what is a contiki tour europe

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

By: Author Taylor Lorenz

Posted on Last updated: 04/29/2022

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

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

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

Table of Contents

What is Contiki?

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

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

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

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

Contiki Europe Reviews

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

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

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

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

Should you go on a Contiki tour?

This is the short answer.

Yes, if…

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

No, if…

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

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

READ MORE: 15 Benefits of Travelling Alone

Kind of People on Contiki Tours

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

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

Contiki Culture

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

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

Contiki Tours for Solo Travellers

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

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

What are Contiki guides like?

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

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

What are the groups like?

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

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

Contiki Cough

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is there any freedom?

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

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

Food & Accommodation

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

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

Best Contiki Tours

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

Greek Island Hopping

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

European Discovery

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

Simply Italy

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

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

European Horizon

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

Is Contiki Worth It?

Only you can decide.

Contiki Tour Highlights

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

Contiki Tour Downsides

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

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

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

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

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

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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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Travel Europe on a Budget

The Savvy Backpacker

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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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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?

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6 Incredible Europe Contiki Tours to Go On in 2024

Last Updated on November 6, 2023

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lack of Awareness – What’s a Contiki? 

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

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

What is Contiki? 

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

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

Contiki Tour Structure 

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

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

1. contiki discoverer tours:.

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

Availability : All regions except Africa and the Middle East

My Discoverer Tour Picks (Click to View):

2. Contiki In-Depth Explorer Tours:

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

Availability : All 6 continents

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

3. Contiki Iconic Essentials Tours:

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

Availability : Europe only

My Iconic Essentials Picks (Click to View):

4. Contiki Sailing and Cruise Tours:

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

Availability : Australia and Europe only

My Sailing & Cruise Picks (Click to View):

5. Contiki Short Trip and Festival Tours:

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

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

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

6. Contiki Ski and Snowboard Tours:

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

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

My Ski and Snowboard Picks (Click to View):

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Transportation Style 

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

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

Food & Drinks

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

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

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

Accommodations

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

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

Conscious Travel

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

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

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

Overall Pros + Cons: 

Logistics figured out for you

Epic itineraries

Unique experiences

Like-minded travelers

Highly organized

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

Sustainability and conscious travel initiatives to participate in

Dedicated trip managers and drivers 

Price & financing options 

Cons: 

Packed schedule 

Shared lodging

Faster pace 

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

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

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

#OffDutyDestination #ContikiAmbassador

Read This Next:

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

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

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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

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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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Contiki European Discovery Tour Review

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Lex Foster Discovers Europe with Contiki Tours for 18-35 Year Olds

The Ultimate Tour for First Time Travel to Europe for 18-35 Year Olds By Lex Foster

Thinking of traveling Europe but not sure where to go or what to see? Try out the European Discovery tour with Contiki. This fast-paced tour takes you through 9 countries in 12 days to see all the big cities and sights. With their informative Tour Managers it is easy to navigate the cities, and Contiki tours are also a great way to meet some awesome people from all over the world.

If you are looking for a more relaxed vacation this is not the tour for you. Expect to have a wake-up call between 6:45 AM and 7:15 AM most mornings. Late nights are of course optional, but our group seemed to enjoy staying out together, and with 50+ new friends it’s always easy to find someone to do something with.

Most days expect to start the day off with a motor coach ride to the next city. With the exception of Paris and Rome, where we had two nights in the cities, most days we would get into the city in the afternoon and then Matt, our Tour Manager, would take us around and show us the sights. You do have the option to explore on your own, but it’s usually best to stick with your Tour Manager as they know all the shortcuts around the city and where everything is. One thing that most impressed me with Matt was his knowledge of each city; there was not a question asked that he didn’t know the answer to. He was also always full of tips for restaurants, shopping, bars and anything else you might need.

Another cool thing, is while we were on the coach heading to our next destination, Matt gave us a bit of history on the next city or country we were visiting. We also got a map of each city so we could get a feeling of where things are and what we were going to do and see. We also learned a few important sayings for each new country we entered. Pay attention if you don’t know the language already, as this comes in very handy when trying to communicate with the locals.

London, England :

Contiki European Discover Tour Starts in London, England

We started our tour off in London with a meet and greet at a local pub – a great way to break the ice and get comfortable with the people you will be spending the next 12 days with. It’s also nice to be able to recognize some faces for the first motor coach trip together.

Day one saw us heading out to Amsterdam for our first night. After a short drive through the city of London we headed to the ferry terminal to sail to France. There is a great view of the White Cliffs of Dover from the deck, so we made sure to head there right away to get some good photos. From here the motor coach drove north to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands :

Visit to Anne Frank Huis in Amsterdam

After arriving in Amsterdam, checking into the hotel, and having a buffet-style dinner, we headed back to the city with the choices of taking an optional canal cruise or having free time to explore the city. Following the cruise we all met up as a group for a guided tour through the Red Light District, after which we could opt to go back to the hotel on the motor coach, or hang out in the city for the remainder of the evening.

The following morning we were dropped off in the city to explore at our leisure. There are lots of different museums and shops to check out here, and a bunch of us visited the Anne Frank House – definitely a must see.

St. Goar, Germany :

Along the Rhine River in Germany

It was back on the motor coach at noon and off to our next destination, St. Goar, Germany. This is a quaint, little village settled along the Rhine River. Here we stayed in a small family-run hotel right in the middle of town. After our included dinner, many in the group went out for an optional wine tasting tour. As I personally am not a wine drinker, I skipped this optional excursion and instead took a stroll along the Rhine. I lucked out with some nice weather; this is a beautiful river to wander along with great scenery on both sides. If water isn’t your thing take a stroll through the village; most of the shops are closed in the evening, but it’s still cool to see them all and gives you a good feel of the village.

Munich, Germany :

Munich, Germany with Contiki

After a visit to the beer stein store, the cuckoo clock store, and the Birkenstock store we were on our way to Munich. Our first stop when we arrived in the afternoon was Mike’s Bike Tours, where we took an included tour of the city thanks to Contiki. Don’t worry if you can’t ride a bike, your Tour Manager will let you know where to meet up with the group, and give some suggestions of different things to check out.

Our guides for the bike tour, Kyle and Elliott, took us through the city, stopping at various churches, museums and a few historic buildings. In the midst of the tour we stopped for a snack and beer at a beer garden that was set up in the middle of a park. The giant pretzels were delicious!

