contiki travel uk

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

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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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• Updated on: September 23, 2019

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Contiki Review – Travel Tours, Group Vacations & Adventure Holidays

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

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Table of Contents

Who are contiki tours good for, contiki tour types and destinations, contiki top tours, contiki reviews, contiki vs. topdeck, final thoughts.

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

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

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

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

Young Travelers

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

Solo Travelers

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

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

Friends or Groups

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

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

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

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

African Safari

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

Beach Trips

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

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

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

Iconic Essentials

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

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

In-Depth Explorer

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

Island Hopping

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

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

Sailing and Cruise

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

Short Trips and Festivals

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

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

Ski and Snowboard

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

Small Group

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

Volunteering

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

Other Tour Types

Contiki has a variety of other tour types:

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

Destinations

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

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

Contiki Australia

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

• Includes transport, accommodation, breakfast, and some activities

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

Contiki Europe

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

Contiki Croatia

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

• Includes transport, accommodation, some meals, and activities

Contiki Greece

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

Contiki Italy

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

Contiki Japan

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

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

Contiki New Zealand

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

• Includes transport, accommodation, some meal, and activities

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

Contiki Thailand

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

Contiki USA & Canada

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go on contiki if you are over 35.

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

Should I go on a Contiki tour alone?

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

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

Are Contiki tours safe?

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

Are Contiki tours good for couples?

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

Do Contiki trips include flights?

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

Is Contiki a party tour?

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

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About Amar Hussain

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

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I vividly recall the terror that crossed my mother’s face when I shared my plan to backpack solo across Europe for a month. She was playing into that typical mom-drama where they think you’re going to die at any moment. For context, I had just graduated college and felt it was the most appropriate time to venture alone and see a little slice of the world. What I didn’t know then was that I was going to be so extremely bored for 75 percent of the trip.

I had unknowingly signed myself up to wander aimlessly in a foreign land with nobody to share this amazing experience with. To give some credit to my mother, I even did feel a bit unsafe at times (You were right, Mom!). Okay, and maybe I met a few cool people at the hostels I was staying at or in the pub, but our travel plans never seemed to line up, and so I would eventually be on my own again. Enter the solution: Contiki.

If you aren’t familiar with what Contiki is, don’t worry. I’m about to explain it and how I had one of the best times of my life on a trip sponsored by Contiki.

The TL;DR on Contiki

Contiki is a service that books you on a group travel experience for ages 18-35 that includes accommodations, expert-guided itineraries, some meals, and transportation (not including flights). Essentially, you join up with a group of like-minded and aged travelers who want to get out and have an authentic experience abroad. Contiki offers over 200+ professionally curated itineraries to pick from all across the world that range, depending on your travel style and preferences.

Contiki Group Travel Experience

My Experience With Contiki

I was invited to travel on a sponsored Contiki trip to tour the Iberia peninsula for a dream adventure around Portugal and Spain for 10 days. I’m not going to lie to you; I was nervous beforehand because I have never traveled with strangers, especially internationally (somehow, that makes it more nerve-wracking). But, by the end of the trip, I can honestly say I made true and honest friendships with people I would have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise. The experience was unique and offered a curated experience of some countries I think I would’ve had a harder time navigating alone. With that being said, Contiki has made me never want to travel solo again.

What the Trips Are Like

To start, the trips are guided by a trained trip manager who will liaison the entire experience by showing you around, educating you on the culture, and offering first-class recommendations on what to do with your free time. It was such a bonus to have someone at our disposal who knew all the hidden gems of each town or city we were in. Each Contiki trip includes the accommodations in the price, which, to me, was such a relief not to have to worry about. In my past experiences of booking international stays on my own, I have been scammed a few times with false ads, language barriers, and oversold hostels. I felt each stay was a comfortable, mid-range hotel experience with clean sheets, bathrooms, and friendly staff.

