Going on a Contiki is a rite of passage for many young kiwis going on their OE. It’s a way to travel the world, get involved with different cultures and expose yourself to a blend of sightseeing and heart-thumping activities. What it’s most famously known for is travelling with friendly and like-minded travellers between 18-35 years old.
For a solo traveller this can seem quite overwhelming. With a lot of different tours to choose from, and a lot of myths around what happens on a Contiki, how does one prepare for a Contiki and survive being on the road with complete strangers?
I have just returned from my first Contiki as a solo traveller around Europe and it’s fair to say I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had heard of all the tales about what a Contiki involves and felt I had to gear myself up fit for it. At the same I wanted to experience Europe with the convenience of accommodation, transport and activities pre-planned and have some mates to share one-in-a-lifetime experiences with.
This guide will hopefully shed some light on what’s involved in a Contiki and will help inspire you to make the most of your bucket list adventure.
Choosing Which Contiki to Go On
With a plethora of options, choosing the right Contiki tour for you might seem like an impossible choice. Start by considering what type of experience you’re after, do you want a fast-paced adventure across multiple countries (like the 45-day Ultimate European Tour) or do you prefer a more relaxed itinerary focused on a single region?
A general rule of thumb is the longer the trip, the larger the group. On tours such as Mexico Grande and the Grand Southern, you can have up to 50 travel buddies. While on tours such as Thai Island Hopper West, the maximum is 30.
For myself, I was venturing into Europe for the first time and I wanted to cover as much ground as possible. I wanted to see the main culprits of Europe (France, Italy, Spain) but also had a dream to live my Mamma Mia fantasy and venture to the Greek Islands. I decided to book the London to Athens tour with Greek Island Hopping. Totaling at 27 days (about 4 weeks), the first 17 days are fast paced where you are in full sightseeing mode taking as many pics as possible.
The last ten days you are in the picturesque Greek Islands, where you can spend your days chilling by the beach and poolside sipping on your cocktail, before spending your evenings in the vibrant nightlife and having a good boogie.
Depending on the tour there are different types of travel styles. You can stay in hostels, hotels, tented safari camps, eco-lodges, beach resorts and even a 16th century French Chateau (I stayed in the Chateau, was very cool).
For the general Europe tours, you can choose between the Standard Tour where you are staying in hostel dorms with up to 5 other travellers, or you can do the Plus Option which is more expensive, but means you are in 2-3-star hotels in a twin-share room.
Hostel living is not for the faint-hearted, several people on my tour had never stayed in a hostel before and got bit of a rude awakening. If you do appreciate the finer things in life, I would recommend opting for the Plus Option.
In saying that, staying in a hostel is very much part of the Contiki experience. It builds a sense of comradery between you and your fellow travellers. It leads to some important bonding time and is also great for the wallet, meaning you have more cash to spend on the ground or on your Free Time Add On Experiences.
What to Pack
So how do you pack for weeks on the road, well if going on the 45-day Ultimate European, you probably can’t pack 45 pairs of undies! Contiki coaches have a strict weight limit of no suitcases over 20kg. You are only allowed one suitcase per passenger and one backpack to bring on board.
A must have are comfortable walking shoes as you will be getting the steps in and want to avoid blisters. Hostels will not always provide towels so make sure you bring a beach towel. When it comes to bags, I suggest bring a cross-body bag for daily outings so you are not always lugging your backpack.
Take into account the season you are travelling in, for example going to Greece I kept my outfits light with short sleeves, linens and of course the togs. But also make sure to pack some more modest options in case you visit any churches or religious sites such as The Vatican.
Even when travelling in summer you might get some rainfall so always have a jumper and some sort of rain jacket or umbrella. Do pack some nicer gear for if you are going out for dinner or a night in town.
Also a must have is a reuseable water bottle. Getting plastic water bottles every day is an expense you don’t need.
The good news is most hostels you go to will have laundry facilities you can use to clean your clothes, I would very much recommend you make the most of any chance to use a washing machine, so you are not known as the stinky one on the tour.
Making Friends
Going on a Contiki means you will have a busy social life, meeting and hanging out with like-minded travellers, but the idea of meeting new people can be rather nerve-wracking. First thing to know, everyone is feeling the same way, about 70% of Contiki travellers are solo travellers so they too will be keen to make friends! Another interesting fact, 65% of Contiki travellers are women, so you will most likely be part of a supportive sisterhood.
