and other public transportation (especially in Europe) is usually pretty simple once you understand how the system works. But we totally see how it would seem intimidating — especially for someone who has no experience with public transportation. Nonetheless, a tour can be a good choice if you still don’t feel comfortable traveling independently.

I also think a lot of travelers get caught up in the fact they don’t speak the local language. Hell, we still get intimidated when we travel to a foreign country. Being in a tour group takes away a lot of this apprehension (although most Europeans speak English well, so we wouldn’t worry too much about it).

Solo Travelers

Many solo travelers choose tours because they feel that traveling alone is unsafe or lonely — we hear this a lot from female travelers. These concerns are completely understandable and we’ve had the same feelings ourselves.

That said, we’ve met plenty of solo female travelers but not everyone is up for this kind of experience. So, given a choice between not traveling and going on a tour, we’d always choose the tour.

So, if traveling alone is preventing you from traveling to Europe, then I think Contiki is an excellent option.

Instant Friends

Being surrounded by 50 other people means that you’ll never go lonely.

In fact, this built-in social network is one of the reasons we love hostels. And a Contiki tour is like a hostel on steroids. Plus, you don’t have to constantly reintroduce yourself to new people over and over again as you do in hostels.

And if you read past reviews, almost every person mentioned the friendships they made on their tour.

Past travelers seem to love their tour guides.

Always Something To Do

There will always be something going on every night. You have the option to do your own thing but there is always an option to party with the group.

Some people love Contiki Tours and you can find plenty of people who rave about them online. In fact, many of these people take multiple tours with them. On the other hand, you will also find many reviews from people that didn’t enjoy their trip as much as they would have liked.

From what I’ve found, most former travelers said that their tour was fun and they were not disappointed they took the tour… but one tour is probably enough. I don’t think this is necessarily a negative thing since these tours help “ease” people into their European experience and it shows how easy European travel can be.

Check out their  European tours options  to see what all they offer.

If you’re interested in hearing a tour guide’s firsthand account of leading one of these tours I suggest reading Rule No. 5: No Sex on the Bus: Confessions of a Tour Leader by Brian Thacker. It isn’t written about Contiki specifically but we imagine many of the themes apply to all youth-oriented tour groups. It is pretty funny and interesting to read about all the crazy stuff a bunch of drunken youths can get up to.

Not sure if a Contiki tour is for you? We suggest you visit the Contiki Website to get a better idea of their specific tours.

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6 Incredible Europe Contiki Tours to Go On in 2024

Last Updated on November 6, 2023

This site contains affiliate links for products and services we recommend. Read my disclaimer  for more information. If you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you, I will earn a small commission (for which I am very grateful).

Fancy touring around Europe in style and not having the worry about the stress of planning and booking a trip? Then   Contiki might be a fabulous option for you. 

When I moved from New Zealand to the United Kingdom at age 19, I booked two Europe Contiki tours, and it was the best way to introduce me to this continent I just landed on. 

Travelling can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time, or maybe you just don’t want the hassle of booking accommodation, finding things to do and figuring out transportation between countries.

This is when tours are amazing. On Contiki holidays, everything is planned out for you, from your breakfasts, activities and travel to your Contiki accommodation options.

Whether you’re travelling alone, as a couple or in a group of friends or with your family, Contiki can provide the best tours of Europe for everyone.

🧳 MUST-HAVE: Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have travel insurance. My #1 recommendation is SafetyWing !

Table of Contents

Contiki Review: What is a Contiki Tour Like?

Contiki is a trusted tour group known not just in Europe but all over the world. Contiki is known for its quality, fun-ness level and professionalism.

I have been on 3 different tour groups during my time in Europe and Contiki is the most popular. Everyone knows Contiki, and the Contiki tour reviews are glowing!

You will find a younger demographic; I found most people were under 25 in my tours but in saying that, it depends on the location and the tour.

If you are going on a New Years tour then you will find the people will be younger. But if you’re going on a tour that focuses on the history or the food, you might find the people are over 25.

With Contiki, I found that they do focus a lot of the parties and good times, whereas another tour group I went on focused more on the information and learning about the destination.

Conitki know how to have a good time!

As  Contiki is one of my favourite brands, I thought I would hunt down the top 6 tours for you and present some of my favourite Contiki reviews!

Here are the Top 6 Most Incredible Europe Contiki Tours!

1. Greek Island Hopping with Contiki

13 days – Greece – from €2399

Features of tour

• Locations: Visiting 4 places (Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Ios)
• Food included : 12 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners 
• Transport: via Ferry
• Group size: average 41 people

We’ll start with possibly the best Contiki Europe tour if relaxation is your main goal. Because what could be more relaxing than spending 13 days sailing from one beautiful Greek island to the next?

The Greek Island-hopping tour is Contiki’s most popular European tour and for good reason! You start with 2 days in Athens exploring all the historic city has to offer. 

Then you will hop on the boat and head straight for Mykonos – one of the most Instagramable destinations in Europe for sure!

After spending 3 days marvelling at the white buildings and taking far too many pictures, you then travel to Santorini, which is famous for its architecture and sunsets.

Anyone looking for the best contiki tours for partying should consider embarking on this one, because next, you will visit the island of Ios.

This vibrant location has been named the number one party island in Greece, and it’s here that you’ll be able to dance the night away before travelling back to Athens to finish the tour.

