London to Rome Quest: Self-Launched Version
16 days · Western Europe (Paris, Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Barcelona, French Riviera, Cinque Terre, Florence, Sorrento, Rome)
Contiki charges £1,690
No-markup version: ~£1,120 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 16-day self-launched independent take on Contiki's "London to Rome Quest" — same route (Paris, Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Barcelona, the French Riviera, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Sorrento and Rome) rebuilt for solo travellers using hostels, trains, buses and self-bookable activities. You'll move on the same hops but by public transport, with more freedom to linger in the places you love. Costs are approximate budget-traveller estimates in GBP, excluding flights to/from Europe.
Day-by-day
London to Paris
Paris, France
Take a morning Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (~2h20, book 2-3 months ahead for £40-75). Check into a hostel in the 13th or 19th arrondissement, then do your own evening wander: Seine banks at sunset, Trocadéro for Eiffel Tower views, and a cheap crêpe or falafel dinner in the Marais.
🚌Eurostar London St Pancras → Paris Gare du Nord, ~£40-75 booked in advance
🛏Hostel in central Paris (e.g. St Christopher's Canal or Generator Paris), dorm £25-35
- →Eurostar London–Paris
- →Sunset walk along the Seine
- →Eiffel Tower viewpoints
Paris: Louvre, Notre-Dame & Latin Quarter
Paris, France
Pre-book the Louvre timed entry online (~£20) and go early to beat crowds. Notre-Dame is free to enter (reserve a free slot online). Walk the Champs-Élysées, cross to the Latin Quarter for cheap eats and finish at Montmartre for sunset. Note: full Paris sightseeing is best spread over two days — use your second morning for anything you missed.
🚌Metro day ticket ~£8
🛏Hostel in central Paris, dorm £25-35
- →Louvre Museum (pre-booked entry)
- →Notre-Dame Cathedral
- →Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
- →Latin Quarter food walk
Paris to Bordeaux by TGV
Bordeaux, France
Take a morning TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Bordeaux (~2h10, £30-60 if booked ahead with SNCF Connect or Trainline). Check into a budget hotel or hostel near the centre, then explore the Miroir d'eau, Place de la Bourse and the Chartrons riverfront. Optional evening: a £15-20 wine bar flight rather than an organised tasting.
🚌TGV Paris–Bordeaux ~£30-60
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Bordeaux centre, dorm or simple double £20-30
- →TGV Paris–Bordeaux
- →Miroir d'eau & Place de la Bourse
- →Chartrons riverside stroll
- →Wine bar tasting (self-organised)
Bordeaux to San Sebastián
San Sebastián, Spain
Bus or train to San Sebastián via Hendaye: take a TER/Intercités train to Hendaye (~2h) then the Euskotren 'Topo' line to San Sebastián (~40 min). It's a long travel day — pack lunch. Settle into a hostel (Koisi Hostel and similar are bookable direct), then people-watch in Plaza de la Constitución with a pintxo or two.
🚌Train Bordeaux → Hendaye ~£25, Euskotren Hendaye → San Sebastián ~£3
🛏Hostel in San Sebastián (Koisi Hostel or similar), dorm £20-30
- →Train Bordeaux–Hendaye–San Sebastián
- →Plaza de la Constitución
- →Evening pintxo bar hop
San Sebastián: La Concha & Parte Vieja
San Sebastián, Spain
Free day. Swim at Playa de la Concha, walk the promenade to Monte Igueldo (or take the funicular, ~£4), and explore Parte Vieja's pintxo bars. DIY pintxo crawl in the old town: 4-5 small plates plus a drink or two for £20-25. Centro Romántico is a short stroll away.
🚌On foot; funicular ~£4
🛏Hostel in San Sebastián, dorm £20-30
- →Playa de la Concha
- →Monte Igueldo funicular & viewpoint
- →Parte Vieja pintxo crawl
- →Centro Romántico walk
San Sebastián to Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
Take an early ALSA bus or Renfe train to Barcelona (~6-7h; bus from ~£25, train £40-60). Arrive, check into a central hostel (Generator Barcelona is on the same street as the Contiki stop and books direct), then walk Las Ramblas down to the Gothic Quarter and Barceloneta for an evening beach stroll and tapas.
