Contiki FAQ on the coach.

Q: What happens if you miss the coach in Europe?

A: On a day when you are leaving the city, your tour manager will try to walk up everyone that is late, but they can't wait and will go with out you. You will have to make your way to the next city as soon as possible. If it is just a city exploring day, then you can make you own way into town. If It is to go to an optional, then you have missed out on that optional or you can make your own way there. If you are going out on the night before you leave the city, pack your bags the night before, set many alarms and actually try to make it back to the place where your staying.

Q: What is the wifi like on the coach?
A: It is expensive and slow. It is only good for emergencies. Spend you time on the coach sleeping or talking to people.

Q: Do I have to tip my driver & TM? How much?
A: In Europe & The UK tips are appreciated, both your driver and TM work their asses off for you while on tour, so they definitely deserve it, roughly €1-2 each a day is a good guide to use, you might think they deserve more! It is all on how much you enjoyed it. You tip at the end of the tour. Usually the tour manager gives out envelopes and you put money in that and maybe a note to them personally. In the USA and New Zealand it is recommended that up to $3 per person per day for both the tour manager and driver. Just add it into your budget. I think it is worth it for how much work they do.

Q: Is my stuff safe on the coach during the time im exploring a city.

A: Most of the time the coach will return to the accommodation and the driver will be with the coach. Usually it is safe to leave what ever you want on the coach, unless the driver tells you not to.

Q: Can i leave stuff on the coach and not take it off until the end of the trip

A: There is usually space underneath the coach, but you can also store stuff in the luggage holders on the coach and keep it there. However everyone may be doing that as well.

Q: What sort of snacks do you get on coach breaks.

A: A lot of people pick up pringles in Europe. They are everywhere and easy to get and to store. People also get chocolate bars and the usual snacks. In the USA it is the same as well, with more local snacks.

Q: Is it easy going through Borders in Europe such as France to Italy?

A: This is the easiest thing you will do. There is no stop, there really is nothing to show that you crossed a border, except for a sign.

Q: Is it easy going across the border into Switzerland?

A: This is one of the only places where the coach will stop going over a border. As a passenger you don't need to get off, you can just sit and relax. The tour manager and driver will go into the building, a few minutes later they will be back and you will be on your way.

Q: Is it easy going across Borders in eastern Europe such as getting into Hungry or Poland?

A: In most cases it is just like going through western Europe. In some countries you may need to stop to get a device for toll roads, but it is all open borders. Getting into Russia is harder.

Q: Is it easy to go from the USA to Canada by coach, what about coming the other way?

A: Unlike in Europe, you do need to get your passport stamped. The coach will stop, you will grab your passports and head into the office. You will line up, get your passport stamped and then leave and head back on the coach. They may ask a few questions, but overall it is easy, Canadian customs are more friendlier then USA ones.

Q: Is there any difference in Coaches in the US and Europe?

A: In europe, the coaches have a middle of the bus door, that is also where the toilet is and the charging stations are located. In the US, there is no middle door and the toilet is at the back of the coach, however there are charging stations at each seat. They all have tv screens on board and are very comfortable. Some of the coaches in Europe have pull down tray tables.

Q: Is it a long trip traveling from Boston to the Canadian border?

A: This is not a long trip. You make a few stops before hand as well as a lunch stop somewhere – usually a walmart. You arrive at the border in the early afternoon.

Q: On the coach, how can i play my music?

A: You can play your own music with head phones on or make up a playlist and then plug it into the front of the coach so it plays over the speaker system.

Q: On a contiki tour, do they play movies on the coach?

A: Yes they do. Usually related to the area that you are traveling in.

Q: How long does a contiki coach take to get from Washington dc to Philidelphia?

A: It is generally 3 – 4 hrs depending on traffic.

Q: How long does a contiki coach take to get from Philidelphia to New york?

A: It is generally about 2 -3 hrs depending on traffic as you get closer to new york.