Weight Limits and Size - Europe

Last Updated: Aug. 31, 2010

Tags: luggage, tours, travel and tour advice, what to pack, europe

More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe

Contiki Tours in Europe have a luggage restriction of 1×20 kilogram (44lbs) bag and 1 x carry on (roughly 5 kilograms/12lb) bag. This weight restriction is for legal requirements within the European Union as well as for your comfort and safety. The size restriction of you main luggage is 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”) is also observed.

Bags are not measured however you bags will be weighed on tours departing from London and this weight limit is strictly enforced.

Please ensure your luggage is of the correct size and weight before departure as these rules cannot be bent or broken.

If you are travelling on a Concept/Budget or Camping tour, you sleeping bag is separate and is not included in these restrictions (ie you sleeping bag is not measured or weighted and can be separate from your luggage).

Excess Baggage

If your luggage weighs more than this you have the option of storing your excess luggage the day or evening before the tour departs. The Contiki Basement offers luggage storage as does the Royal National Hotel for people staying there (both at a cost).

Please note: If you are not returning to London should take note of this as you will not be able to carry excess luggage onto the coach when you leave London.

Add a Comment Comments (80)

  1. Your suitcase that goes in under the bus doesn’t matter about the size but 20kgs is strictly enforced, but your sleeping bag isn’t included in that weight. If you have a carry on suitcase as well as your day bag then I say good luck being comfortable on long leg trips in the bus because the suitcase will most likely not fit under your chair unless its a soft one that can be squashed under there. The above head racks are shallow so will only fit smaller bags not big things. So you’ll end up with everything right in your lap or under your feet – not the most comfortable. Besides, don’t take that much luggage to begin with anyway, you’re meant to keep space for shopping!!! And no, they dont continue weighing your bag throughout the trip its only on initial check-in – otherwise how would we shop!?

    KatieKatie posted 12 days ago Flag as Inappropriate
  2. How strict are they on bag size. I have found one witch is 70×45 x 30cm and another 66×40 x 30cm

    Megs87Megs87 posted on Jul. 31, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  3. I am doing the 21 day Europe camping tour- am I able to bring my guitar?

    lotus89lotus89 posted on Jul. 30, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  4. @Boy from oz
    It doesn’t matter what weight you finish with after your tour, but most international airlines only allow 23kgs on flights. Anything over this and you’ll be charged excess.

    Default_avatarsimoneeee! posted on Jul. 26, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  5. @frankie_xox
    im planning on doing the same – have 1 main suitcase 1 smaller ‘carry on’ suitcase (which im also using on the flight over to london) have a smaller day bag to take off the bus with me
    would also love someone to answer these questions :-)

    Default_avatarRachel E posted on Jul. 25, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  6. I was planning to take a suitcase and a smaller carry on suit case plus a large purse. Does the purse count as “carry on”? Or can I still have the smaller carry on bag and my purse would be seperate…?

    Default_avatarfrankie_xox posted on Jul. 21, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  7. i get the fact thats its a 20kg limit cos its been said 30 times because its been asked over and over again. but my question is what is the maximum weight u can finish with as in flying home again with out getting excess charges.

    Boy from ozBoy from oz posted on Jul. 19, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  8. i have a lite rolling duffle bag taht is 35” but the other dimensions are under. it should be fine if their not measuring, just a long as the weight is under. Mine only weighs 10lbs. i suggest weighing your stuff before leaving the house haha,

    Default_avatarExplorer1167911 posted on Jul. 12, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  9. Does carry on luggage have to be taken with you everywhere or can it be left on the coach during the day?

    Default_avatarLauren21 posted on Jun. 29, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  10. So technically, if a tour is under booked you can bring more luggage…

    Oh, K...Oh, K... posted on Jun. 05, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  11. Did these restrictions change recently? I had written down the limit of 35.5” X 29.5” X 16” and 44lbs and my suitcase fit those restrictions…

    Default_avatarExplorer1156366 posted on May. 29, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  12. No your bags will be weighed at the start of your tour and then thats it,they dont do anything while your on your tour.

    Default_avatarTash posted on May. 15, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  13. What I wanna know is does the 20kg limit apply throughout the whole tour? Or is that just the starting weight? It would really suck if we can’t go shopping as much as we want to because of a weight restriction.

    Default_avatarMel_Zee posted on May. 10, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  14. From experience I start out with very low weight luggage but during my trip the weight increases (usually making a visit at a post office before boarding my flight home). My question is, “Will contiki be monitoring buggage weight during the tour?” PS Looking forward to my contiki adventure – cannot wait!

    Default_avatarLeoAScott posted on May. 02, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  15. My bag meets the size requirements but can be expandable by a couple of cms. Supposedly these bags may not conform. Is this true?

    Default_avatarExplorer1178841 posted on Apr. 25, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  16. They are 100% strict on the weight of 20kgs/44lbs but are not SO stirct on the measurements e.g. a few cm’s over is ok.

    Phill QuinlanPhill Quinlan posted on Mar. 27, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  17. I totally agree with that guy (Explorer1152831) there are just questions on top of questions!! To the aussieangel girl – you can take a suitcase it doesn’t have to be a backpack, I could never drag around a super heavy bag on my back! Pretty sure slight measurements won’t matter, I reckon they’ll only measure your bag if it looks significantly over the limits, minimal differences wouldnt be visible to the eye I wouldn’t think? :)

    KatieKatie posted on Mar. 26, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  18. 2nd paragraph down

    “Bags are not measured however you bags will be weighed on tours departing from London and this weight limit is strictly enforced.”

    Default_avatarrcm81 posted on Mar. 25, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  19. Does anyone at Contiki monitor this site to provide answers to there clients questions posted here or do they not consider this part of there customer service?

    Default_avatarExplorer1152831 posted on Feb. 26, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
  20. So it seems like we allhave the same question about how strict the luggage size is…hoping to get an answer so I can figure out whether a backpack or suitcase would be best :s

    Default_avatarExplorer1155717 posted on Feb. 02, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate
See More Comments

Contiki Newsletter

Want to hear from us?
Give us your details and we’ll send you our latest deals, competitions & news

Are you a Travel Agent?

Learn more about our exclusive deals available to Travel Agents!

Got a Question?

Get Connected.

Sign-up for the latest updates and deals!

Contiki Check-in

Don’t forget to check in before you go.

Already booked to travel with us? Check in online, it'll take you less than 5 minutes. We'll give you perks like discounts, exclusive invites & more.

Check In

Brochures

Get ahead of the game and start planning your trip today! Take a look at our brochures online. Or order a free one.

View Online Order Now