On Trip

Free Time Add-Ons are basically the travel experiences we’ve picked that we think will take your trip to a whole new level. The experiences are built around activities or topics we know you’ll love. Think food, adventure, exploration, history, culture, fashion, music - you name it. 

A few examples of Free Time Add-Ons include:

- A canal cruise down Amsterdam’s iconic canals

- White water rafting in Innsbruck, Austria

- An Italian feast in the Tuscan hills

- A half day snorkeling cruise in Koh Tao

- Visit a local hill tribe in Chiang Mai

- A polo day experience, Buenos Aires

- Kayaking down the Amazon river, Peruvian Jungle

- A sunrise hot air balloon ride, Alice Springs

- A skydive over the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns

No, these experiences are an additional cost and are not included in the price of your Contiki trip. However, thanks to our long standing relationships with suppliers, you can be safe in the knowledge that you are getting the best deal when booking one of our Add-Ons.

Nope, it’s totally up to you. Our Add-Ons happen during your Free Time, so if you’d rather do your own thing we are totally OK with that - the choice is yours!

The specific trip page itinerary will show inclusions and add ons for the day you are viewing. A full list of Add-Ons and approximate costs will also be sent to you with your travel documents, 3 weeks in advance of your departure. 

Your Trip Manager will take you through all of the available options at the start of your trip so you can decide if you want to do any of these awesome experiences once you’ve got the full down low.

You can pay for your Add-Ons with a debit or credit card, or cash, once you are on your trip. Our Trip Managers will manage this process with you, and answer any questions you may have. We’d also advise having a good read over what Add-Ons are available on your trip prior to departure, as this will help with managing your budget.

Depends on where you’re travelling to, how long for and how much you like to splash the cash when you travel. It’s also a good idea to read up on our incredible Free Time Add-Ons and decide how many you’ll want to do. You should set a daily budget based upon these factors, as well as doing some research on: the region you are travelling to (for instance Europe and Australia will be significantly more expensive than Asia, or Latin America), and how much you anticipate spending on personal expenses like alcohol or shopping. Before you travel, read up on and get an idea of the Free Time Add-Ons you think you’ll want to do on your trip, then set yourself a daily budget.

Consider the:

- Cost of a local lunch

- Cost of a local dinner

- Cost of a bottle of water

- Cost of a beer

- Cost of an ice cream

- Cost of entry to a sightseeing spot

Bring some cash in the local currency of the destination you’ll be travelling to first, and then use your debit or credit card to withdraw money along the way (don’t forget to let your  bank know you’re travelling!) ).

Cash cards are also a good option if you want to reduce conversion fees.

That depends!If you’re heading to America, tipping is a big part of the culture and is expected when paying your dinner bill, buying drinks at a bar, and even getting a taxi. However, if you were heading to Japan, tipping would be seen as impolite. 

In most parts of Europe, leaving a tip of around 5 - 10% of the total bill is the standard, although make sure you check the bill first, as a tip may have already been included in the total cost of the bill. It’s generally worth reading up on the tipping culture of the region you are travelling to prior to your trip, or just ask your Trip Manager what the general etiquette is once on trip.

In terms of tipping Contiki staff and Local Guides, this is entirely up to you! If you think a Trip Manager, Driver or Local Guide has done an awesome job (and they usually do), you might want to tip them for this, but this is at your discretion and no one else’s. Tip what you think is right only.

Depends on the tipping culture of the country you are in. Read up on what’s expected prior to your trip or ask your Trip Manager if you are unsure, and also be careful not to over or under tip as a result of currency confusion. Downloading a currency converter app like XE Currency App is always a good shout.

Tipping of Contiki Trip Managers and Drivers is completely optional. If you think your Contiki crew have delivered an outstanding level of service throughout your trip (and we hope you do), you may wish to tip them, but this is at your discretion and no one else’s.