FEATURE //

How to Plan a Round-the-World Travel Route That Makes Sense

by Amanda Kendle

Amanda Kendle discusses the five most important factors when planning a round-the-world travel route.

Filed under:
Features, Money, Pre-Trip, Tips, Travel

Planning a route for a round-the-world trip is both thrilling and problematic. There’s a mad excitement to standing in front of a world map and tracing a circumnavigation with your finger tip. Everything seems possible. But when you start trying to create a realistic, practical route, the world can start to fall down around you.

So just how can you plan a RTW travel route that makes sense? There are a number of factors to consider, including these:

Walking on Water, Indonesia © ^riza^

#1 – Making Sensible Destination Choices

I’d say you can’t really go wrong when choosing the stops on a RTW trip, but some routes are more right than others. There are a number of factors to consider, but one that I think many people neglect is making sure your trip has a good variety of destinations. You might love the beach, but a RTW trip that stops in California, Australia and Thailand, all for the sun and sand, could get a bit repetitive. Think carefully about the different kinds of travel experiences you want to have and pick your stops to give a variety of these.

At the same time, don’t get carried away with trying to see the whole world. It might be a round-the-world trip, but you shouldn’t treat it as the only chance you’re ever going to have to travel, or you’ll try to squeeze in everything and end up hating it. Remember that you’ll definitely enjoy your travels more if you have just half a dozen really interesting destinations, rather than trying to see every landmark in a continent.

#2 – The Biggest Problem: The Cost

I’ve often dreamed up some truly fantastic RTW itineraries for myself, only to plug them in online and discover that buying a new car would be significantly cheaper. My favorite site to use is the Airtreks TripPlanner which allows you to experiment with all kinds of great routes, seeing different prices and adding or subtracting cities as it suits you. They also have a neat interactive map which makes it easy to map out a trip idea while making sure you keep traveling in the same direction, and the search results add in additional stops that can be made either for the same price or just a little more – although more choices are sometimes not what you need.

In any case, a RTW travel ticket is nearly always going to start at $2,000 and can often be around $3,000 or $4,000. That makes it a pretty hefty part of your budget. If that’s tight – whose budget isn’t? – then play around with your route to get the best value for your money.

Of course, there is more than just your flight to pay, especially if you’re traveling for a long stretch. Research your destinations to get an idea of the average daily costs for travelers and figure out your budget (adding a good 10 or 20 percent buffer). You might decide you need to spend longer in cheaper countries and have a relatively short stay in more expensive places.

#3 – Different Climates and Seasons

There are two reasons why the weather is important: you might have a personal preference (I’m a summer girl), and it has a big impact on what you pack. If you’re doing a medium to long-term backpacking stint, you may not want to have to carry clothes for all seasons. Alternatively, you might want to visit winter or cold climate destinations as the first part of your trip and then dump your coats or send your winter woollies home.

There are, of course, ways around these problems, but if you have the flexibility while you’re still in the planning stages, do a bit of research about the expected weather at particular times of year in the places you want to visit. WorldClimate.com is a great resource for this and can help you structure your trip to take advantage of better weather, or perhaps even avoid your most hated season altogether.

Daydreaming, Japan © *Solar ikon*

#4 – Time Spent Traveling

While you might imagine anyone booking a RTW flight to be taking a slow journey of months or even a year, a lot of people are taking advantage of RTW flight routes to travel for just a few weeks, visiting several places in different continents. In that case, you really need to do your research on how much time will be spent in traveling, whether by air or land. You don’t want the memories of your big trip to be of departure lounges and airplane food. And remember – pure flight times aren’t enough, you have to factor in checking in before hand and traveling to the airport. It all adds up.

#5 – Practicalities: Visas and Health

It’s not much fun to get back down to earth when you’re planning your RTW route and think about boring practicalities like visas or medical insurance, but it’s still necessary. You should check which countries you’re going to visit will require visas, and make sure that the timing of these will fit into your overall route. For example, some countries have visa requirements that limit the validity of the visa – you may not be able to get it issued more than six months in advance, which could be tricky.