This is one of Contiki’s best Europe tours and in fact, it’s one of the most popular Contiki tours too!  To find out more about the tour then click here…

🚲 Check availability on this amazing tour!

2. European Horizon

10 days – England, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France – From €1239

• Locations: 8 Countries
• Food included :9 Breakfasts and 5 Dinners
• Transport: via Coach
• Group size: average 47 people

I did a very similar tour about 5 years ago when I first moved to Europe. It was a great taster of what Europe had to offer and it really gave me a bite of the travel bug.

👡 PACKING TIP: Looking for the best shoes for travelling? I highly recommend getting a pair of Chaco’s – They are my favourite!

This is one of the most fast-paced Contiki tours in Europe.

You visit a lot of places in a short amount of time so prepare to see and do a lot in the 10 days, making it a great choice for those looking for Europe tours for young adults.

Starting with England where you will depart, you head for Amsterdam via a stopover in Belgium, making this one of the best Europe party tours!

After a crazy night experiencing the local Dutch culture you then travel to Germany (1 day in Rhine Valley and 1 day in Munich), Austrian Tyrol (1 day), Venice (1 day), Swiss Alps (2 days) and Paris (2 days), before finishing back in London.

Doesn’t this sound like of the best Europe Contiki tours?!  To find out more about the tour then click here…

🚲 Check availability for this exciting tour!

3. Winter Wanderer

24 days – United Kingdom, France, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, Spain, Monaco, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium – From 2995

• Locations: 12  Countries
• Food included : 23 Breakfasts and 6 Dinners
• Group size: average 28 people

If you are looking for a wintery tour then this one is perfect!

When I moved to the United Kingdom I did a Contiki trip similar to this (although it was slightly different as they have added more amazing places to visit!).

Taking this European Contiki tour was one of the best things I did. It was a great introduction to Europe, even though a lot of the destinations were covered in snow.

It actually made it even more magical!

With this tour, you get to visit some of the hotspots in Europe!  To find out more about the tour then click here…

🚲 Check availability on this fantastic tour!

📦 PACKING TIP: Don’t leave home without a solar powered battery pack so you can keep your devices connected at all times.

4. London to Berlin

9 days – England, France, Netherlands, Germany – From €2115

• Locations: 4  Countries
• Food included : 8 Breakfasts and 3 Dinners
• Transport: via train
• Group size: Max 24 people

London – one of the most visited cities in the world, and your starting point in one of the best European Contiki travel experiences!

After spending 2 days exploring London in-depth you will then travel to France where you will spend 2 days venturing around Paris, the romantic capital.

The next stop is Amsterdam where you will also spend 2 days and lastly Berlin (2 days).

By spending 2 days in each city it means you can travel deeper and dive into the culture of what these cities represent and have to offer.

It’s one of the best European trips for young adults, and one of the best Contiki tours for singles! To find out more about the tour then click here…

🚲 Check availability for this amazing tour!

5. Best of Balkans – One of the Best Unique Europe Contiki Tours

15 days – Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia – From €2585

• Locations: 6  Countries
• Food included : 14 Breakfasts and 5 Dinners
• Transport: via coach
• Group size: Average 38 people

This tour has to be one of the most attractive to me; it boasts some incredible locations in the Balkans .

Starting in Hungary and travelling through Bosnia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, a stop in Serbia, this is a one-of-a-kind tour that visits some of the hottest upcoming destinations.

The Balkans are steeped in history, which you will love learning about on one of the best Contiki trips through these interesting and dynamic countries.

In my book, this is one of the best Europe Contiki tours to go on because it visits my favourite places in the world – The Balkans!  To find out more about the tour then click here…

6. Simply Italy with Contiki

15 days – Italy, Vatican City – From €2155

• Locations: 14 places and 2 Countries
• Food included : 14 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners

If you love Italy and Italian culture, then this is one of the best European tours Contiki has to offer you.

This tour is perfect if you have ever dreamed of exploring one of the most romantic, ancient and culinary brilliant countries in Europe. With Contiki, Italy will be at your fingertips!

You start the tour in Rome, one of the oldest cities in the world; there is so much to discover in this thriving metropolis.

Then you will visit Vatican City – the smallest country in the world – before spending 2 nights in Sorrento.

📸 PRO TIP: My go-to camera for all my travels is the Sony A7iii – I highly recommend it!

After spending a couple of days exploring this picturesque coastal city you will travel onward to Capri, Pompeii, Florence, Verona (the setting of Romeo and Juliet), Venice, Lake Garda, Milan, the Riveria, Pisa, Chianti Region and lastly, ending the tour where you started!

If you want to explore Italy in depth then this might be the tour for you.  To find out more about the tour then click here…

Frequently Asked Questions

There are over 2,500 Europe Contiki tours taking place throughout the year, tailored to all different kinds of people.

Unfortunately not. The Europe Contiki tours have an age range of 18-35 years old, as they are aimed at a younger demographic.

Yes you can! There are a wide range of Europe Contiki tours to be enjoyed by solo travellers, couples, groups and families.L

In my opinion, Contiki European tours are some of the most rewarding and exciting experiences you could hope to enjoy.

Tell me below which one of these Contiki tours you would love to go on! I love the sound of the total European foodie experience.