The bike tour lasted about 2 hours in total, and was definitely a highlight. We ended our evening in Munich with a stop at the Hofbrauhaus (beer hall). I don’t drink beer but still had a great night hanging out in the beer hall; I felt very German for the evening!

Hofbrauhaus is a huge building with long cafeteria-style tables set up, and if there is room at a table you just go and sit there. A bunch of our group ended up sitting with a couple of older German gentleman, with whom we had a good time talking.

Hopfgarten, Austria :

Rafting in Austria with Contiki

The next morning we had a fantastic buffet breakfast and then it was back on the motor coach towards Hopfgarten in Austria. Our first stop was at Feel Free Rafting, for the optional white water rafting excursion. If you can swim this is a must do. This was my favorite excursion! It’s only level 3 rapids so nothing too crazy, but you will get very wet and if you are like my group and decide to stand on top of the raft you will probably fall in! Don’t worry, the water isn’t that cold and they have shots of schnapps waiting for you at the finish.

On the raft trip, photographs are taken along the way so be sure to smile. Sometimes they warn you where the cameras are, but sometimes they don’t. The pictures make a great souvenir, unless you are me and feel the need to scream over all the rapids, then your mouth is usually wide open for all the pictures, which is not as pretty.

After lunch at the camp we made our way over to the Swarovski Crystal Museum. They have the world’s largest and smallest crystals, and everything in between. It was very interesting to see all the things made out of crystals – the jellyfish was one of my favorites. There is a crystal wall that goes throughout the museum making it even more sparkly. At the rear of the museum there is a huge gift shop full of jewelry, crystal figurines and even a snack bar. So if you want to skip seeing the museum there is lots to do while you wait for the rest of the group to finish up.

We spent three nights in Hopfgarten in one of the Contiki-run hotels. We had a delicious Schnitzel dinner followed by “schnappy hour” before heading over to the Silver Bullet Bar. Our group was the only one in there that night so Matt sang and played the guitar for us.

Venice, Italy :

Gondola Ride in Venice

After spending the morning driving through Austria (which I recommend staying awake to enjoy as it is beautiful) we arrived in Venice in the early afternoon where our group took a boat into the city. It was a gorgeous sunny day, so sitting on the deck of the boat was heaven.

We made our way to St. Marks Square where we split up as some of the group were going on the optional, guided walking tour. Those of us on our own visited St Marks Basilica, an absolutely beautiful church. It’s free to get in so if you get a chance go check it out, just make sure you’re in church dress, which means knees and shoulders must be covered.

After the Basilica we wandered to Saint Rialto Square (where all the tourist souvenir shops are set up) for a bit of shopping, before meeting back up with the group for our optional gondola ride. Now going for a gondola ride in Venice was the whole reason I decided to go to Europe, so this was a big one for me. It was everything I wanted it to be! You can purchase some wine for the ride and then the gondolier takes you through the canals for about an hour.

Tonight we also had the first of our optional Italian meals: 4 different kinds of pasta served along with appetizers and gelato for dessert. By the time we got back to the boat to return to the motor coach the sun was starting to set, so our sunset boat cruise in Venice was fantastic!

Rome, Italy :

Lex Foster on Tour in Rome with Contiki

The next day was spent mostly on the motor coach to Rome. After checking in to our hotel we took the coach around the outskirts of Rome to view the must-sees – without having to walk too far. We had an included buffet dinner at one of the restaurants in the city before taking a walking tour of the city. We walked past Parliament, the Forum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and much more before stopping for some complimentary gelato.

After the walking tour, a bunch of us from our group headed to Moe’s Bar, which was right around the corner from our hotel. This great little bar has different things going on every night; our night happened to be karaoke. Now I can’t sing, but I had an awesome time – I just have to get a group of people on stage singing with me. After much karaoke the DJ decided it was time for dancing so he led us through about an hour’s worth of Italian dances. This was one of my favorite nights; it was so much fun to learn how the Italians dance, and there was a great atmosphere in this bar.

We started our full day in Rome at the Colosseum. Tip – if you want to skip the long line to get in, buy a ticket for the Forum for a couple extra euros. The Forum ruins are right beside the Colosseum and having your ticket in-hand allows you to skip the line, plus they are interesting to walk through. Walking around both levels of the Colosseum was definitely very exciting.

During the afternoon I went on the optional guided tour of Vatican City – a great way to get in all the big must sees in an afternoon. Our tour included visits to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St Peters, just to name a few. It is a lot to take in but definitely worth seeing.

A few of us then went to the Capuchin Monks Museum after the optional tour, and this was my favorite stop of the afternoon. It costs about 6 euros to get in but is worth it. There is a little museum at the beginning explaining about the monks, and then you get to go through the rooms at the end. It is amazing to see what they have done with all the bones. I didn’t find this to be creepy at all, and I’m easily scared, so if you have time definitely go check it out.

Florence, Italy :

Florence, Italy

Our next destination was Florence, where our first stop was a pull-out overlooking the city for our group photo. The group photo is available for 11 euros and is probably one of the only shots you will get of your entire group together, so this is a good souvenir to have.

Our next stop was at Leonardo’s, a little leather and jewelery shop in the city, where we were given a brief demonstration with the leather and a short talk about the jewelry. Afterwards we had plenty of time for any purchases before the group was off on an included walking tour of the city.

Tonight we had our second optional Italian meal; it was the Tuscan dinner at Lacertosa. If you are only going to do one of the meals, I recommend doing this one over the Venetian dinner. While they are both delicious I felt this one had more variety, plus there was also live music and a dance floor. After our dinner we all went to Space Disco Tech — this is a 2-story club in the city. Our entry with Contiki also included a free drink of our choice, and there were lots of people in the club, so it was a very fun night.

Lucerne, Switzerland :

Lucerne, Switzerland

Our next destination was Lucerne, Switzerland. Although I was tired from the dancing at the club the night before, I did stay awake for the morning motor coach ride – Switzerland is absolutely beautiful! We got a couple good views of lakes, lots of very green mountains, tunnels, valleys… such glorious scenery to take in.

Once we arrived in Lucerne we had a short walking tour, past the Lion Monument and through the city streets, before stopping at Harry’s Watch Shop for a shopping break. Harry’s was a great place to pick up gifts for people back home, with a huge selection of watches, army knifes and don’t forget the chocolate.

An optional lake cruise was offered for the evening in Lucerne, which is a very pretty city from the water, so I really enjoyed this excursion. There is a closed cabin or you can sit up top if the weather cooperates and take in the city with no windows blocking your view.