Also, it pays to start researching a decent travel insurance policy – particularly one that includes health cover – while you’re still at the planning stages. Plus you’ll need to take a note of which countries you might need vaccinations or shots for, and how the timing of these work, too. When I was planning a trip to Namibia, I remember getting stumped by how and where I was going to be able to get the booster vaccinations required. Long trips can make timing complicated.

Enjoy Your Planning

Don’t forget that the planning is often just as fun as the actual traveling. Take enough time to daydream about what your trip might bring, and to let your imagination run wild. Don’t be afraid to visit a country that you don’t know much about, or better yet, get your hands on some good reading material and learn about it. Keep a world map handy so you can play with possible routes in your mind whenever the mood takes you. This trip will undoubtedly be one of the best experiences of your life. Enjoy it right from the start.

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About the Author

Amanda Kendle is an Australian travel addict who's visited more than thirty countries. She works as a travel blogger, blogging trainer and social media consultant and is trying to get a novel published. You can follow her life as a travel blogger at Not A Ballerina.

Elizabeth
March 5th, 2008

Great suggestions! As someone who is considering a RTW trip in the future these are definitely tips to remember.

Gary
March 5th, 2008

So given all of that – any suggestions as to a potential itinerary as an example?

Mike
March 5th, 2008

Quite a bookmark-worthy post, Amanda!

Gavin
March 5th, 2008

Solid article. Does anyone think it makes any sense to try and do RTW by purchasing individual tickets, either beforehand or en route?

Amanda
March 6th, 2008

Gary: potential itineraries sounds like a whole new post! In my life I’ve mapped out an extraordinary number of RTW itineraries, most of them purely wishful thinking though. Stay tuned and perhaps we can put up some ideas.

Gavin: Depends on where you’re going, but with the increasing availability of cheap tickets on low cost carriers – which are starting to do long haul routes – then yes, sometimes it might (a) work out cheaper and (b) be more flexible. You’d need to be really in touch with the different airlines and when they have specials, etc – I still think whichbudget.com is the best place to start for that kind of research.

Lola
March 6th, 2008

Good stuff as always Amanda. My subconscious has been itching for a RTW the last 2 years and this thought has been looming over me these last few months…..

Amanda
March 7th, 2008

Then it’s time to start planning, Lola! Even if you don’t actually travel for a while, the planning phase is so much fun. Lots of delicious daydreaming and crazy ideas …

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March 9th, 2008

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Leah
May 5th, 2010

Myself and my boyfriend are in the early stages of planning a year long RTW trip. I plan on leaving Ireland for India in early September. Spending a month traveling around India. Then Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Oz for a short while in late December, renting a campervan in NZ then hitting south america for three months before home. I wanted to do central america too but the RTW flight companies (trailfinders/usit etc) are telling me that I will go over the milage allowed. (29,000). We’re very flexible with our dates/ destinations. I was wondering does anyone think we should travel the other way around, as in South America first, finishing up in India?

Any advice from anyone who has done a similar route would be greatly appreciated!!! I’m so nervous and excited at the same time!

Nico
June 15th, 2010

Hi everyone..I do have a question that it might look stupid but I do need to know the answer..what is consider a Round the world trip??..how many countries do you have to touch??..can I just pick the ecuador line and just follow it??..Any suggestions?
thanks!!!

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June 17th, 2010

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Andy
January 21st, 2011

Hi Amanda.

Enjoyed reading your post, I’m planning a trip around the world. With a budget of £5000.
I was thinking of starting in India. But then going to China to teach English as a foreign language for 6-12 months. Trying to live off the money I earn there to help my budget. The sort of just going through South East Asia like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, malyasia. The try and see some of Australia and New Zealand. After that going to South America to once again to teach english for 6-12 months living off what i earn and then coming back to the UK. Is this feasable???

Henrique
February 28th, 2011

Very good article, I hope it inspires lot’s of 1st timers to get out of the cubicle and go rtw. I just can’t agree with the last paragraph… planning isn’t (never) as fun as the actual traveling. Being out on the streets is the real deal, most of the time the best experiences are gained from going with the flow, and keep your plans as open as possible. Over-planning can ruin your experiences and expectations. Keep an open mind and enjoy the freedom of Vagabonding… no pressure.

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Don Nadeau
February 28th, 2011

I say pack a RTW trip with places you are not likely to reach easily or inexpensively on shorter trips.

