contiki travel credit

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

Contiki Review – Travel Tours, Group Vacations & Adventure Holidays

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

772 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3112 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Director of Operations & Compliance

1 Published Article 1171 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20

Young Travelers

Solo travelers, friends or groups, destinations, contiki australia, contiki europe, contiki japan, contiki new zealand, contiki thailand, contiki usa & canada, contiki reviews, contiki vs. topdeck, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Contiki provides travel tours for young adults. The tour company was incorporated in the mid-1960s after a group of friends posted a flyer on a noticeboard advertising space on their 12-seater minibus to travel around Europe. To this day, group travel is still immensely popular, as you not only get to explore a fantastic destination, but you get to make lots of friends in the process.

Contiki is one of the best European bus tour companies out there, but it also offers group tours all over the world. Many tours use coaches, and groups can be as large as 52 people. In some destinations such as Africa and Latin America, group sizes can be as small as 12 people up to a maximum of 30.

Each tour has a driver and a trip leader that will be with you for the entire journey, and local expert guides will also join you for specific activities. With your travel, accommodations, and itinerary arranged for you, all you need to worry about is having an incredible time.

Who Are Contiki Tours Good For?

Contiki tours are exclusively for travelers from 18 to 35 years old so that you can experience a new destination with like-minded young vacationers. The tours are incredibly social and many travelers meet lifelong friends. Including a combination of scheduled activities and free time, the tours let you tick-off bucket list experiences and landmarks before enjoying a beer with your new pals.

Whether you’re an experienced traveler or are embarking on your first solo trip, Contiki tours are perfect for single travelers. You’ll experience the excitement of independent travel while having the logistics taken care of. Rather than having to approach a new friend in a hostel bar, you’ll get to know your fellow travelers in a less daunting environment.

Tour prices are based on twin sharing with a fellow traveler of the same gender, but you can also upgrade to a private room for a fee.

It’s not just solo travelers that choose Contiki tours. Groups of friends often join tours together as they love the idea of meeting more new people as well as getting to travel with their friends. You can all book your places and pay final balances independently, avoiding 1 person having to be responsible for everyone’s finances.

Contiki Tour Types and Destinations

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to travel. To help travelers choose which tours might suit their travel style, Contiki has tagged its tours under various categories.

Contiki’s Adventure tours include the usual transport and accommodation, but they also include unique travel experiences for adventurous types. You could be quad biking through the Cambodian countryside or soaring high above the Sonoran Desert in Arizona in a hot air balloon.

Hot Tip:  Be sure to check out our adventure travel essentials before your next trip.

African Safari

Africa’s incredible landscapes are teeming with wildlife, large and small, from majestic elephants bathing in watering holes to color-changing desert chameleons. African Safari tours include plenty of wildlife encounters and other bucket-list experiences such as Victoria Falls, the Sossusvlei salt pans, and Table Mountain.

Beach Trips

Contiki has picked some of the best beaches in the world to create tours with the perfect blend of sun, sea, adventure, and nightlife. Beach Trips tend to follow the coastline of a destination, so you can enjoy surf lessons to beach yoga and sunset cocktails to fresh seafood dining.

Hot Tip:  We take the pain out of packing for your beach vacation with this printable packing list .

Discoverer trips offer an excellent balance of culture, iconic sights, and adventure. You’ll tick off lots of bucket list experiences as well as authentic local encounters, which are often the most memorable moments. These tours are generally longer than 9 days, so you’ll get to immerse yourself in a destination.

Iconic Essentials

Iconic Essentials tours cover comprehensive itineraries around Europe and include some excursions and lots of free time. This means that you can tailor-make your trip to only see the sights that are important to you. If you’re used to traveling solo or are skeptical about touring, this tour type could be a good compromise — travel and accommodation are arranged but many of the excursions are optional.

Hot Tip:  Check out the best compact, mirrorless, and DSLR cameras for travel so that you can capture iconic sights on your tour. 

In-Depth Explorer

In-Depth Explorer tours enable travelers to experience a destination like a local, with lots of authentic experiences to immerse yourself in the local culture. Accommodations include well-situated, independent hotels, so you’ll enjoy the comfort and convenience while knowing you’re supporting local communities.

Island Hopping

Why stay on 1 island when you can experience them all? Island Hopping tours allow travelers the opportunity to experience the unique culture and quirks of island life while enjoying the journey in between. Relax on palm-fringed sandy beaches, sip a cocktail while watching an island sunset, or go in search of marine life with a snorkel or diving excursion.

Hot Tip:  Make sure you’re prepared for your beach tour with these recommendations for the best travel beach towels and blankets .

Sailing and Cruise

Sail between beautiful islands and buzzing port towns with a Sailing or Cruise tour. On some tours, your ship is your transport and your accommodation, so you’ll only need to unpack once for your whole trip. When it comes to sightseeing, you’ll get the best of both worlds, with regular stops for land-based exploration and plenty of incredible views of the coastline.

Short Trips and Festivals

Short Trips and Festival tours are great for those who want to explore a city for a couple of days or combine their holidays with a festival or celebration. These include music festivals, New Year’s Eve celebrations, or local public holidays, so you can celebrate in style while soaking up the local culture.

Hot Tip:  If you’re heading away on a short break, you might want to upgrade to one of these recommended carry-on bags , including wheeled cabin bags and backpacks.

Ski and Snowboard

Ski and Snowboard tours offer the perfect solution if you’re looking to explore a new destination while getting in some slope time. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned pro or a complete beginner, you’ll have the option to book lessons and chances are there will be someone on your tour of a similar standard. Enjoy the cool and crazy vibes of Tokyo before taking a train to one of the nearby ski resorts or hit the slopes in Lake Tahoe on a sightseeing trip through California, Arizona, and Nevada.

Small Group

Some of Contiki’s groups accommodate up to 50 people, which some travelers love, as it allows them to meet more people. If you prefer a smaller, more intimate travel experience, Contiki offers Small Group tours with tours averaging 12 to 24 people.

Volunteering

Contiki’s Volunteering tours allow travelers to give back to the countries and communities they’re exploring. Volunteer tours combine exploration with a service element, such as participating in sustainable development projects.

Other Tour Types

Contiki has a variety of other tour types:

• Backpacking
• Christmas Tours
• Group Travel
• Guided Tours
• Hiking and Trekking
• New Year’s Eve Tours
• Sightseeing
• Solo Travel
• Winter Holidays
• World Tours

Contiki provides over 350 tours to 75 destinations within these countries, continents, and regions:

• Latin America
• Middle East
• New Zealand
• U.S. and Canada

Contiki Top Tours

Contiki offers itineraries of up to 22 days to explore this vast country. Many cover the popular east coast from Sydney to Cairns, while others venture into the remote outback to watch the sunset at Uluru. Sail around the Whitsundays, learn to surf at Byron Bay, or see where the rainforest meets the reef at Cape Tribulation.

• Includes transport, accommodation, breakfast, and some activities

Hot Tip:  As flights are not included in the tour price, you might be interested in the best ways to fly to Australia with points and miles . 

Contiki is well-known for its European bus tours, but some destinations utilize transportation by train or boat for coastal areas. It’s usually unnecessary to fly between destinations as combination tours like European Discovery typically cover neighboring countries. Let’s take a look at a sample of what’s available.

Contiki Croatia

You can discover Croatia as a standalone tour or as part of a combination Balkans or European tour. With one of the longest coastlines in the Mediterranean, it’s the perfect sailing destination, stopping at the historic coastal cities of Dubrovnik and Split and the beautiful islands of Korčula and Hvar.

• Includes transport, accommodation, some meals, and activities

Contiki Greece

You can island-hop your way around Greece or visit as part of a wider European tour. With most tours starting in Athens, you can explore the iconic Acropolis and Olympic Stadium before sailing between the likes of Mykonos, Santorini, and Ios.

Contiki Italy

Contiki runs a wide variety of trips to Italy, ranging from week-long tours visiting some of its most iconic cities and coastlines to 45-day European tours. From exploring Roman ruins and floating cities to sampling fresh pasta or delicious wine at a 16th-century Tuscan winery, you’ll most definitely be living la dolce vita .

Japan is an enchanting county of contrasts, from bustling cities to ornate temples and magnificent mountains to war memorials. With the high-speed bullet train, it’s pretty easy to get around to Kyoto and Hiroshima, and some tours include a trip into the mountains for skiing or snowboarding.

Hot Tip:  If you’re planning to visit Japan in Spring, take a look at our ultimate guide to the cherry blossom festivals .

Explore the North Island, South Island, or both with a Contiki New Zealand tour. Cruise across the Bay of Islands, go white water rafting down Kaituna River, or spend a night on the town in Wellington. Contiki tours range from 6 to 19 days.

• Includes transport, accommodation, some meal, and activities

Hot Tip:  If you’re flying from the U.S. to New Zealand, find out which U.S. airports Air New Zealand flies direct from .

Embark on the ultimate Thailand adventure and tour the northern jungles of Chang Mai and the exotic coastlines and islands of the south. If you’re looking to visit more than 1 country, some tours combine Thailand with neighboring Cambodia or Malaysia.

If you’re looking for a tour closer to home, Contiki offers trips throughout the U.S. and Canada. These range from 2-night city breaks exploring Los Angeles , Orlando, or New York, or trips up to 26 days covering most of the eastern and southern states.

Hot Tip:  If you decide that a group tour isn’t for you, check out the best road trips in the U.S.  that might inspire you for your next vacation.

My Contiki is a platform for you to manage your profile and bookings and view trip itineraries, including the details for your Trip Manager (the person responsible for running the trip day-to-day). If you want to chat beforehand with people that will be on your tour, you can do this in the Meet Up area and you can also access any social media groups that the Trip Manager or your fellow travelers might set up.