And that’s your round-up of the best Europe Contiki tours!

Other articles you will love:

• The Prettiest Piazzas in Rome + Map to Find Them!
• Must-Try Traditional European Nonalcoholic Drinks
• The Most Underrated and Off The Beaten Path Places To Visit In 2023
• The Most Interesting Places to Include on Your Europe Bucket List

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The Comments

Kanika bakshi.

Hey, Thanks for sharing such an outstanding list loved it. Especially Greek Island.

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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.

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European Inspiration (Start Amsterdam, Classic, 19 Days)

• Fully Guided
• Coach / Bus
• Sightseeing
• Christmas & New Year

Places You’ll See

• Introduction
• Day 1 London to Amsterdam
• Day 2 Amsterdam
• Day 3 Amsterdam to Berlin
• Day 4 Berlin
• Day 5 Berlin to Prague
• Day 6 Prague
• Day 7 Prague to Munich
• Day 8 Munich
• Day 9 Munich to Venice
• Day 10 Venice
• Day 11 Venice to Rome
• Day 12 Rome
• Day 13 Rome to Florence
• Day 14 Florence
• Day 15 Florence to Lucerne
• Day 16 Lucerne
• Day 17 Lucerne to Paris
• Day 18 Paris
• Day 19 Paris to London

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

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.7
• Itinerary Excellent 4.8
• Guide Excellent 5.0
• Transport Excellent 4.9
• Accommodation Excellent 4.4
• Food Excellent 4.3
• Tour Operator Contiki 4.7
• Most Recent
• Most Popular
• Highest First
• Lowest First

• KK Kristin · 25th April 2024 Ri was the best tour guide ever! Always had such positive energy and tried to make sure we all had a wonderful time. Trip date: June 2023

• C charlie · 24th April 2024 I loved this contiki, we saw so much and Rianna was such a great guide on this tour! she made it super fun and engaging and made sure everyone felt comfortable Trip date: June 2023

• IT Imogen · 24th April 2024 The itinerary of our trip was perfect! Great stays and great guided experiences paired well with extra time to do independent exploring. My tour guide Rianna was amazing always providing insight into our travel destination and coming up with fun ways to... Show more Trip date: July 2023

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

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

• Upcoming departures
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• December 2024
• January 2025
• February 2025
• -25% Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 19 May, 2024 Thursday 6 Jun, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,398 €3,296 Confirm Dates
• -16% Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 2 Jun, 2024 Thursday 20 Jun, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,464 €3,764 Confirm Dates
• Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 16 Jun, 2024 Thursday 4 Jul, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,687 Confirm Dates
• -11% Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 30 Jun, 2024 Thursday 18 Jul, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,536 €4,037 Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 14 Jul, 2024 Thursday 1 Aug, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,763 Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 28 Jul, 2024 Thursday 15 Aug, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,763 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -16% Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 1 Sep, 2024 Thursday 19 Sep, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,246 €3,580 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -11% Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 8 Sep, 2024 Thursday 26 Sep, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,246 €3,779 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -20% Get Instant Confirmation Tuesday 17 Sep, 2024 Saturday 5 Oct, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,246 €3,381 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay €100 Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Monday 14 Oct, 2024 Friday 1 Nov, 2024 English Sold Out Based on Triple €3,961 Only Pay €100 Deposit See Similar Tours For These Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

We are there for you! If you have any questions about this tour, then please don't hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you latest within 2 hours!

Got a question about this tour?

Reach out to our travel experts.

Good to Know

• Currencies € Euro France, Germany, Italy, Vatican City (Holy See) and Netherlands £ Pound Sterling England Fr. Swiss Franc Switzerland Kč Czech Koruna Czech Republic

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

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Czech Republic. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Czech Republic. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Czech Republic, Germany and Switzerland. Ideally 6 months 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.
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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.

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

• Travel Planning Guide

The Best Contiki Tours to Eastern Europe

Looking for an amazing Contiki tour to Eastern Europe ? You're in luck, as we've poured through all of the available options to find the best available. These tours are not just awesome adventures in amazing destinations, they are also your ticket to meet other travelers, enjoy the local nightlife, and make new friends to last a lifetime. Contiki is a large and well known tour operator that offers more than 270 tours around the world. The company is one of the original tour companies offering organized tours to young adults, usually in their 20's. They cater to travelers who are between the ages of 18 and 35 years old and the average age is 26 years old. The company has many years of experience offering fun and energetic tours with the interests of young adults in mind. Travelers who choose Contiki include both solo travelers (about 55%) and travelers with companions (about 45%). Contiki tour guides put a lot of emphasis on keeping the experience light, fresh, social, and fun, and helping ensure you make a lot of friends on the trip. Travelers come from around the world with more than 50 countries represented.

• Greek Island Hopping (Gap, 11 Days) 11 Days, $2569.00
• Greek Island Hopping (Pride, 11 Days) 11 Days, $3016.00
• Greek Island Hopping (Standard, 11 Days) 11 Days, $2519.00

What are Contiki's tours like in Eastern Europe?

