The ultimate comparison guide between Contiki and Trafalgar based on prices, travel styles and discounts.
As sister companies within The Travel Corporation, Contiki and Trafalgar offer a variety of tours in multiple styles. Most travellers compare only the prices and itineraries to book their trips, although there are several other factors that put one company above the other for the best trip.
Read on to compare Contiki and Trafalgar in detail, and pick the one that best suits your travel style.
Contiki vs Trafalgar
| Features | Contiki | Trafalgar | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| What tours are available? |
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Trafalgar offers tours in all major tourist regions of the world. Contiki excludes Central America, Africa and the Middle East. |
| Do tours include flights? | No | No | Neither includes international flights. |
| Can I price match? | No | No | Neither provides price matching. |
| Are there lay-by or payment plans? | A $255 per person deposit is required to confirm booking. The balance must be paid 45 days from the start of the tour. |
A booking deposit of $255 per person is required to reserve your slot. The final payment is due 45 days prior to departure. |
Both accept equal deposits and allow equal time to make the final payment. |
| Are there booking/charge fees? | No | No | Neither charges booking fees. |
| Is there online chat? | No | No | Neither offers live chat. |
| Is there a loyalty scheme? | 5% off for past passengers with 7+ days long previous trips. | 5% off you have travelled with Trafalgar or one of its sister groups within the last 5+ years. | 5% loyalty discount for both. Since Contiki and Trafalgar are sister brands, a tour with any one of them or other sister brands (Insight Vacations, Uniworld River Cruises, Trafalgar, Haggis Adventure, Shamrocker Adventures, Lion World Travel, African Travel, Brendan Vacations and AAT Kings) makes you eligible for a discount on another. |
| What ages are targeted? | Only for 18-35 year olds. | Most tours accept everyone above the age of five. | Trafalgar offers tours to a wider age group. |
| Is there a single supplement? | Optional, at an additional cost. | Optional, at an additional cost. | Both offer an optional single supplement. |
| What are my payment options? |
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Payment methods are the same for both companies. |
Who offers the best price?
We found that the average cost of tours on Trafalgar is higher than on Contiki. At the time of writing a 12-day Vietnam tour costs $1,908 on Contiki while a comparable itinerary is priced at $3,646 on Trafalgar.
The verdict: Contiki offers cheaper tours than Trafalgar, however Trafalgar tours are priced higher as they are often more luxurious services and accommodation.
Which offers a wider range of tours?
Currently, Contiki is offering 335 tours while Trafalgar has around 350 tours. Contiki has a higher number of tours in Australia and Latin America, while Trafalgar offers more tours in North America and Europe.
The verdict: Both Contiki and Trafalgar have the same range of tours.
Any other differences worth noting?
Cancellation policy: Cancellation charges on both companies are the same when cancelled more than 22 days from the start of the trip. If you cancel within 22 days, Trafalgar deducts a lesser percentage of the trip cost.
Percentage cancellation fee with Contiki
| Days cancelled prior to departure | Cancellation fee based on your purchase price |
|---|---|
| 45+ days | Deposit only |
| 45-22 days | 25% |
| 21-8 days | 50% |
| 7-1 days | 75% |
Percentage cancellation fee with Trafalgar
| Days cancelled prior to departure | Cancellation fee based on your purchase price |
|---|---|
| 45+ days | Deposit only |
| 45-22 days | 25% |
| 21-8 days | 30% |
| 7-1 days | 50% |
What are the deals like?
Both Contiki and Trafalgar offer an early payment discounts, last-minute deals and past passenger price cuts, discounts with friends and group deals. Deals on Contiki tours start from 10% and some tours like London, Paris and Amsterdam can have as high as 30% off.
The majority of discounted tours on Trafalgar have 7.5% to 12% off. However, if you’re lucky you can get up to 15% off on trips.
The verdict: Both have a variety of deals but Contiki has higher discounts up for grabs.
Top Contiki and Trafalgar deals
Contiki
Up to $550 off Australia tours
Valid on select 2018 departures. Destinations include Darwin, Alice Springs, Sydney, Cairns, Whitsundays and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
Up to 15% off worldwide tours
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Copenhagen, Oslo, Geiranger Paris, Rouen, Honfleur, Normandy, Loire Valley, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Taormina, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Ludlow, Stonehenge and more. T&C's apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
5% off select Asia trips
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and more. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
Up to 10% off Africa tours
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Tanzania, Cape Town, Kenya and more. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
Up to $985 off USA and Canada tours
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Las Vegas, Vancouver, Dallas, Santa Fe, New Orleans and more. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
Up to $970 off Europe tour
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include England, Netherlands, Vatican, Belgium, Switzerland and more. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
15-day Japan tour + 6-day ski experience from $4,979
Valid from 22 December 2018 - 26 January 2019. Includes accommodation, meals, transportation and more. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
13-day Japan tour + 4-day ski experience from $4,589
Valid from 22 December 2018 - 26 January 2019. Includes accommodation, meals, transportation and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
10% off select Africa trips
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Botswana, Namibia, Morocco, Cape Town and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
10% off select South America trips
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
Up to 10% off young traveller discount
Get up to 10% discount when you are travelling with children between the age of five and 17. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
10% off USA and Canada tours
Enjoy 10% off on your USA and Canada trips when you book in advance. Head now to Trafalgar Tours to book. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
Up to 30% off last-minute Europe summer tours
Book a range of last-minute Contiki tours, from week long jaunts to month long journeys, to destinations like Italy, France, Germany, Greece and more for up to 30% off.
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Contiki
Up to 30% off last-minute Asia tours
Valid on select tours departing until 26 December, including Asian Adventure and Eternal India.
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Contiki
Up to 20% off Greek island hopping tours
Valid for travel on select 2018 dates. Includes meals, accommodation, transport and more. Destinations include Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and more. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
5% off your next trip
Travel again with Contiki to receive 5% off your next trip.
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Contiki
Up to 10% off all Asia trips
Book a Contiki Asia trip for up to 10% off the regular price. Destinations include Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
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