Contiki is a well-reviewed tour company with the following overall ratings:

• Feefo : 4.6 out of 5
• Contiki.com : 4.6 out of 5
• TourRadar : 4.7 out of 5

These are some recent reviews from some of Contiki’s top tours. It’s clear to see that the Trip Managers contribute hugely to the enjoyment of the tours. The majority of the negative reviews for Contiki center around the lively nature of the tours and a focus on drinking culture. While this may suit some young travelers, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

Australian Outback Adventure “The trip itself was incredible, we had so many activities, most of them you had to pay for but it was defiantly money well spent, it was worth it!! There was a lot of travelling involved but it was all an amazing adventure, and we got to get to know everyone much better.” — Emma Mccaw

Croatia Island Sail “Dani was incredible, made it such a fun experience. She was so knowledgeable with history and local tips. Gave us plenty of down time and got the party started at the right times. It was a great week and would definitely recommend to friends” — Harriet Gilmour

Japan Winter Wonder “The trip manager was absolutely brilliant. We visited amazing places and our accommodation was very good. We were well looked after and our trip manager always made sure we were enjoying ourselves. There was so much to do everywhere we went and there just weren’t enough hours in the day to do them all but we always saw the highlights in every city.” — Anonymous

New Zealand The Big Tiki “Honestly can say one of the best trips I have been on! Amazingly well organised and the included activities were very good. A big thanks to Dan and Pat for organising it all so well and going above and beyond to make sure we made it to our activities!! The accommodation was very very good and I thought the itinerary covered everything key.” — Anonymous

Spotlight on Greece “The trip manager was really cool and took us to amazing local spots! The activities went from nature to museums to wine and dining! It was all a blast and I highly recommend for anyone who has only a week to get away! The locals are all so friendly and the food is amazing! Beautiful hotels and easy transportation included! A must see!!” — Melanie Button

Thai Island Hopper East “Everything was great. Especially for the price of the trip. Trip manager was amazing and everything was set out for us. Best experiences with not a worry in the world.” — Alexander Brighton

United States Grand Southern “Trip is well thought out stopping at great spots around the U.S. The extra add ons were fantastic, a large variety of what you normally get on organised tours. The trip manager Hayley Jo was beyond amazing, she went above and beyond to make sure anything was possible on the trip! Would highly recommend the Hot air balloon and snowmobiles, was such a great day!” — Emma Walker

Topdeck is another popular tour company covering many of the same destinations as Contiki , with both companies extremely popular for European bus tours. Both appeal to the same target market, however, Contiki does have a firm age limit of 35, and Topdeck caters to “18-30 somethings.” The travel style is very similar across both operators with socializing at the core, and both offer small group tour alternatives for those looking for a less party vibe.

When it comes to cost, Topdeck comes in cheaper than Contiki on the overall tour price, but this is often because there are more entrance fees and excursions included with Contiki. Topdeck provides a lot more free time, so any activities would be additional.

Contiki is an extremely popular tour company for young people, but large group tours are not going to suit everyone’s travel styles. Contiki tours are known for their lively, party atmosphere, which many travelers love. It’s as much about meeting new people and socializing as it is about exploring a new destination for them.

Many travelers make lifelong friends within their tour group, and the company states that many people have even found love on a Contiki tour. Contiki recognizes that not everyone wants to travel in a large group and has created some tour categories that have a more in-depth focus on the destination or for traveling in smaller groups.

As with other group tour operators such as G Adventures and Intrepid Travel , Contiki is committed to sustainable travel by supporting local communities, ethical animal experiences, and planting 1 tree for every traveler that uses e-documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go on contiki if you are over 35.

Contiki has a maximum age limit of 35 for all of its tours, so if you are over 35 you would not be permitted, unfortunately.

Should I go on a Contiki tour alone?

Whether you’re an experienced traveler or are embarking on your first solo trip, Contiki tours are perfect for single travelers. You’ll experience the excitement of independent travel while having the logistical side of things taken care of. Rather than having to approach a new friend in a hostel bar, you’ll get to know your fellow travelers in a less daunting environment.

Tour prices are based on you sharing with a fellow traveler of the same gender, but you can also upgrade to a private room for a fee.

Are Contiki tours safe?

Contiki is committed to providing a safe environment for all travelers, and Trip Managers are there to support travelers with advice and recommendations on safety. Although most traveler’s experiences are problem-free, there is always a small element of risk when exploring an unknown destination.

Are Contiki tours good for couples?

If you’re a sociable couple happy to be around the company of others, you’ll likely enjoy a Contiki tour. If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic trip with lots of alone time, it probably won’t suit you.

Do Contiki trips include flights?

Entry and exit flights from the meeting point are not included in the tour price. Any flights that form part of the itinerary are included in the price (unless otherwise stated) and these are often used in Asia and South America where it’s necessary to cover large distances in a short space of time.

Is Contiki a party tour?

Contiki tours do have a reputation for being party tours, featuring a reasonable amount of free time to explore the local nightlife. Although the atmosphere can be quite lively and social, it’s up to the individual whether they decide to partake.

Was this page helpful?

About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Contiki’s New Trip Payment Plan Lets You Travel To Europe For As Little As $50/Month

As the weather gets nicer and the urge to be outside overtakes even the urge to binge watch Netflix on the couch, it's normal to start feeling the travel itch. You know, that feeling of wanderlust where you just want to go somewhere, anywhere, far away from home . You want to explore a new place, try new foods, meet new people, and just get out of your comfort zone a bit on an epic vacation. Unfortunately, planning that epic vacation isn't as easy as imagining it: trips like these are expensive, and paying for one can seem daunting, whether you're putting it on a credit card or paying upfront. That's exactly why Contiki's new trip payment plan , which allows you to pay for any Contiki trip on a monthly basis, such a great idea.

The new payment plan is powered by Uplift , a travel financing site that partners with different brands like Kayak and American Airlines Vacations. Now with their partnership with Contiki, travelers can access even more parts of the world affordably and easily. The way it works is simple: you pick which Contiki trip you want to go on, and then you'll get an option to finance the trip. The price per month ranges from about $220 per month to as low as $30 per month, so what you pay each month really depends on which trip you choose.

Once you settle on a trip and check out the price, you'll be asked to put in all of your information. Just a heads up: depending on your line of credit, the price could increase from what it says on the trip page, so you could be quoted a higher price if your credit score is low. You have 12 months to pay off the trip, and the first payment is due when you book it.

Say the trip you choose requires you to pay $100 each month: you'll pay $100 up front, and then you have nearly a year to pay off the rest of the trip. Paying small installments monthly makes a $2,000 trip seem a lot easier to afford than paying that $2,000 up front, or adding it to a credit card where it just continues to gain interest and cost more. Uplift also allows you to take the trip even if you haven't paid it off yet. And they make things easy by sending payment reminders and taking the money out automatically so that it won't slip your mind. Yes, you're still paying the same amount as everyone else, but you're doing it in a way that makes your life a little easier.

The other great thing about this payment plan is that it's an option for any of their trips - and there are a ton. Contiki puts together so many amazing global trips to look through, whether you want to explore different countries or just stick to one. For example, you could take a 13-day European Discovery trip that allows you to visit cities in London, Amsterdam, Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. It costs as low as $223 per month.

For as low as $68 per month, you could try the Thai Island Hopper East , which gives you nine days on some of Thailand's most gorgeous and picturesque islands. You could even pick a six day Zanzibar Beach Escape for $49 per month. The options range from long trips throughout various countries all over the world to shorter trips in one spot - and you can even pick a trip to explore the United States. There's a 55-day Epic Adventure through America that lets you see all the sights you could image for $818 per month!

What makes this better than a trip you plan yourself? Contiki is a travel service that essentially makes vacations easier and less stressful for you. For these prices, you don't only get a chance to explore - you get add-ons like a Trip Manager as a guide, transportation, most of your meals, and unique excursions to make the most of your travels. You'll also probably bond and make new friends with the other people there, which is always a plus. It's basically a great way to make your Instagram vacation drams a reality — something we can all get on board with.

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Contiki Tour Review: Is Contiki Cheaper Than Solo Backpacking?

I’m a solo backpacker at heart. It’s the type of travel I enjoy the most and find the most rewarding.

But that doesn’t mean I also don’t enjoy traveling with others, visiting touristy destinations , or even going on tours .

Personally, I don’t care if you’re a solo backpacker or someone who prefers tours. All travelers are created equal .

But that doesn’t mean all budgets are going to be equal.

So when Contiki tours put up a message on Facebook that “you can literally save hundreds of dollars going with Contiki overdoing it on your own” and that backpacking was “so 1997.”

My jaw dropped. Tours being cheaper than solo backpacking? Dream on.

I tweeted how that wasn’t right since independent budget travel is always cheaper.

Contiki tweeted back saying otherwise.

Whether or not you believe backpacking is “so 1997,” (it’s not) it doesn’t change the fact that Contiki is NOT cheaper than independent travel, and I found it completely disingenuous they even tried to make that point (twice!). The Contiki tweeter pointed out that they get group rates, and can, therefore, get better deals.

I don’t think so.

I’ve been on tours before. I like tours. They have their moments and can be especially good for first-time travelers who want to go places but are scared to do it by themselves.

But even the best companies are never cheaper than solo travel. This is because these companies have to pay for guides, buses, insurance, and administrative costs.

And you, the solo traveler, don’t!

Contiki Tour Cost Breakdown

One of their budget European tours in 2019 is their “European Discovery Tour.” This tour is 12 days long and costs $1,656 USD. The tour includes 16 meals (5 dinners and 11 breakfasts), 21 activities (and 12 optional activities at an additional cost), and 11 nights accommodation in shared hotel rooms with 1-2 other people.

This tour breaks down to cost $138 USD per day. Though looking at the itinerary, you can see that both the first and last days are spent almost entirely in transit. So you really only get 10 days of travel, making the daily breakdown more like $165 USD per day.