Here are the important factors:

• 40 trip options analyzed
• $189 average price per day (USD)
• 7 to 45 days in length
• 4.63 of 5 average rating
• 47 people or less on average

Curious about the diverse range of Contiki tours? Prepare to be amazed by the array of options available to suit every traveler's preferences. It comes as no surprise that visitors adore these tours, given their exceptional average guest rating of 4.63 out of 5 stars. When it comes to group sizes, the average maximum capacity stands at 47 people, allowing for a comfortable and sociable experience. The shortest tour is 7 days, while the longest is 45 days. As for travel styles options, the tours are thoughtfully categorized as romantic and honeymoon, with the most being romantic. With a comprehensive analysis encompassing 40 Contiki tours, you can rest assured that Eastern Europe has something tailored to your interests and preferences, promising an unforgettable experience for all.

(All tour prices are in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically.)

So, let's get to it and see...

The 10 Best Contiki Tours in Eastern Europe

Greek island hopping (gap, 11 days).

• High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Check out this incredible journey that has received a 5 out of 5 rating from previous guests. With a duration of 11 days, this journey ensures an intimate group size of 35 people, and is good for travelers from 18 to 35 years old. Traverse through 5 enchanting destinations, with Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini among the must-see stops along the route. You'll start and end your journey in beautiful Athens. This fantastic option, organized by Contiki , presents an unbeatable value at just $234 per day.

Greek Island Hopping (Pride, 11 Days)

• On Sale: 25% Off See Prices

Spanning over 11 days, this journey has a maximum size of 30 individuals. Welcoming travelers from 18 to 35 years old, it is organized by Contiki , a very popular company with plenty of great reviews. This trip visits 5 destinations, including Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini along the way. Athens kicks off your expedition, serving as both the starting and finishing point. Available at an unbeatable price of only $206 per day, this option also has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars from previous guests. Hurry and secure your spot while this incredible sale lasts!

Greek Island Hopping (Standard, 11 Days)

• On Sale: 20% Off See Prices
• Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for Contiki tours.

This thirteen day tour of the Greek Islands takes visitors to a handful of islands. You'll enjoy visits to Mykonos, Ios, Santorini, and Athens, and you'll be given plenty of time to explore the quaint villages and beautiful landscapes. Spend some time lounging on the beaches or wander through the charming countryside while you soak up the area's culture and atmosphere. You'll dine at delicious restaurants, shop in the local stores, and soak up everything that the Greek Islands have to offer, all in the company of a fun group of young travelers. The tour begins and ends in Athens where you'll have a couple of days to explore. Then you'll travel by boat to Mykonos and enjoy the island's quaint town, picturesque windmills, and delicious cafes. From Mykonos you'll move on to Santorini where you'll visit the famous churches, take a dip in the ocean, or enjoy the famous sunset of Oia. You'll then move on to Ios, which is a bit more rugged than the other islands, but no less charming. From Ios, head back to Athens before saying goodbye to this beautiful country.

• Island Hopping

Ultimate European (Greek Islands, Start London, 45 Days)

This memorable journey, visiting England, France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, and Netherlands, is offered by Contiki which has received plenty of positive reviews. The trip itself has a guest rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, and is priced affordably at $178 per day. Explore 30 incredible locations on this trip, including Munich, Prague, Berlin, and Dresden. London will be both the start and end of your journey. The maximum group size is 50 people, welcoming travelers from 18 to 35 years old. It's currently on a special discounted offer.

• Coach / Bus

Greek Island Hopping (Plus, 11 Days)

Set off on an extraordinary journey that has been awarded a 5 out of 5 stars by previous guests. With a duration of 11 days, this trip offers an intimate group setting, accommodating 50 individuals, while extending a warm welcome to travelers from 18 to 35 years old. Discover a journey that spans 5 destinations, with notable stops in Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini. Your adventure starts and ends in Athens. Brought to you by Contiki , this exceptional deal is an incredible steal at a mere $193 per day.

Barcelona to London Quest (Summer, 18 Days)

With this option you can experience an unparalleled voyage for 18 unforgettable days, visiting Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City (Holy See), Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, and England. It ensures an intimate group setting with 50 participants at most. This trip takes you on an adventure to 19 destinations, including Vatican City, Verona, Venice, and Salzburg. Barcelona will mark the start of your journey, while London will serve as its final destination. Contiki , the organizer of this journey, extends a warm invitation to guests travelers from 18 to 35 years old. This extraordinary opportunity offers exceptional value at only $186 per day. Hurry and secure your spot while this incredible sale lasts!

• Sightseeing

Road to Paris (7 Days)

• On Sale: 30% Off See Prices

This fantastic trip has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, visiting Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, France, and England. With 6 destinations to explore, you'll get the chance to see Paris, Ljubljana, Venice, and Lucerne, and more. Split marks the starting point, while London stands as the final stop on your incredible journey. Lasting 7 days, the maximum group size is 45 people, and it's good for travelers from 18 to 35 years old. Organized by Contiki , this is a great deal because it's only $182 per day. Act now to take advantage of the special sale price!

Barcelona to London Quest (Winter, 18 Days)

With a stellar 5 out of 5 rating, this extraordinary voyage, visiting Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City (Holy See), Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, and England, is the perfect choice. Along the way, this journey encompasses 21 destinations, including Vatican City, Verona, Venice, and Salzburg. Beginning in beautiful Barcelona, you'll have a terrific journey that ends in London. Spanning across 18 days, the voyage accommodates 50 individuals, and is suitable for travelers from 18 to 35 years old. Offered by Contiki , this remarkable voyage is priced at just $154 per day. It's currently on a special discounted offer. Don't miss out on this incredible experience.

