London to Rome: Self-Launched 15-Day Europe Hop
15 days · England, France, Spain, Monaco & Italy
Contiki charges £1,835
No-markup version: ~£1,330 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Contiki's 15-day coach trip from London to Rome, rebuilt for independent travellers using trains, budget flights, ferries and hostels. You'll hit the same headline stops — Paris, the Beaujolais wine country, Barcelona, Arles and the French Riviera, Monaco, Venice, Pisa, Florence and Rome — but on your own timetable, at your own pace, with self-bookable tours and public transport instead of a coach and tour manager. Estimated at roughly £1,300-1,500 per person (excl. flights to/from Europe), versus around £1,835 for the original group tour. Costs are approximations based on current backpacker rates and will vary by season.
Day-by-day
London to Paris via Dover & Calais
London → Paris
Start early at London St Pancras and take the Eurostar direct to Paris Gare du Nord (book 2-3 months ahead for fares from ~£45-70 one way). If you want the full original experience, the cheaper alternative is a coach (FlixBus/Megabus, ~£25-35) via Dover — you'll see the White Cliffs from the ferry or the coach window and pass close to the Somme battlefields. Check into a hostel in the 10th or 11th arrondissement, then join a free evening walking tour or just wander the Seine at dusk. Self-cater or grab a crêpe for dinner.
🚌Eurostar London-Paris ~£45-70 booked ahead, or FlixBus ~£25-35
🛏Hostel dorm in central Paris (e.g. St Christopher's Canal or Generator Paris), ~£30-40/night
- →Eurostar or coach crossing via Dover/Calais
- →White Cliffs of Dover views from the coast road/ferry
- →Evening walk along the Seine
- →Free walking tour (tip-based, ~£5-10)
Paris: Icons & Neighbourhoods
Paris
Do Paris DIY-style: a tip-based free walking tour covers Notre-Dame, the Louvre exterior and the Latin Quarter, or pre-book a small-group Louvre entry slot via GetYourGuide (~£20-25). Climb the Eiffel Tower stairs (cheapest ticket ~£12) or just picnic on the Champ de Mars. Afternoon browse vintage shops in Le Marais, then head up to Montmartre for sunset at Sacré-Cœur — cabaret shows at the Moulin Rouge start around £90-120 if you fancy splurging. Metro day pass ~£8.
🚌Paris Métro carnet/day pass ~£8
🛏Hostel dorm in central Paris, ~£30-40/night
- →Free walking tour of central Paris
- →Louvre pre-booked entry ~£20-25
- →Eiffel Tower stairs ~£12
- →Le Marais vintage shopping
- →Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur sunset
Paris to Fontainebleau & the Beaujolais
Paris → Fontainebleau → Beaujolais
Take a morning RER/Transilien train to Fontainebleau-Avon (~£10 return) and walk to the Château de Fontainebleau and its gardens (grounds free, palace ~£12). In the afternoon head south: TGV from Paris to Mâcon-Loché (~£35-55 booked ahead, ~1h40), then a local bus or short taxi to a Beaujolais village such as Villié-Morgon or Fleurie. Book a rural guesthouse or gîte for two nights. Evening: a wine tasting at a local domaine — many family wineries charge £10-20 for a tasting, far less than a château dinner package.
🚌RER to Fontainebleau ~£10; TGV Paris-Mâcon ~£35-55; local bus/taxi ~£10
🛏Beaujolais village gîte/guesthouse, ~£30-40/night (shared)
- →Château de Fontainebleau & gardens ~£12
- →TGV south through Burgundy
- →Independent Beaujolais wine tasting at a family domaine ~£10-20
Beaujolais Wine Country
Beaujolais
A slow day in the vines. Hire a bike from your guesthouse or the local tourist office (~£15/day) and ride the Route des Vins between villages — Fleurie, Morgon and Chiroubles are all within easy cycling distance. Pack a picnic from the village bakery and butcher (~£8) and eat it in the vineyards. Many domaines offer drop-in tastings; the region's tourist office can give you a map of ones open to visitors. Optional sunrise yoga isn't necessary — the vineyards are quiet enough by 7am.