Now, let’s assume you spend $9 USD per meal for all the other meals you have to pay (which you won’t because that’s eating only sandwiches and who wants to do that in Europe?). That adds another $180 USD onto your trip.

Moreover, there are also a dozen additional activities to do that will all have an added cost. Most people spend about $30 USD per day on attraction entrance fees (that’s an extra $360 USD). Additionally, the average cost of a round-trip flight to Europe is around $600 USD.

Adding the numbers up, the total cost of this trip is now around $2,800 USD — and that’s without counting alcohol or anything more than a budget meal.

So for 10 days you are really spending $280 USD per day, not $138 USD.

Contrast this with doing it on your own. For ten days of travel, you get numbers that look like this: Flight – $600 USD Meals – $300 USD ($30 USD for 10 days) Sightseeing – $300 USD ($30 USD per day) Transportation – $250 USD (local train travel) Accommodation – $350 USD (4-bed dorm, shared bath at $35 USD per night) TOTAL – $1,800 USD ($180 USD per day)

Note : For accommodation, I used Amsterdam prices. This tour goes to many places, but Amsterdam is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, thereby making sure I am not accused of trying to “lowball” estimates for literary effect. If you traveled in Eastern Europe, you could likely cut a lot of these expenses in half.

That is a $1,000 USD difference , not including the fact that many hostels include breakfast (lowering cost), you can Couchsurf (lowering cost), find free activities (lowering your costs) or make your own meals (lowering cost). In fact, you can get by in Europe for about half that if you’re a smart traveler!

Even if backpacking is “so 1997,” you clearly can’t save hundreds of dollars by going on Contiki.

What do you get for your costs?

Tours from Contiki tend to be filled with parties, young people, and alcohol. Most of the travelers on these tours have just a few weeks in Europe and are there to have fun before going back to work. Friends of mine have gone on Contiki, and they all come back with the same story: it was fun, they met a lot of people, and they partied hard.

I generally avoid tours because I don’t like spending one day here and one day there. And Contiki is that type of tour company.

Now, I’m not here to blast Contiki. Contiki travel works for many people, and they have a clearly defined audience (of which I am not a part of). Many of my friends have taken Contiki tours and LOVED them. They’ve loved them so much they’ve taken multiple. I’m not even blasting tour groups. I think you can get a lot of value from taking a tour.

If that is what you want, I say go for it! Drink away!

However, I simply found it disingenuous of them to state they are cheaper than doing it on your own. Because they aren’t. In fact, no tour company is. They all have administrative costs to cover that you don’t.

Contiki will not be cheap. It will be much more expensive than if you did it on your own. (And, in Europe, you’d meet a lot of people doing it on your own. You’d stay in some awesome hostels, make friends, and save money. Go solo. Tours in Europe are dumb. You don’t need them.)

If you do take a tour…

I’ve been on a handful of their tours over the years and they are my favorite multi-day tour operator. What’s good about travel companies is that they take the planning out of travel for you while giving you an environment as structured as you want. As a solo traveler, sometimes it’s nice to just relax and let someone else worry about the logistics.

There are many good tour companies out there. Every company, including Contiki, has a certain audience and is right for certain types of travelers.

But don’t buy into the sales pitch that your Contiki tour will be cheaper.  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.  

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

Related Posts

Get my best stuff sent straight to you!

Pin it on pinterest.

Book 10-day Travel Schedule with Contiki Review: Let's Befriend with Strangers!

Solo traveling may be dangerous since you do not yet know your destination’s culture. But say no more because this Contiki review will save your life with a 10-day traveling schedule with strangers. Not only can you spend holidays effectively, but also you can make new acquaintances. So, if you’re interested, let’s get to the article! 

This article has been written and updated by L. Ramadhani, last updated 1yr ago. If you like to read Contiki Review , we must tell you that other 37 readers also love to read more Tour & Travel Reviews .

This article has been read more than 37x, It is likely that the readership will continue to increase in May.

Table of Contents

Contiki tours reviews, why contiki tours, what's on contiki tours, contiki ultimate european reviews, contiki ultimate australia reviews, contiki pricing, contiki careers, how does contiki work, contiki pros and cons, is contiki worth it, is contiki legit, contiki customer reviews, how to contact contiki, where to access contiki, is contiki just about partying, can you go on contiki if you are over 35, how does a contiki mean.

Solo traveling is fun but scary because you do not have a friend to depend on. However, thanks to Contiki tours and travels, you can overcome this problem by traveling with strangers. 

This company was founded in 1962 by John Anderson . You might have a question concerning what does the word Contiki means since it is unique. Con stands for the continent, and Tiki is a New Zealand Maori word meaning charm luck. 

As the name implies, the company wants all clients to travel together and befriend new acquaintances. You can go to wherever the destination is and learn about the region’s culture. 

Due to its 50 years of experience, this company features COSMOPOLITAN, Mashable, BuzzFeed, and Lonely Planet . Its reputation is heard by many people, which results in more than 302K followers on Instagram and 820K on Facebook. 

So if you want to know more about this brand, continue reading this Contiki review . But then, let’s go on to the next section! 

Don’t you wonder about the brand’s strength? Or what factors can influence you in booking a schedule? I’ll tell you what they are in the highlights below. 

Here they are. 

Contiki Highlights

• Travel company with more than 50 years of experience
• Touring to all continents worldwide
• Reasonable price for 10 to 49 days of traveling
• Only $200 to book with no booking fee
• 18 to 35 years old age limitation 
• Social travel with strangers for more experience
• Pride or LGBT friendly 
• Guided by trained and skillful Trip Manager 
• Features Driver Team and Local Guides 
• 24/7 toll-free customer service 

Traveling destinations from this company are too much to explore. However, the options are excellent, which allows you to choose wherever you want to visit. What are they? 

The tours are divided into six continents, and here they are. 

• Europe has 126 trips, including Austria, England, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, etc.
• Asia includes 22 tips, such as Japan, Malaysia, India, China, Vietnam, etc. 
• Latin America offers 23 trips, including Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, etc. 
• Africa & the Middle East contains 22 trips, including Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, etc. 
• Australia & New Zealand has 13 trips, including Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington, etc. 
• USA & Canada contains 23 trips. 

However, this Contiki review will only concentrate on two best-selling destinations, are:

• Ultimate European
• Ultimate Australia

Without further ado, let’s begin our exploration of the Europe tours! 

Are you captivated by the beautiful European scenery? Then, Ultimate European is the best option to spend 45 days in 16 countries , including Egypt. 

This traveling schedule commonly contains 49 people with assistance from an expert Trip Manager, Driver Team, and Local Guide . Additionally, you will visit famous recreation places every day. 

For example, Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Pyramids in Egypt. You’ll stay 19 nights in hotels, 19 nights in hostels, four nights in a particular place, one overnight on Ferry, and one overnight on the train. 

Not only can you stay in excellent places, but also you’ll get delicious meals. This package includes 44 breakfasts, one picnic lunch, and 13 dinners.

So prepare the budget if you want to walk in exotic European countries from Rome to Athens, Budapest to Prague, and even Amsterdam. The initial price is $8,935 , but you’ll get discounts of as much as $7,246 if you click the link now! 

Ultimate Australia is a 25-day traveling schedule that goes only to one country. But please do not underestimate this package because you can visit incredible landscapes and activities. 

Commonly, this schedule features 30 people with a professional Trip Manager and Local Guides . You’ll spend 14 nights in hostels, five nights in hotels, three nights in lodges, and two nights in an eco-camp. 

The schedule begins in Sydney and to Byron Bay and the Whitsunday . Furthermore, you can swim in Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, Kakadu National Park, and even the gorgeous Uluru . 

Then, you can have breakfast with a cutie Koala by preparing a budget for around $5,565 . If you click the link below, you can have it for only $5,096. Then, let’s book a schedule! 

Before booking your preferred destination, I’ll tell you that this company puts up prices in USD currency. So whether you’re going to the UK or tours Europe, all prices are in USD. 

So what about the affordable rate? Luckily, it offers a reasonable price, with the lowest one being $187 pp for Mini Ski Austria. Meanwhile, the highest is $12,845 pp, The Big Original, for a 60-day adventure traveling across 19 countries and 33 cities.  

You may also receive a $50 discount if you sign up on the official website. Therefore, are you ready to go on holiday with a new acquaintance? 

Do you have a great interest in becoming a guide? Luckily, this company opens recruitment for people passionate about a Trip Manager position. 

One thing you need to remember to apply for this position is to own a valid work visa or residency. If you are eligible, the team will hold a video platform interview.

Once you get the position, you’ll have scheduled training before the traveling schedule begins. So please visit the link below and prepare your best cover letter and resume to get the jobs! 

Do you have an eye on your chosen destination and want to book a schedule? Then, read the following steps to avoid mistakes during the process. 

• First things first, visit the official website on your mobile or PC.
• Create an account or log in immediately. 
• Then, seek your preferred destination. 
• Select the date you’ll spend the holiday from the year, month, and date.
• Complete the payment and wait until it is verified. 
• After that, your schedule is written down by the management. 
• That’s it! 

Remember that the available date may be fully occupied due to the high season. Therefore, please make a reservation for at least two to three months before your preferred date. 

In this section of the Contiki review , I will write down the pros and cons of this tour company. Then, here is the list. 

Contiki Pros

• Company for a solo traveler who wants to have safe traveling
• Wide variety of tours and travels within five continents 
• Offers cost-effective tours for personal or couple 
• Social travel for 18 to 35 years old  
• Privilege to befriend strangers 
• Scheduled commonly 10-day period or more
• Fun Trip Manager, steady Driver Team, and helpful Local Guide 
• Has many good feedbacks from clients 

Contiki Cons

• No information concerning the founder on the official website 
• People aged less than 18 y.o and more than 35 y.o is not eligible for the travel
• It may not be suitable for introverts who are awkward with new people
• Visitation will be limited and doesn’t allow you to spend longer in one place

Traveling with strangers by Contiki is worth trying out , especially for anyone who gets scared due to solo traveling. I can say that because you’ll get many beneficial experiences from booking a schedule here. 