Athens to Santorini (Pride, 8 Days)

This exceptional trip offering by Contiki has received a 4 out of 5 rating. On this 8-day journey you can unwind while also making new memories. This itinerary covers 4 captivating destinations, with stops in Mykonos and Paros, among others. Athens will mark the start of your journey, while Santorini will serve as its final destination. With a group size of 30 people, it's suitable for travelers from 18 to 35 years old. This remarkable trip is priced at an unbeatable $244 per day. Act quickly to seize the current limited-time sale and reserve your spot now.

Athens to Santorini (Standard, 8 Days)

Check out this journey that has received rave reviews, earning a stellar 4 out of 5 rating. Immerse yourself in a travel experience that includes 4 destinations, featuring Mykonos and Paros. Athens marks the starting point, while Santorini stands as the final stop on your incredible journey. Spanning across 8 unforgettable days, this voyage offers an intimate group experience with 30 participants, and it's great for travelers from 18 to 35 years old. Brought to you by the renowned Contiki , this exceptional opportunity is priced at an incredible $190 per day - an unbeatable value. Hurry and secure your spot while this incredible sale lasts!

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Eastern Europe , The Best Wildlife Tours to Eastern Europe , The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Historical Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best 10-Day Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best 3-Day Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best 2-Week Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best 3-Week Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Extended Trip Tours in Eastern Europe, One Month or Longer , The Best River Cruises in Eastern Europe , The Best Bicycle Tours in Eastern Europe , Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Eastern Europe , The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Christmas Market Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Coach Bus Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Adventure Tours to Eastern Europe , The Best Eco Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Train & Rail Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Eastern Europe , The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Sightseeing Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Cultural Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Music Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Camping Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Eastern Europe , The Best Self Drive Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Walking Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Honeymoon Tours in Eastern Europe , The Best Tours Under $1000 in Eastern Europe , The Best Luxury Tours to Eastern Europe , The Best Budget Tours to Eastern Europe , The Best Tours for Seniors to Eastern Europe , or The Best G Adventures Tours to Eastern Europe for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.

How much do Contiki tours to Eastern Europe cost?

Visitors will find a large range of terrific options for Contiki tours when planning a visit to Eastern Europe. The price of these specific trips can vary according to length, destinations, and travel style. The average price of Contiki tours in Eastern Europe based on data from 40 options is an affordable $189 per day. If you're interested in more information about tours here, see our guide to tour prices in Eastern Europe .

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Travel Tips

How much to budget for a trip to Spain?

By Madeline Schuerz

Travel addict, daydreamer, and storyteller living and working on the roads of Europe as a Trip Manager for Contiki.

Published on Apr 24, 2024 | 8 min

Table of Contents

Accommodations in spain, how to get around spain, tapas, paella, churros, and the spanish nightlife, experiencing spain through their sights and activities, shopping and souvenirs, travel insurance, final budgeting and travel advice, travelling in spain with contiki.

Budgeting for a trip can make or break a dream trip. For many travellers the first step of planning their next adventure is the managing and mapping out of their travel budget, this can be exciting and ignite the travel bug or be absolutely overwhelming. Since budgeting for your trip shouldn’t take away from the excitement before it even started, we have put together a guide on what to expect when traveling to Spain .

In general Spain is easier on the wallet than many other European countries, aside from the bigger cities like Barcelona or Madrid prices for accommodation, transportation and even different activities and tours can vary greatly depending on the season you are traveling in.

Best of Spain

Accommodation will be a large chunk of your travel budget. Depending on the area of Spain you are in and the time of year you are travelling prices can be quite different, but in the last few years prices for hotels, AirBnBs and even hostels have gone up a lot.

During the summer months a single bed in a hostel in the centre of Barcelona, Madrid or Valencia can be anywhere from €25 up to €70, with Barcelona being the most expensive city on the Spanish mainland. Hostels in smaller and less touristy towns can be slightly cheaper.

If you are looking for hotels, the range becomes even bigger. A double room in a small local BnB can already start at around €60 and go up to €150.

Boutique hotels and more famous hotel chains typically start at around €100 in less touristy places and off-season, and can be as expensive as €200-300 in high season. They do tend to offer a little bit more luxury and comfort though. AirBnBs are an option in a lot of Spanish cities as well, but it’s important to understand the rules in Spain surrounding short-term rentals. Prices of AirBnBs in major cities and good locations can start at around €80 but quickly get up to €100-150 per night including cleaning and service fees as they have to be registered to the government. They will also most likely ask for your passport details in order to register you as a guest in their home and charge you a tourist tax.

If you are looking for a way cheaper or almost free ways to stay in Spain, couchsurfing, housesitting and volunteering in hostels would be additional options.

Image source: Contiki

Public transport in Spain is not only extensive but also very affordable. Most major cities are connected by a high quality train and bus network that makes inter-city traveling relatively easy. In order to get these cheap train and bus tickets you will have to book at least a few weeks in advance or be super flexible. Buses between the major cities usually cost between €10-20 but often take several hours due to the many stops along the way. A faster way of traveling are high-speed trains that connect cities around most of the country, but they will cost you somewhere between €30 and €80 depending on the distance and how long in advance you have booked.

