What Contiki is and who books with them
Contiki is a tour operator owned by ToursByLocals that runs group trips across Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas. The company focuses on travelers aged 18 to 35, though anyone can book. Tours typically last 7 to 28 days and combine transportation, accommodation, and some meals in a single package price.
Contiki operates its own coaches and hires local guides at each destination. You travel with a group of 30 to 50 people on most itineraries, staying in hotels or hostels depending on the tour tier. The company handles logistics — you show up at the meeting point with your luggage, and Contiki moves you from city to city.
The appeal for many travelers is simplicity: one payment covers transport, lodging, and a structured itinerary, so you do not have to book flights, hotels, and activities separately. The downside is less flexibility — you follow the group schedule, and free time is built into the itinerary rather than chosen by you.
Key Takeaways
- Contiki packages include transportation, accommodation, and some meals, but you pay separately for flights to and from the tour start and end points.
- Tours run on fixed dates and itineraries, so you cannot customize the route or skip included activities, though free time is built into most days.
- The company requires a deposit to hold your spot, and cancellation policies vary by how far in advance you cancel and which tour tier you book.
- Travel insurance is not included in the package price and is not required by Contiki, but the company recommends it and offers it as an add-on.
- You will travel with a group of 30 to 50 people led by a tour manager and local guides, so the experience depends partly on group chemistry and guide quality.
How pricing works and what is included
Contiki publishes a base price for each tour, but the final cost depends on when you book and which accommodation tier you choose. The company offers three tiers — Budget, Comfort, and Premium — that differ in hotel quality and meal inclusions. A Budget tour might cost $1,500 for a 10-day Europe trip, while the same itinerary at Premium could run $2,500 or more.
The package price always includes the coach, accommodation, a tour manager, and some meals — typically breakfast daily and some dinners. It does not include flights to the tour departure city, meals not listed in the itinerary, activities marked as "optional," tips for guides and drivers, or travel insurance. You also pay for any personal expenses: drinks, snacks, souvenirs, and activities you choose to do during free time.
Contiki often runs promotions that reduce the base price by 10 to 20 percent if you book early or travel during shoulder seasons. The company also offers a "Book Now, Pay Later" option that lets you reserve a spot with a smaller deposit and pay the balance closer to the departure date — useful if you are not certain about your travel dates yet.
Deposits, cancellations, and what happens if plans change
To reserve a tour, you pay a deposit — typically 10 to 20 percent of the total price — and the remainder is due 60 to 90 days before departure, depending on the tour. If you cancel, Contiki's refund policy depends on how far in advance you cancel and which tier you booked. Budget tours usually have stricter cancellation terms than Premium tours.
If you cancel more than 60 days before departure, you usually lose only the deposit. If you cancel between 30 and 60 days out, you lose 25 to 50 percent of the total price. Cancellations within 30 days of departure typically forfeit the entire payment. These timelines vary by specific tour, so check the terms for the itinerary you are considering before you book.
If you need to change your tour date rather than cancel entirely, Contiki allows transfers to other departures of the same tour, usually without penalty if you request the change at least 30 days in advance. Changes requested closer to departure may incur a fee or be denied if the new departure is sold out.
What to expect during the tour itself
Each Contiki tour is led by a tour manager — a Contiki employee who travels with the group for the entire duration. The tour manager handles logistics, answers questions, and leads group activities. At each destination, you also work with local guides who know the city and lead walking tours or site visits.
Days typically follow a pattern: breakfast at the hotel, a guided activity or free time in the morning, lunch on your own or included depending on the itinerary, an afternoon activity or exploration, and dinner either included or on your own. Some evenings include group dinners or social activities at the hotel. You have your own hotel room or share one with another traveler, depending on your booking.
The pace is fast — you move to a new city every 1 to 3 days on most tours — so you see many places but spend limited time in each. Free time is usually 2 to 4 hours per day, which is enough to explore on your own or rest at the hotel, but not enough for deep exploration of a city. If you prefer slower travel or want to stay longer in one place, Contiki may not suit your style.