Tonight we stayed in the Jail Hotel. A lot of people were nervous about this hotel, but honestly its just like any other hotel, other than the fact it used to be a jail. There are still bars on windows. I personally found it really cool to stay there – the beds were comfy, they served good food, and it had the best shower of the tour.

Paris, France :

The Eiffel Tower at Night

Our trip from Lucerne to Paris meant a long day on the motor coach, as Paris is over 700 kms away. So, we played some games on the coach to pass the time, and made it to our hotel around dinner time. After a delicious meal of roast chicken our group was taken for a motor coach sightseeing tour around the city.

We finished our sightseeing tour underneath a lit-up Eiffel Tower, which might be my favorite view of the entire trip. In the past, I’ve seen pictures and movies with the Eiffel Tower in it, and was excited to see it, but was definitely unprepared for actually seeing it in person. It took my breath away to see it lit up against the night sky, and then later on, sparkling in the dark. It was an amazing experience. We spent a good 3 hours laying in the grass underneath it, just gazing up at it. Champagne and wine were flowing and it was a fantastic night.

The following morning, our first stop was Cathedral Notre Dame where there was a service going on as we walked through which was really cool to see. We then made our way down the main shopping street towards the Arc de Triomphe, where we had to take a tunnel under the street to get to it.

After that visit, it was back to the Eiffel Tower for our included ride up to the top. Our tickets allowed us to skip the first line, but we did have to wait for the second elevator with everyone else. This still saves a bunch of time and Contiki pays, so that’s even better. This was an awesome way to view the entire city and beyond in one easy step.

Next we made our way along the Seine River to the Louvre. It is impossible to see the whole museum in a day, but check out as much as possible, as there is so much to experience there.

Ready for a Cabaret and Dinner Show in Paris

The evening was spent enjoying a night at a cabaret show and dinner. This is the most expensive of the optional excursions, but after doing it I would say it is worth it. We were served a wonderful 3-course meal, unlimited wine, and the show itself was fantastic. I was expecting one long show but it was a bunch of different skits. From the laser man to the acrobat there was lots of dancing, and even some audience participation. It was definitely worth the money for this one. The show ended around midnight after which we then ended to O’Sullivans Pub for our last night together.

Conclusion :

Having Fun with Contiki

While lots of people stay in Paris to continue traveling, the motor coach will drop travelers off at the Paris airport or they will take you back to London. So there are options of where to fly out of after the tour or you can simply continue traveling if you have the time and money. You might even have found a new travel partner for the next leg of your journey. This was an amazing experience; I got to see so much and make a bunch of new friends along way. It was a fantastic way to travel, and I would definitely take another tour with Contiki!

Things to Consider:

Our age range was 19 to 29 with the majority of the group in their early to mid 20’s.

• We had 17 guys and 33 girls.
• About half came solo, there were several couples, and quite a few people were traveling with friends.
• I had a roomie and it worked out really well for me as we got along great. Some people choose to have their own room, and anybody who came together shared a room. Contiki just matched up the solo travelers, usually with someone their own age, and always the same gender.
• Sometimes we barely had time to get ready to go out, but that was usually on a day we hit traffic, so not much could be changed about that.
• All the people I talked to felt it was good value, and for the most part people were doing lots of the optional excursions. I didn’t talk to everyone of course, but I would say that just about everyone felt it was worth the money for the tour. Some had done one before and lots talked about doing another one.
• I felt safe the entire tour. We didn’t go to any dodgy areas, and there were usually a bunch of us together. Matt was really good about explaining how to get back to the hotel from wherever we were on any particular night.

For More Details Visit Contiki’s Website .

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10 Things To Know Before Booking Your First Contiki Trip

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

What Is Contiki?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Bring Portable Chargers

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

5. Bring Extra Cash for Tips

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

6. Some Hostels are Bare Bones

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

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

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

8. Tours are Fast Paced

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

9. Contiki Cough Is Real

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

10. You’ll Make Life Long Friends

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

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

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How to Pick the Perfect Contiki Tour for Your Travel Style

Four years ago I found myself alone in Europe for the very first time and boarded a Contiki bus. Two years later I went back to Contiki for another unforgettable adventure in Europe. The two Contiki tours that I went on were both incredible experiences, but also two very, very different tours.

My first Contiki tour was a beast of a trip, where I visited fifteen countries in fifteen days and probably got fifteen hours of sleep the entire time. My second tour was much more laid back, where I had ten days to explore only three different countries.

Deciding on what tour to book can be an overwhelming decision, especially for first travellers scrolling through the hundreds of different options that Contiki offers. My hope is that this post will help break down Contiki’s different tour styles and have you choose a tour that’s perfectly suited to you and your travel style to make sure you have the most incredible experience in whatever destination you choose to visit.

What is a Contiki?

Let’s start at the very beginning for those who aren’t yet familiar with Contiki tours. A Contiki is an organized group tour exclusive to young travellers between the ages of 18-35, from all around the world. Contiki brings in travellers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, the UK, and South Africa. Group sizes range from 13-50 people and tours can span a couple of days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and even up to 45 days. As you can tell, Contiki offers a ton of different options – in fact, they have over 300 different trips to choose from!

Who Should go on a Contiki?

Contiki tours are perfect for anyone! Solo travellers , first-time travellers , adventure travellers, couple travellers , and experienced travellers who just don’t like the hassle and stress of planning their own trips.

Where do you want to go?

Contiki travels to six continents, so no matter where you want to go, there is a pretty good chance that Contiki can take you there. Choosing Contiki means that you’ll have a choice between visiting Europe, Australia, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Asia.

Most travellers choose to do a Contiki tour across Europe so that they can maximize their trip by visiting so many countries in a short amount of time; that’s what makes Europe one of Contiki’s most popular destinations! Contiki’s Europe tours offer the most diverse accommodation options (discussed more later), like hotels, hostels, boats, and tents. Most Contiki tours through Europe are bus tours, so you’ll be travelling across the country via a comfy, air-conditioned road bus.

Contiki offers tours across every inch of Australia including Sydney, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. Australia is another awesome country for road trips, so Contiki tours down under are also experienced on the Contiki bus.

North America

If road tripping across the United States or experiencing the natural wonders of Canada sounds like a bucket list dream to you then Contiki’s lineup of North American adventures are for you. Tours across Canada and the USA provide pretty comfortable accommodation options and the Contiki bus will provide your transportation in between cities and states.

New Zealand

New Zealand is another country you’ll get to experience via the Contiki bus. Tours across New Zealand also feature a wide variety of accommodation options including some of the most unique special stays.

