A group of American aviators completed the first-ever airplane circumnavigation of the world, which took 175 days, 76 stops, and a stockpile of 15 Liberty engines, 14 spare pontoons, four airplanes, and two sets of new wings, in 1974. This success marked a period of international air travel, and tourists are still planning their round-the-world trips nearly a century later.
Although you do not have the same concerns as the early aviators, organizing a round-the-world trip has never been more challenging. Going on a multi-country journey may be more complicated than it has been in decades as COVID-19 continues to change the world. While now may not be the best time to hit the road, it’s never too early to start planning a trip across the globe. And besides, who doesn’t have a strong desire to travel right now?
When planning your trip, you have a variety of alternatives for reserving your airfare, as well as freedom in terms of scheduling, destination, and money. But don’t let that deter you; begin with our step-by-step advice to arranging that round-the-world trip you’ve always wanted to take.
Purchasing a round-the-world (RTW) plane ticket through a single airline alliance is the most cost-effective option to fly around the world. These are alliances of multiple airlines that make it easy to go to as many areas as possible while paying for it all in one spot or using credits. Star Alliance, OneWorld, and Skyteam are the three main airline alliances to choose from. The Star Alliance is a group of 26 airlines that operate 1300 airports across 98 percent of the world. OneWorld consists of 14 airlines that serve 1100 locations in 180 countries, and Skyteam consists of 19 airlines that serve 1000 locations throughout 170 countries.
You can purchase a single RTW airline ticket made up of numerous legs fulfilled by that alliance’s partners once you’ve chosen an airline alliance, whether because of a loyalty program you’re currently a member of or because of its terms, conditions, and destination list appeal to you. The criteria for round-the-world tickets vary by airline alliance, with exceptions such as Star Alliance’s rule that a round-the-world ticket can include two to 15 stops. However, some general criteria apply to most RTW tickets regardless of which airline company you choose.
One must regularly travel in one worldwide direction (no retracing). You must begin and end in the exact location, and you must reserve all of your flights before actually leaving. Still, you can modify them after that (however, there may be additional expenses). You usually have a year to get from where you started to where you want to be.
If you flew nonstop, you could fly around the world on the weekend, thanks to the introduction of modern ultra-long-haul trips that can take up to 20 hours. However, most RTW tickets are only valid for ten days, which is still a thrilling adventure. Consider accumulating vacation days, tagging on national holidays, or even planning a two-month break from work to get the most out of your round-the-world trip (however, six months to a year is better). Since most airline coalitions let you use your ticket for up to a year, you can get the most out of your ticket if you plan accordingly.
Because the climate will never be perfect in all of your visits, concentrate on what you want to accomplish the most and investigate the situation there. Generally speaking, you can do a city tour all year (in museums and cafes, you can escape extreme heat, cold, or rain). However, recreational experiences are more fun and pleasurable in – the right conditions.
Verify in advance to discover whether any of your must-see attractions or must-do activities will be crowded. If you want to attend the prestigious Salzburg Festival, for example, you’ll need to plan and secure your tickets months before the trip. If you’re going to squeeze a shorter thru-hike into your round-the-world trip, make sure you go at the right season and start in the right location. If you undertake the Tour du Mont Blanc during the dates of the annual winter marathon, or if you hike the Pacific Crest Trail northbound in July, you won’t get as far or have as much pleasure.
Expect that you will be in some areas at the “wrong” moment – but this may have surprising advantages. Each year, for instance, Victoria Falls has a dry season, which means fewer roaring cascades but more rafting options and the opportunity to swim right up to the falls’ brink at The Devil’s Pool. Going to Venice in the winter may result in a cloudier sky but fewer visitors. In April, traveling to Kenya and Tanzania will likely mean fewer people but more opportunities to see wildlife, all while saving money on a safari. Also, bear in mind that mom-and-pop shops have downtime and holiday seasons, so don’t be disappointed if your favorite Paris bakery is unavailable for a week or two in August.
The typical (and cheapest) round-the-world tickets bounce among a few significant locations, such as London – Bangkok – Singapore – Sydney – Los Angeles. Prices will skyrocket if you wish to connect to more unusual destinations (Baku – Kinshasa – Paramaribo, anyone?). The total distance traveled, or the number of countries visited, determines the price of a ticket.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to travel across each destination: in Australia, you could arrive in Perth, land routes to Cairns, and then fly out. Choose a few personalized attractions and plan the rest of your trip around them. If you’re a hiker, plan a trip from Peru (Inca Trail) through New Zealand (Milford Track) to Nepal (Everest Base Camp), stopping in Yosemite, Menz-Gauassa, and the Okavango Delta along the way.
Spend more time in affordable nations and plan affordable city stops along the way if money is a concern. In cities like Paris, Dubai, and San Francisco, you’ll spend more than in Nusa Tenggara, Budapest, and Buffalo.
Before purchasing a round-the-world ticket, consult a specialist: you may have a particular schedule in mind, but an expert RTW flight booker will know which itineraries work best and are the least costly. Just several minor changes could result in significant time and cost savings. Create a budget in advance, not only for your RTW ticket but also for the entire journey. Contact friends or travel influencers who have completed a round-the-world journey or are full-time travelers for advice on arranging for an international trip.
Be versatile with your scheduled departure: adjusting your departure date by a few days can save you money. Flights during the week are often less expensive, as are flights on important holidays like Christmas Day. Avoid popular business travel days and times to avoid higher rates and more congested accommodations.
Consider internal travel: buying internal flights at the same time as your RTW ticket can save you money, but with the rise of low-cost airlines around the world, you may find it wiser (and more flexible) to purchase them independently as you go.
Be aware that if you miss one of your scheduled flights (for example, if you opt on the spur of the moment to trek overland from Bangkok to Singapore instead of flying), your airline would most definitely cancel all following flights.
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