Want to have a round the world trip? You must read this article inlcuding costs, routes, and everything about round the world flights.
When you start planning a multi-stop trip, there are many possibilities to consider and choose from. When building a global route, what you want to see, how much you can spend and how long you want to travel are important matters to consider. This article will help you understand everything about round the world flights.
How to Book an Around the World Flight?
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This is the most complex part. You have two main paths: a single RTW ticket or a DIY approach with individual tickets.
Option A: The Round the World Ticket
This is a single ticket that covers your entire journey, usually built on one of three major alliances: Star Alliance, Oneworld, or SkyTeam.
How it works:
1.Choose Your Alliance: Each offers different rules and fare structures.
Alliance | Feature |
Star Alliance (e.g., Lufthansa, Singapore Air) | • Fare Structure: Distance-based (e.g., 26,000 to 39,000 miles). |
Oneworld (e.g., Qantas, British Airways) | • Fare Structure: |
SkyTeam (e.g., Delta, Air France) | • Fare Structure: Rules are similar to other alliances (often continent or segment-based). |
2.Understand the Core Rules (Common to all):
Category | Rules |
Travel Direction | You must travel in one continuous global direction (east or west); no backtracking. |
Start/End Point | You must start and end your journey in the same country. |
Number of Stops | You are limited to a set number of stops (usually between 4 and 16). |
Trip Duration | The total journey must be completed within a period, typically between 10 days and 12 months. |
Booking Flexibility | All flights must be booked before departure; date changes are usually possible later for a fee. |
3.How to Book a RTW Ticket:
- Use the Online Planners: Start by using the alliance's online booking tool to get a rough idea of routes and prices.
- Star Alliance RTW
- Oneworld Explorer
- SkyTeam World Tour
- Talk to a Travel Agent (Highly Recommended): This is complex. An experienced travel agent who specializes in RTW tickets is invaluable. They know the rules, tricks, and can often find smarter, cheaper routings than you can online. They can also handle the entire booking for you.
Option B: The DIY Approach
This involves piecing together your journey using a combination of one-way tickets, budget airlines, and overland travel.
How to do it:
- Be Flexible: Use tools like Trip.com to find the cheapest one-way routes between continents.
- Embrace Budget Airlines: Use carriers like AirAsia, Scoot and Jetstar for hops within regions.
- Mix with Overland Travel: Don't fly between every city. Take trains, buses, or ferries (e.g., train from Paris to Barcelona, bus from Singapore to Malaysia). This saves money and adds experience.
What to Prepare for a Round the World Trip?
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Category | Action Items & Recommendations |
Passport & Visa | • Apply for or renew your passport well in advance. |
Money Management | • Plan how to handle finances while abroad. |
Safety & Documents | • Always keep passport, cards, cash, and key documents secure and under your control. |
Packing | • For most backpacking trips, pack only carry-on luggage to simplify transit and save time. |
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How to Plan Your Round the World Trip?
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There’s nothing like traveling around the world at your own pace—stopping wherever your heart desires. It’s the ideal adventure, whether you're a committed traveler or still hesitating. But booking a Round-the-World (RTW) trip can be complex. This guide will help you get started.
How to Book an Economical Rround the World Trip
The most cost-effective method is to book an RTW ticket through a single airline alliance. While almost any route is possible, understanding how RTW systems work can save you money.
Key Booking Rules:
- Travel in one continuous direction (east or west—no backtracking).
- Start and end in the same country.
- Book all flights before departure (changes are possible later but may incur fees).
Timing Your Trip:
- Minimum trip length: Most RTW tickets require at least 10 days.
- Maximum validity: Up to 1 year.
- Planning tip: Consider using annual leave, public holidays, or even taking a longer break.
Rround the World Flights | Weather & Seasonal Tips
You can’t expect perfect weather everywhere. Plan around your must-visit destinations:
- Avoid Nepal during monsoon season if trekking the Himalayas.
- Visit Western Australia between April–July to swim with whale sharks.
- Embrace off-season surprises: Zambia’s rainy season offers lush landscapes and lower prices.
Pro tip: Cities are great year-round (museums and cafés provide shelter), but outdoor activities depend on good weather.
Rround the World Flights | Designing Your itinerary
- Pick a few dream destinations—build your route around them.
- Love hiking?Try Peru (Inca Trail), NZ (Milford Track), and Nepal (Everest Base Camp).
- Balance your budget: Spend more time in affordable countries like Indonesia, Bolivia, or India.
- Start smart: Rio is a great entry point for exploring South America; use major hubs efficiently.
Rround the World Flights | Budget & Booking Tips
- Consult an expert: RTW booking agents know the best routes and can save you money.
- Stay flexible: Shifting dates or flying on weekdays/Christmas can cut costs.
- Book domestic flights wisely: Including them in your RTW ticket may be cheaper—but sometimes booking separately with budget airlines is better.
How Much Does a Round World Trip Cost?