Contiki’s tours across Asia will put travellers up in comfortable accommodation and take you to the most stunning cities from Japan to China, Thailand, and Cambodia. Travelling across Asia with Contiki means a combination of bus travel and flights between cities.

Latin America

Visiting beautiful countries like Brazil, Peru, and Belize on Contiki’s Latin America tours. You’ll stay in unique, comfortable accommodations, with flights in between cities to maximize your time.

Tour Styles

Choosing where you want to travel to is only the first difficult decision that you’ll have to make. Once you’ve decided on your destination, you’ll need to choose a tour style. Contiki knows that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to travel, so they offer 8 different ways to travel in order to suit your preferred style.

Discoverer – Go Everywhere

This tour style is perfect for people who want to make the most of their trip by visiting as many countries and destinations as possible. On these trips, no icon is left unseen, no city left undiscovered, no plate left thoroughly unlicked. You’ll go everywhere and experience everything, making this a true trip of a lifetime, regardless of how long your adventure lasts.

High Energy – Explore, Party, Sleep, Repeat

These high paced trips are crafted especially for the 24-hour traveller that’s looking to hit the major sights by day and keep the party rolling well into the night. High Energy tours are not for the faint of heart or those who enjoy sleep. 😉 However, high energy tours also feature some special stopovers and unique accommodations that aren’t featured on any other tours.

In-Depth Explorer – Live Local

The in-depth explorer is the most appealing tour style for those who are more culturally curious and interested in exploring the history of your destinations. Instead of visiting multiple destinations on these tours, you’ll focus on a specific region in detail and get to the core of a specific country’s culture.

Independent Insider – Designed for Freedom

This tour style is for those who like the idea of group travel but still want to stay in control of their own itinerary. The independent insider was designed with ultimate freedom in mind, so the tour is essentially a bunch of building blocks that you can mold to your liking. You can come, go, stay, and play exactly like you please to create your perfect dream trip.

Camping – Stretch Your Budget

This tour style is for you if you’re looking to make the most of your budget and stay abroad as long as possible. If you’re not someone who’s worried about the finer details of accommodation, this is definitely the most budget-friendly and adventurous tour style for you! These tour styles are only offered in Europe but will take you to some wicked campsites that are decked out with pools and bars making sure you’re still getting the authentic Contiki experience.

Sailing, Cruise, and Beach – Sun, Sea, and Sand

This tour style speaks for itself; crystal clear blue waters and white sand wait on these tropically inspired tours. On these tours you’ll spend your days snorkeling in secret coves and bays, exploring ancient port towns and whitewashed villages, eating delicious local food, all while handing out with your new Contiki pals.

Winter & Ski – Keep it Cozy

If you don’t mind the cold and are keen to explore the Christmas charm of some of your favourite destinations, then this tour style is for you. The winter season welcomes cheaper prices and fewer queues meaning you’ll save money and get to spend more time exploring your destination. Outdoor types can hit the slopes and experience skiing or snowboard atop some of the most stunning mountains in the world.

Short Trips and Festivals – For Life’s Moments

Oktoberfest in Germany, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, New Years in Paris, these are just a handful of the holiday’s just can celebrate abroad with Contiki. These short tours last only 3-4 days but will be jam-packed full of excitement whether you’re celebrating a traditional holiday, cultural event, or musical festival. This tour style is for you if you’ve only got a few days to work with and are set on having a particular experience on your trip. (PS because these trips are so short, you can also tack them on to another Contiki tour!)

Accommodation – Ways to Stay

Contiki has some really rad accommodations that you won’t get to experience with any other tour group. Depending on which region you’re travelling to, you’ll have the opportunity to stay in a traditional hotel or hostel, as well as some special stays that are property’s exclusive to Contiki travellers and will offer an unforgettable experience. Your chosen trip may be one style of accommodation or a combo of a few.

As a rule of thumb, the closer you are to downtown, the more basic your accommodation will be because you’ll be paying for location and not necessarily the highest amenities. However, as you get further outside of the downtown core, the quality of your accommodation will increase, but you’ll need transportation to get most places. On your Contiki tour, you’ll either be sharing a room with 1-3 people, with a maximum of 4 permitted in a single room. For the most part, you’re bunking with one other person. Unless you really must have a private room, I wouldn’t recommend paying the additional cost for the upgrade. Especially as a solo traveller, having a roommate is really fun and you’ll have an instant travel BFF before your tour even begins!

For any other trip planning process, I would normally say that budget is one of the first things to consider. At least for most people, budget will determine where you go, what type of accommodation you stay in, how long you go, and how many extra activities you do. But with Contiki offering over 300 different tour options, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find at least one trip that will fit whatever budget you’re working with.

Contiki’s short 3 and 4 day trips start at $400, while some of their two-week trips are around the $2200 mark, and their longest trips come in at around $5000. With that being said, it’s important to consider how your budget stacks up with your expectations. If you want to go on a two week trip of a lifetime across Europe in hotels, but all you can afford is Contiki’s 4-day Oktoberfest tour in hostels, you’ll have to decide whether you’re willing to compromise and see only one country, or if you’ll put off your trip for a little bit until you can increase your savings.

It’s also important to have a look to the “me-time optionals” offered with each tour. These excursions are not included in the price but are often tour highlights that you won’t want to miss. I recommend researching the ahead of time and determining which ones really are “can’t miss” experiences and including them in your budget, or if you’re more comfortable, you can forgo them and try to find a cheaper alternative on your own. I talk more about Contiki’s “me-time optionals” in my complete Contiki review HERE .

Finally, be sure to account for how many meals are included in your tour. In my experience, most breakfasts were covered in the cost of the tour, as well as a dinner or two. But for most lunches and dinners you’ll be on your own, so be sure to account for food in your budget.

Contiki also has a lot of different deals to keep an eye out for including last minute deals, where tours are crazy reduced for trips leaving within the next couple of weeks. If you can make a quick decision to travel within the next couple of weeks you may be able to save a few hundred dollars off of your tour.

And, if you go on a Contiki and absolutely love it, Contiki also offers discounts for returning travelers.

