Getting to know Contiki faqs

A Contiki trip is an organised culturally immersive trip, led by expert guides. You’ll travel with a Trip Manager, Driver and a group of friendly 18-35s from around the world – with zero hassle, delicious meals included and multiple travel styles to choose from!

“A Contiki trip really is for everyone. It’s safe, filled with lots of fun, and amazing people! Whether you’re looking to solo travel or go with friends. Contiki is the way to go. I was a solo traveller and I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend my vacation!” Rico, Athens to Santorini

We take our name from the word ‘Continent’, which reinforces our mission to connect travelers from all continents, and the word ‘Tiki’ from te reo Māori, as our founder was originally from Aotearoa New Zealand. In Māori mythology, ‘Tiki’ refers to the first human, and is symbolised as a pendant or charm known as hei-tiki.

Contiki has since become a rite of passage in New Zealand and Australia, and you’ll still hear ‘going on a Contiki’ as synonymous with going on an overseas adventure.

Contiki trips are designed exclusively for 18 to 35-year-olds. This is because it gives young people the chance to travel (and make unforgettable memories) with a group of people who are all the same/similar age. 

HOWEVER, if you’ve traveled with us before, and are aged between 35 and 45, you can recapture the magic of Contiki travel on one of our limited edition Reunion trips. Find out more here.

“I’d recommend Contiki to any younger adults who are keen to travel, whether it’s with friends or on your own, either way you’ll meet amazing people!” Harrison, European Inspiration

Contiki is great for singles, or anyone traveling solo. In fact, around 70% of our travelers book a trip solo. Our group tours are packed with young, fun, authentic and like-minded travelers from all over the world, and they usually end with lifelong friendships.

“I booked this trip on a whim and feeling lost, thinking back now after the trip I can't imagine not doing it. I love everyone I met and wish I could have packed them with me to take home. If you are feeling scared or unsure because you're travelling solo, do it, many others feel the same and everyone has the same goals; have the most fun possible and make friends. You will end the trip with tons of hugs, so many laughs, and several tears” Emma, European Magic

Absolutely! Contiki is a great choice for young couples looking to explore the world with a group of like-minded people (and who want all the accommodation and the itinerary sorted for them too). 

“We did the Kenyan Highlights tour as part of our honeymoon. The service and knowledge we received from our guides (Haron and Denis) was second to none, they made the trip so fun and helped us to forge some unforgettable memories” Evangeline, Kenyan Highlights

“Me and my partner and I had a great time. All the staff were super nice and helpful. Highly recommend it!” Charlie, Austria Ski Plus

Contiki trips are exclusive to 18-35s because we know most young travelers prefer to explore with people of the same/similar age. The age limit also means we can tailor our itineraries, accommodations and experiences to younger travelers.

If you’re over 35 and have traveled with Contiki before, check out our Reunion Trips – exclusively for past travelers (and friends) aged 35-45.

If you’re over 35, have not traveled with us before and are looking for a similar experience, check out our open-aged sister brands, including Trafalgar and Costsaver. They also run guided group trips, but are open for travelers of all ages.

We’re proud to offer 200+ trips across 75 countries worldwide, covering Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand.

We also have a travel style to suit everyone, including multi-country Europe trips, skiing, and island hopping.

Your group size will depend on the type of trip and the time of year too (i.e. you might have a bigger group during the main tourist season).

In Europe, North America and New Zealand, group sizes range from 24-53 travellers. In Asia, Australia, Africa and Latin America, group sizes are usually much smaller – as low as 12 or up to 30 travellers max.

Our locally led Detour trips offer a more focused and immersive experience, and group sizes max out at 16 people.

When it comes to our wonderful planet, we take our responsibility seriously here at Contiki. With the help of our Sustainability Strategy, we’re on track to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050 (if not before). We publish our Impact Report each year to track our goals & accomplishments, and to make sure we’re held accountable too.

Over 80% of our trips feature MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, designed to help our travelers support local communities, wildlife or the planet (or a combo of the three.)