Inner-city transport works fantastic as well. While the bigger cities of Madrid and Barcelona have extensive metro systems, many other Spanish cities have at least one or two metro lines, trams or buses. Most sights are very well connected and a single ride ranges between €1,5-2,5, while day passes cost around €5-15.

Spain vs. Portugal: which Iberian nation should you visit first?

When it comes to food and drinks, Spain is still incredibly affordable. Eating Spanish meals in small local restaurants doesn’t have to be expensive at all. Spanish breakfast is super simple and either consists of churros con chocolate (fried dough with chocolate), pan con tomate (toast with tomato) or bocadillos (sandwiches), all of which usually cost around €5.

A corto (single shot of Espresso) only costs €1-3, while other types of coffee (with milk, water, double shot, etc.) would range between €2-5.

The best-known foods in Spain are probably tapas, which are small plates of different kind of snacks. In most cities you would be able to find a good restaurant where a tapa costs somewhere between €3-10 and if you order a few to share between a group of you it usually comes out super cheap.

Spanish restaurants usually also offer a “Menu del dia” which is the dish/menu of the day that can cost as little as €12-20 and typically includes two to three courses and a drink. When going to a proper restaurant, the Spanish love paella, fresh seafood and Iberian pork.

If you like to enjoy a nice drink with your dinner, you are looking at spending around €20-40 for a nice dinner out. In some restaurants around the country you can still get free tapas with your drinks, a custom that is slowly dying in the more touristy areas.

A glass of wine, beer or Sangria would cost €2-5 in a lot of local restaurants and then they may bring you a free dish with it, or sometimes just some nuts or olives. In clubs or bars the drinks tend to be a little bit more expensive and your typical long drinks often cost €5-15. Be careful though as they free-pour their drinks.

This trip won’t be the trip of a lifetime without the abundance of sights and activities the country has to offer. While you can get a great feel for the city and the Spanish life by strolling through the streets, admiring the old neighborhoods, strikingly beautiful buildings and happy vibe that is life in Spain, a lot of the culture can only be experienced by entering sights and watching shows.

The cities can be explored on your own or on one of the many free walking tours on offer, but don’t forget to tip your guides at the end of the tour. Spain also has amazing fresh markets in most cities that you can visit for free.

But many of the most famous sights and experiences do cost a fee. The Sagrada Familia (€26) and Alhambra (€20) are the two most visited places in Spain, but you shouldn’t forget about other popular sights such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (€16), the Alcazar (€14) and Cathedral (€12) in Sevilla, the Mozquita-Catedral (€13) in Cordoba, the Prado (€15) in Madrid or Casa Battlo (€35,-) in Barcelona.

In addition to the most popular sights, Spain has great shows and tours to offer for an even more in-depth experience like Flamenco shows (€20-40) or food tours (€70-120).

Spain and Portugal Highlights

If you enjoy a good little shopping spree, you are in luck. Spain is arguably one of the best countries to go shopping in. The streets of small beach towns and big metropolises are lined with souvenir shops if you want to bring back some magnets, tiles or Flamenco fans for your friends and family. But these exact streets are also filled with local fashion boutiques, as well as Spanish and international brands.

One last, but super important part you shouldn’t forget about when budgeting for your trip is travel insurance. Enjoying your Spanish adventures is a lot easier with the peace of mind that if something were to go wrong, valuables get stolen or lost or you need to get medical attention throughout your trip, your travel insurance will kick in.

Make sure your insurance covers extreme activities like rafting, paragliding, surfing etc. if you are planning on doing those on your trip. When booking a Contiki you can easily add travel insurance during the booking process, which will safe you lots of time looking for other companies and comparing their policies. If you are wanting to look at others as well, here are some reputable companies: CoverMore , WorldNomad , Allianz , SafetyWing , etc.

10 best beaches in Spain to add to your bucket list

Also, don’t forget about the small expenses throughout the day, like ice cream, a bottle of water, coffee or Sangria and tips for the waiters in your restaurants and bars, taxi drivers, guides, etc. Tipping is common in Spain but usually relatively little. In a proper restaurant they would tip 5-10%, at a Café or Bar its more like rounding up to the next full Euro. Tipping is not expected, but highly appreciated in the country.

Ultimately the budget you will need for a trip to Spain depends highly on what kind of trip you want it to be and what you want to experience but by taking all the above factors into account most people tend to need around €150-200 per day when staying at hotels. Ferry rides, big nights out or an extensive shopping spree can absolutely increase that needed budget though.

As you have probably noticed reading through this article, there is a whole lot that goes into budgeting a trip and especially sticking to said budget. What if I told you, you don’t really have to worry about most of these things at all though and only worry about you, having the best time.

On Contiki, a whole lot of these expenses are already taken care off and you don’t even have to spend your days reading through reviews, trying to get from point A to point B or figuring out what places to see. Contiki has accommodations and transport, some meals and even some tours and sights already covered for you and can guarantee nice hotels and amazing experiences for your stays. Our beloved drivers take you on our coaches into the cities, past famous sights and back to the hotel. Booking that Contiki, doesn’t just save you money, but also time that you can spend making this trip into YOUR dream trip.

11 reasons why Spain is our #1 sustainable destination

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Best of Spain and Portugal

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Contiki Tour Review: Is Contiki Cheaper Than Solo Backpacking?

I’m a solo backpacker at heart. It’s the type of travel I enjoy the most and find the most rewarding.