🚌ALSA bus ~£25-35 or Renfe train ~£40-60
🛏Hostel in Barcelona – Eixample/Gràcia, dorm £25-35
- →Bus/train San Sebastián–Barcelona
- →Las Ramblas
- →Gothic Quarter evening walk
- →Barceloneta beach
Barcelona: Parc Güell, Sagrada Família & beach
Barcelona, Spain
Book Parc Güell and Sagrada Família tickets online weeks in advance (Parc Güell ~£10, Sagrada Família ~£22-30) — the Contiki reviews specifically warn about missing out. Afternoon beach time at Barceloneta, then an evening paella and tapas meal in El Born or Gràcia.
🚌Metro ~£9 day pass
🛏Hostel in Barcelona, dorm £25-35
- →Parc Güell (pre-booked)
- →Sagrada Família (pre-booked)
- →Barceloneta beach
- →Tapas and paella dinner in El Born
Barcelona to the French Riviera (Nice)
Nice, France
Take a direct Renfe/SNCF train Barcelona to Nice (~9h) or a FlixBus (~7-8h, from £20-30). Either way it's a travel day — an early start gets you in for sunset. Check into a hostel near the seafront (Villa Saint Exupéry or similar), walk the Promenade des Anglais and grab socca and a cheap dinner in Vieux Nice.
🚌FlixBus ~£20-30 or Renfe/SNCF train ~£45-70
🛏Hostel in Nice (Villa Saint Exupéry Beach or similar), dorm £25-35
- →Train or bus Barcelona–Nice
- →Promenade des Anglais sunset walk
- →Vieux Nice evening
Monaco & Monaco-Ville
Monaco / French Riviera
Take the TER train from Nice to Monaco (~25 min, ~£4). Walk the F1 circuit streets, see the Monte Carlo Casino exterior (entrance free to the atrium), and climb to the Prince's Palace square for the changing of the guard (11:55). Return to Nice for a beach afternoon or a coastal walk to Villefranche.
🚌TER train Nice ↔ Monaco ~£4 each way
🛏Hostel in Nice, dorm £25-35
- →TER train Nice–Monaco
- →Monte Carlo Casino exterior
- →Prince's Palace & Monaco-Ville old town
- →Villefranche coastal walk
French Riviera to Pisa via Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre / Pisa, Italy
Early train Nice to Genova (~3h) then on to La Spezia (~1h). Buy the Cinque Terre Treno MS Card (~£15-18) for unlimited village trains, and walk/hike between a couple of villages (the coastal Via dell'Amore section is partially open; the Manarola–Riomaggiore path is the easiest). Late afternoon train to Pisa (~1h) and a budget B&B near the station.
🚌Trains Nice → La Spezia ~£35-50; Cinque Terre card ~£16; La Spezia → Pisa ~£8
🛏Budget B&B/hostel in Pisa, £20-30
- →Train Nice–La Spezia–Cinque Terre
- →Cinque Terre villages by village train
- →Short coastal hike between villages
- →Train to Pisa
Pisa to Florence
Pisa / Florence, Italy
Morning at Piazza dei Miracoli for the Leaning Tower (climbing costs ~£18 and needs pre-booking; the square itself is free). Browse the market stalls, then a 1-hour regional train to Florence (~£8). Check into a hostel, then book Uffizi or Accademia (Michelangelo's David) online for the next morning — slots sell out.
🚌Regional train Pisa–Florence ~£8
🛏Hostel in Florence (A&O Firenze Campo di Marte or similar), dorm £25-35
- →Leaning Tower of Pisa & Piazza dei Miracoli
- →Pisa market stroll
- →Regional train Pisa–Florence
- →Book Uffizi/Accademia for tomorrow
Florence to Sorrento
Florence / Sorrento, Italy
Morning in Florence: Uffizi Gallery (~£22-30 pre-booked) or the Accademia for David (~£16), plus a wander across Ponte Vecchio. Then take a Frecciarossa to Naples (~2h50, £30-50 booked ahead) and the Circumvesuviana local train to Sorrento (~1h, ~£4). Sunset over the Bay of Naples from Villa Comunale.