Each day of the trip was uniquely different, with a mostly planned itinerary that included activities, sightseeing, and tours. The day would start with an included breakfast, then we would hop on the coach as a group to travel to a new destination with gaps in the day to explore on our own. Some of the included activities were walking tours of the cities, local food and wine tastings, and even a flamenco dance show in Madrid! The Contiki trips are structured to allow you to split off and do your own thing or participate in their Free-Time Add-Ons, which are additional activities or experiences you can pay for ahead of time.

This is why I think Contiki has the potential to be the ultimate travel experience for someone who wants to travel solo but might not want to actually be alone. Mainly, you’re getting a huge variety of activities without all the stressful planning. Whether your friends can’t get off the same PTO as you, or maybe you just want to go at it alone, Contiki will provide an outline for a great and unique travel experience.

Pros and Cons of Contiki

• Includes transportation (not including flights)
• Accommodations/hotels included
• Included authentic experiences
• Great way to meet new people
• A trip manager is available the whole time
• Ability to stick with the group or do your own thing
• Cost-efficient in comparison to DIY
• Has payment plans to alleviate upfront costs
• Destinations are prepicked so if there are cities you want to visit in certain countries, you might not be able to
• Only some meals are included (but that allows you to pick your own!)
• You won’t know how many people are traveling on the trip with you or who they are

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YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CONTIKI

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

Trip Styles.

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

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

The various paces and trip types are;

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

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

The Contiki Pack.

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

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

Kick Start Meetings at Contiki Basement.

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

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

What you need to bring to the meeting;

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

The Contiki Basement is open;

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

Me Time Optionals.

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

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

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

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

Your Destinations.

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

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

Trip Manager and Drivers.

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

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

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

Your Fellow Travellers. 

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

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

Contiki Rules. 

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

Accommodation. 

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

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

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

Drinking and Parties.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just so you know.

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

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

On the Road.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Post Contiki Feels.

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

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

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

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

Holly O'Sullivan

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

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Interview: Contiki chief executive reveals ambitious UK plans

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Adam Armstrong talks to Juliet Dennis about his hopes for the brand following his appointment just before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic

Adam Armstrong’s first six months at the global helm of youth brand Contiki haven’t quite been what he expected.

When he accepted the role of global chief executive there was no inkling of a worldwide pandemic round the corner that would ground the industry to a halt and force travel businesses to shed staff and focus on refunds, cancellations and amendments rather than new bookings.

He says: “I accepted this role in better times and I was very excited about the opportunity to take over a legendary brand in the youth market with the prospect of growing the brand.

“We had had a great run until a couple of years ago and then it stabilised and fell off a bit. My opportunity was to come in, reinvigorate it, and make it great again.”

But even to start the role in the current crisis Armstrong faced a hurdle – to leave Australia where he had been based for the last 16 years in a variety of roles, most recently as senior vice president and managing director of Silversea Cruises, Australia and New Zealand.

“I had to apply to leave Australia [because of the pandemic],” says Armstrong, who ended up doing a three-month handover in Sydney before finally making it to the UK.

To add to this, Armstrong then contracted Covid-19 himself prior to the final leg of his journey to Contiki’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

“It’s been a challenging but intriguing year,” he admits. “It’s been upsetting from a personal perspective seeing people leave the business and because we have not been able to provide people with great holidays, but I’ve been in the industry through many crises; I started work just after September 11 with P&O Cruises.”

While Armstrong describes the pandemic as “undoubtedly the biggest” crisis the industry has faced in recent years, he adds: “We will get though this. We know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. After September 11, people didn’t want to travel. Now people really want to travel but they can’t.”

Despite the pandemic, Armstrong has “aggressive growth ambitions” for the UK market, the operator’s third market behind Australia and the US.

With surveys showing the youth market will be the quickest to rebound, and Contiki’s demographic more willing than other sectors to travel, he is optimistic about the future.

He says: “We are modelling various scenarios on how quickly we will get back to 2019 [sales]. I’d like to say it will be next year but it depends on the vaccine, how quickly borders open up and the quarantine policy.

“Our market has been shown in surveys to be less concerned about having a vaccine in order to travel.”

Sales growth, however, will not be without challenges.