But that doesn’t mean I also don’t enjoy traveling with others, visiting touristy destinations , or even going on tours .

Personally, I don’t care if you’re a solo backpacker or someone who prefers tours. All travelers are created equal .

But that doesn’t mean all budgets are going to be equal.

So when Contiki tours put up a message on Facebook that “you can literally save hundreds of dollars going with Contiki overdoing it on your own” and that backpacking was “so 1997.”

My jaw dropped. Tours being cheaper than solo backpacking? Dream on.

I tweeted how that wasn’t right since independent budget travel is always cheaper.

Contiki tweeted back saying otherwise.

Whether or not you believe backpacking is “so 1997,” (it’s not) it doesn’t change the fact that Contiki is NOT cheaper than independent travel, and I found it completely disingenuous they even tried to make that point (twice!). The Contiki tweeter pointed out that they get group rates, and can, therefore, get better deals.

I don’t think so.

I’ve been on tours before. I like tours. They have their moments and can be especially good for first-time travelers who want to go places but are scared to do it by themselves.

But even the best companies are never cheaper than solo travel. This is because these companies have to pay for guides, buses, insurance, and administrative costs.

And you, the solo traveler, don’t!

Contiki Tour Cost Breakdown

One of their budget European tours in 2019 is their “European Discovery Tour.” This tour is 12 days long and costs $1,656 USD. The tour includes 16 meals (5 dinners and 11 breakfasts), 21 activities (and 12 optional activities at an additional cost), and 11 nights accommodation in shared hotel rooms with 1-2 other people.

This tour breaks down to cost $138 USD per day. Though looking at the itinerary, you can see that both the first and last days are spent almost entirely in transit. So you really only get 10 days of travel, making the daily breakdown more like $165 USD per day.

Now, let’s assume you spend $9 USD per meal for all the other meals you have to pay (which you won’t because that’s eating only sandwiches and who wants to do that in Europe?). That adds another $180 USD onto your trip.

Moreover, there are also a dozen additional activities to do that will all have an added cost. Most people spend about $30 USD per day on attraction entrance fees (that’s an extra $360 USD). Additionally, the average cost of a round-trip flight to Europe is around $600 USD.

Adding the numbers up, the total cost of this trip is now around $2,800 USD — and that’s without counting alcohol or anything more than a budget meal.

So for 10 days you are really spending $280 USD per day, not $138 USD.

Contrast this with doing it on your own. For ten days of travel, you get numbers that look like this: Flight – $600 USD Meals – $300 USD ($30 USD for 10 days) Sightseeing – $300 USD ($30 USD per day) Transportation – $250 USD (local train travel) Accommodation – $350 USD (4-bed dorm, shared bath at $35 USD per night) TOTAL – $1,800 USD ($180 USD per day)

Note : For accommodation, I used Amsterdam prices. This tour goes to many places, but Amsterdam is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, thereby making sure I am not accused of trying to “lowball” estimates for literary effect. If you traveled in Eastern Europe, you could likely cut a lot of these expenses in half.

That is a $1,000 USD difference , not including the fact that many hostels include breakfast (lowering cost), you can Couchsurf (lowering cost), find free activities (lowering your costs) or make your own meals (lowering cost). In fact, you can get by in Europe for about half that if you’re a smart traveler!

Even if backpacking is “so 1997,” you clearly can’t save hundreds of dollars by going on Contiki.

What do you get for your costs?

Tours from Contiki tend to be filled with parties, young people, and alcohol. Most of the travelers on these tours have just a few weeks in Europe and are there to have fun before going back to work. Friends of mine have gone on Contiki, and they all come back with the same story: it was fun, they met a lot of people, and they partied hard.

I generally avoid tours because I don’t like spending one day here and one day there. And Contiki is that type of tour company.

Now, I’m not here to blast Contiki. Contiki travel works for many people, and they have a clearly defined audience (of which I am not a part of). Many of my friends have taken Contiki tours and LOVED them. They’ve loved them so much they’ve taken multiple. I’m not even blasting tour groups. I think you can get a lot of value from taking a tour.

If that is what you want, I say go for it! Drink away!

However, I simply found it disingenuous of them to state they are cheaper than doing it on your own. Because they aren’t. In fact, no tour company is. They all have administrative costs to cover that you don’t.

Contiki will not be cheap. It will be much more expensive than if you did it on your own. (And, in Europe, you’d meet a lot of people doing it on your own. You’d stay in some awesome hostels, make friends, and save money. Go solo. Tours in Europe are dumb. You don’t need them.)

If you do take a tour…

I’ve been on a handful of their tours over the years and they are my favorite multi-day tour operator. What’s good about travel companies is that they take the planning out of travel for you while giving you an environment as structured as you want. As a solo traveler, sometimes it’s nice to just relax and let someone else worry about the logistics.

There are many good tour companies out there. Every company, including Contiki, has a certain audience and is right for certain types of travelers.

But don’t buy into the sales pitch that your Contiki tour will be cheaper.  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.  

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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The rise of booze-free backpacking: why gen Z are choosing to travel sober

As more young travellers opt for morning yoga over late-night parties, tour companies are shifting their focus away from alcohol-fuelled activities

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I ssy McDermott used to go on holidays to drink: she did schoolies, partied her way through Central America, Europe and Asia, and “worked at a party hostel in Indonesia where I drank every day for an entire month”. But over the past year, she has experienced a shift.