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The short answer is that a budget-conscious, longer trip can cost a similar amount to a shorter, more comfortable one. The total cost is a function of time, travel style, and destinations.
A realistic estimate for a multi-month trip is typically between 20,000 and 50,000+ AUD per person.
Rround the World Flights | The RTW Air Ticket (The Biggest Fixed Cost)
This is the backbone of your trip. Prices are primarily based on the number of flights, total distance, or continents visited.
- Economy Class, Classic Route:
- A standard RTW ticket with 4-5 stops (e.g., Sydney -> Singapore -> Europe -> South America -> USA -> Sydney) typically starts from 5,000−9,000 AUD.
- Prices can be higher if you include more stops or remote destinations.
- Business Class:
- For a comfortable Business Class experience, expect to pay 12,000−25,000+ AUD.
- Budget Carrier Alternative:
- You could piece together your own route using budget airlines and separate one-way tickets. This offers more flexibility but requires meticulous planning. It can be cheaper for simple routes but often more expensive for complex global routes once you add checked bags and fees.
Rround the World Flights | Daily Expenses (The Variable Cost)
This is where your budget is truly defined. Daily costs vary enormously by region.
Region & Travel Style | Budget (per day) | Mid-Range (per day) | Luxury (per day) |
Southeast Asia | 50−80 AUD | 100−150 AUD | $250+ AUD |
Eastern Europe | 70−100 AUD | 120−180 AUD | $300+ AUD |
Western Europe | 100−150 AUD | 200−300 AUD | $400+ AUD |
North America | 100−150 AUD | 200−300 AUD | $400+ AUD |
South America | 60−90 AUD | 120−200 AUD | $300+ AUD |
Australia / NZ | 100−150 AUD | 200−300 AUD | $400+ AUD |
Example Calculation:
- A 3-month (90-day) trip spending 1/3 of time in budget regions and 2/3 in mid-range regions:
- (30 days x 75AUD)+(60daysx250 AUD) = $17,250 AUD
Rround the World Flights | Additional Essential Costs
These are often overlooked but can add up significantly.
- Travel Insurance: Absolutely essential. For a long-term worldwide trip, expect to pay 800−2,000+ AUD depending on coverage and age.
- Vaccinations & Health: Depending on your destination, vaccinations and a medical kit could cost 200−800 AUD.
- Visas: Research visa requirements for each country. Costs can range from 0to150+ AUD per visa. For Australians, this can add up to 500−800 AUD for a long trip.
- Gear: A quality backpack, shoes, and travel gear will be a 500−1,500 AUD initial investment if you don't already own them.
- Tours & Activities: Scuba diving, trekking, safari tours, cultural experiences, etc. Budget 1,000−5,000+ AUD for major activities.
Rround the World Flights | Sample Budget Scenarios (Per Person)
Travel Style & Duration | Accommodation & Transport | RTW Ticket | Daily Expenses (Calculation) |
Budget Backpacker | Hostels, dorms, street food, public transport | $6,500 (Economy) | 26,400 (80/day × 11 months) |
2. Comfortable Traveller | Private hostels, restaurants, some tours | $7,500 (Economy) | 36,000 (200/day × 6 months) |
3. "Flashpacker" / Luxury | Boutique hotels, fine dining, internal flights | $15,000 (Business) | 42,000 (400/day × 3.5 months) |
Rround the World Flights | How to Save Money
- Travel Slow: The slower you go, less you spend on transport.
- Choose Cheap Regions: Spend more time in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central/South America.
- Travel Off-Peak: Avoid peak season in Europe and North America.
- Use Points: Use credit card sign-up bonuses and frequent flyer points to offset flight costs.
- Book Flexibility: Be flexible with your dates and routes to find the best deals.
Recommendations for Round the World Trip Routes
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Rround the World Flights | The Classic First-Timer's Route
This route is popular for a reason: it's logistically straightforward, covers iconic destinations, and offers a fantastic mix of culture, cuisine, and adventure.
- Direction: West from Australia/NZ or East from the Americas.
- Sample Route:
- Start: Sydney or Auckland
- Southeast Asia: Bangkok (hub for travel to Chiang Mai, Vietnamese beaches, or Angkor Wat)
- Europe: Istanbul (East meets West) → Paris → Barcelona → Rome
- North America: New York → Los Angeles or San Francisco
- Pacific: Fly home to Sydney/Auckland (or continue to South America)
- Why it works: Excellent flight connectivity. Balances developed countries with more affordable regions. Easy for first-time travelers to navigate.
- Ideal Duration: 3-4 months.
- Alliance: Well serviced by Star Alliance and Oneworld.
Rround the World Flights | The Adventure & Nature Lover's Route
For those who want to prioritize epic landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor activities over big cities.