On day one your Trip Manager will do some ice-breakers and activities for you to get to know each other and get rid of any awkwardness. On my tour we had to do speed dating, where we went around the bus introducing ourselves to each person, it was a good way for me to suss out the vibes of each person and choose who I wanted to spend more time with!
About a month before the trip starts, you can see who else is going on your tour. This means you can do a good stalk of their Instagrams or even plan to meet up a day or two before the tour starts if you are arriving a couple of days beforehand.
Going on a Contiki means you will either be paired with one or two other roommates or popped in a dorm with lots of pals. You may be skeptical, you may not want to share a room with a stranger, but this is probably the easiest way to make friends.
My advice is to embrace being a social butterfly, take your time to work your way around the group and meet as many people as you can. Naturally over time cliques are going to be formed, but not restricting yourself and getting to know more than one group on the tour will lead to more friendships.
If you are an introvert or a bit shy that’s ok! But remind yourself that everyone in your group is here for the same reason – to see new places and make new friends along the way.
On my tour not only was I a solo traveller, but the majority of travellers were Aussies so I was well and truly in the minority! There were about five kiwis on the trip and we very much created an alliance, but I went out of my way to get to know the different cliques and groups which meant whatever activity we were doing, I always had people to talk to and hang out with.
It’s also fascinating getting to know people who may have had a different background to you, all walks of life go on a Contiki and this can lead to some unlikely friendships.
Free Time Add-On Experiences
As part of your Contiki tour you will get some included activities, but you will also be given the opportunity to opt-in to Free Time Add-On Experiences (FTA’s). These experiences are usually booked and paid for while you are on the tour and are specially curated activities and excursions that allow you to personalise your trip.
Usually at the beginning of your tour, the Trip Manager will go over the FTA’s that are available and get a count of how many people want to do them. I really rated doing the FTA’s as it meant when going to a new destination, I didn’t have to worry about making bookings to see attractions. I just had to show up and Contiki looked after the rest.
FTA’s range from adrenaline-pumping activities like skydiving and bungee jumping to cultural immersions such as cooking classes and guided tours. On my tour, the FTA’s ranged from snorkeling and swimming in a cave in Ios, watching a cabaret show in the heart of Paris, to getting a guided tour of Ancient Pompeii and visiting the Coliseum.
Booking an FTA is a great way to enhance your travel experience, making your journey not just about the destinations, but also about the unforgettable moments in between.
Looking After Yourself
One last thing to remember about a Contiki is that it’s very much a marathon not a sprint. There’s going to be plenty of time to go out and have fun, but you don’t want to peak too early and feel sorry for yourself a couple of days in. You need to look after your body, make the most of the free daily breakfasts, and take any opportunity to drink water.
You need to look after yourself first and foremost, no one knows your body better than yourself. Take small breaks, there’s nothing wrong with taking an afternoon off to recharge (I learnt to love an afternoon nap).
When it comes to going out at night, don’t feel you have to go out EVERY night, catching up on some sleep means you will feel more charged up and ready to go for the next day’s sightseeing.
A lot of people on our tour would go hard the night before, but then be so tired the next day they would miss activities and even FTA’s they had already paid for. Be a bit strategic on what nights you might stay out a bit later, and what nights you decide to have some rest.
Another thing to think about is making sure you can get back to your accommodation safely. Not all places have Uber so if you need to order a taxi or have to walk a certain length, best to do it in a group to avoid getting split off.
If going on a Europe Contiki, something to think about is pickpocketing. Opportunists love to make the most of a naive tourist and I don’t want you to be one of those!
Don’t leave your phone or wallet just sitting in your pocket or have it somewhere easy to find in your backpack. Pickpocketers are very slick and will take things without you even noticing they’re doing it.
I would recommended having a cross-body bag (otherwise known as a fanny pack) that you wear on the front of you at all times. That way you have eyes on it and it’s less likely to be targeted by any ambitious thieves.
Going on a Contiki is very much a trip of a lifetime and it’s something all young kiwis should do at some point in their travels. Whether you decide to be like me and take on Europe, or explore the luscious South-East Asia, the bright lights of the USA or even the exotic South America, there’s a Contiki for everyone.
Get in touch with a Flight Centre Travel Expert today and start planning your next adventure with Contiki!
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