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The Best Contiki Tours to Europe

Looking for an amazing tour with Contiki to Europe ? You've come to the right place, as we've analyzed all of their popular package tour options to find the absolute best based on destinations, price, service, and many other factors. Contiki is a very popular tour company with young adults in their 20's. They are well known and well established with more than 270 tours around the world to choose from. The company is one of the first tour companies that was specifically designed for younger travelers, and they offer tours for those between the ages of 18 and 35 years old, with the average age being 26 years old. Contiki has years of experience offering fun and energetic tours that focus on the aspects of travel that may appeal to the young adult crowd. Travelers who choose Contiki include both solo travelers (about 55%) and travelers with companions (about 45%). Contiki tour managers put a lot of energy into making sure the experience is fun and lively. This is a great tour for anyone who wants to make some new friends while they're experiencing new places. Travelers come from around the world with more than 50 countries represented.

• European Discovery (Start Amsterdam, 27 To 35, 12 Days) (11 destinations) 12 Days, $3605.00
• Italian Escape and Sicily (Classic, 13 Days) 13 Days, $3817.00
• Greek Island Hopping (Gap, 11 Days) 11 Days, $2569.00

What are Contiki's tours like in Europe?

Here are the important factors:

• 77 trip options analyzed
• $199 average price per day (USD)
• 4 to 45 days in length
• 4.67 of 5 average rating
• 48 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 4.67 out of 5 stars. When it comes to group sizes, the average maximum capacity stands at 48 people, allowing for a comfortable and sociable experience. The shortest tour is 4 days, while the longest is 45 days. As for physical activity options, the tours are thoughtfully categorized as easy and moderate, with the most being easy. For transportation , the tours are marked as coach / bus and ocean cruise, with a prevalent number on coach / bus tours. When it comes to travel styles , tour options are organized as romantic and honeymoon, with a majority being romantic tours. With a comprehensive analysis encompassing 77 Contiki tours, you can rest assured that 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 Europe

European discovery (start amsterdam, 27 to 35, 12 days) (11 destinations).

This exceptional trip offering by Contiki has received a 4.6 out of 5 rating. On this 12-day voyage, visiting Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City (Holy See), Switzerland, France, and England, you can unwind while also making new memories. Along the way, this journey encompasses 11 destinations, including Rome, Vatican City, Florence, and Lucerne. Amsterdam will mark the start of your journey, while London will serve as its final destination. With a group size of 50 people, it's suitable for travelers from 18 to 35 years old. This extraordinary adventure also revolves around museums, photography, and romantic activities. This remarkable trip is priced at an unbeatable $225 per day.

• Coach / Bus
• Sightseeing
• Photography
• Local Guide
• Walking Tour
• Centre Based Walking Holidays

Italian Escape and Sicily (Classic, 13 Days)

• On Sale: 20% Off See Prices
• High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Check out this journey that has received rave reviews, earning a stellar 5 out of 5 rating. This itinerary covers 13 captivating destinations, with stops in Positano, Capri, Catania, and Taormina, among others. Rome marks the starting point, while Palermo stands as the final stop on your incredible journey. Spanning across 13 unforgettable days, this voyage offers an intimate group experience with 51 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 $249 per day - an unbeatable value. Hurry and secure your spot while this incredible sale lasts!

Greek Island Hopping (Gap, 11 Days)

This 11-day trip is ideal for travelers from 18 to 35 years old. And priced at only $234 per day, it's a great value, too. Immerse yourself in a travel experience that includes 5 destinations, featuring Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini. Your adventure starts and ends in Athens. It's offered by Contiki , a very popular company with rave reviews and knowledgeable guides.

Greek Island Hopping (Pride, 11 Days)

• On Sale: 25% Off See Prices

Priced at just $206 per day, this terrific 11-day journey is ideal for travelers from 18 to 35 years old. Uncover the beauty of 5 destinations on this itinerary, with highlights such as Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini. Athens will be the beginning and end of your trip. Organized by the reputable Contiki , this is one of the best tours on this list. It's currently on a special discounted offer.

Greek Island Hopping (Standard, 11 Days)

• 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

European Magic (Winter, Start London, 9 Days)

This 9 day tour of Europe begins and ends in London and visits eight countries. It's comparable to Contiki's European Discovery tour, but it has less time in Austria and leaves off visits to Rome and Florence. This tour is ideal for travelers who can't spare a full two weeks but still want to see as much of Europe as possible. With slightly less locations, you'll still move fast but will spend a little less time on the road.

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

Here's your chance to take off on an exceptional voyage, visiting England, France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, and Netherlands, that has garnered a 4.5 out of 5 rating. With a duration of 45 days, this jouney will have 50 participants, and it warmly welcomes travelers from 18 to 35 years old. Expertly organized by Contiki , this amazing trip is an incredible value at just $178 per day. Act now to take advantage of the special sale price!

Italian Escape (Age 27 To 35, 6 Days)

This memorable trip is offered by Contiki which has received plenty of positive reviews. The trip itself has a guest rating of 5 out of 5 stars, and is priced affordably at $338 per day. Explore 5 incredible locations on this trip, including Naples, Positano, and Capri. You'll start and end this amazing trip in Rome. The maximum group size is 38 people, welcoming travelers from 27 to 35 years old.

Norway Fjords and Northern Lights (8 Days)

• On Sale: 15% Off See Prices

Set off on an extraordinary journey that has been awarded a 5 out of 5 stars by previous guests. With a duration of 8 days, this trip offers an intimate group setting, accommodating 24 individuals, while extending a warm welcome to travelers from 18 to 35 years old. Discover a journey that spans 4 destinations, with notable stops in Tromso and Honningsvag. Oslo will be both the start and end of your journey. Brought to you by Contiki , this exceptional deal is an incredible steal at a mere $320 per day. Act quickly to seize the current limited-time sale and reserve your spot now.

• Ocean Cruise
• Northern Lights

Iceland Fire and Ice (Summer, 6 Days)

With this option you can experience an unparalleled journey for 6 unforgettable days. It ensures an intimate group setting with 50 participants at most. This trip takes you on an adventure to 8 destinations, including Reynisfjara, Vik, Thingvellir National Park, and Efstidalur. Reykjavik will mark the start of your journey, while Blue Lagoon 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 $307 per day. Hurry and secure your spot while this incredible sale lasts!