🚌Bike hire ~£15/day
🛏Beaujolais village gîte/guesthouse, ~£30-40/night
- →Cycling the Beaujolais wine route
- →Village bakery picnic in the vineyards
- →Drop-in tastings at family wineries ~£10-20
Beaujolais to Barcelona via the Pyrenees
Beaujolais → Barcelona
A long travel day, best done by train for the Pyrenees views: local train to Lyon Part-Dieu, then TGV/AVE via Valence or Narbonne to Barcelona Sants (~£50-80 total booked ahead, 6-7 hours). The route skirts the Pyrenees and you'll get mountain glimpses south of Perpignan. Budget airlines from Lyon are a cheaper but less scenic option (~£30-50). Check into a hostel in the Eixample or Gothic Quarter, then a cheap tapas dinner and a walk down Las Ramblas.
🚌Regional train + TGV/AVE to Barcelona ~£50-80, or budget flight ~£30-50
🛏Hostel dorm in Barcelona (e.g. Generator Barcelona or Urbany Hostel), ~£25-35/night
- →Scenic rail route past the Pyrenees
- →Evening tapas crawl in the Gothic Quarter
Barcelona: Gothic Quarter & Montjuïc
Barcelona
Morning free walking tour of the Gothic Quarter and El Born (tip-based), then walk or take the cable car up Montjuïc for city and sea views (~£10-12 for the Telefèric de Montjuïc). Afternoon swim at Barceloneta or Bogatell beach — free. Evening: catch a flamenco show at a small tablao (pre-book via GetYourGuide, ~£20-30) rather than a big tourist venue. Sagrada Família entry ~£22 if you want to add it — book the slot online.
🚌Metro T-casual 10-ride ticket ~£10
🛏Hostel dorm in Barcelona, ~£25-35/night
- →Gothic Quarter free walking tour
- →Montjuïc cable car ~£10-12
- →Beach swim at Barceloneta
- →Flamenco tablao show ~£20-30
Barcelona to Arles & the French Riviera
Barcelona → Arles → Nice
Regional train or FlixBus from Barcelona to Arles (~£25-40, 5-6 hours via Nîmes or Perpignan). Drop your bag and explore the Roman Arena (entry ~£8) and the old town that inspired Van Gogh — the Roman theatre and Alyscamps are nearby. Continue by TER train to Nice or Antibes (~£20-30, 2.5 hours). Check into a hostel near the Promenade des Anglais.
🚌Bus/train Barcelona-Arles ~£25-40; TER Arles-Nice ~£20-30
🛏Hostel dorm in Nice (e.g. Villa Saint Exupéry or Ozz Hostel), ~£30-40/night
- →Roman Arena of Arles ~£8
- →Van Gogh walking route in Arles old town
- →Evening on the Promenade des Anglais
French Riviera & Monaco
Nice / Monaco
Take the coastal TER train to Monaco (~£4, 25 minutes) — the cheapest and most scenic way to arrive. Wander the old town and Royal Palace square (free to walk around; palace state rooms ~£8), then walk the Formula 1 circuit streets and peek into Monte Carlo Casino's atrium (free; gaming rooms ~£15). Back in Nice, hire a city bike along the Promenade (~£5 for a day pass) or swim at Castel Plage. Sunset from the Colline du Château is free and unbeatable.
🚌TER train Nice-Monaco return ~£8; city bike hire ~£5
🛏Hostel dorm in Nice, ~£30-40/night
- →Monaco old town & Royal Palace square
- →Monte Carlo Casino atrium
- →Coastal bike ride along the Côte d'Azur
- →Sunset at Colline du Château
Nice to Venice (via a perfumery stop)
Nice → Venice
Cheapest route is a budget flight from Nice to Venice Treviso or Marco Polo (~£35-60 with Ryanair/easyJet, book ahead). If you want the perfumery experience, stop in Grasse en route to the airport — the Fragonard or Molinard factories offer free or ~£5 guided tours and workshops. In Venice, stay on the mainland at Mestre (~£25-35/night) and take the train or bus into the islands (~£2-3 each way). Evening cicchetti and a spritz in Cannaregio.
🚌Flight Nice-Venice ~£35-60; bus/train Mestre-Venice ~£2-3 each way
🛏Hostel/hotel in Mestre, Venice mainland, ~£25-35/night
- →Grasse perfumery tour ~£5 (optional stop)
- →Evening cicchetti crawl in Cannaregio
Venice Islands
Venice
Buy a 24-hour ACTV vaporetto pass (~£18) and use it as your own canal boat — ride Line 1 down the Grand Canal, hop off at San Marco, then out to Murano and Burano for glass and lace. A shared gondola ride booked via GetYourGuide costs around £30 per person (or ~£70 for a private 30-minute ride split between 2-4 people). Dodge the crowds by exploring Dorsoduro and the Cannaregio back canals on foot — free and far more atmospheric.
