If you’ve never considered a RTW trip before, there are tons of things to research, and one of the most important is your flight. If you choose to buy a RTW ticket as opposed to buying as you go, there are a bunch of things you need to consider. That’s why we went to the experts and got tips from those who have already been there and done that.
- Not All Trips Are Valid for FF Miles
- Not all flights on your RTW trip may be eligible for frequent flyer miles. Some airlines place stipulations on tickets and those booked in the cheaper classes may not offer this benefit. Make sure you check.
- Large Affiliate Programs
- Star Alliance, One World and Sky Team are some of the largest airline affiliate programs. Note that mileage accumulation varies from airline to airline, so check your specific flights for partnership rules and eligibility.
- Join the Program
- Once you get your RTW ticket, find out what partnerships the various airlines are a part of, such as Star Alliance or One World. Before you go, get frequent flyer cards with one of the partner airlines that you will be using the most in the future. The average RTW trip is approximately 25,000 miles – enough for one ticket.
- Be Aware of Check In Times
- Airport check-in times vary from airport to airport, season to season and airline to airline. Make sure that you inquire before you head on over or you may miss your flight.
- No Frills Means No Excuses
- Some airlines require you to be at the gate half an hour before departure, and will not give access to those who arrive 25 minutes before take off time. Long security or check-in lines don’t matter, they’ve heard all the excuses. Plus, if it’s a no-frills airline, chances are you’ll have to buy another ticket to reach your destination.
- Free or Cheap Stopovers
- Some destinations may be cheaper than you think: for example, Icelandic Air offers free or cheap stopover options on flights to/from the United Kingdom, and Air Fiji and Air New Zealand may also have similar deals, depending on your destinations.
- Winetasting Pleasures
- If you’re into wine, chances are you will be able to sample it when you head to a number of countries – including well-known producers like France, Italy, Australia, and United States, but also lesser known growers like Namibia, Bulgaria and Tunisia.
- Isolation RTW
- If isolation is what you are seeking, look for these five areas: Mongolia, Namibia, Australia, Botswana, Surinam. All of them average less than 7 people per square mile.
- Watch Out For the Hot Stuff
- Into volcanoes? Indonesia has some of the most active in the world: 70 plus volcanoes have erupted more than 600 times in the past two centuries. There are more than 500 active volcanoes in the world – half lay in the Pacific Ocean and form the Ring of Fire.
- Largest Country Tour
- Like wide open spaces? Visit the five largest countries in the world on your around the world tour: Russia, Canada, China, United State and Brazil.
- Wonders of the Forgotten World
- There are so many wonders of the world, it was only a matter of time before people started mentioned a few of the forgotten ones. Swing by these places and show some love: Abu Simbel Temple in Egypt, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, The Great Wall of China, The Inca city of Machu Picchu, Peru, The Mayan Temples of Tikal in Northern Guatemala, The Moai Statues in Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile, Petra, the rock-carved city in Jordan, The Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, Stonehenge in England, and Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
- Wonders of the Natural World
- Interested in nature? Check some of the Natural Wonders of the World off your list. Some suggestions: Angel Falls in Venezuela, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Krakatoa Island in Indonesia, Mount Everest in Nepal, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe.
- Wonders of the Ancient World
- There is only one wonder still standing, but you can still go to the sites where six of the other wonders of the ancient world once stood. They are: The Great Pyramid of Giza, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, The Colossus of Rhodes, The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and The Pharos of Alexandria (The Lighthouse of Alexandria).
- Wonders of the Modern World
- Center your RTW around the Modern Wonders of the World and visit the Channel Tunnel (England & France), the CN Tower (Toronto), the Empire State Building (New York), the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco), the Itaipu Dam (Brazil/Paraguay), the Netherlands North Sea Protection Works (Netherlands) and the Panama Canal (Panama).
- Most Populous Cities
- Think New York City (#18) or London (#20) have too many people? Try visiting the five most populous cities in the world, in descending order: Shanghai, Delhi, Karachi, Istanbul, and Mumbai (as of 2011).
- Southeast Asia RTW
- Southeast Asia is a hotspot global destination. Check out our tailor-made trip designed to soak up the wonders of this enchanting region. Travel to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), Bangkok, Koh Samui, Phuket , Kuala Lumpur and Denpasar (Bali). All specialty trips can be modified from their current itineraries.
- Below the Belt RTW
- Looking to stay below the equator? Then the Southern Walkabout trip is for you. Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Mauritius, Perth, Sydney, Christchurch, Auckland, Nadi (Fiji Is.) and Los Angeles are all on the list. All specialty trips can be modified from their current itineraries.
- Pacific Circle RTW
- Love the lure of the Pacific Ocean? Check out our Circle Pacific adventure through Los Angeles, Papeete (Tahiti), Auckland, Brisbane, Denpasar (Bali), Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. All specialty trips can be modified from their current itineraries.
- Atlantic Circle RTW
- Did you know that you can pick a trip that circles the oceans? The Atlantic Circle visits Miami, Lima, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Lisbon and London. All specialty trips can be modified from their current itineraries.
- Nature RTW
- If nature is what you’re after, look at our specialty trip specifically designed for wildlife seekers in mind. With exotic locations like Bangkok, Delhi, Nairobi and Cairo on the list, there’s no wonder it’s a popular trip. All specialty trips can be modified from their current itineraries.
- Global Hotspots RTW
- If you’re a city guy or gal, consider hitting up the global hotspots. We’ve put together a listing of hot and heavy go-to places for those on the move. Visit New York City, Cairo, Mumbai (Bombay), Auckland, Santiago, Cusco, Miami and more! All specialty trips can be modified from their current itineraries.
- Endless Summer RTW
- Love the beaches? Interested in surfing? Consider a “Pursuit of an Endless Summer” ’round the world excursion. This trip takes you to a number of warm-weather, beach-focused destinations including Australia, Fiji, Cape Town and San Jose. All specialty trips can be modified from their current itineraries.
- Spiritual RTW Trips
- Seeking greater enlightenment? BootsnAll has a trip designed especially for those wishing to visit spiritual sites around the world. This trip includes Bali, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Delhi, Amman, Istanbul and Rome. All specialty trips can be modified from their current itineraries.
- Airport Hubs
- Want to cut down on the costs of your RTW ticket? Fly in and out of major airport hubs such as New York, London, Bangkok, Sydney, Nairobi and Buenos Aires. Large hubs have numerous and frequent flights, increasing your likelihood of snagging a reasonably priced ticket.
- Overlanding on RTW Trips
- Don’t forget, overlanding is an option too! You can fly into one city and fly out of another one. For example, arrive in London , tour Europe, and fly from Rome to your next destination. Book your RTW ticket here.
- When to Buy Your Ticket
- Plan to buy your RTW ticket 2-3 months in advance of your departure date. By doing this, you won’t get nailed with last-minute flight charges, and you are better able to organize the rest of your itinerary regarding hostels, tours, etc.
- RTW Itineraries
- Price out possible RTW itineraries and tickets far in advance of your trip. This way, you have a idea of what your trip airfare will be and you can budget accordingly. A year in advance is not too early to start getting prices and researching which hubs are cheaper and how routing works. 3 to 6 months in advance is the ideal time to purchase your Around the World Ticket.
Start planning your trip here.
