In August of 2023 I went with my friend on my third Contiki trip, this time it was LA to the Bay, exploring the American southwest.

It was such a great time, but of course, I’m here to share the good, the bad and the ugly. Group travel isn’t for everyone!

Contiki is a travel company that provides group travel options all around the world for people ages 18-35.

For context, I went on a Contiki trip solo around Europe in January of 2020 (just under the pandemic wire, phew) and then another solo Contiki across Canada in July of 2022.

So this was my first group travel experience going with a friend.

Accommodations & Food

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if luxe hotels and superb food are important to you while travelling, maybe a Contiki is not for you.

Depending on where you’re travelling, you might be looking at sharing a room at a hostel or a hotel, with a unique stay somewhere on the list.

For our LA to the Bay trip, we mainly stayed in hotel rooms in twos. The hotels aren’t anything special, but they’re not upsetting. It’s a comfy bed to rest your body between lots of on-the-go living.

For two nights at the Grand Canyon, we stayed in really cool glamping tents. I loved these nights, mostly because I do like camping. If you’re expecting hotels, but end up in a glamping tent with no bathroom attached, that could turn out to be less-than-fun for you.

Similarly, a lot of the food was very mid. There were some included dinners on the trip that didn’t blow my mind. But it’s fuel for the road.

During free time, you’re more than welcome to explore higher budget meal options! Sophie and I ate at Hell’s Kitchen in Vegas, which was incredible.

Contiki provides great bones to your trip – a place to stay, food to eat – and you can add whatever meat you like to make it yours.

Bus & Social Life

The more I go on Contikis with a lot of driving between destinations, I find the long driving days bother me less and less. You really do get used to it.

But you do need to get used to it. Driving six hours a day every other day can be a lot for some people. Especially if you’re driving six hours a day with people that you don’t know, or worse, don’t like.

(Generally, this group of Contikiers was a good one.)

So, this trip’s driving didn’t bother me at all, but it’s not everyone’s travel style.

Bringing a Buddy

I’ve done two Contiki groups before this one all on my own. I went in knowing no one and had the opportunity to make friends. One of them being Sophie!

This LA to the Bay trip was the first time I didn’t have to make friends going into a trip. I had my friend!

This was good and bad in a handful of ways.

Good, because I didn't have to worry about making friends. What if I don’t get along with anyone? What if I feel like an outcast this whole adventure? Thoughts that I didn’t even have to consider this time around!

Bad, kind of for the same reasons. I didn’t have to push myself to make new friends – so I didn’t. The social crutch was there, so I took it. Sometimes it’s nice to have to take the leap and try new things or meet new people, but in this case, that leap was never taken.

Honestly, I’m so glad I did this trip with Sophie. I’m glad I had chances to meet other people on past trips. But I’m glad as a 32-year-old on a trip with people in their early 20s that I had a friend to lean on.

Getting to travel around California, Arizona and Nevada with my favourite travel buddy is an experience I’m so glad we shared, and will always recommend group travel like this to anyone who is remotely interested.