The demise of travel agency chain STA Travel, which was a preferred partner for Contiki, means the operator needs to find its UK sales elsewhere – and closer ties with mainstream travel agents will be a major focus for the operator.

STA provided the operator with a “significant” proportion of its UK sales.

Armstrong is determined Contiki will fill the gap in the provision of youth holidays left by STA in the UK, through effective digital marketing to the younger demographic and by working more closely with more mainstream travel agents to capture that market of 18 to 35 year olds. Its average UK holidaymaker is aged 25.

He says: “The challenge for us and for agents is marketing to these customers. They are in the digital and social space. It requires a different marketing strategy and social media is integral to that.”

Already the brand has established relationships with most of the major consortia as well as smaller independents, homeworkers and online travel agents.

But it is now working more closely with a handful of UK travel agency partners, many of whom have not traditionally focused on the youth market, in a bid to plug its distribution gap and introduce new business to its partners.

“We are trying to fill that gap left by STA. We are working with agencies, both traditional bricks and mortar and homebased agents, which see this as a big market they could be missing out on. We are working on a strategy; a lot of it is educating who our guests are and how agents can transact with them.”

Armstrong is hopeful that in future more UK agents will be open to working with Contiki, which has historically enjoyed the majority of its sales from the trade.

“Once these new partners are seen to be working with us, it will attract more agents. It’s not an overnight process, it will take a bit of time, but I’m optimistic. It’s about educating and brand awareness,” he adds.

For agents, the attraction is the fact most trips are “big-ticket items” – long-haul package holidays of longer durations.

“It’s lucrative business and long trips of 34 to 45 nights. We are not a household name in the UK like we are in Australia so the greatest challenge is getting people on the first trip.”

Already, in response to Covid-19, the operator has launched a Contiki Consultation Service to offer agents one-to-one Zoom training and help on quotes.

And while international travel has been off the agenda, the operator has focused on domestic product. At the end of this summer it introduced glamping trips in Wales and surfing in Devon. More trips are likely in the UK next year.

“We took relatively small numbers in the UK but we had a good response. We have already started to look at more domestic opportunities in the UK.  There will be people nervous about going overseas,” says Armstrong.

With Contiki’s core Australia destination off the cards until at least late next year due to the country’s Covid restrictions, Armstrong hopes to switch long-haul sales out of the UK to closer-to-home trips, either in the UK or Europe.

Armstrong admits: “I can forsee Australia opening up to some markets locally but I am less optimistic about Europeans getting into Australia which means we have to double-down on the UK and Europe as destinations.

“One of the challenges is replacing that [long-haul] business. Australia trips are two to three weeks and a five night trip in the UK is not the same. That means we will be looking for new people that have not been with the brand before.”

As a result, he anticipates Europe bookings could increase from a third to more than a half of UK sales.

New trips which were planned for 2020 for Europe are being relaunched for 2021, including  a Vegan-themed tour and trips to music festivals, which it is hoped will offer something new to repeat clients.

And while Australia is not open to international travellers, Contiki has also started domestic tours in the destination for the locals market.

Its first tour in a Contiki-branded coach for 15 holidaymakers takes place on Sunday, November 15, in Queensland.

He says: “We are back on the road. We have a couple more in December and then in New Zealand over the new year. It’s baby steps but I am excited we are operating again.”

New product

Contiki is also evolving its product range to stay relevant to 18 to 35 year olds and has introduced two new travel styles: Detour and Limited Editions.

The first offers shorter duration stays of three to five nights in one place, rather than touring, and involves an activity such as wine tasting in a French castle to training to be a safari guide in Africa or surfing on a beach in Devon.

This is a direct response to demand for shorter trips, says Armstrong.

“Historically as a brand we’ve offered longer trips but our demographic is changing. A lot of 18 to 35 year olds are taking more frequent, shorter trips and this is a response to that,” he says.

Limited Edition tours are typically smaller groups and have a theme or interest, such as attending the Berlin and Amsterdam Pride festivals or a cycling trip in France.

Sustainability

Sustainability is at the core of Contiki’s offering, says Armstrong, particularly as it is an expectation of its client base.