For someone from Europe or North America, stops might include places in South America and central and southern Africa.

Because Aerolineas Argentinas and LAN connect South America with Australia & New Zealand, you need not backtrack. Southern Africa and South America are also linked directly, which saves time and money.

Don Nadeau
February 28th, 2011

Forgot to mention that Aerolineas Argentinas will join the SkyTeam alliance during 2012, which will bring more RTW ticketing opportunities.

LAN already is in OneWorld, which may be better than SkyTeam for a southern RTW, because Qantas also hangs out there.

Craig S. Holden
April 17th, 2011

Hello Amanda,
Good Advice, thank you for sharing the RTW expirence.
I plan my around-the-world trips from West to East.
Every completed trip gives me an extra day of life! THX Jules V. and Philias F.
The ’73 trip started it all.. there I was, in London, it was 9:12 in the morning, Friday, November 21st. I responded to a lady holding a sign that read “TWA TOURS”, recieved a Numbered Cardboard Badge, climbed aboard a Little Blue Bus. and was told we were
headed for the Tower of London… I had been awake for 29 hours and 17 minites and I wanted a bathroom and a hotel bed… By 10:18 that evening I would have seen the Crown Jewels, celebrated my 30th birthday, and become a new, very expirenced, Guiness Drinker, riding the Circle Line Subway, around and around, waiting for the Marbel Arch Stop to arrive.
1975 was the Alaskan Highway in a Type 181 VW, to Fairbanks and back (back was Palo Alto – Silicon Valley during the interesting times).
My first ATW trip took place, with bicycle, during 1977 and ’78 and changed my life… two years in Nepal… that would make a good chapter title, ‘Two years in Katmandu’. (Can one be a Buddist Presbyterian? stay tuned)
’85 was 3 months to Alaska by Bicycle, and in 1994 I made the trip in 5 days 9 hours by Buick.
An ’84 Trip ,with my Mother, included Paris. I was forty years old, and as she spoke with the waiter in a little resturant next to our lodgings, I realized for the first time, she could speak French! (Mom, when did you learn to speak French?)
Now in the seventh decade of this life, I still dreamplan my next trip. Around The World (what else), this time by Car.
It is the 16th of April, Milepost Zero – California Station.
L.Y.N.D.A. and I have just begun our Around the World Drive.
First stop, Roaring Camp RR, there, the Old Steam Locomotive is about to receive a gift of AI from the L.ogically Y.ared N.avigational D.ata A.nalyist, the computer driven automobile, with whom I ride. Using the computers artificial intelligence (and artistic licence) we are going to be introduced to the Steam Engine’s friends, the manificent Coastal Redwoods, from whom we shall learn the history of the Sempervirens, the Ohlones, and the Henry Cowell Redwood State Park as we ride the train through the San Lorenzo Valley on the way to Santa Cruz. (Did you know that there are 94,286 towns, cities, and otherwise wide spots on the World Road, named, Santa Cruz)
Wait until you learn the history of Paris told by an animated Tower of Iron Construction. ooh la la.
Taste the tears at the Taj Mahal… her lover had planned his tomb to be a copy of her jewel incrusted resting place, His, rendered in black, was to be built on the island across the river from hers. Enter the son, unhappy that ‘dad’ was ‘spending his inheritence’, gave his father a room in Agra’s Red Fort for the remainder of his life. There was a view of the Taj Mahal from the cells window.
-
The Wonder is the World, a Round Ball Spaceship.
I say to all Flat Worlders: See you in the Funny Papers.
-
The rest of the story will be on “LYNDA Sees the World”.
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Come on along… it’s going to be a beautiful drive.
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Plan… Dream… but in the end… GO!
There is nothing out there but human beings. The only differences are found at borders and in governments.
Be flexable… the trip won’t turn out as it was planned. Don’t worry, snafu’s lead to wonderful happens, the successful trip might be, because, it didn’t go… According to the Plan.
C. Holden – 2011 – at the Station

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Saran
August 31st, 2011

Hi Amanda, Thanks for the avice… I not really trying to do it all in one trip. I’d like to plan for visiting a few different countries each year… Until today I had no idea RTW tickets were available. I am excited about that, I may do a 2 week RTW trip next year