🚌24h vaporetto pass ~£18
🛏Hostel/hotel in Mestre, ~£25-35/night
- →Grand Canal vaporetto ride
- →Murano & Burano islands
- →Shared gondola ride ~£30pp
- →Dorsoduro & Cannaregio wander
Venice to Florence via Pisa
Venice → Pisa → Florence
Regional train Venice to Pisa Centrale (~£25-35, 4 hours with a change at Florence or Bologna). Leave your bag at the station lockers (~£5) and walk 20 minutes to the Leaning Tower — you can see it and the Duomo complex for free; climbing the tower is ~£18 and needs booking. Continue by regional train to Florence Santa Maria Novella (~£8, 1 hour) and check into a hostel near the centre.
🚌Regional train Venice-Pisa ~£25-35; Pisa-Florence ~£8
🛏Hostel dorm in Florence (e.g. Re-Dama or Plus Florence), ~£30-40/night
- →Leaning Tower of Pisa & Piazza dei Miracoli (free)
- →Optional tower climb ~£18
- →Evening walk along the Arno
Florence: Renaissance on Foot
Florence
Free walking tour of the historic centre in the morning, then pre-book the Uffizi (~£22) or Accademia for David (~£18) if art is your thing — or just admire the Duomo from outside for free. Lunch at the Mercato Centrale food hall or a trattoria in Santo Spirito (~£10-12), gelato at a proper gelateria (~£3). Don't miss the wine windows of Palazzo Antinori for a £3 glass, and finish with the free Piazzale Michelangelo sunset walk (30 minutes uphill).
🚌On foot; city bus ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm in Florence, ~£30-40/night
- →Florence free walking tour
- →Uffizi or Accademia entry ~£18-22
- →Mercato Centrale lunch
- →Wine window glass ~£3
- →Piazzale Michelangelo sunset
Florence to Rome
Florence → Rome
Regional (Regionale Veloce) train Florence to Rome Termini takes about 3.5 hours and costs ~£25 if booked ahead (Frecciarossa fast train ~£35-50, 1.5 hours). Check into a hostel near Termini or Monti, then walk the free highlights: Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon (now ticketed ~£5, book a slot) and Piazza Navona. Dinner in Trastevere across the river — a plate of cacio e pepe and a carafe of house wine is ~£15.
🚌Train Florence-Rome ~£25-50
🛏Hostel dorm in Rome (e.g. The Yellow or Hostel Trustever), ~£30-40/night
- →Trevi Fountain
- →Pantheon entry ~£5
- →Piazza Navona
- →Trastevere dinner
Rome: Ancient City
Rome
Pre-book the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill combo online via GetYourGuide (from ~£18-22 for entry, ~£35-45 with a guide) — the earliest slot beats the queues. Afternoon: Capitoline Hill, Circus Maximus and the Bocca della Verità (free), or climb St Peter's Dome (~£8) if you want the view. Finish with aperitivo in Monti (~£8-10) and a cheap pizza al taglio.
🚌Metro/bus day ticket ~£6
🛏Hostel dorm in Rome, ~£30-40/night
- →Colosseum, Forum & Palatine entry ~£18-22
- →Capitoline Hill & Circus Maximus
- →St Peter's Dome climb ~£8
- →Aperitivo in Monti
Rome: Departure
Rome
A final morning for anything you missed — the Vatican Museums (~£22, book the first slot), a last espresso at Sant'Eustachio, or a slow wander through the Pantheon neighbourhood. Trains from Termini to Fiumicino Airport cost ~£8 and take 32 minutes, or the Terravision shuttle bus is ~£6. Head to the airport for your onward flight, or extend in Rome if you have time.
🚌Leonardo Express to Fiumicino ~£8 or shuttle bus ~£6
🛏—
- →Vatican Museums (optional) ~£22
- →Last espresso & morning wander
Self-launched vs. Contiki
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Contiki | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,330 | £1,835 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £505 per person (28%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Contiki-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,330
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: Self-Launched 15-Day Europe Hop cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,330 per person for 15 days in England, France, Spain, Monaco & Italy. 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 £1,835 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,330 — a saving of roughly £505 (28%) per person.
How long is the England, France, Spain, Monaco & Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through England, France, Spain, Monaco & Italy.
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 culture, budget, backpacker trip through England, France, Spain, Monaco & Italy, 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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