For example, you may visit your wishlist destination, eat delicious cuisine, and refresh your mind. Not to mention you’ll make new friends and learn about new cultures. Therefore, prepare for only $200 to book your preferred destination!

Booking a schedule on an online service may be worrying. But, no need to worry because you can trust this legit Contiki company. 

It is legitimate because of the secure SSL website with complete information concerning the tour. Furthermore, you can contact the call center directly with toll-free privilege if you need assistance. 

Clients can also reschedule the date whenever they face a problem and fulfill the payment 45 days before the schedule begins. Thus, you won’t get scammed for booking a traveling program from this place.  

What Do Customers Think?

Now I know you must be curious about the customer satisfaction rate. So then, read this section of the Contiki review to discover the answer! 

Here are the two ratings of the abovementioned packages:

• Ultimate European receives a 4.8/5 rating from 134 reviews
• Ultimate Australia obtains a 4.8/5 rating from 36 reviews

Below is what a customer said: 

I booked my Contiki trip through a travel agent and was simple. Received all the information I needed about the trip early and before I left the country.

This customer stated that Contiki company provides easy booking. Moreover, he received the information thoroughly before the trip to prepare for the schedule. 

Another one said: 

With every activity that I did and I’ve seen during my time in Australia, I felt that I received way more than I have paid for and more than I expected, in a good way.

This customer finds traveling worth it because he can do many activities and see good scenery. In addition, the money he pays for the package is precious to his life.

Thus, Contiki prepares excellent features for all clients from the destination, activity, accommodation, etc. As a result, many clients are satisfied with the service and find the company a life changer.  

Do you have more questions concerning the terms and conditions? If you do, don’t hesitate to contact customer service at the following methods. 

• Free toll Phone Number: 1 (866) 266 8454
• Whatsapp: +1 310 906 2321
• Facebook Messanger: Contiki 

The toll-free call center is available 24/7. However, if you need a fast response, the website’s live chat and blank form Contact Us is another alternative. So, let’s get in touch with the team now! 

Clients can book their preferred schedule through the official website . Moreover, it is the only place to check the available schedule on the destination. 

Before booking your desired holiday, you can also learn about the terms and conditions. Therefore, everything is well-prepared, and clients can go to their destination cheerfully! 

Dig deeper on Contiki

This tour company knows you want full assistance. So, here are the most frequently asked questions concerning it. 

No, you will travel with fun and spend time with strangers. Also, you may learn about the history and culture concerning your destination. 

Unfortunately, no. Since this company tends to give memorable memories for youngsters, it only lets people up to 35 years old join the schedule. 

Con stands for Continent, and Tiki is a word from New Zealand Maori language that means luck. 

Befriend strangers and traveling together is a new and fun experience. You can play and learn about new cultures by spending days to nights. 

Booking a package from Contiki is easy. Furthermore, clients can book the schedule for only $200. Hence, prepare the package and start traveling now! 

Related Articles

iVisa.com Review

Natural Retreats Review

Tours4Fun Review

Backpacker Deals Review

Millennium Hotels and Resorts Review

Flymedi Review

Give your opinion.

Your ratings and reviews are greatly helpful for other readers in knowing more about ' Contiki Review '.

Contiki Holidays

Review Highlights

“ I'm in my late twenties, make enough to save a bit to spend on traveling , so I've traveled quite a bit in the past few years. ” in 2 reviews

“ I am writing this review almost ten years after my Contiki tour , can you believe it? ” in 11 reviews

“ If you are between 18 and 35, are on a budget , and want to explore Europe or Australia, this should be the first place you contact. ” in 5 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

801 E Katella Ave

Anaheim, CA 92805

You Might Also Consider

Ambassador Passport And Visa Services

Need a US Passport or Travel Visa Expedited? We can rush your passport or visa in as little as few days. We are registered and delegated by the government and embassies to assist travelers in obtaining their passport or visa on time… read more

in Passport & Visa Services

SNA Auto Rental

Ron N. said "I'd like to say that I did my homework and smartly found this great rental place, but the fact is, the hotel desk clerk recommended them. I have never written a review for a car rental company, but Fernando and his team gave the…" read more

in Car Rental

About the Business

Contiki Vacations is the world's leading travel company for 18-35s, with over 200 itineraries to 50 countries around the world. This Yelp page is specifically for customers located in the United States. …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about Contiki Holidays .

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

Soooooo sad that I still have not gotten my refund back. They dont reply to emails. please don't trust contiki.

Booked a trip before Covid, got canceled 3 times. Finally asked for a refund. At first was told no, then I HAD to explain to them that their terms, when I booked the trip, would have allowed for a full return. What a great, ethical company!! Then after being allowed a lawful refund, they didn't make any moves on it for MONTHS. Until, once again I HAD TO SAY SOMETHING. Finally got a part of my return back. Got 369 dollars when I am being owed 1,396 USD. They just keep trying to cheat me and hope I don't notice anything. Listen, I ended up traveling 8 months by myself in South America and not only did I save much more money but it was done on my own terms. I suggest everyone take the plunge and go without a tour. Especially one that you aren't guaranteed anything great with :)

Business owner information

May-Grace N.

Business Employee

Mar 29, 2022

We sincerely regret to read about your experience during the Covid-19 pandemic, and we certainly appreciate the frustration that may have been felt as your trip ended up having to be suspended more than once. On top of this, whilst we offer our travellers a few different options when it comes to suspended trips, we do understand that you were looking for reimbursement. With that said, we have shared your particular experience with our Reservations Department for their attention and consideration going forward, to ascertain how we can better meet each individual traveller's needs. Nevertheless, we are still pleased to note that you were able to explore South America recently, and we hope that you have returned home with many sustaining memories.

Contiki is only offering me a voucher for my "suspended" trip. A suspension is a change. I am requesting a refund. From 3.4 of Europe 2020 terms and conditions: "3.4 If the change or cancelation is due to force majeure (i.e. circumstances like political unrest, war or threat of war, riots, civil strife, closure of airports or ports, industrial disputes, terrorist activity, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, epidemic health risk, Acts of God, adverse weather conditions or other similar events beyond Contiki's control) we will give a full refund of any monies paid to us less reasonable expenses incurred by us in respect to your booking."

Apr 22, 2020

Thanks for sharing your feedback here Olivia, we do appreciate hearing from our travellers. The outbreak of COVID-19, across the globe has presented all of us with a time of challenge and uncertainty, and our hearts and thoughts go out to all who have been impacted by this unprecedented event. With this in mind, we certainly understand the disappointment that you may be feeling as your Contiki trip had to be suspended on this rare occasion. Please know that we are here to listen should you have any queries or concerns with regards to your recent trip or your Future Travel Credit, we are available to you at [email protected]. Whilst uncertainty lies in the days ahead as we navigate this unfamiliar territory, what is certain is that our love of travel remains strong. We wish you well and look forward to welcoming you back when the time is right, to once again explore the world with us.

DO NOT TRAVEL WITH THIS COMPANY! I booked a trip with Contiki for May 2020. Due to COVID-19, the trip was cancelled. I contacted Contiki and was told I could receive a refund. After a couple of weeks, I called Contiki back to check on the status of the refund and they stated I would only be able to receive credits because their policy changed. I rebooked the trip for October 2020 and the trip has been cancelled again. I'm no longer able to travel and Contiki will not give me a refund. Now, I am $2,200 out of pocket. This company cares more about the company than the personal lives of their customers. They are liars and have no compassion. I WILL NEVER USE THIS TRAVEL COMPANY AGAIN. I'm currently working the with the Better Business Bureau regarding this complaint and I'm also in the process of hiring a lawyer.

Jul 24, 2020

Thank you for sharing your concerns here with us Diamond. We certainly understand your disappointment in both suspensions of your trip with Contiki, as this was not something you, or we, were expecting to face. Furthermore, we do genuinely regret that you may not have been happy with our Guest Relations Department's offer of a Future Travel Credit, however this does follow our current Global Operations policy regarding the current pandemic we are all facing. With this mind, we very much hope to have the chance to travel with you again within the coming years, once travel has become safe for everyone again.

After months and months and months of trying, I got my money back after getting my lawyer involved. This company is a disgrace and should be ashamed. Plan your trips another way.

Jun 4, 2020

Michelle, we genuinely regret to read about your experience, especially during these difficult and uncertain times that we are all facing. If you would like to discuss your concerns in further detail with us, please write to [email protected] and someone from our Guest Relations Department will be happy to investigate your particular case. In the meantime, stay safe.

Contiki devilishly, unethically changed their policy in the middle of a pandemic in order to keep people's money for cancelled trips. My inquiry was escalated and escalated and these THIEVES refused to budge. How dare you, Contiki.

I had an amazing first trip with them pre-COVID. I was so excited to take another trip with them, that I did so as soon as vaccines were being issued. Unfortunately, they decided to "postpone" the trip and instead of issuing a refund, they gave me future credit. At this point, I don't think I will ever take another trip with them.

Apr 26, 2021

We're really pleased to hear that you enjoyed your first trip with Contiki, and that you were looking forward to travelling with us again. Therefore, it is with regret that we have had to postpone your upcoming trip. More than anything, we would love to give you and all of our loyal guests the wonderful experiences that we are known for providing. However, sadly we are unable to operate all of our trips at this time. That said, we are really hoping that they will be up and running very soon, given the speed of the vaccine programs currently happening globally. Nevertheless, if you do wish to reach out to us to discuss further please do so at [email protected]. Thanks!