- Direction: West
- Sample Route:
- Start: Cape Town (hike Table Mountain, safari)
- Middle East/Asia: Dubai (stopover) → Nepal (trek the Himalayas)
- Southeast Asia: Borneo (jungles & orangutans) or Bali (diving, culture)
- Oceania: Cairns, Australia (Great Barrier Reef) → New Zealand (South Island for hiking & fjords)
- South America: Chile (Patagonia trekking) → Peru (Machu Picchu) → Costa Rica (cloud forests & volcanoes)
- Why it works: Focuses on the Southern Hemisphere's most stunning natural wonders. Requires more effort but is incredibly rewarding.
- Ideal Duration: 6+ months.
- Alliance: Star Alliance has strong coverage in these regions.
Rround the World Flights | The "Off the Beaten Path" Route
For seasoned travelers who have seen the classics and want a more unique and challenging experience.
- Direction: East or West
- Sample Route:
- Start: Tbilisi, Georgia (incredible food & mountains)
- Central Asia: Uzbekistan (Silk Road cities of Samarkand & Bukhara) → Kyrgyzstan (mountain trekking)
- Asia: Mongolia (vast steppes & Naadam Festival) → Japan (contrast with ultra-modernity)
- Pacific: Fiji or Samoa (authentic island culture)
- South America: Colombia (vibrant cities & coffee region) → Bolivia (Salar de Uyuni)
- Why it works: Avoids massive tourist crowds and offers deep cultural immersion. Be prepared for less tourist infrastructure.
- Ideal Duration: 5-6 months.
- Logistics: This route often requires a DIY approach with individual tickets, as RTW ticket rules may not easily accommodate some of these destinations.
Rround the World Flights | The Luxury & Comfort Route
Focusing on world-class cities, comfort, fine dining, and shorter, more relaxing stops.
- Direction: East
- Sample Route:
- Start: Tokyo (luxury shopping & Michelin-starred dining)
- Asia: Singapore (iconic hotels & food) → Maldives (beach villa stopover)
- Middle East: Dubai (ultra-luxury experience) or Doha
- Europe: Paris → French Riviera (Nice, Cannes) → Florence → Venice
- North America: New York → Napa Valley, California
- Why it works: Uses major international hubs with excellent business/first-class flight availability and world-class accommodation.
- Ideal Duration: 2-3 months.
- Alliance: Oneworld and Star Alliance excel here.
How to Book Round the World Trip Hotel?
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Your accommodation strategy should be flexible, especially for a long trip.
- Don't Book Everything in Advance: Unlike your flights, you only need to book your first few nights' accommodation. Your plans will change on the road—you'll meet people who recommend new places, you'll love a city and want to stay longer, or hate a place and want to leave early.
- Use Trip.com to Book: Always has best prices on hotels and guesthouses. Offer free cancellation, which is perfect for tentative planning, get new user coupon for more discounts.
- Consider the Season: Book key accommodation well in advance for popular destinations during high season (e.g., Christmas in New Zealand, summer in Europe) to avoid everything being sold out or exorbitantly priced.
Rround the World Flights | Step-by-Step Booking Summary
- Plan Your Rough Route: List your must-visit countries and put them in a logical geographical order.
- Get Flight Quotes: Use the alliance tools and a travel agent to get quotes for a RTW ticket. Then, compare that rough cost to the price of individual one-way tickets on your key long-haul routes (e.g., Sydney to Santiago, Lima to London).
- Book Your Flights: Decide on your method and make the big purchase. Get travel insurance that covers you the second you book!
- Book Your First Stop: Book accommodation for your first 3-4 nights to give yourself a cushion when you arrive jet-lagged.
- Book as You Go: For the rest of your trip, book accommodation a few days to a week in advance. This balance gives you freedom without the stress of having nowhere to sleep.
FAQs about Round the World Flights
How much does a round the world ticket cost?
An "around the world" (RTW) ticket can cost from roughly $2,500 to $6,000 for economy class, and can be $5,000 to $14,000 or more for business class, with costs varying significantly based on the number of continents visited, the total distance flown, the specific routes chosen, the number of stops, and the chosen class of service. Factors like the departure country and the booking alliance or specialist travel agency also affect the final price.How many stops can you have on a round the world ticket?
You are allowed a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 15 stopovers. A stopover lasts for 24 hours or more between two flights while transfers are less than 24 hours. Your Round the World fare qualifies to earn miles and points in your Frequent Flyer Programme. Please refer to that programme's rules for more details.How much would a flight around the world cost?
An around-the-world plane ticket typically costs between $2,500 and $7,000 for economy class and over $10,000 for business or first class, though prices vary significantly based on the number of continents visited, the class of service, the airline alliance, and the specific destinations and number of stops. Specialist travel agencies like AirTreks and airline alliances such as Oneworld or Star Alliance offer these tickets.Can you buy an unlimited plane ticket?
Yes, you can buy an "unlimited" plane ticket, but true lifetime passes are extremely rare today. However, airlines like Frontier and Wizz Air offer subscription-based "All-You-Can-Fly" passes for a fixed period (annual or seasonal), providing access to flights for a set price, though you still pay for taxes and fees. Other options include alliance-based "Round the World" fares and, in the past, private jet startups have offered subscription models for a small network.