Pre departure meeting - Europe
Last Updated: Oct. 13, 2009
More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe
The pre departure meetings are a great opportunity for you to meet your Tour Manager and your fellow travelers but also saves a lot of time the next morning.
The venue for your meeting will depend on your departure city while the time will depend on the style of tour you have chosen.
Tours Departing London
The pre departure meeting in London usually is scheduled for the night before your tour leaves.
This meeting saves a lot of time on departure morning but also is a good opportunity for you to meet your Tour Manager and your fellow travelers.
Besides for the ‘What to Bring’ section below, your Tour Manager may ask if you have any dietary needs, allergies, medical issues or any other concerns that Contiki should be aware of.
Lastly, you will be told what time to gather for the following morning departure (except the Ski Tours who leave that evening).
Meeting Times
Tours Departing London:
- Camping Tours and Concept/Budget Tours: 7pm the night before you tour departs.
- Time Out/Superior/Hotel Tours: 6pm the night before you tour departs.
Please note: If you do miss the pre departure meeting you should show up on time on departure morning.
Departure times from the Royal National Hotel:
- Camping Tours and Concept/Budget Tours: 6am departure morning
- Time Out/Superior/Hotel Tours: 6:45am departure morning.
Please note: Contiki also allows you the flexibility and freedom to meet up with your tour at another city later in your itinerary (for example Paris, Amsterdam or Brussels).
Ski Tours
- Ski Tours : 6pm meeting for a 7pm departure the same night.
Meeting Place and duration
The meetings usually take between 45 minutes to an hour and normally take place in the Contiki Basement or the London Coffee Shop in the courtyard of the Royal National Hotel (on Bedford Way) just opposite the London Pub.
Departing from other Cities
If your tour is starting in another city (Amsterdam, Rome, Madrid or Athens for example) you will usually meet up with your Tour Manager usually at 6pm in the lobby of the hotel where you are staying on the first evening of your tour.
You will also need to bring your passport and Contiki travel documents as well as emergency contact information and travel insurance information.
What to Bring
You should bring along to the meeting:
- Passport/s
- Your Contiki travel vouchers
- Next of Kin/Emergency contact information
- Travel Insurance information
Add a Comment Comments (6)
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urm we dont get into heathrow until 6.40pm the night b4 we leave 4 the european highlites wot happens there?
Explorergirl006
posted on Jul. 28, 2009
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You can stay anywhere you like – most people either stay in the Imperial or the Royal National Hotels – both very near by. You an book these hotels yourself or if you book them through Contiki, a travel agent or the Contiki Basement, you’ll get a cheaper rate than if you book direct through the hotel.
mattyvcontiki
posted on Jul. 17, 2008
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where are we to spend the night after the pre-departure meeting? thanks! :)
Charli
posted on Jul. 14, 2008
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Thanks for the advice… I was thinking the same thing, b/c I’ll be landing in Rome around 6:30 p.m. and miss out on the introductions. Ah well, I’ll have plenty of time the next day :)
Case-Face
posted on Apr. 29, 2008
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You’ll be fine, if you miss the pre-departure meeting it’s not the end of the world. Just be on time for departure the next morning and you’ll have no problems at all.
mattyvcontiki
posted on Apr. 28, 2008
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I am going on the European Discovery Tour this September, and will be arriving a day early in London. The tour that I have planned will cause me to miss the 6pm pre-departure meeting.
Will I miss out on a lot if I am not able to attend the meeting? The article just says to arrive on time departure morning, any other advice?
Thanks!
Powla321
posted on Apr. 26, 2008
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