CAREFUL OF THIS COMPANY: their moto is coronavirus is your problem not theirs. Wont give refunds in any way even if you age out of the program before you can use the travel credit (the only thing the will give you) they just give your credit to a 'sister company'. One rep literally recommended i try to sell me credit on craigslist what a joke.

Oct 27, 2020

Carly, we're sorry to hear that you were not able to travel with Contiki this year due to the global outbreak. On top of this, we do regret that you may not have been satisfied by any of the resolutions offered by our team, especially as we are genuinely trying to provide our travellers with as much freedom of choice for future travel as we can. With this in mind, please do reach out to our Reservations Department if you would like to go over some of the options available to you once more. In the meantime, we hope you're able to stay safe and healthy.

This is my second post as I am still receiving terrible customer service from Contiki as they keep refusing to give me a refund. The managers are repeatedly telling me I can only have a credit. I have gotten a lawyer and am pursuing legal actions as it seems this is the only way Contiki will take me seriously. It's very sad I have to take the legal route as I didn't want to, but Contiki has not tried to help their customers at all.

Hi Krista. We're concerned to read about your situation and would like to help if we can. As such, can we ask again that you please write in to us directly at [email protected]. Once we've received your email we'll be able to investigate your particular case and get back to you as promptly as we can.

DONT USE THIS COMPANY I was not happy with the customer service I received from Contiki. The customer service manager Kim, was very rude to me and instantly corrected me with a condescending tone after the first thing I said. They are refusing to give me a refund, and have told me that they are allowed to change their cancellation policy without letting me know before I booked the trip. I am very upset as I am unable to use my travel credit, and can't afford to lose $3000. I understand coronavirus is an uncertain time for companies but for travellers, like myself, I can't afford to lose $3000.

Approaching the end of my sophomore year of college, I decided that I wanted to travel. I found out about Contiki through a friend and via YouTube videos so I decided to book with them for the month of May when my semester finished. I booked my trip months in advanced and was told to wait until September to purchase plane tickets. September came around and I purchased my $800 plane tickets. Here I am so excited to travel to Europe for the first time. Then, my trip got cancelled. The cancellation happened in January and I thought "oh, I'll just get refunds and go next year." Foolish me. My plane tickets were non-refundable and non-transferable. I emailed Contiki to ask for help and I never got a response from them. I'm angry, upset and resentful now that it's May, when my trip was supposed to be, and I'm not in Europe. I was robbed of $800 due to Contiki not staying true to the safe purchase date in September. Needless to say, I won't be booking my first trip to Europe with Contiki, nor will I ever be booking any trip with Contiki. Worst travel company ever.

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!! I booked the European Discovery Tour this past October and upon arriving in London (the start location of the tour) I got seriously ill with the stomach flu. The way my trip manager, Adam Saragozza, handled this situation was unprofessional and just plain wrong. After already having attended the kickstart meeting the day before the tour left I asked Adam for a phone number to contact him in case of an emergency. He refused to give me any way of contacting him. I had to cancel my tour the morning that the tour was departing because I was so sick. Since I had no way of contacting him, I had to call one of the other girls on the trip (thank God I got her number) to let Adam know when they meet at the bus (which was meeting at the other contiki hotel, not the one I was staying at) that I couldn't make the tour and to have him give me a call. He not only refused to call me to check on my wellbeing or help me with the next steps of getting home, but my tour mate even offered to call me on her phone so he could talk to me through her and he still refused! I was left stranded in London with no resources (the contiki basement wasn't open for several more hours and I had no one to call back home because nothing was open due to the time difference) or any help from anyone from Contiki, especially my trip manager. I was so sick I had to ask guest services at my hotel for a doctor to come and see me in my room, again without any help from Contiki. Being stuck in a foreign country alone, (this was my first solo trip) while being sick is the worst possible thing to experience and Contiki made it 10x worse! I was told when I booked the tour that the Trip Manager is like the mom of the group and is supposed to keep everyone safe but clearly this is not true. I ended up having to stay another night in London before I could go home because I had no where to go. Even after contacting my travel agent to help me book a flight a home, she told me Contiki promised they would call me to check on my wellbeing but they never did. I have filed a complaint with the company about my trip manager, Adam, over a month ago and they have yet to respond. Long story short, don't use this company they have no concern for your wellbeing and could care less if they leave you stranded in a foreign country.

Business Customer Service

Dec 5, 2018

Hi Hannah, So sorry to hear that your trip did not happen the way you dreamed it would of. We understand the importance of Trip Managers in ensuring a memorable trip and we are bummed to hear of the impressions left by your Trip Manager. We contacted our support team to follow up for you and someone should be reaching out to you shortly. Thank you, Maggie

17 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Five Star Limousine of LA

Will F. said "Spoke to Mike the night before I needed a pick up from my residence to the airport and he set it up right then and there on the phone. He later sent me a confirmation via email and the following morning the driver was 5 minutes…" read more

The UPS Store

Anthony B. said "I've never rated a store like this before, but given the unusual and amazing service received the past few months (through the crazy Christmas rush!), I felt like I needed to pass along my positive experience and say thank you. If…" read more

in Printing Services, Passport & Visa Services, Notaries

People Also Viewed

Great Destinations

Travel Landing USA

Peony Tours

Bluewater Travel

Vacationclub4u

Trafalgar Tours

Trip Designs

Sunrise Travel

Best of Anaheim

Things to do in Anaheim

Other Travel Services Nearby

Find more Travel Services near Contiki Holidays

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Agencias De Viajes

Tour Agencies Near Me

People found Contiki Holidays by searching for…

7 Season Travel Agent Anaheim

Trailer Hostels Anaheim

Vietnam Passport Anaheim

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

DESTINATIONS

TRAVEL STYLES

ABOUT CONTIKI

GET INSPIRED

Future travel credit

Use your Future Travel Credit (FTC)

No Pressure

There is no immediate pressure to make a decision. You can dream and plan and your credits will be ready when you are.

Unlimited Changes

Change your trip more than once - 'cause we all know life is unpredictable.

Valid until 2022

Use your FTC on any trip anytime up to December 2022.

Can’t travel?

You can transfer your FTC to a friend or family member and give the ultimate gift of travel.

FTC Benefits

Start dreaming.

USA & Canada

Latin America

New Zealand

Africa & Middle East

See all trips

SEE ALL TRIPS

MEET THE FAMILY

About Contiki

six-two: Our Travel Magazine

Personal Security

Code of Conduct

Travel Destinations

Request a Quote

Resources Hub

Download a Brochure

Affiliate Hub

View All Trips

Brand Partnerships

Travel Updates

All trip prices are in  AUD   $

Contiki is a proud part of TTC family of brands

© Copyright 2024 Contiki. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy & Cookie Policy

Booking Conditions

Live and Work in The UK with up to $500 Contiki Credit

Ready to start travelling again the good news is - you can.

If you’ve been putting your travel plans on hold you’ll be pleased to know you no longer have to. Australians and New Zealanders aged 18-30 are able to head to the UK on a Working Holiday visa (Youth Mobility Scheme). There are LOADS of hospitality jobs available in London and across the UK in some very cool locations. Australians are eligible for a travel exemption when leaving for 3+ months/with a job offer and if you’re from New Zealander you don’t need an exemption to leave. 

At The UK Pub Co. we arrange a live-in pub job with full-time hours before you leave home. We also provide assistance with setting up a bank account, applying for a National Insurance Number (NIN) and more, so you can hit the ground running. All you have to worry about is preparing for the adventure of a lifetime. 

Thanks to our friends at Contiki, if you sign up for our program you’ll get up to $500* credit to use towards any Contiki Trip. You can find full terms and conditions for this awesome offer below. 

The only question you now need to ask yourself is what are you waiting for? As the UK continues to open up you can escape the lockdowns of Aus and NZ and even travel to Europe! 

$500* credit with Contiki

At no extra cost to you, when you confirm your pub job program you'll be given a credit of $500 to use towards any contiki trip. take a look below at some example contiki destinations that are currently on the green list for travel from the uk..

Contiki Voucher Terms and Conditions:  

TRAVEL CREDIT

$100 CONTIKI TRAVEL CREDIT (Trip value $500 to $1499) $250 CONTIKI TRAVEL CREDIT (Trip value $1500 to $2999) $500 CONTIKI TRAVEL CREDIT (Trip value $3000+)

Must be used within 12 months of arrival in the UK. Voucher to be redeemed through Letz Travel, [email protected]. Voucher will be sent to participant prior to departure to the UK. Participant must apply for UK Pub Co program via Contiki application form. 

Here's a few examples of the amazing Contiki trips on offer!

Contiki are the number one group tour specialists for young people. They offer incredible journeys all around the world. When you’re based in the UK here’s a few of the many trips you could be enjoying – meeting likeminded friends and travellers from all over the world. 

Iceland - Fire and Ice

This 6 day tour will see you marvel at erupting geysers, cascading waterfalls and get up close volcanoes and glaciers. You'll also soak in the famous Blue Lagoon, a geothermal mineral wonder.

Croatia - Island Sail

There is no better way to see Croatia than by sailing from one beautiful spot to the next. This 8 day trip will see you cruise The Dalmatian Coast & discover Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik, stopping at stunning swim spots.

European Adventurer

17 European countries, 37 days, and countless bucket list firsts. Cross borders by ferry, picnic in French vineyards, visit crumbling heritage towns in Croatia & party in Amsterdam. Not a precious second will be wasted.

Great Britain & Ireland

This 16-day tour of Britain and Ireland includes awe-inspiring attractions aplenty. You'll venture through London, York, Glasgow, Liverpool, Dublin and more. It'll be love at first London site.

What's included with The UK Pub Co.

The uk pub co. are one of a kind when it comes to working holidays. you'll have a full-time pub job and affordable accommodation sorted before you leave home. we also provide support with all aspects of moving abroad, so you have peace of mind knowing you've ticked every box before you arrive..

