What the *@!$ is RTW Travel?

It's the buzzword acronym for travel. When you're on the road, you hear it everywhere. Sitting in a hostel kitchen, one backpacker says to another, "I'm on an R-T-W." Another replies, "I went on an R-T-W last year and man, it was the best thing I ever did." A third one chimes in, "I'm planning on going A-T-W next year." You sit there, staring at your unappealing Top Ramen that you've been eating for three nights in a row and wonder, what the hell are they talking about? You start guessing at what RTW means. After coming up with such novel ideas such as Radical Travelers Walking and Romantic Tourist Wankers, you finally break down and ask. One of them peers down at you and snorts, "R-T-W...'Round The World. Obviously."

Great. So now you know what RTW means. That's the first step. The second? Putting two and two together and figuring out that other acronym...A-T-W. We'll help you out, without the snorting: A-T-W = Around The World. Don't worry, there is no difference between the two, except for the name. RTW is more common backpacker lingo, but you can use both interchangeably.

Welcome to the third step: defining a RTW. This is one of those things where everyone's definition varies. Our version says that a RTW trip requires you circumnavigate the globe, stopping in at least three different geographical areas, continuing in one direction, east or west. Just to make it even more confusing, "geographical areas" aren't specifically defined either. As a general rule of thumb, if you head in one direction, cross two oceans and stop in three different areas (including your start/end city), you've gone around the world. Here are answers to other frequently asked questions about RTW travel.

Info point number four? The classic RTW hits up North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Australasia. Ticket prices for this trip are around $2,000 USD, and it usually lasts 6-12 months. Trips are rarely less than three months or more than two years, but the time varies depending on both the person and the trip.

Interested in doing one yourself? Check out the rest of our RTW Guide, look at trip prices and start planning your trip!