The 23-year-old Sydneysider, who also leads group tours with Plotpackers, a UK-based company marketing more affordable trips to young social media creators, became tired of the party life and wanted to travel “to experience the culture and adventure, rather than drinking” when she goes on holiday. She went to India in February and didn’t drink at all, even when she ventured out with large groups of fellow travellers.

McDermott is one of many gen Zs – those born between 1997 and 2012 – who are choosing to drink less, including when they travel.

Dr Amy Pennay, the deputy director of the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University, has been studying “fundamental changes” in young people’s drinking patterns for 10 years. She believes the decline in gen Z drinking is because “they are more cautious and risk averse”.

“They are worried about their futures and economic security, they are more disciplined and surveilled by parents and on social media, they are more health-conscious, they are anxious, and mental health problems are increasing for young people.”

Drinking isn’t seen as “cool” as it once was, Pennay adds. This trend, she says, is playing out globally, “at least in high-income countries” – in line with the decrease in other risky activities including drug use, truancy and crime.

Student Universe, a discount flight and travel business, has noticed “a significant uptick in young people wanting to avoid alcohol on holiday”, says brand manager Will Jones. The company conducted a study of 1,000 gen Z Australians that showed 84% would take a holiday without drinking. Safety (62%), money (57%) and a desire to not feel unwell and affect the next day’s activities (56%) were the strongest deterrents.

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A sober experience

With gen Z’s travel priorities shifting, travel companies that target the demographic have been forced to shift too. Contiki has upped its focus on wellness and sustainability experiences after its research also revealed that most gen Zs (77%) would consider an alcohol-free trip.

“The most common question I’m asked is ‘how is travel changing?’ and we have certainly seen a shift in how gen Z are travelling,” says Toni Ambler, the managing director of Contiki. “Gen Z travellers value experiences over big nights out.”

Ambler references the hikes, safaris, food tours, cold plunges and cultural experiences included on Contiki tours. She says more than 80% of tours include a “make travel matter experience” focused on sustainability. For example, on Contiki tours through India, travellers visit the Dhonk centre, a social enterprise making and selling local crafts, while in Canada, Cree knowledge keepers teach about plant medicine in Jasper national park.

Contiki recently added a South Korean tour featuring a K-pop dance class. A the Philippines tour announced this year “was introduced to satiate the appetite of young travellers looking to visit more remote locations in a safe but authentic way”, Ambler says.

Boutique disrupters are also reimagining the group tour. Australian author Bri Lee takes small groups on trips through Morocco, Egypt and Turkey through Aweventurer, a company that aims to “create experiences as if it is your first and last trip”. On these tours, attenders connect over reading and writing, instead of over drinking.

Emma Dower, a 28-year-old teacher from Donnybrook in Victoria, went on the Turkey trip led by Lee because she wanted to travel with “like-minded people”.

“We visited ancient ruins and ballooned over the mountains of Cappadocia, but the true highlight was the meaningful and intellectual discussion with my peers,” Dower says.

Other Aweventurer trip leaders include influencer and Tammy Fit founder Tammy Hembrow as well as artist and author Reyna Noriega, who market their trips to their legions of young, mostly female followers.

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‘I had the shock of my life’

Amid a cost-of-living crisis, young backpackers coming to Australia are also noticing a move away from drinking. Lauren Frater, 20, who is in Sydney on a working holiday visa from the UK, says back home she was working 60 to 70 hours a week across two minimum-wage jobs and “drank excessively after and in between work”. She says “initially, yes, I was attracted to Australia for the backpacker party scene”, but soon realised it would be hard to keep up.

“I had the shock of my life when I discovered just how expensive it is to drink out here,” Frater says. “After a full-on party week in Sydney and realising how much money I had spent, I was quite disappointed as I had now knocked off almost a week of travel from my itinerary based on how much I had spent drinking and partying.

“I kind of had the realisation that if I wanted to do this trip, I really needed to make some lifestyle changes.”

The backpacker drinking scene hasn’t been extinguished, however. Bella Robben, a 20-year-old American residing in Melbourne, who has spent the past two years backpacking across the world, says: “I know just how big the drinking culture is within it [backpacking].”

She enjoys meeting new people when she travels, and drinking can help with that, but she says it “definitely takes its toll emotionally, mentally, financially and physically”.

“How much I drink also depends on the culture and attitude of the location. For example, when I travelled to Barcelona, it was essential to experience the nightlife whereas when I visited Morocco, although we tried a couple of the local beers, drinking as a whole was not ingrained in their culture.”

“The cost of alcohol also plays a big part in whether I decide to drink or not, especially since I am travelling on a budget. Here in Australia, the price of alcohol is expensive relative to other places I have been which deters me from drinking.”

Next, Robben plans to drive from Melbourne up the east coast of Australia “to hit every beach possible” before backpacking through south-east Asia.

Meanwhile, McDermott is headed to Oman and Spain next month, with different priorities than when she “used to plan my travels around party hotspots”.

“In Oman, I hope to experience the culture and go on a road trip around the country,” she says. “[Then] I’m going to Majorca for a week. I just want to relax and explore the beautiful beaches and Spanish villages.”

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

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Moscow metro of the last 20 years

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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