• A full-time, live-in UK hospitality job confirmed before you leave home
• Affordable live-in accommodation provided by your employer
• Full-time hours guaranteed (on average, 38-48 per week), with 2 days off per week to travel and explore
• Free or discounted meals provided by your pub/management
• Assistance with all pre-departure arrangements (flights, travel insurance, etc.)
• A personalised arrival guide with info, directions, and top tips to help you adjust to life in the UK
• Assistance with your UK bank account prior to departure
• Information on how to register for NHS health cover in the UK
• Ongoing support from our team
• Guidance on your UK YMS visa or UK Ancestry visa application
• UK Sim card provided prior to your arrival

Looking for more information?

At The UK Pub Co. we’re passionate about worthwhile travel. To us, there’s no better way to understand the world than by diving into the local culture. Our organisation is partnered with renowned pubs, hotels and restaurants in the UK that welcome overseas workers with open arms. 

If you’re interested in our Pub program but need some more information, contact us by filling out this form and our team will be in touch to arrange a call. 

If you’re ready to get started, click the button below and start your online application!

Contact us.

All the latest updates,, direct to your inbox.

Our sister companies:​

We’ve facilitated over 20,000 UK experiences since 1997. We are the original UK Working Holiday experts!

Email : [email protected]

Australia : +61 (0)7 3911 1403

United Kingdom: +44 7521 415593

Suite 3.13 Capri on Via Roma 15 – 21 Via Roma, Isle of Capri, QLD 4217 AUSTRALIA

© 2024 UK Travel Co Pty Ltd t/a UK Pub Co | ABN 98 630 339 829 | Suite 3.13 Capri on Via Roma 15 – 21 Via Roma, Isle of Capri, QLD 4217 AUSTRALIA | Gold Coast Web Design

• Living In Croatia
• Croatian Recipes
• Balkan Recipes

Home > Where To Stay In Moscow – Best Hotels In Moscow Included!

Where To Stay In Moscow – Best Hotels In Moscow Included!

Written by our local expert SJ

Sarah-Jane has lived in Croatia for 10+ years. SJ, as she is known, has been traveling the Balkans & beyond since 2000. She now shares her passion for traveling with her husband & kids.

Written by travel writer Ivan Tannenberg . Ivan is an independent traveler, history junkie, and techno-geek. 

In this post, I’ll try to answer the question ‘where is the best place to stay in Moscow?’ as best as I can!

Russia’s sprawling capital, one of the must-visit cities in the country , has long been known as an expensive city for hotel rates. While the situation has improved significantly over the past several years, the authorities are still adding accommodation in Moscow to suit every taste and budget .

Moscow is rapidly becoming a city that caters to a well-heeled clientele and travelers on a tight budget . After several trips to Moscow, I’ve noticed that many people tend to stay near the Kremlin. It is definitely convenient but adds up quickly. In this post, I’ll try to answer the question ‘where is the best place to stay in Moscow?’ as best as I can!

Central District

• Kitay-Gorod:  The very heart of Moscow, arguably the best area to stay in Moscow for tourists
• Basmanny: Best place to stay in Moscow with kids
• Krasnoselski:  Home to several railway stations and other transportation options
• Presnensky: This area to stay in Moscow if you’re short on cash
• Tverskoy: A central Moscow nightlife district and the best place to stay in Moscow to experience the night scene
• Zamoskvorechye:  Historic district in central Moscow, just across the Moskva River from the Kremlin

Western District

• Dorogomilovo: Nice area of Moscow to stay for Stalinist architecture and other monumental buildings

Eastern District

• Izmailovo:  Quieter area home to gorgeous historic architecture and markets

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

Best Accommodation In Basmanny District, Moscow

1. mercure hotel baumanskaya – 4 stars.

This hotel is a short walk from Baumanskaya metro station, the Epiphany Cathedral at Yelokhovo, and the Yauza River. This quiet and small hotel has free WiFi, and it didn’t feel like staying in a branded hotel (Accorhotels).

The interior is done up in a modern style, while the rooms are equipped with plentiful amenities. The hotel restaurant offers a delicious variety of international cuisine. Additionally, there is a wide variety of dining establishments in the area nearby.

The staff is friendly and fluent in English (unlike many other hotels in Moscow). All public areas in the hotel were designed to provide effective wide-spectrum air cleaning, so lung disorder sufferers are sure to breathe easily here. Complimentary bottled water in rooms is likewise provided for those staying at this hotel, which is one of the best places to stay in Moscow, Russia’s capital for couples and families.

Click here for more information and the latest prices.

2. Pokrovka 6 Hotel – 3 Stars

This small but lovely hotel occupies an attic in a building with oddly shaped rooms. Located some 12 minutes’ walk from the Red Square and just 7 minutes from the Kitai-Gorod metro station, Pokrovka 6 Hotel has its clean and up-to-date rooms decorated in light and bright colors.

Chistoprudny Boulevard and the area around it are filled with several excellent restaurants, so make sure to visit some of them.

Best Accommodation In Krasnoselsky District, Moscow

3. hilton moscow leningradskaya – 5 stars.

This typical Hilton hotel is situated in one of Stalin’s Seven Sister skyscrapers and has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Although it is close to the busy Leningradsky and Kazansky railway stations, the hotel’s Moscow city area is not grotty. Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya provides easy access to all major transportation hubs with several business centers and various governmental institutions around.

I have stayed here many times and always had excellent service from pleasant and helpful staff. As one of the top Moscow hotels, it also has very comfortable beds, a swimming pool, restaurants, and bars and is a short ride from the Red Square, one of the absolute top sites in Moscow.

Brands We Use And Trust

Best accommodation in presnensky district, moscow, 4. red brick hotel – 3 stars.

While there are plenty of mid-range hotels in Moscow’s historical center, the Red Brick Hotel is my favorite one. Located within walking distance of Kitai-Gorod metro station and the Pryanik Museum, the hotel has some of its rooms decorated with brick walls and, in general, look very stylish. Some of the rooms may be smaller than in other hotels around, but they were recently renovated and are very cozy.

The staff was accommodating and knowledgeable, and they even offered me some valuable tips for exploring the area around . I enjoyed their food in a casual atmosphere, great value for money.

If you’re searching for where to stay in Moscow as a tourist, this district and hotel is always a good choice!

Best Accommodation In Tverskoy District, Moscow

5. four seasons hotel moscow – 5 stars.

I will be honest; Four Seasons Hotel is one of the best hotels in Moscow. Overlooking the Manezhnaya Square is just three minutes walk from the Red Square and the State Historical Museum.

Okay, this hotel near Red Square Moscow is not very far from the Kremlin walls. Still, with 180 elegant rooms, monumental Stalinist architecture, and over-the-top amenities, it offers a wide range of excellent facilities and the best service.

6. Arium Hotel – 4 Stars

With 60 small no-frills rooms, this accommodation in Moscow is not just a hotel or a B&B, but the owners refer to it as an attractive hotel for business and savvy travelers alike! Located in the Tverskoy District (with exceptional city access and cool and trendy bars in the area), Arium Hotel features a restaurant that serves Caucasian cuisine and a 24-hour gym. The rooms come with complimentary free WiFi. They also provide a roundtrip airport shuttle for a surcharge.

Additionally, the Tverskoy District is also home to renowned Tverskaya Street, the main boulevard and one of Moscow’s best streets. It’s a magnificent road to walk on, flanked by impressive buildings and countless shops. The country’s most expensive street is Russia’s counterpart of other famous boulevards like Oxford Street or the Champs-Élysées.

7. Vagabond Hostel – Moscow Budget Accommodation

With a cool and catchy business name, the Vagabond hostel was founded by two nomads who have a reputation for being avid travelers. Their hostel is yet another fantastic place to stay while backpacking Moscow, where you can relax, chat with fellow backpackers and find travel buddies to hang out with. If you’re looking for things to do at night in Moscow, your fellow guests will be able to give you some tips.

It is a really well-thought-out hostel that features a kitchenette, extra luggage storage for your backpacking gear , a shared lounge, and bathrooms. Situated just two metro stops away from Belorusskaya railway station (where Aeroexpress trains from Sheremetyevo arrive) near the monument of Pushkin, this hostel is definitely not to be missed while in Moscow.

Additionally, Vagabond Hostel lies in a popular nightlife area in Moscow, too. So, if you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Moscow for nightlife, this would be a great choice. This is arguably the best place to stay in Moscow for backpackers and budget travelers.

Best Accommodation In Zamoskvorechye District, Moscow

8. swissotel krasnye holmy – 5 stars.

Located just a stone’s throw away from Paveletskaya metro station and Paveletsky railway terminal, where trains from Domodedovo airport arrive, Swissotel Krasnye Holmy is a top-notch hotel with a mind-boggling 360-degree panoramic view of Moscow and the river. It takes a couple of seconds to get to the top of the 34-story tower to enjoy dinner and a view on the rooftop terrace .

This area of Moscow is tranquil despite the proximity of the railway station. The hotel has clean and contemporary rooms and suites, a fitness center, a sauna, and outstanding service.

9. Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow – 5 Stars

One of the most luxurious hotels in Moscow, the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski building dates back to 1898. Situated in the middle of Baltschug Island, the hotel is within walking distance of major tourist attractions in Moscow, including the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and the Red Square. Just cross the bridge to find yourself near the best places to visit in Moscow, Russia.

From the moment you step into the lobby, you will be welcomed by the courteous omnipresent staff. Within seconds, you feel remarkably relaxed and comfortable, like a home away from home. The Kempinski hotel has 225 opulent rooms decorated with curtains and other soft furnishings made from sumptuous fabrics. If you’re figuring out where to stay in Moscow, who’s luxurious and high-end, this is a superb choice.