“It’s a given for an operator like us to be operating sustainably,” he admits, adding: “We are looking at how quickly we can be carbon neutral and already we have already met our commitment to have at least one signature Contiki Cares experience on 50% of our core product trips by 2025. We’re already on 60% and our objective is to get as near to 100% as we can.”

Contiki Cares experiences include trips such as its Refugee Voices project in Berlin where Syrian refugees give a tour of the city from their perspective, a kiwi hatching facility in New Zealand, and tree-planting initiative in Iceland.

Immediate future

But for the immediate future, Armstrong is focused on kickstarting the operator’s sales in the run-up to Christmas.

Contiki is using Black Friday to launch its first two-week long cybersale across all of its product range, with low deposits of £60. Normally the operator would focus on selected products in a short sales window.

The sale offers up to 30% off selected trips for travel between March 12, 2021 until October 31, 2022, and applies to new bookings made between November 24, 2020, and December 3, 2020.

“We are hoping this will excite the imagination of the youth market,” says Armstrong. “Black Friday will be a test for all operators: we are riding on the wave to see if we can drive volumes.”

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Contiki Basement London: Everything You Need To Know

• The Contiki Basement in London is a vibrant and dynamic space, designed to bring young adventurers together before setting off on their epic journeys.
• The Contiki Basement's staff is dedicated to assisting young adventurers with last-minute travel arrangements.
• Located in central London, the Contiki Basement is easily accessible from popular tourist attractions and major transport hubs.

Are you planning your first Contiki tour or already booked on one of their exciting adventures? Then you need to know all about the Contiki Basement London. Centrally located in the heart of London, the Contiki Basement is the ultimate pre-tour hub for those aged 18-35, offering everything from meet-ups to travel assistance. Read on to find out more about this fantastic space.

Amazing hub to hang out, to get to know each other, and relax. Great fun, with great tunes, great staff, and great company! Via Google

What is the Contiki Basement London ?

The Contiki Basement London is a one-stop-shop specifically designed for young travellers embarking on a Contiki tour. Conveniently located near some of London’s top attractions and hostels , it serves as a central meeting point for all Contiki tours leaving from the city. But the Contiki Basement is much more than just a meeting point – it’s a travel resource centre, a social hub, and a place to get your bearings before your adventure begins. As a young traveller, you’ll find the Contiki Basement to be a lively, energetic space filled with fellow travellers who share your passion for exploration. It’s an excellent opportunity to make new friends and connect with people from all over the world who are just as excited about their upcoming Contiki tour as you are. See: Top 5 hostels perfect for your London Contiki departure .

What services are available at the Contiki Basement in London?

The Contiki Basement in London offers a range of services to make your pre-tour experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Here’s what you can expect:

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• Meeting point: This is where all Contiki Tours leave from in London. Simply arrive at the designated time, and you’ll be whisked away on your adventure.
• Luggage storage: Need a place to stash your bags before your tour starts or after it ends? The Contiki Basement has secure luggage storage facilities for your convenience.
• Travel assistance: The friendly staff at the Contiki Basement can help you with any last-minute travel arrangements, such as booking accommodation, arranging transportation, or providing advice on the best sights and activities in London.
• Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected with family and friends back home, share your pre-tour excitement on social media, or catch up on the latest travel news with the Contiki Basement’s complimentary Wi-Fi.
• Lounge area: Relax, unwind, and socialise with fellow travellers in the comfortable lounge area, complete with charging stations and a selection of board games, books, and magazines.
• Exclusive discounts : Enjoy special discounts on local attractions, restaurants, and shopping, available only to Contiki Basement visitors.

How to get to the Contiki Basement from Heathrow Airport

The Contiki Basement is located at 38-51 Bedford Way, Bloomsbury, London WC1H 0DG. If you’re coming to London for your Contiki tour , then the chances are that you’re going to arrive at Heathrow Airport. There are several ways to reach the Contiki Basement from Heathrow Airport:

• Tube: Take the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow Airport to Piccadilly Circus station. From there, it’s a short walk to the Contiki Basement.
• Overland train: Take the Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station, then transfer to the Bakerloo Line and travel to Piccadilly Circus station. The Contiki Basement is a short walk from there.
• Taxi/Uber: Taxis and Ubers are available at Heathrow Airport. The journey to the Contiki Basement should take approximately 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic.

