Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure
Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - How to Plan Your Around-the-World Route
Planning the route for your around-the-world adventure is arguably the most exciting part of the entire process. With so many incredible destinations across the globe, the possibilities are endless. However, mapping out an efficient and well-paced itinerary is key to maximizing your trip.
When deciding on your route, consider the major regions you want to explore and look at flight paths that connect them logically. Most round-the-world tickets allow you to select 4-6 stopovers, so choose regions wisely. Popular routes often include Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Europe and North/South America. You can tweak and customize based on your interests.
It's wise to start traveling westward to take advantage of any jet lag adjustment. For example, kick things off in Asia before continuing to Australia and so forth. You'll also want to group together destinations that are in close proximity to avoid backtracking. Spend time in Southeast Asia before heading south to Australia and New Zealand.
Research visa requirements early so you can plan routes accordingly. Some visas may take weeks or months to obtain, so factor this into your schedule. You want to avoid discovering a visa issue that forces you to suddenly change course mid-trip.
Leave room for a bit of spontaneity too. While an overall route is necessary, don’t over-plan every single detail. Allow yourself flexibility in case you fall in love with a place and want to extend your stay. You may also hear about cool destinations from fellow travelers that you'll want to work into your plans.
Use flight search engines like Google Flights to map out potential routes and compare prices. Play around with the stopovers and order until you find an option that maximizes destinations and minimizes backtracking. Consider open-jaw flights to avoid retracing steps.
Talk to friends who have done round-the-world trips for their advice. Experienced travelers will have insight on logistics like jet lag, pacing and transportation between cities. Their first-hand perspective can be invaluable for crafting the perfect journey.
What else is in this post?
- Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - How to Plan Your Around-the-World Route
- Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - Strategies for Booking the Best Value Flights
- Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - Unveiling Hidden Gems: Must-Visit Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations
- Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - Exploring Cultural Delights: Immersive Experiences in Different Continents
- Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - Discovering Iconic Landmarks: Must-See Sites on Your Around-the-World Trip
- Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - Mastering Travel Hacks: Insider Tips for a Smooth Around-the-World Journey
Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - Strategies for Booking the Best Value Flights
Finding affordable flights is often the biggest expense for round-the-world travelers. With careful planning and insider strategies, you can secure flights that help you get the most bang for your buck. Comparing all available flight options and being open to less conventional routes are key to landing deals.
Round-the-world tickets allow you to pre-purchase a bundle of flights at a discounted rate. They give you flexibility to customize your route while enjoying set pricing. Airlines like Star Alliance and OneWorld offer these special fares that can save you thousands compared to booking flights individually. The tradeoff is that you are locked into that alliance's network. If your dream trip involves smaller cities, it may be cheaper to book flights separately.
Use flight search engines like Google Flights, Momondo and Skyscanner to easily view prices across different airlines, alliances and routes. For example, you can enter your potential destinations and travel dates to see a matrix of prices for all combos. This allows you to mix and match airlines and routes to find deals. Be open to flying budget airlines for certain legs too.
Consider open-jaw flights to avoid retracing steps. Flying into one city and out of another can help maximize your time and reduce backtracking. For example, fly into Bangkok and out of Phuket rather than returning to Bangkok. Some round-the-world tickets allow two open-jaws.
Don’t assume direct flights are best. Sometimes two one-way flights booked separately cost less than a direct flight between the same cities. Also look at flights with one connection rather than limiting to nonstop only. There are hidden gems to be found.
Sign up for fare alerts and check regularly as you get closer to travel. Prices are constantly changing. You may luck out with a fare sale or price drop right before your trip. Third party sites like Scott's Cheap Flights can alert you to deals that you may miss otherwise.
Consider booking a one-way ticket to or from your home country. Then you have the freedom to be spontaneous booking the other half of your journey as you go. You may discover new destinations from fellow travelers that you'll want to visit.
Talk to a travel agent! A good agent has insider knowledge and tools to find you the best fares. They can advocate on your behalf if any issues come up too. Some specialize in round-the-world itineraries.
Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - Unveiling Hidden Gems: Must-Visit Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations
Getting off the beaten path is where truly magical travel experiences lie in wait. While big-name destinations certainly deserve their fame, exploring lesser-known spots allows you to feel like a local—without the crowds. That enriching feeling of discovery is a huge part of what makes traveling so rewarding.
On a round-the-world trip, you'll have access to countless cities, towns and villages waiting to welcome intrepid explorers. Speaking to other globe-trotters about their standout finds is a great way to curate your own list of hidden gems. One such traveler recalled being blown away by the natural beauty of Pai, a tranquil mountain town in northern Thailand. "Paragliding through lush jungle valleys there is an experience I'll never forget," they said.