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Europe , The Best Wildlife Tours to Europe , The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Europe , The Best Historical Tours in Europe , The Best 10-Day Tours in Europe , The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Europe , The Best 3-Day Tours in Europe , The Best 2-Week Tours in Europe , The Best 3-Week Tours in Europe , The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Europe , The Best Extended Trip Tours in Europe, One Month or Longer , The Best River Cruises in Europe , The Best Bicycle Tours in Europe , Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Europe , The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Europe , The Best Christmas Market Tours in Europe , The Best Coach Bus Tours in Europe , The Best Adventure Tours to Europe , The Best Eco Tours in Europe , The Best Train & Rail Tours in Europe , The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in Europe , The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Europe , The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in Europe , The Best Sightseeing Tours in Europe , The Best Cultural Tours in Europe , The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Europe , The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Europe , The Best Music Tours in Europe , The Tours for Animal Lovers in Europe , The Best Photography Tours in Europe , The Best Camping Tours in Europe , The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Europe , The Best Self Drive Tours in Europe , The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Europe , The Best Nightlife Tours in Europe , The Best Religious Tours in Europe , The Best Walking Tours in Europe , The Best Northern Lights Tours in Europe , The Best Honeymoon Tours in Europe , The Best Tours Under $1000 in Europe , The Best Luxury Tours to Europe , The Best Budget Tours to Europe , The Best Tours for Seniors to Europe , or The Best G Adventures Tours to 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 Europe cost?

After analyzing 77 Contiki tours in Europe, we found the average price to be a remarkably economical $199 per day. Naturally, this region has many fantastic options for Contiki tours with a variety of prices. The individual costs will vary by the destinations, travel style, available dates, and other factors. If you're interested in more information about tours here, see our guide to tour prices in Europe .

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Kate Abroad

Honest + Complete Contiki Ireland Tour Review

Wondering whether the it’s worth it to do a Contiki tour in Ireland? This Contiki Ireland review has all the information you need to decide.

The Contiki Ireland tour is the first Contiki trip I ever did, now with a few more Contiki (and Top Deck and G Adventures) tours under my belt, I thought I’d share my thoughts on the Contiki Ireland Tour.

If you’re thinking of booking an Ireland tour, or a Contiki anywhere, this Contiki Ireland review has all the details to help you decide. If you’ve already done all your homework on the tour (shout out to the other over planners) just scroll to the bottom for my verdict.

This post is based on my experience of the Contiki Ireland tour, but the pros/cons are also relevant to the very similar tour that Top Deck runs in Ireland. I’ve been on tours with both companies in the past and they are super comparable.

Full disclosure, I personally went on the Contiki Ireland tour and paid for it myself in full. All views are my own. I have included affiliate links so that if, after reading the review you want to book a tour, you have the option to support the blog while doing so.

What is Contiki?

Contiki is a tour company that runs tours specifically for 18-35 year old’s. Most of the tours, including the Contiki Ireland, are on big 50-seater buses but they do run some boat-based and single-city tours.

Contiki runs tours in English and the groups are mostly made up of Australians, Kiwis and Americans. The trip style is very fast-paced, expect to see lots of places in a short space of time (more on that later).

Contiki operates tours all over the world, but their most popular trips are in Europe, including the Ireland trip.

What tours does Contiki do in Ireland?

Contiki runs three tours in Ireland (at the time of writing), the main Ireland tour (which I did), the Ireland Reunion tour for 35-45s and the St Patricks Day short break.

The website shows a few more like a Scotland-Ireland option and an England-Ireland option, these are actually just add-ons to the main Ireland tour where you do the England/Scotland tour then ferry/fly to Ireland to join the group doing the 8-day Ireland section.

Where does the Contiki Ireland tour go?

The Contiki Ireland tour is advertised as 8 days but it’s more like 6 because you only join the group on the evening of Day 1 and Day 8 is really just a departure day.

This means that if you were pressed for time, you could safely plan to fly in on the morning of Day 1 and fly out first thing on Day 8. I would 100% recommend not doing that and leaving yourself some extra time in Dublin (see below).

Here’s the itinerary in brief, you can read the whole thing on the Contiki website: Day 1: Dublin (meet the group, have dinner, go out) Day 2: travel to Cork via Kilkenny Day 3: travel to Galway from Cork via Blarney and the Cliffs of Moher Day 4: full day in Galway (this day has the only real free time) Day 5:travel to Derry/Londonderry from Galway Day 6:travel to Belfast from Derry/Londonderry via Giant’s Causeway Day 7:travel back to Dublin from Belfast Day 8: eat breakfast and fly out

I did all the inclusions and ‘free time add-ons’ (optional activities) and would recommend that.

To be honest many of the add-ons are really core tour activities ie the drawcards that make you want to book the trip in the first place and our whole group did them so they were less of an optional thing and more just planned tour activities that we had to pay for.

Definitely factor the add-ons into your budget as it could be quite awkward if you opted not to do those activities and you could be left sitting on the bus in some cases (like at the Jameson’s Distillery) because there is nothing else to do in the area.

Highlights of the Contiki Ireland tour

Before I jump into the pros/cons, it’s worth mentioning some of the amazing experiences on this trip. If I had to pick, my favourites were:

• the Derry/Londonderry walking tour that delved into the city’s divided history (my family is Irish and I still learned heaps)
• the night out in Galway at the pub that inspired Ed Sheeran’s Galway Girl
• exploring Blarney Castle

Should you add on extra time in Ireland?

I had 4 days in Dublin before the tour. This was a good length of time because there’s so much to see in Dublin and Contiki really only allows one day in the city.

But if I did it again, I would swap it around and book a few days in Dublin after the Contiki tour because there were a bunch of people from my tour who were staying on in Dublin (which is pretty common after Contiki tours) so I could easily have joined up with them for Dublin sightseeing rather than doing it on my own.

I had pre-researched the activities on the Contiki tour so made sure not to do any of those before the tour but as it turned out some of the Dublin parts of the tour got cancelled because of the weather so I wished I hadn’t waited.

Save yourself those regrets and just book your days after the tour, that way you know exactly what’s left on your bucket list to go see.

Check out my solo traveller’s guide to Dublin for some ideas of things to do in the city.

What I loved about the Contiki Ireland tour

The inclusions:.

Contiki has done a really good job squeezing all the top Ireland attractions into this tour. There are UNESCO world heritage sites, beer, whiskey, castles, movie locations and more.

If you made a list of the top Ireland bucket list things off the top of your head, they’d probably all be on the Contiki Ireland itinerary. This is consistent with their #noregrets motto. It means the tour is good value in terms of time and money in my opinion.

The convenience:

Contiki basically handles everything for you from accommodation to transport to food and activities. Not everything is included but you often end up doing it as a group anyway (like most dinners).

This is true of all Contiki tours and most tours generally, but it is a huge plus for first-time solo travellers (me when I went on the tour) or people who haven’t travelled internationally before.

The guides are used to dealing with newbie travellers so they offer help with all the basics you might need.