Follow these step-by-step instructions on how to get to the Contiki Basement from Heathrow.

Contiki Basement gallery

If you haven’t yet booked a Contiki tour, now is the perfect time to explore the latest deals on offer. With a wide range of exciting destinations, unique itineraries, and incredible experiences, there’s something for every young traveller to enjoy. Visit the Contiki website or check out the latest Contiki promo codes and deals and make your dream trip a reality.

Important update from Contiki

The Contiki Basement is currently closed. But don’t worry, if you’re checking in for your Contiki tour, you can still do so without any hassle. Simply head to the designated Contiki meetup area, located next to the reception desk inside the Royal National Hotel.

It’s right above the Contiki basement, so you won’t have to go far. We have reached out to Contiki who assure us that the basement will be reopening later in 2023, and we’ll make sure to keep you in the loop.

I thought the Contiki basement was closed for good now? 🤔

For now it’s closed. But Contiki did say they are planning to re open it sometime in 2023.

Stay tuned for an update!

I had no idea about the basement in London. Can’t wait to explore it on my next trip!

I remember being a bit nervous before my Contiki trip from London, but meeting everyone in the basement instantly made me feel at ease. It’s such a great starting point for an amazing adventure.

Not open anymore. Been closed ever since the pandemic!!!

Fond memories of haring laughs, swapping tips, and feeling the contagious excitement… it was a memorable start to an incredible journey.

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Contiki   Reviews

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Reviews 2.1.

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Wonderful service (Michelle C)

Worked with a lady named Michelle C during the process of booking our tour. She was extremely patient as we had to call back multiple times. We had some issues due to the site which were ultimately fixed by her and her team. Fantastic response times and wonderful service, give Michelle C a bloody raise!!

Date of experience : 14 May 2024

Please read the T&Cs

Please read the T&Cs. The $200 deposit is not given back if you choose to cancel your trip for whatever reason and they offer no solutions what-so-ever aside from "transferring to a friend" It gives the impression that you can secure a spot on a trip for a low fee and with little commitment when that is not the case. I'd only suggest booking a contiki if you can pay the trip price in full.

Date of experience : 05 May 2024

A ruined tour and shocking customer service

Since returning from my trip I’ve tried to communicate with Contiki’s customer service advisors, but have had very little support. I had to drop off my tour half way through, as there were members of the tour who were clearly ill and had been in contact with people with Covid, an illness which had previously hospitalised me. These people were not asked to leave the tour, despite posing a clear risk to others. I was even told I had to share with one of these clearly ill people, and was unable to book a private room. Despite putting my health at risk and forcing me to drop off the tour, Contiki have taken no responsibility. The first half of the tour itself was great and the trip of a lifetime, I’m just sad I had to miss the second half due to Contiki not sticking to their own policies.

Date of experience : 13 January 2024

I had a positive experience

I had a positive experience with a LA to the Bay trip (California, Nevada, Arizona). I departed from London and all the stages of this trip went smoothly (flight, transfers, the tour itself, hotels). For what I paid at the time it was totally worth it. Sadly I will soon be over the allowed age limit and will not be able to attend these trips anymore. It would be great if they could extend the age limit. It saddens me to see so many negative reviews on here.

Date of experience : 23 July 2022

They lie about what's included in a trip and overcharge

I did Cape, Falls, Safari trip with Contiki in December 2023. There were several instances of Contiki suggesting that an activity is included to the price yet they charged it extra in the trip. The PDFs they send before the trip (and the info they show before they sell) make it sound like a lot more is included than it is. When I confronted them about this, they refused to take accountability. Overall, scammy company. You'll end up paying A LOT more than the base price, unless what you wanna do is literally stay in the hotel the whole trip. Also, they take *28* days to reply to your messages, which is insane. So disappointing!