Another wanderer shared how spending time in Vang Vieng, Laos completely changed their perspective. "Though it's grown more mainstream in recent years, relaxing along the Nam Song River with locals made me feel like I was living like the locals." A Canadian couple ventured to Iceland's Westfjords region, describing it as even more stunningly dramatic than the famous South Coast. "We had the dramatic landscapes entirely to ourselves."
For those looking to disconnect from the grid somewhat, rural Argentine Patagonia calls. One nomad spoke fondly of the "small Quechua villages sprinkled across the wilderness, where smiling families welcomed us with homemade bread, cheese and maté tea." Off Chile's beaten path, San Pedro de Atacama intrigued a digital marketer with its "star-filled evenings in the world's driest desert and locally-led astro-touring through ancient geoglyphs."
Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - Exploring Cultural Delights: Immersive Experiences in Different Continents
Round-the-world travel is a chance to immerse yourself in diverse cultures across continents. Getting an authentic taste of local life often ends up being the highlight for many globetrotters. Delving into traditions, customs and cuisines offers perspective-shifting insights into how others experience the world. For traveling foodies, rounding the world opens up flavors from all corners of the globe.
Torsten recalled his favorite food memories after six continents of indulgence. “To me, the night markets of Singapore and hawker stalls of Malaysia represent the ultimate food extravaganza. Dozens of vendors run mini restaurants specializing in traditional dishes from various Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines. The seafood laksa and chili crab I devoured were easily among the best meals of my life!”
Meanwhile in South America, he took part in a traditional Asado feast at a ranch outside Buenos Aires. “Savoring tender, wood-fire grilled beef paired with Malbec wine while gauchos performed folk music epitomized the spirit of Argentina for me,” Torsten said. Up in Peru’s Sacred Valley, a local Quechua woman introduced him to dishes like guinea pig and quinoa stews that have been prepared the same way for generations.
Europe dazzled Torsten’s taste buds with everything from Neapolitan pizza straight from a brick oven in Italy to savory fish and chips he gobbled down along the Scottish coast. And he insists that the classic Austrian wiener schnitzel he enjoyed in a Vienna beer garden was the best of his life.
Beyond cuisine, taking part in local festivals and celebrations creates fun and enlightening memories. Whether joining in the colorful madness of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival or India's vibrant Holi festival, you gain a whole new admiration for cultures. One adventurous soul recalled a magical experience celebrating Inti Raymi with indigenous communities high in Peru’s Sacred Valley. “Seeing ancient Incan traditions come to life atop the Andes during the winter solstice was unforgettable,” she said. Festivals celebrating local music and arts are also a joy to experience from Scotland's Edinburgh Fringe to New Orleans' jazzy Mardi Gras.
Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - Discovering Iconic Landmarks: Must-See Sites on Your Around-the-World Trip
Round-the-world travel allows you to take in breathtaking sights that others only see in photos or videos. From ancient wonders to modern marvels, iconic landmarks tell stories about humankind’s hopes, dreams and innovations. They allow you to physically walk through history.
Torsten felt the power of this firsthand at Petra in Jordan. “Hiking through the narrow Siq gorge before laying eyes on the sprawling, intricately carved building facades of the ‘Lost City’ just wowed me,” he said. “It was incredible to imagine the ingenuity that went into constructing this massive ancient metropolis carved right into the sandstone cliffs thousands of years ago.”
In Egypt, gazing up in awe at the Great Pyramids of Giza equally impressed Torsten with the ambition of the ancient pharaohs. “Standing before these perfectly constructed royal tombs dating back 4,500 years really drives home how advanced early human civilizations were,” he said. From the enigmatic moai statues of Easter Island to the masterful stone temples of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, ruins offer windows into our past.
Natural wonders also hold amazing lessons. A trip to the Grand Canyon let Torsten take in the patient handiwork of the Colorado River over millions of years. “You gain such a deep appreciation of the incredible timescales that shaped our planet,” he reflected. At Iguazu Falls spanning Argentina and Brazil’s border, he stood mesmerized by the raw power and beauty of the world’s largest waterfall system. “From viewing platforms right over the deafening Devil’s Throat to half-mile long walkways getting drenched in the spray, it’s a waterfall lover’s paradise,” Torsten raved.
Explore the World in One Epic Journey: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Around-the-World Flight Adventure - Mastering Travel Hacks: Insider Tips for a Smooth Around-the-World Journey
Coming from Germany, he anticipated language barriers.Using translation apps surprised locals, yet eased communication. Looking for "toilet" in Khmer saved chuckling at his "bedroom" request in a Phnom Penh market! Sign language sufficed instead.
Booking overnight buses in Southeast Asia let him wake refreshed, instead rushing between dawn flights.Meeting fellow flaneurs onboard, next stops sparked. Savoring street markets upon arrival felt less daunting with local intel.
Packing minimalistically meant one bag anywhere, not stressing lost luggage.Light converters worldwide recharge phones, while downloaded transit maps replaced data roaming. Photos uploaded from internet cafés kept families posted.