The timing:

I have opinions on the pace of this trip (see below) but with the 6 (full) day itinerary, it’s really well-timed for people (like me) who are full-time workers and want to get a good holiday in without burning all our annual leave (paid time off).

Lots of the tours on the market are in the 2+ week range that ends up being three weeks or more by the time you count add-on days and flight time so it’s really good to have an option that’s one week.

What I didn’t love about the Contiki Ireland tour

Contiki is fast-paced, like really fast-paced, sometimes you get into a city at night and leave early the next morning with no real-time to explore.

This happened on the Ireland tour in Cork. From the small bit I saw, Cork is a very pretty city but by the time we got there it was dark, and we basically just dropped bags and went to the pub with no time to see the local sights.

This can leave you feeling exhausted at the end and like you missed out on seeing some places properly.

The constant partying:

I think I drank every night on the Contiki Ireland tour. Obviously, this was my choice, and you don’t have to do that but it’s what nearly everyone on the tour did and what the tour is set up for.

This might be a plus for you depending on what you want to get out of your holiday and how extroverted you are but for me personally, it was a bit much and left me feeling like I needed another holiday afterwards to recover.

The lack of free time:

This is kind of the same point as the pace but is worth calling out so that you know what you’re in for. The Contiki Ireland tour is crammed full (which is good value) but if you want time to explore on your own then you’ll need to wait until after the tour.

This is not the case on all tours or even all Contikis in my experience as I’ve been on other trips that have lots more free time in the itinerary.

My verdict on the Contiki Ireland tour

The short version:.

This tour was perfect for me at the time, and I had a blast but if I was going to Ireland now I wouldn’t book it.

The long version:

When I did this tour, I had never solo travelled before, and I only had a short amount of time between finishing my summer internship and going back to university.

Because I wasn’t yet a confident solo traveller, I valued the security of the Contiki tour in terms of having everything planned and the one-week itinerary let me see all the main things I wanted to in the short time I had.

However, if I was going now, I wouldn’t do a tour at all partly because I now mostly travel with my partner and partly because I have the confidence to navigate most foreign cities and trains/buses on my own and prefer more flexibility. I also drink less now so the constant party vibe is less what I would go for.

I would love to hear your thoughts if you’ve been on a Contiki before or are considering it. Drop them in the comments below.

Happy travelling!

Europe Travel Resources

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Kate is the founder of Kate Abroad. She has travelled to nearly 40 countries from Austria to Vanuatu, and lived in 3. She's on a mission to empower other Gen Zs and Millenials travel affordably by sharing helpful travel guides, stories and tips to over 200,000 readers.

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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

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What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

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 4.6
• Itinerary Excellent 4.9
• Guide Excellent 4.9
• Transport Excellent 4.9
• Accommodation Excellent 4.3
• Food Excellent 4.3
• Tour Operator Contiki 4.7
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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 Only Pay €100 Deposit 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

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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 28th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 28th 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 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

• Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email

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.”

• Australian lifestyle

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Contiki motorcoaches to be powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil

Post date: Apr 22 2024

Date: Apr 22 2024

By: Travelweek

CYPRESS, CA — Contiki is doing its part to make the world a greener place, with motorcoach vehicles that run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).

Announced today on Earth Day, April 22, the tour operator’s new coaches in Europe will now run on HVO instead of diesel, wherever possible, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions by up to 30-40% on Contiki trips operating in Europe, on Contiki-owned coaches.

HVO is a fuel that’s produced without fossil resources by processing renewable waste lipids. The HVO used in Contiki coaches is made purely from food and plant waste, so nothing is purposely grown to be used as waste. Contiki has set up an HVO tank in its coach yard in Stellendam, Netherlands.

“Reducing our footprint has long been an important focus for Contiki and our sister brands at TTC Tour Brands, so we’re delighted to be making this switch to HVO biofuel in Europe,” says Tasha Hayes, Contiki’s Operations Director and Sustainability Officer. “Last year in our Voice of a Generation survey, we found that 70% of Gen Z travellers would choose to travel by coach, if it meant that it was better for the environment. We’re really proud to be leading the way with initiatives that enact positive change within our industry, and have a positive impact on our wonderful planet too.”

In the past year, Contiki has taken several steps as part of its mission to reduce its carbon footprint and reach Net Zero by 2050. Recently, the company announced that all of its exclusive properties in Europe now run on 100% renewable electricity, including Château De Cruix in Beaujolais, France and Contiki Haus Schöneck in Tyrol, Austria.

To learn more about Contiki’s sustainability strategy click here . 

Tags: Contiki, Lead Story

What Summer Travel to Europe Will Look Like This Year

By Arati Menon

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

With additional reporting by Sarah Allard

When travel journalist Jenn Rice decided to spend July and August in Italy and Croatia last year, she wasn’t expecting to be spending most of her time indoors. “It was very very hot, so I booked museum tickets during peak days or just lounged around in my room with a spritz and a book until the sun set.” In Dubrovnik she tried escaping to the sea for a cool dip, but everyone else had the same idea—resulting in sweaty, overcrowded beaches. “In Rome , gelato melted faster than the speed of light,” she says.

Come summer, major attractions like the Spanish Steps in Rome are thronged by international tourists and vacationing Europeans.

Rome and Dubrovnik weren’t the only European destinations overcome with heat. To travel in Europe in the summer of 2023 was to experience first-hand a single season of contrasting extremes. Temperatures swung from hot and dry to cold and wet, and heatwaves broke out across several of the most heavily touristed destinations, with temperatures reaching upwards of 100°F. In Northern Greece, wildfires broke out —the worst experienced there in 20 years —destroying homes, forests, and vineyards.

Yet in the midst of it all, the continent also saw record-breaking tourist numbers —the highest since pre-pandemic levels—even as hotel prices swelled and airfares hit peaks. From scenic escapes like Bellagio in Como and Taormina in Sicily (where the White Lotus effect was on full display) to bucket-list cities like Paris and Madrid , much of touristed Europe was completely overwhelmed.

“We had people calling us from Athens and Rome asking us to get them out [to somewhere cooler in Europe], because it was too hot and too crowded,” recalls Jan Sortland , founder of Scandinavia specialists Norwegian Adventures.

International tourists weren’t the only ones thronging these spots. According to the European Travel Commission , most Europeans took their vacations before the peak month of August, with Italy and France being their top destinations. This resulted in packed crowds at all the major attractions. For John Canning, an LA-based executive who traveled to Paris in July, the crowds were eye-opening. “We didn’t anticipate that everything we would want to see was sold out. We only got Musée d’Orsay tickets through our concierge at a substantial premium and could not get into the Louvre full stop,” he says.