Date of experience : 18 December 2023

So easy to deal with!

I requested a refund due to trips being cancelled. The full trip amount was initially transferred to a Travel Fund however I wanted a cash refund. Once I raised this with Contiki, they were super helpful and organised a refund to my bank account without any drama.

Date of experience : 11 September 2020

Amazing customer service!

Contiki was recommended to me by a couple of friends who had previously completed an Australian tour with them and felt it was one of the best experiences of their lives! I was extremely excited to depart of my tour with them this year. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 my tour had to be cancelled by Contiki. This information was communicated to me ASAP and Emilia was great in her speedy responses and support. I will definitely be travelling with Contiki in the future when it is safe to do so. I am extremely pleased with the service! Thank you team Contiki!

Date of experience : 25 March 2020

Absolutely horrible customer service

Absolutely horrible customer service. I've been charged twice two different amounts for the same trip after it was canceled because of weather. You can't speak to anyone and everytime I call its this will be expedited. Meanwhile they owe me over 3000 that I have to just wait for. I would never allow my kids to use this company again. We are ready to file a fraud complaint with the Attorney General's office

Date of experience : 08 December 2023

Poor communication and cancellation of tour with no notice

Contiki cancelled our Andean Crossing tour with no notice whilst we were already overseas. We were only lucky enough to hear about the news word of mouth from a previous trip manager which stopped us from entering a zone of civil conflict. Contiki provided absolutely no communication about the cancellation of the tour and provided us zero assistance in getting back home. As someone who has done four other Contiki tours, I will never travel with Contiki again due to this appalling experience where my safety was severely compromised. Save yourself a hassle and book elsewhere!

Date of experience : 11 January 2023

Definitely Book a Trip with Contiki!

I don't know what these bad reviews are from, I've just been on the Grand Southern in the USA the first since COVID and it was excellent. Incredible trip with passionate guides, a great atmosphere and itinerary, I have made some amazing friends, met amazing people and grown so much as a person. Some things to note are that they are expensive! I spent way more money than I was expecting, they're quite pricey to begin with so I thought that it would cut the cost with some included meals and activities however the majority of the "optionals" are not included. This is fine as hey it was well worth it, activities like a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon is something that will stay with me forever. You do also have to tip the guides or are expected to like all other services in the US, so it can be unexpectedly expensive but even with this in mind it was 110% worth it the most fun I have ever had abroad.

Date of experience : 13 May 2022

Contiki has thee worst costumer service …

Contiki has thee worst costumer service I ever dealt with. They cancelled our tour after taking our full payment. It cost lots of extra money to rearrange my flights to do a different tour. No formal apology, compensation or voucher were given to retain our loyal business. They refunded the trip but it still cost extra money for this inconvenience. There are other tour company's who's policy is to still run the tour no matter the situation. It doesn't feel like they care or value their customers.

Date of experience : 24 November 2017

Scammed after trusting Contiki's recommendation on travel insurance with World Nomads

Scammed after following Contiki's recommendation to get travel insurance with World Nomads. World Nomads turned out to be a scam insurance company as they do not reply to emails and claim that they never received and emails for documentation that they asked in order to commence the claim. They just keep asking for the email and documents and you have no choice but to keep sending them the same things until probably you just give up. As a Contiki user, shame on you Contiki. And avoid World Nomads at all costs.

Date of experience : 21 March 2020

Coronavirus is YOUR problem not theirs

They are currently holding my money hostage for a trip I booked in June of 2018 that was to begin March 31 2019. 10 days before it was supposed to begin they cancelled due to coronavirus but said they wont even give a partial refund if you rebook a trip that is less expensive. Extremely disappointing.

Date of experience : 24 October 2020

Do not book with Contiki

I have maybe written 2 reviews for anything in my life, and if I could give this company 0 stars I would. I purchased insurance for my honeymoon which was cancelled due to COVID-19 in May. They require you to reschedule rather than giving your money back, which we did. However I still do not feel safe going. I also have been furloughed, which ironically insurance doesn't cover pandemic OR furloughs. I will never be traveling with Contiki again and would seriously consider travel with any other company. Terrible customer service and business model by keeping your money and demanding you reschedule years in advance.