Travel insurance and what Contiki does not cover
Contiki does not include travel insurance in the package price and does not require you to buy it. However, the company strongly recommends it and offers a policy through a partner insurer as an add-on at checkout. The insurance typically covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and evacuation — things Contiki itself does not cover if something goes wrong.
If you get sick or injured during the tour, Contiki will help you find medical care, but you pay for it out of pocket unless you have insurance. If you miss a flight to the tour start or need to leave early, Contiki does not refund the unused portion of the tour or pay for your return flight. If your luggage is lost, Contiki is not liable — the airline or transport company is, and you file a claim with them directly.
Travel insurance is especially important if you are booking a tour more than a few weeks in advance, because life circumstances change. A policy that covers cancellation for any reason (rather than just medical emergencies) costs more but protects you if you need to cancel for reasons Contiki's cancellation policy does not cover.
How to book and what documents you need
You book Contiki tours through the company's website or by calling their customer service line. To complete a booking, you need a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond your tour end date. You also provide your name, contact information, emergency contact, and any dietary restrictions or mobility needs.
After you book, Contiki sends you a confirmation email with your tour itinerary, hotel details, and the tour manager's contact information. About 2 weeks before departure, you receive a final information packet with meeting times, what to pack, and any last-minute changes. You are responsible for arranging your own flights to and from the tour start and end cities — Contiki does not book these for you, though the website includes a flight search tool.
If you need a visa for any country on the itinerary, you must obtain it before the tour starts. Contiki does not handle visa applications, though the itinerary page lists which countries require visas for your nationality. Check your government's travel website or a visa service for current requirements, because they change.
Common questions about group dynamics and solo travel
Many people book Contiki tours alone and meet other travelers on the bus. The group size — typically 30 to 50 people — means you will find people to spend free time with if you want to, but you are not forced to socialize. Some travelers form close friendships during the tour; others prefer to explore independently during free time and rejoin the group for meals and activities.
The tour manager and guides set the tone for group dynamics. A skilled tour manager creates opportunities for the group to bond without making socializing mandatory. A less experienced manager may create an awkward atmosphere or move too fast for people to get comfortable. This is one area where you cannot predict the experience in advance — it depends on the specific departure date and the people who book it.
If you are traveling solo and want to minimize shared accommodation costs, you can pay a single-occupancy supplement to have your own room. This costs extra — typically $10 to $30 per night depending on the tour tier — but gives you privacy and a retreat if you need a break from group time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book flights through Contiki?
No. You book your own flights to the tour departure city and from the tour end city. Contiki's website includes a flight search tool, but you are not required to use it. Make sure your flights arrive in time for the tour start — typically the evening before or the morning of Day 1 — and depart after the tour ends.
What if I have dietary restrictions or mobility needs?
Tell Contiki about dietary restrictions and mobility needs when you book. The company works with hotels and restaurants to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-related diets, though options may be limited in some countries. For mobility needs, Contiki can note which hotels have elevators or accessible rooms, but not all accommodations meet full accessibility standards, so ask specific questions before booking.
Can I extend my trip before or after the tour?
Yes. Many travelers arrive a few days early or stay a few days after to explore on their own. You book and pay for extra hotel nights separately — Contiki does not arrange these, but the tour manager can recommend hotels in the departure and end cities. Just make sure your flights align with your extended dates, not the tour dates.
What happens if I get sick during the tour?
Tell the tour manager when ready. Contiki will help you find a doctor or hospital, but you pay for medical care unless you have travel insurance. If you are too sick to continue, Contiki does not refund the unused portion of the tour, and you are responsible for arranging your own return flight home.
Are there age restrictions or is Contiki only for young people?
Contiki markets to ages 18 to 35, but anyone can book. The group atmosphere and pace appeal most to younger travelers, and the social events (group dinners, bar outings) reflect that demographic. If you are older and prefer a slower pace or smaller groups, you may find other tour operators better suited to your style.