Round the World Trip Planning: Routes, Budget, and Logistics
Everything you need to plan a round-the-world trip covering route planning, RTW ticket options, budget calculations, visa logistics, health preparation, and gear for 3-12 months of continuous travel.
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Route Planning
Decide on a general direction: eastbound or westbound
RTW airline tickets require continuous travel in one direction, either eastbound or westbound. Eastbound from the Americas through Europe, Asia, and the Pacific is the most popular route. Westbound offers fewer jet lag adjustments for US-based travelers heading to Asia first. Your direction determines ticket pricing and routing options.
Choose 8-15 destination cities as anchor points
Select major cities with international airports as your anchor stops, then plan overland travel between them. A typical route might be: New York, London, Istanbul, Delhi, Bangkok, Bali, Sydney, Fiji, Los Angeles. Too many stops increases ticket cost. Too few limits the experience. 10-12 stops balances variety with logistics.
Allocate time realistically for each region
First-time RTW travelers underestimate how much time each region deserves. A common split for 12 months: 2-3 months in Europe, 2-3 months in South/Southeast Asia, 1-2 months in East Asia, 1-2 months in Oceania, and buffer time for unexpected stays. Rushing through continents defeats the purpose of a world trip.
Research visa requirements for every country on your route
Visa rules vary by passport. Many Southeast Asian countries offer 30-day visa-free entry. India, China, Russia, and Australia require advance visas. Schengen Area limits stays to 90 days in any 180-day period. Map visa timelines against your route to avoid overstays or denied entries.
Flights and Tickets
Compare RTW airline tickets vs booking individual flights
RTW tickets from airline alliances like OneWorld and Star Alliance cost 3,000-8,000 USD for 3-6 stops across multiple continents. Individual bookings on budget airlines can be cheaper if you are flexible and comfortable with one-way tickets. RTW tickets provide stability and rebooking flexibility. Budget airlines offer lower cost but higher stress.
Book intercontinental flights and leave regional travel flexible
Lock in your expensive long-haul flights between continents, then book regional flights, trains, and buses closer to the date. A flight from Bangkok to Bali booked 2 weeks ahead costs the same as 6 months ahead on budget carriers. This approach saves money while maintaining flexibility.
Use open-jaw routing to avoid backtracking
Fly into one city and out of another within the same region to cover more ground. Arrive in London, travel overland, and depart from Istanbul. Land in Bangkok, travel to Vietnam, and fly out of Hanoi. Open-jaw routing saves time and money compared to round-trip regional flights.
Budget and Finance
Calculate a realistic daily budget by region
Daily budgets vary enormously by region: Southeast Asia at 30-60 USD, South Asia at 25-50 USD, Eastern Europe at 40-70 USD, Western Europe at 60-120 USD, Australia and Japan at 80-150 USD. A 12-month RTW trip costs 15,000-35,000 USD depending on comfort level and regions visited.
Open bank accounts with no foreign transaction fees
ATM withdrawal fees and currency conversion charges of 1-3% add up over months of travel. Open an account with a bank that reimburses ATM fees and charges zero foreign transaction fees. Carry 2 debit cards from different banks as backup. Notify all banks of your travel dates and countries.
Build an emergency fund of 2,000-5,000 USD beyond your travel budget
Medical emergencies, stolen gear, emergency flights home, and unexpected visa costs can arise at any time. Keep this fund in a separate accessible account. Travel insurance covers some emergencies, but reimbursement takes weeks. Having accessible cash ensures you can handle crises immediately.
Set up automatic bill payments for obligations at home
Automate rent or mortgage, student loans, insurance premiums, phone bills, and credit card minimums before departing. Assign power of attorney to a trusted person for issues requiring a physical signature. Close or pause subscriptions you will not use. A single missed payment can damage your credit while you are off the grid.
Health and Insurance
Get all required and recommended vaccinations 8-12 weeks ahead
Yellow fever is required for parts of Africa and South America. Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies are recommended for many RTW routes. Some vaccine series require 3 doses over 4-6 weeks. A travel medicine clinic consultation costs 100-200 USD and maps vaccines to your specific route.
Purchase long-term travel insurance covering all planned countries
Standard travel insurance maxes out at 30-90 days. Long-term travel insurance from specialty providers covers 6-18 month trips with medical, evacuation, and gear coverage. Premiums run 100-200 USD per month for comprehensive coverage. Verify that adventure activities like trekking, diving, and motorbike riding are covered.
Pack a 6-month supply of prescription medications
Getting prescriptions filled abroad is possible but complicated by language barriers, brand differences, and varying regulations. Carry a 6-month supply with original pharmacy labels and a letter from your doctor explaining the medications. Some countries restrict importing certain medications without documentation.
Get a dental and medical checkup before departure
A dental issue in a remote part of Southeast Asia or a medical condition developing in rural South America is far harder to treat than at home. A full dental cleaning and checkup, eye exam, and physical address any developing issues. Get a spare pair of prescription glasses.
Gear and Preparation
Choose a 40-50 liter backpack as your main bag
A bag this size forces you to pack only essentials, meets most airline carry-on limits, and is comfortable for long walking days. Test the fit with weight at an outdoor store. Hip belt support is essential for backs. Front-loading or clamshell-opening packs access contents without unpacking from the top.
Pack versatile clothing for tropical, temperate, and cold climates
A layering system with merino base layers, a fleece mid-layer, and a waterproof shell handles climates from 0 to 40 degrees Celsius. Pack 4-5 tops, 2-3 bottoms, and 5 sets of underwear and socks. Hand-wash every 2-3 days. Buy or donate heavy items at regional transitions rather than carrying winter gear through the tropics.
Digitize all important documents before departure
Scan your passport, visas, insurance policy, vaccination records, bank cards, and driver's license. Store digital copies in cloud storage accessible from any device. Email copies to yourself and a trusted person at home. A phone with cloud access replaces any lost paper document for most purposes.
Settle obligations at home before leaving
Sublease or terminate your apartment, store or sell belongings, cancel utilities, forward mail, and update your address with banks, insurance, and government services. Put car insurance on hold if storing your vehicle. Settling everything before departure prevents the stress of managing home life remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a round the world trip cost?
A budget RTW trip of 12 months costs 15,000-25,000 USD focusing on Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Eastern Europe. A moderate-comfort trip runs 25,000-40,000 USD including Western Europe, Japan, and Australia. Luxury travel reaches 50,000+ USD. The biggest cost variables are accommodation style, regions visited, and trip duration. Flights typically account for 3,000-8,000 USD of the total.
How long should a round the world trip be?
Three months is the minimum for a meaningful multi-continent trip, covering 3-4 regions at a quick pace. Six months allows a more relaxed pace with 4-5 regions. Twelve months is the classic RTW duration, giving enough time to slow down, learn from locals, and truly experience each region. Many travelers find 8-10 months hits the sweet spot before travel fatigue sets in.
Do I need a round the world ticket or should I book individual flights?
RTW tickets from OneWorld or Star Alliance cost 3,000-8,000 USD for 3-6 stops and provide rebooking flexibility with date changes. Individual bookings on budget airlines can be 20-40% cheaper if you book strategically and are comfortable without a safety net. A hybrid approach works well: buy RTW for intercontinental legs and use budget airlines for regional hops.
How do I handle mail, bills, and responsibilities while away?
Automate all recurring payments through your bank. Forward mail to a family member or use a virtual mailbox service. Grant power of attorney to a trusted person for anything requiring a physical signature. Pause subscriptions, put car insurance on hold, and sublease or vacate your apartment. Most administrative tasks can be handled remotely with proper advance preparation.