10. Comrade Hostel – Moscow Budget Accommodation

Perhaps one of Moscow’s best hostels for socializing is its central location, proximity to a wide range of tourist attractions, and accommodating English-speaking staff. Located on the third floor of a historical building in the Russian capital’s very heart, the Comrade Hostel is really clean.

While the lack of an elevator may cause some inconvenience, you shouldn’t worry. Ask the staff to help with your luggage , and they will gladly do just that. The hostel offers laundry and self-catering facilities.

Best Accommodation In Dorogomilovo District, Moscow

11. radisson royal hotel moscow – 5 stars.

Set in one of the wealthiest Moscow neighborhoods, next to Kutuzovsky Avenue and the Russian Government’s main office, this high-rise is one of the two Joseph Stalin skyscrapers you can actually get into. And it is well worth the effort.

Like its sisters, the Radisson Royal Hotel Moscow, formerly known as the Hotel Ukraine, is unique in its grandeur. The interior underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2010. Now, the hotel is regarded as one of the best in Moscow.

Besides its spectacular collection of arches, stained glass windows, and a painted ceiling, the hotel also has a restaurant serving delicious mouth-watering food. A fleet of all-weather luxury tourist boats cruises the Moscow River even in the dead of winter, definitely one of those cool things to do in Moscow.

• One Week In Moscow Travel Itinerary

Best Accommodation In Izmailovo District, Moscow

12. vega izmailovo hotel – 4 stars.

One of the most budget-friendly Moscow accommodation options, the Izmailovo complex comprises five interconnected blocks, which are very popular with big groups of travelers. Each of the five blocks has its own name, but service and prices are often quite similar.

Although not necessarily located in the central Moscow districts, the hotel is situated right beside Partizanskaya metro station. It takes about 20 minutes to reach Red Square by metro. The Izmailovo Kremlin and the area locals call the Vernissage (an otherwise large shopping area and the flea market) were just a bonus to staying at this hotel .

Move This Adventure To Your Inbox & Get An Instant Freebie

No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Other Good Hotels In Moscow

13. loft hotel h11.

If you’re traveling with kids , the Loft Hotel in Basmanny is the best central Moscow hotel. This low-key hotel in the center of town is ideal. Basmanny is an area in Moscow known for its chilled vibe and clean, safe streets.

14. Hotel Nikolsky Red Square

Just a five-minute walk to Moscow’s heart near the Kremlin and Red Square, this is where to stay in Moscow if you are short on time and don’t want to spend time commuting to the key sights.

15. Invite City House

This boutique hotel is where to stay in Moscow if you’re on a budget and want a simple room (breakfast included), but you are okay to take a subway ride to and from the city center.

More Cheap Hostels In Moscow

• City Hostel
• Godzillas Hostel
• Napoleon Hostel
• Good News Hostel

When choosing where to stay in Russia’s capital Moscow, comparing prices at various hotel search engines and booking apps is always important. Also, consider what Moscow is known for and try to stay close to the main attractions.

Thus, if you plan a trip to Moscow, I recommend using price-comparison search engines such as Booking.com or Ostrovok.ru.

• Best Places To Visit In Russia
• Best Accommodation Across Serbia
• Ultimate Croatia Accommodation Guide
• Albania Hotels You Won’T Want To Miss
• Bansko Ski Resort
• Stay In Slovakia’S Intriguing Capital City Of Bratislava
• Mostar Accommodations
• Accommodation In Sarajevo
• Unique Hotels On The Albanian Riviera

just on a practical note, there are no budget or 3* hotels close to the Kremlin.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Subscribe To Unlock Your FREE Customizable Travel Packing List & All Our Best Tips!

Unlock Your FREE Customizable Travel Packing List!

Subscribe Now For Instant Access To Stress-Free Packing

What the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card offers

How other travel cards compare to the wells fargo autograph journey℠ visa® card, 3 key benefits cardholders get from the autograph journey , move over, chase sapphire preferred. this new travel credit card is turning heads.

Wells Fargo's newest card has one key advantage over the gold standard in travel cards.

Holly Johnson

Contributor

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."

Tiffany Connors

Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card * -- Wells Fargo’s latest and best travel card -- recently launched with an impressive set of features. Its competitive rewards, welcome bonus and redemption options take aim at incumbent travel credit cards from Chase, American Express and Capital One.

What gives Wells Fargo’s first foray into the point-transfer space an edge is that you don’t have to book travel in a portal to earn the highest rewards rates. 

Here’s why we think the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey could go toe-to-toe with some of the best travel credit cards, plus three insider tips to help you decide if you should add it to your credit card lineup.

Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect with the Autograph Journey:

• Earn 60,000 welcome bonus rewards points after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 5x points on hotels, 4x points on airlines, 3x points on other travel and dining and 1x on other purchases.
• Receive an annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Other benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside dispatch and cell phone insurance.
• $95 annual fee.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Here’s a rundown of four facts we discovered about the Autograph Journey that you should know when deciding whether to apply.

1. You can transfer points with Wells Fargo point-based cards

The launch of the Autograph Journey also marks the first transferable points program from Wells Fargo, which joins other card issuers like Chase and Capital One, which have their own pooling programs .

Autograph Journey will be able to do a points transfer with the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card . This is especially notable since the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers bonus rewards in different categories than the Autograph Journey. 

For example, the Autograph card earns unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans, plus 1x points on other purchases. So you can maximize your point earning across different categories, then transfer your points to your Autograph Journey account to access premium travel redemptions.

2. It offers more options for earning bonus miles on travel than some competitors

The Autograph Journey will offer more flexibility than many travel rewards cards when it comes to earning more points on travel purchases. For example, cardholders earn unlimited 5x points on hotels booked directly with hotel brands and 4x points on airfare booked with airlines. 

This helps the card stand out from other popular travel credit cards that offer the most bonus points only if you book travel through their portals. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * only offer the highest bonus rewards on travel booked through Capital One Travel. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also offers its highest rate of 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, whereas other travel purchases earn 2x points.

Autograph Journey cardholders also earn a minimum of 3x points on other travel purchases, which could include rental cars, cruises and travel booked through online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline.

3. The card may grow in value as more transfer partners join

The Autograph Journey Card will earn flexible travel rewards points that transfer to a selection of airline and hotel partners, similar to Amex Membership Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards . While the list of transfer partners is limited, Wells Fargo stated in its initial press release that “more partners will continue to be added throughout the year.”

Points transfers could dramatically change the value proposition of the Autograph Journey, especially if new partners include domestic airlines and popular hotel loyalty programs. 

Wells Fargo point transfers will be available to new cardholders starting on April 4. For now, Wells Fargo transfer partners include the following:

Smart Money Advice on the Topics That Matter to You

CNET Money brings financial insights, trends and news to your inbox every Wednesday.

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe at any time.

Your new Subscription

Here’s all of the excitement headed to your inbox.

Recommended Articles

After writing about hundreds of credit cards, these two are still my favorite, 6 reasons the chase sapphire preferred should be your next credit card, 3 steps to take when your flight is canceled or delayed, 8 best credit card strategies to maximize earnings in 2024, as a foodie who enjoys a night out on the town, this credit card gives me plenty to savor.

* All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card have been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.

• Credit Cards
• All Credit Cards
• Find the Credit Card for You
• Best Credit Cards
• Best Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Travel Credit Cards
• Best 0% APR Credit Cards
• Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
• Best Cash Back Credit Cards
• Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
• Best Credit Cards to Build Credit
• Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping
• Find the Best Personal Loan for You
• Best Personal Loans
• Best Debt Consolidation Loans
• Best Loans to Refinance Credit Card Debt
• Best Loans with Fast Funding
• Best Small Personal Loans
• Best Large Personal Loans
• Best Personal Loans to Apply Online
• Best Student Loan Refinance
• Best Car Loans
• All Banking
• Find the Savings Account for You
• Best High Yield Savings Accounts
• Best Big Bank Savings Accounts
• Best Big Bank Checking Accounts
• Best No Fee Checking Accounts
• No Overdraft Fee Checking Accounts
• Best Checking Account Bonuses
• Best Money Market Accounts
• Best Credit Unions
• All Mortgages
• Best Mortgages
• Best Mortgages for Small Down Payment
• Best Mortgages for No Down Payment
• Best Mortgages for Average Credit Score
• Best Mortgages No Origination Fee
• Adjustable Rate Mortgages
• Affording a Mortgage
• All Insurance
• Best Life Insurance
• Best Life Insurance for Seniors
• Best Homeowners Insurance
• Best Renters Insurance
• Best Car Insurance
• Best Pet Insurance
• Best Boat Insurance
• Best Motorcycle Insurance
• Travel Insurance
• Event Ticket Insurance
• Small Business
• All Small Business
• Best Small Business Savings Accounts
• Best Small Business Checking Accounts
• Best Credit Cards for Small Business
• Best Small Business Loans
• Best Tax Software for Small Business
• Personal Finance
• All Personal Finance
• Best Budgeting Apps
• Best Expense Tracker Apps
• Best Money Transfer Apps
• Best Resale Apps and Sites
• Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Apps
• Best Debt Relief
• Credit Monitoring
• All Credit Monitoring
• Best Credit Monitoring Services
• Best Identity Theft Protection
• How to Boost Your Credit Score
• Best Credit Repair Companies
• Filing For Free
• Best Tax Software
• Best Tax Software for Small Businesses
• Tax Refunds
• Tax Brackets
• Taxes By State
• Tax Payment Plans
• Help for Low Credit Scores
• All Help for Low Credit Scores
• Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
• Best Personal Loans for Bad Credit
• Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit
• Personal Loans if You Don't Have Credit
• Best Credit Cards for Building Credit
• Personal Loans for 580 Credit Score Lower
• Personal Loans for 670 Credit Score or Lower
• Best Mortgages for Bad Credit
• Best Hardship Loans
• All Investing
• Best IRA Accounts
• Best Roth IRA Accounts
• Best Investing Apps
• Best Free Stock Trading Platforms
• Best Robo-Advisors
• Index Funds
• Mutual Funds
• Home & Kitchen
• Gift Guides
• Deals & Sales
• Sign up for the CNBC Select Newsletter
• Subscribe to CNBC PRO
• Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Terms Of Service
• CNBC Sitemap

Follow Select

Our top picks of timely offers from our partners

Find the best credit card for you

Best sole proprietorship business credit cards, these cards can help sole proprietors simplify expense tracking while earning rewards..