🚌Frecciarossa ~£30-50; Circumvesuviana ~£4
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Sorrento (Sisters Hostel or similar), dorm £25-35
- →Uffizi Gallery or Accademia (pre-booked)
- →Ponte Vecchio
- →High-speed train Florence–Naples
- →Circumvesuviana to Sorrento
- →Sunset at Villa Comunale
Capri day trip
Capri / Sorrento, Italy
Ferry from Sorrento to Capri (~20 min, ~£18-22 return), then take the local bus up to Capri town and Anacapri. Walk to the Faraglioni viewpoints, swim at Marina Piccola, and optionally take a boat trip around the island (~£18-25). Skip the Blue Grotto if queues are long. Back to Sorrento for an evening in the historic centre.
🚌Return ferry Sorrento–Capri ~£18-22; local buses on Capri ~£5
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Sorrento, dorm £25-35
- →Ferry Sorrento–Capri
- →Faraglioni viewpoints
- →Anacapri & Monte Solaro (chairlift optional)
- →Sorrento historic centre evening
Sorrento to Rome via Pompeii
Pompeii / Rome, Italy
Circumvesuviana to Pompeii Scavi (~35 min, ~£4). Book Pompeii entry online (~£18) — an audio guide or a small-group tour via GetYourGuide (£25-40) is worth it. Then continue by Circumvesuviana/train to Naples and a high-speed train to Rome (~1h10, £20-40). Evening: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona on foot.
🚌Circumvesuviana ~£4; Naples–Rome Frecciarossa/Italo ~£20-40
🛏Hostel/hotel in Rome (Generator Rome or similar), dorm £30-40
- →Pompeii archaeological site (pre-booked)
- →Circumvesuviana Pompeii–Naples
- →High-speed train Naples–Rome
- →Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & Piazza Navona
Rome: Colosseum, Forum & Vatican
Rome, Italy
Pre-book a combined Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill ticket (~£18-25, sells out fast). Afternoon: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (~£20-30, book online) or St Peter's Basilica (free, security queue). Finish with an evening pasta class (~£35-45 via GetYourGuide) or a cheap trattoria in Trastevere.
🚌Metro/bus day ticket ~£7
🛏Hostel/hotel in Rome, dorm £30-40
- →Colosseum & Roman Forum (pre-booked)
- →Palatine Hill
- →Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- →Trastevere evening or pasta class
Rome: departure or extra day
Rome, Italy
If you've time, use the morning for the Pantheon, a Borghese Gardens stroll or the Trastevere backstreets. Otherwise take the Leonardo Express train to Fiumicino airport (~32 min, ~£14) or a train onward to your next stop. Consider adding an extra night in Rome — most travellers say one day isn't enough.
🚌Leonardo Express Fiumicino ~£14
🛏None (or optional extra night £30-40)
- →Optional morning walk (Pantheon / Trastevere)
- →Leonardo Express to Fiumicino or onward travel
Self-launched vs. Contiki
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Contiki | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,120 | £1,690 |
| Duration | 16 days | 16 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £570 per person (34%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Contiki-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,120
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does London to Rome Quest: Self-Launched Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,120 per person for 16 days in Western Europe (Paris, Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Barcelona, French Riviera, Cinque Terre, Florence, Sorrento, Rome). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Contiki?+
Yes — Contiki charges around £1,690 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,120 — a saving of roughly £570 (34%) per person.
How long is the Western Europe (Paris, Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Barcelona, French Riviera, Cinque Terre, Florence, Sorrento, Rome) trip?+
This itinerary runs 16 days, covering 16 day-by-day stops through Western Europe (Paris, Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Barcelona, French Riviera, Cinque Terre, Florence, Sorrento, Rome).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a city-breaks, culture, budget trip through Western Europe (Paris, Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Barcelona, French Riviera, Cinque Terre, Florence, Sorrento, Rome), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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