Go around the world while spending as little as possible: here's a low-cost only itinerary
One of the dreams of all travelers, more or less frequently, is to go around the world. That is, [...]
One of the dreams of all travelers, more or less frequent, is to go around the world. That is, starting in one direction and always moving forward, without ever going back. By doing so you will return to the same place from which you started, unless you are a terraplatist.
How to book an RTW ticket
In this article:
There are several possibilities, the simplest is to have a single PNR, that is, a single ticket that includes all the routes in this case, whatever happens to one of the scheduled flights you will be "protected" by the company for all the necessary changes. In the course of 2022, I took my first round-the-world tour., a ticket I changed several times to cope with the constant changes and cancellation of flights that, in times of covid restrictions the companies were making to their own operations.
The rules of a real RTW:
- If not for technical stopover or connection you never go back
- Completing a full circle around the earth
Is it possible to book an RTW with American Express points or miles?
The answer is yes, we also have a detailed guide (although I will have to update it soon), it is possible because of aviation alliances and I I'm really going to take a tour of the world in February, entirely with points, although to do so I did not book a single ticket, but a series of separate bookings.
If I usually say to be careful when booking a ticket where you "mix and match" companies there are cases, like this one for example, where the risk is minimal thanks to the fact that you will never have tight connections and therefore you will be able to cope with unforeseen events such as cancelled flights, delays and various inconveniences.
On the other hand, it is good to know that since it is not a ticket that originates or ends in the EU, you will not have the coverage provided by the European laws that protect travelers.
Is it possible to go around the world only with low-cost airlines?
The answer is absolutely yes. The proliferation of low-cost carriers on the medium/long haul makes it possible to build ad hoc itineraries that pass through all continents. What is unique is that right now the low-cost carriers are all equipped with the latest generation of aircraft, both when it comes to narrow-body and twin-aisle aircraft.
One example is the itinerary I have just constructed for this article, which starts from Bergamo heading east and allows one to travel around the world via the Middle East, Asia and the United States. The fact that you have separate tickets, and plenty of time on your hands, also allows you to wedge trips within the trip. For example, one can fly to Dubai and visit Oman, arrive In Bangkok and pop over to Singapore or Bali and leave for Japan.
An example at less than €1,300
For fun, I imagined myself leaving right after the Christmas vacations. and spend about 20 days on the road. Obviously being a backpacking trip I am not going to spend on checked baggage, priority boarding or Other supplements with which low-costs round out the budget (And they skin the passenger).
Before the discussion about the itinerary breaks out in the comments I point out that since there are endless options it is possible to go anywhere in the world, or almost anywhere. And I think it is also possible to combine flights while spending, for the same itinerary below, even less than €1,000, you just need to have time to fit the flights together.
First stage from Italy departing to the United Arab Emirates, with Wizz Air you can spend €71 from Bergmo, with a stopover, or €99 from Fiumicino direct to the capital Abu Dhabi on Jan. 9.
After spending a few days in the warm it's off again from Dubai towards India, if Wizz Air uses Airbus 321neo aircraft, Spicejet flies to New Delhi with a 737max and the ticket costs 115€
A week's time, but dates are absolutely flexible, to visit the vast Asian nation and off we go toward Bangkok. Of course, Thailand cannot be missed in such an itinerary. I chose Indigo at €143, but there are potentially dozens of low-cost airlines flying between the two capitals even at less than 100€.
Asia is my favorite continent, and so after a few days in the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand I suggest flying to Vietnam, a nation to be discovered, and definitely visit Ho Chi Min, or Old Saigon. With VietJet you can also spend less than €57 to fly between the two cities.
From Saigon we set off again toward Korea, unfailing stop in the world's most modern nation after Japan, a true paradise for electronic gadget freaks like me, but also a country rich in history and places to discover. Always VietJet at just over €70 connects the two cities with an overnight flight, perfect for saving on a hotel night.
From Korea to Japan, the distance is minimal e With Peach you fly at just over €120. Arrival in the night is not the most comfortable, but you land in Haneda a few kilometers from downtown, at a lightly trafficked time where there will therefore be no crowds at immigration.
This is by far the most expensive ticket of the trip, but if you are passing through these parts, it is not possible to miss a trip to Hawaii. With Zipair you fly aboard a 787 from Narita for just over €250. Of course, here one might want to fly down/under to Australia and New Zealand, a viable but expensive option. In this case it would be better to "avoid" going to Japan and fly from Southeast Asia to the kangaroo nation.
From Hawaii to the mainland really cheap, with less than 100$ you can fly to Los Angeles or San Francisco with many airlines, including non-low-cost airlines.
Flying transcontinental from coast to coast in the U.S. is super easy and there are dozens of carriers; on my hypothetical trip, I preferred to hop over to Canada to see Niagara Falls (probably snow-capped). For less than €80 you can fly from New York to Toronto aboard a Lynx Air 737max.
It's time to go home, and for less than €200 you can fly from Canada to Milan Malpensa via London. The Norse+Wizz Air combo allows you to arrive in Italy in time to go to the office on Monday afternoon, February 12.