Rice says the summer taught her to plan her travel differently this year—and beyond: “I’m going to try and do coastal Italy early in May, and if I decide to travel in Europe this summer it will be either Asturias in Northern Spain or the Julian Alps in Slovenia to keep cool."

She’s not alone—according to the travel specialists we spoke with, there’s an increased interest in lesser-known destinations offering a more laid back (and cooler) holiday. “Our guests are asking after places where they can be outdoors, yet have access to wine & foodie experiences and culture. Slovenia is a great example of where you can have all that without being overwhelmed with the heat; the Dolomites in Italy is another,” says Rachael Mendizabal, Europe travel specialist at Scott Dunn . Richard Hyde, COO at Small Luxury Hotels of the World , is seeing similar trends across their European portfolio: “Guests seem to be gravitating towards alternative destinations—Milos instead of Mykonos and Slovenia instead of Spain.”

Norway is a popular destination this summer, offering cooler weather and a myriad ways to be active outside, exploring the islands and fjords.

A big part of that shift will play into Sortland’s area of expertise: Northern Europe. With the Med getting too hot to handle, experts predict that tourism will shift northwards. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in Copenhagen and Stockholm for the cultural experience, and then onward to Norway for the nature. Currently, the fjords are still a favorite but Norway is a large country and there’s so much more to see—the Helgeland coast for example with its beautiful coastline and mountainous islands,” he says. The draw is a more moderate temperature and unique outdoor experiences. “ Iceland is a big favorite right now with the Northern lights being the most active this year from September through March,” says Mendizabal.

María Casbas

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Madison Flager

In turn, for many, the more standard city breaks will fall later in the year. “Athens and Rome will always be desirable destinations, but we’ve seen an uptick in many people preferring to go there in May and October to swerve crowds,” says Carolyn Addison, head of product at Black Tomato , noting the weather in fall has been stable lately and enticing to travelers not tied to school holidays.

With this increased flexibility, shoulder season will become tricker to define, according to Mendizabal. Thanks to hotels extending their season as demand shifts to almost year-round and the high-season pricing window getting longer, the days of “scooping a deal in September are likely over.” At Jumeirah Palace in Capri , the season now runs from March to the end of December. “Thanks to the good weather, guests are staying longer than in the past,” says Ermanno Zanini, regional vice president at Jumeirah Group, Southern Europe and United Kingdom.

Castello di Vicarello in Tuscany 's Maremma countryside has traditionally stayed open in March and November. “We're pushing the low season as much as possible because we truly believe it is a wonderful time to discover Tuscany. There is so much for guests to enjoy from hiking to mountain biking, truffle hunting, and wine tastings,” says owner Neri Baccheschi Berti.

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Crucially, traveling in the shoulder and off seasons isn't just about avoiding the crowds; it’s knowing that seasonal destinations are multi-dimensional, with year-round appeal. “One of my favorite things to do in cooler weather is to hike to the peak of Mount Solaro, with its beautiful views of the town of Capri and the bay of Marina Piccola with the Faraglioni, as well as Anacapri. You also see plenty of wintering birds on the island,” says Zanini.

Zanini adds that they are in talks with the island's municipality to consider what it would take to stay open in February and March, traditionally strictly closed off. “It's not as straightforward as you think. There’s a lot of infrastructure that needs to be geared towards the low season: restaurants need to stay open, as do shops, and guides need to be available; it can’t just be the hotel,” he adds.

However, with staying open longer, there’s a real opportunity to engage local communities year-round, not to mention stabilize the hiring pool—and improve work culture. “We’ve already seen the positive impact of a longer season for our partners on the ground and locals in the hospitality and tourism sector,” says Addison, who adds that shifts in travel seasons are far from a fleeting trend. “This pattern for more year-round travel will continue to pick up pace in 2025—and beyond," she says.

Travel specialists are quick to point out that even with some of this rebalancing, summer this year and next will continue to see high demand for travel to—and within—Europe. According to Hayley Berg, chief economist at Hopper, while airfare remains higher than at this time in 2019, 40% of all searches for international trips this summer are to Europe, in line with last year and slightly higher than in 2019.

“Sure, we think that traveler numbers on the Côte d'Azur will smooth out through the year, but summer will certainly remain the festive season—only it will be longer,” says Lucie Weill, owner of wellness retreat Lily of the Valley near St. Tropez , which sees its faire share of packed streets and crowded beaches come summer. Weill adds that the hotel has seen success in extending its season.

For travel specialist Cari Gray of Gray & Co . late requests and a lack of flexibility could mean getting turned away because of a lack of availability. “Whether it’s a visit to the Vatican or dogsledding in Alaska , access is going to be very difficult. And there are only that many high-end lodges in Lapland ,” she says. Addison offers the example of Lake Como , where the best properties can often get booked up a year or two in advance during the busiest summer months. “Knowing that the top hotels and guides are getting booked up and that weather disruptions are increasingly unpredictable, clients who want to commit to the most popular summer hotspots in Europe, like the Greek islands and Sardinia are securing their bookings a year out.”

The Balearic island of Menorca is a charming escape with its rocky coves, white-sand beaches, and green rolling hills.

Ultimately, it’s not about giving up on all the places you love: just about pivoting, even if within the same country. “Why not Menorca instead of Mallorca, with its explosion of fantastic hotels and its great beach front, or Epirus in Northern Greece on the Albanian border with its Stone villages, old-growth forests, and truffle hunts instead of the islands," says Gray.

"In Italy we’re always pushing to discover new areas, even in regions that we’ve been exploring for decades like Tuscany and Umbria because new hotels are opening up regularly,” says Courtney Mundy , a travel specialist at experiential travel experts Butterfield & Robinson.

And, a word of caution for the rising favorites: “Smaller destinations in Iceland & Norway will really need to consider how to manage the higher number of visitors than ever before,” says Addison. “Parts of Iceland are overtouristed,” agrees Sortland, “so, it’s not unreasonable to think that smaller communities in Norway could eventually be at risk, too.” Whether it's through new tourist tax regimens or limits on cruise ship day-trippers to reduce crowding, a shifting tide will need more alert local governments—and as we’re swapping beaches for the mountains or Rome for Stockholm, more responsible travel habits that leave fewer traces behind.

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Travel Tips

How much to budget for a trip to Spain?

By Maddy Schuerz

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.

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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.

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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.

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