As a sole proprietor, there is no legal separation between you and your business. Still, it's beneficial to separate your business and personal expenses to simplify your bookkeeping and taxes .

Sole proprietors can use personal credit cards for business purposes, but it's generally easier to separate expenses with a business credit card . With the right business card, you can earn rewards, finance larger purchases, build your business credit history and take advantage of other business-related benefits.

You have many options if you're a sole proprietor seeking a small business credit card. To help you out, CNBC Select has narrowed down the best business credit cards for sole proprietors in a handful of practical categories. (See  our methodology  for information on how we chose the best sole proprietorship business credit cards.)

• Best for cash back: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
• Best for travel rewards: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
• Best for premium perks: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for 0% intro APR: U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
• Best for bad credit: Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card

Best for cash back

Ink business unlimited® credit card.

Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business

Welcome bonus

Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

0% for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases; N/A for balance transfers

Regular APR

18.49% - 24.49% variable

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Good/Excellent

Terms apply.

• No annual fee
• Free employee cards
• Simple cash-back program
• Special financing offer for purchases
• 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.

Who's this for? The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is ideal for sole proprietors who value simplicity because it offers a generous flat cash-back rate on all purchases and has no annual fee.

Standout benefits: All purchases earn at least 1.5% cashback. This allows sole proprietors to focus on what matters to their business instead of spending time navigating a complicated rewards program.

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for travel rewards

Ink business preferred® credit card.

Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each account anniversary year (travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines), 1X point per $1 on all other purchases

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

21.24% - 26.24% variable

Read our Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card review.

• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase TravelSM
• 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs
• No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• Generous welcome bonus worth up to $1,000
• $95 annual fee
• No introductory 0% financing offers for purchases or balance transfers

Who's this for? The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is ideal for sole proprietors who want to earn transferable travel rewards, with one of the most valuable welcome bonus offers and useful bonus business spending categories.

Standout benefits: This card has various built-in travel protections and earns  Chase Ultimate Rewards® points , which can be transferred to over a dozen airline and hotel travel loyalty programs. Points can also be redeemed for 1.25 cents apiece toward travel through the  Chase Travel SM  portal .

Best for premium benefits

The business platinum card® from american express.

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Also, earn 1.5X points (that's an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchases at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.

Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership

19.49% - 28.49% variable

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

• Enroll to receive up to $400 in annual statement credits on Dell purchases (up to $200 semi-annually), up to $360 with Indeed, up to $150 with Adobe and up to $120 on wireless telephone purchases
• Get 35% points back when you use points to purchase all or part of an airline fare, up to 500,000 bonus points back per calendar year
• American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus where available and get up to $189 back per year on your membership when you use your card. (subject to auto-renewal)
• Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your card
• $695 annual fee
• No introductory 0% financing offers

Who's this for? The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best options for sole proprietors who value luxury travel benefits such as airport lounge access and automatic hotel elite status.

Standout benefits: This card offers a long list of travel benefits, including access to over 1,400 airport lounges and an annual airline fee credit of up to $200 for incidentals, like baggage fees and seat upgrades. Cardholders can enroll to receive Hilton Gold status, Marriott Gold status and premium rental car privileges with National, Avis and Hertz. Terms apply.

Best for 0% intro APR

U.s. bank triple cash rewards visa® business card.

Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center, 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants, 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases

Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4,500 on the account owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.

0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers

19.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

• $500 welcome bonus offer
• No limit on cash back earned
• Interest-free period for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
• Annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription services
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Who's this for? The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card is a good option for sole proprietors looking for a strong intro APR offer and still want to earn cash back . Typically, cards with longer intro-APR periods like this one offer fewer rewards and other benefits.

Standout benefits: The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card offers new cardmembers a 0% intro APR on both purchases and eligible balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, after that, a variable 19.24% to 28.24% APR applies. There is a balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount you transfer ($5 minimum).

Best for bad credit

Bank of america business advantage unlimited cash rewards secured credit card.

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases

28.49% variable

4% of each transaction (minimum $0)

Poor/No credit history

• Bad credit may qualify
• Opportunity to transition to an unsecured card for qualified cardholders
• Flexible redemption options
• $1,000 minimum security deposit
• No welcome bonus

Who's this for? If your credit needs work , the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card can help you build your score while still earning rewards.

Standout benefits: Secured credit cards are designed for people with no credit history or weak credit scores. They typically don't offer many benefits or rewards, but this card is an exception, earning a competitive 1.5% cash back on every purchase. This return matches some of the top unsecured cash-back credit cards.

More on our business credit cards for sole proprietors

Chase ink business unlimited® credit card.

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a rewarding cash-back business card with an unusually generous welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card.

• 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through Mar. 31, 2025)
• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Earn a $750 cash bonus after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening the account.

Notable perks

New Ink Business Unlimited cardholders receive an intro 0% APR on purchases for 12 months (after that, a variable 18.49% to 24.49% APR applies). This is an excellent offer that makes financing important business purchases more affordable.

You can add employee cards for no additional fee and take advantage of benefits such as purchase protection , extended warranty protection , roadside dispatch and travel and emergency assistance services.

If you have an eligible Ultimate-Rewards-earning card, like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card , the cashback earned with this card can be converted into transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.

[ Return to card summary ]

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a popular business rewards card with a reasonable annual fee, excellent rewards rates and useful insurance benefits.

• 5X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025)
• 3X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in these categories each account anniversary year: Shipping , advertising (with select social media sites and search engines), travel, internet, cable and phone services
• 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.

This card has no foreign transaction fees and does not charge extra to add employee cards. It also offers many built-in insurance benefits that apply to certain purchases, including:

• Cell phone protection
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Roadside dispatch
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Rental car insurance (primary)
• Baggage delay insurance
• Lost luggage coverage
• Travel accident insurance
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Travel and emergency assistance services

This is a longer list of travel and purchase protections than many other sub-$100 annual fee cards. 

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium card with an array of benefits that can easily offset its high annual fee (see rates and fees ).

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
• 1.5X points on up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year of eligible purchases in the following categories: U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and cloud systems providers, shipping providers and on purchases of $5,000 or more
• 1X points for all other purchases
• Terms apply

Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 in qualifying purchases on your card in the first three months of card membership.

$695 (see rates and fees )

The Amex Business Platinum card offers a long list of valuable statement credit offers, including:

• Up to $400 back per year on U.S. Dell purchases (up to $200 back semi-annually)
• Up to $360 back per year on Indeed purchases (up to $90 back quarterly) through Dec. 31, 2024
• Up to $150 back for select Adobe auto-renewing annual business subscriptions through Dec. 31, 2024
• Up to $120 back per year for U.S. wireless telephone service provider purchases
• Up to $200 in airline fee credit per year with one qualifying airline you choose
• Up to $189 back per calendar year for CLEAR Plus
• Up to $100 back for application fees every four years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck

Cardholders enjoy automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy and have access to more airport lounges than any other card, including Amex Centurion Lounges , Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Delta Sky Clubs and Lufthansa lounges.

The card also boasts no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ) and many insurance coverages including, return protection, trip delay insurance , trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage insurance, extended warranty coverage, rental car insurance, cell phone protection and purchase protection.

The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card packs a lot into a no-annual-fee business card . Not only does it offer a competitive intro APR offer, but it also has a strong welcome bonus and great cash-back rates.

• 5% back on prepaid hotels and rental cars booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Rewards Center
• 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Earn $500 cash back after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first 150 days of account opening.

Cardholders can earn a $100 annual statement credit for recurring software subscriptions. To qualify, you need to make 11 consecutive monthly payments for an eligible software service, such as QuickBooks or FreshBooks .

The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card is a solid cash-back card in and of itself but shines in comparison to other secured cards.

• 1.5% cash back on all purchases

The required minimum deposit to open this card is $1,000 and your credit line is equal to the amount you deposit. It also has a handful of travel insurance perks including, up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance, lost luggage assistance and emergency ticket replacement.

Can a sole proprietor get a business credit card?

A small business owner who is a sole proprietor is eligible for business credit cards. Many business card applications allow you to use your social security number as your business tax ID and don't require you to have an LLC or other complicated business structure.

Can I use my EIN to get a business credit card?

You can use an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor. However, most business cards for sole proprietors require a personal guarantee, so reviews of your personal credit history and income are part of the application process.

Do business credit card applications verify personal income?

Most small business card applications require you to provide your personal income and social security number. The card issuer can use this information to determine your credit limit and whether you can afford the card's monthly payments.

Bottom line

Sole proprietors are eligible for most types of small business credit cards, including cards that earn cash-back, travel rewards and offer no-interest intro periods. You'll usually need a good to excellent credit score to qualify for the most rewarding cards, but if you have a lower credit score, some of the easiest business credit cards to get only require an average or fair credit score.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every business credit card   article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card   products .  While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best business credit cards for sole proprietors.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Our methodology

To determine which business cards offer the best value for sole proprietors, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of major small business credit cards. We compared each card on a range of features, including the annual fee, rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is to redeem points.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum® Card from American Express, click here .

• 5 things to avoid if you’re applying for a mortgage Kelsey Neubauer
• This is the best budgeting app to help investors track their money Jasmin Suknanan
• 5 best credit cards with pre-approval or pre-qualification Jason Stauffer

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

R&K Insider

Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.

A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.