Date of experience : 12 August 2020

Never Again

I had an amazing first trip with them pre-COVID. I was so excited to take another trip with them, that I did so as soon as vaccines were being issued. Unfortunately, they decided to “postpone” the trip and instead of issuing a refund, they gave me future credit. At this point, I don’t think I will ever take another trip with them. It was them who decided to continue booking trips, why should I be punished for their actions.

Date of experience : 26 April 2021

Was a loyal customer of Contiki but only disappointment now

I was a loyal customer of Contiki for many years, but recently am disgusted with their customer service after booking me onto a trip and reserving my spot, then cancelling my spot as I hadn't paid despite calling them countless times all week. Told me they had tried calling me only to have received 0 missed calls or contact, emails ignored, etc. nobody seemed interested in booking me onto the trip and it's their loss entirely

Date of experience : 12 April 2022

Absolutely disgusting. SCAM

I was booking accomodation for before the trip in London, and booked through Contiki. Huge mistake. Contiki told me I would have to pay a cancellation fee if I wanted to UPGRADE my room. This is absolutely ridiculous and no hotel would ever charge you a fee for wanting to upgrade (other than paying the difference of the actual room prices). I called the hotel (Royal National Hotel) to enquire about it, and they said there should not be a fee. Contiki trying to rip me off is disgusting. To reiterate I WAS NOT TRYING TO CANCEL MY BOOKING. I WAS WANTING TO UPGRADE AND PAY MORE MONEY. Would recommend booking your own accomodation NOT THROUGH Contiki. Big mistake.

Date of experience : 21 June 2022

Contiki cancels trip and does not refund money

Booked a trip while they had to cancel the trip due to Corona. I was promised a full refund in the general terms and conditions for a case like that. It took me over 3 months which only got me a voucher out of it. After I threaten to involve my credit card company and / or a lawyer i eventually got a partial refund. At this point I was sick and tired and contact my credit card company and received a full refund. I've travelled with them with well over 20 trips and for myself and my friends they have destroyed their brand during Corona.

Date of experience : 22 April 2022

They say you meet people from all…

They say you meet people from all around the world which is a bit of a false advertising. In fact 90% of the people on my trip are Australians. They also use what’s called dynamic pricing which seems sketchy at best. My advice; pay in AUD if you must go with a group. But imho it’s way more fun to just stay at hostels and meet people and party that way. Saves money and you meet more interesting people

Date of experience : 13 August 2023

Reply from Contiki

Thank you for your recent feedback. We're disappointed that you felt the group dynamic of the tour could have been improved. We love to welcome English-speaking guests from around the world to explore our captivating destinations and allow our travellers to get to know people from all over the globe. Nevertheless, we hope that you have returned home with unforgettable memories and new friendships from your time away with us.

My daughters trip was just canceled (by…

My daughters trip was just canceled (by Contiki) and Contiki is telling her that they won’t refund her money. This was a once in a lifetime trip for her and her friend. They won’t be able to go anytime soon. This is terrible, a public relation nightmare and it’s crazy to me that they wouldn’t refund their customers money when the company cancels the trip. Shame on you Contiki. You don’t deserve to stay in business with this type of customer service.

Date of experience : 24 April 2021

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CONTIKI TRAVEL (U.K.) LIMITED

Company number 01336852

• Company Overview for CONTIKI TRAVEL (U.K.) LIMITED (01336852)
• Filing history for CONTIKI TRAVEL (U.K.) LIMITED (01336852)
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• More for CONTIKI TRAVEL (U.K.) LIMITED (01336852)

Next accounts made up to 31 December 2023 due by 30 September 2024

Last accounts made up to 31 December 2022

Confirmation statement

Next statement date 9 September 2024 due by 23 September 2024

Last statement dated 9 September 2023

Nature of business (SIC)

• 79120 - Tour operator activities

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