Here is the trip of a lifetime: go round the planet and stop where the beauty calls. Booking a round-the-world (RTW) trip can be quite complex. Here are our tips to get you going.
Make the trip
The cheapest way to go round-the-world is to buy a round-the-world airline ticket based on an airline alliance. In theory there are numerous solutions, but knowing how the RTW system works makes travelling cheaper. For example, Star Alliance, an agreement between 27 airlines, provides for the purchase of a ticket with up to 15 stopovers with the possibility of landing at 1185 airports in 185 countries.
There are a few rules: you have to follow a specific direction (e.g. east to west, you can't go back); you have to leave and arrive in the same country; and you have to book all flights before departure, although you can make changes during the flight (but pay extra).
So select a few places you absolutely don't want to miss and organise your itinerary according to your goals. For example, if you're a fan of trekking, aim for Peru (and the Inca Trail), New Zealand (and the Milford Track), Nepal (Everest Base Camp),Australia andNorth India.
If budget is an issue, choose the cheapest countries. Your daily expenses will be far higher in North America and Europe than in South-East Asia. Indonesia, Bolivia and India are among the least expensive places in the world.
How long does it take?
If you fly non-stop, a weekend is all you need to travel around the world. However, the minimum duration of many RTW tickets is 10 days - still too short to enjoy the experience. The truth is that you need at least two months, six if possible, a year in the optimal solution. You can make use of a leave of absence from work or take the classic sabbatical. One year, as it happens, is the maximum duration of an RTW ticket.
When to leave
Well, the weather cannot be splendid everywhere. So choose the best time based on the destinations that interest you most. If you are planning a trek in the Himalayas, don't choose Nepal at the height of the monsoon. If you want to swim with whales in Western Australia, find yourself there between April and July. Also plan to arrive in the wrong place at the wrong time. After all, it has its advantages. In the rainy season, for example, Zambia turns green and its prices go down. n general, cities can be explored all year round (from extreme heat and cold you can find refuge in museums and cafés). For outdoor adventures, however, you need the cooperation of the climate.
Where to go
The most classic (and inexpensive) of RTWs runs between a few big cities, such as London, Bangkok, Singapore, Sydney and Los Angeles. If you have less travelled routes in mind (such as Baku, Kinshasa, Paramaribo and wherever else you want to go), the prices will come down. In general, the cost of the ticket is given by the distance travelled and the number of countries covered. Remember that you are not obliged to always travel by plane. In Australia you can land in Perth, travel by land and then take off from Cairns. Or you can fly to Moscow, hop on the Trans-Siberian Railway and fly back to Beijing.
Select a few places you don't want to miss and plan your itinerary around these destinations. For example, if you're a trekking fan, go for Peru (and the Inca Trail), New Zealand (and the Milford Track), Nepal (Everest Base Camp), Australia and North India.
If budget is an issue, choose the cheapest countries. Your daily expenses will be far higher in North America and Europe than in South-East Asia. Indonesia, Bolivia and India are among the least expensive places in the world.
Tips and tricks
What can help you in this great travel venture? First of all, ask advice from those who have already done it: the itinerary you have in mind might be good, but those with experience will be able to show you the best routes at the lowest price. Exchanging a few words can bring huge benefits.
And then be flexible: moving your departure dates by a few days can mean saving a lot of money. Mid-week flights are generally cheaper, as are flights on Christmas Day.
Consider domestic flights: booking them can be cheaper than using RTW directly, due to the spread of low-cost airlines. Beware: if you give up one of the booked flights because you prefer to travel by land, the airline may cancel all your subsequent flights.