What is a Round The World Trip? Going on a round-the-world (RTW) trip is where you set a goal to traverse the globe’s circumference. There are no “rules” aside from that, but it is an accomplishment. A round-the-world trip can help you explore the diverse cultures and landscapes and redefine your understanding of the world and its riches. You can travel the world in different ways, be it a backpacking trip or hopping on planes to go from one destination to another.
Whichever way you choose, it is vital to have a round-the-world trip planner to help you make the most out of your vacation. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look into the intricacies of planning a round-the-world journey, from crafting your ultimate travel bucket list to optimizing your budget.
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Considerations for an RTW trip planner
Planning a worldwide trip is exhilarating yet demanding. But there are several tips you can follow to make this planning easier, all the while making sure you have the best vacation experience.
Start with making a list of the top places to visit
The best part of being a worldwide trip planner is coming up with an itinerary of places you want to visit. Many people already have a long list of destinations they want to explore even before they have started any planning. Begin with a comprehensive list of places you definitely must visit. You can then cross off some places from the list based on weather, budget constraints, etc.
Determine the budget
Planning a round-the-world trip requires a clear understanding of your budget. You should allocate a separate budget specifically for your RTW trip. This will ensure you have a dedicated fund for your journey, preventing your travel expenses from affecting other financial goals.
Determine the time you have
Saving up for an RTW trip is not a one-day job. You have to save meticulously for quite some before you can go on the trip. Typically, saving up for six months to one year can leave you with a decent amount for the trip. If you plan a shorter trip, even less than six months might be enough.
The time you need to complete the round-the-world trip also plays a massive role in your trip planning and the money you need to save. Factors such as visa requirements, flight routes, and travel logistics can also influence the duration of your journey.
How to plan an RTW trip
Once you have decided on the details and budget of your RTW trip, the next step is to bring the plan into motion. There are several methods you can use to complete your RTW trip with relative ease.
Hub and spoke model for planning an RTW trip
The hub and spoke model is an excellent way for RTW planning. In this method, you can select a primary hub, usually a major city or airport. From there, you can spread out and visit the nearby attractions. You can also optimize your route by minimizing backtracking and maximizing your time in each region.
The direction of travel around the world
Backtracking is not good when you are on an RTW trip. So, choose a direction before starting your trip. Both traveling east to west and west to east have their advantages and disadvantages.
Moving east to west can cause more significant jet lag and taxing the body. You can make your trip fruitful when traveling in this direction only if you are good at handling jet lags. If your trip is long, like more than 18 months, then traveling in this direction can be significant.
Optimize costs for a round-the-world trip
Flight costs form a considerable part of total costs when you go on an RTW trip. The best way to reduce your travel expenses is to try out cheaper overland travel rather than hopping on flights at every chance. You can also find cheaper local transit methods like buses or trains to move from one place to another.
Remove destinations that don’t fit
While going on about your dream vacation, you might want to cram in as many destinations as you can onto your itinerary. But you should be practical and flexible when you do this. Always be prepared to adjust your itinerary. If specific destinations no longer fit your budget, time constraints, or travel direction, don’t hesitate to remove them from your list.
Tips for an RTW trip
Effective world trip itinerary planning requires a lot of work. Along with the usual know-how, there are several tips you can use to maximize the effectiveness of your travel planning.
Research best times
Once you have made a bucket list of the places you want to visit, research the best times to visit these destinations to optimize your experience. You should consider factors like weather, tourist crowds, and seasonal attractions before deciding when to book tickets.
Align with festivals and events
While exploring different destinations is excellent in itself, if you can align your visits with big local festivals or events, then it is the best way to enjoy the region’s culture. Always check for such events and try to participate as much as possible to have a wholesome travel experience.
Play Tetris with locations
While planning your RTW trip, it is always important to play a sort of “Tetris” so that everything, including your destinations, budget, and other travel considerations, align with your preferences. You should add more budget-friendly countries to your itinerary and then include expensive nations here and there.
Plan your trip for endless summer
The season you should choose to travel depends on the destination you are visiting. If you plan to hit an island nation more on the trip, visiting during the rainy season can be unenjoyable. You should also plan the trip for seasons you are comfortable with. Many people love traveling during the summer as it requires only light packing, and you can enjoy limitless sunshine. Just make sure to pack enough sunscreen, hats, and loose clothes and enjoy pleasant weather throughout your journey.
Round-trip tickets vs one-way flight tickets for an RTW trip
Both RTW and one-way tickets have their pros and cons. RTW tickets are convenient, easy, and often cheaper. You can also gain airline miles in this way. But RTW tickets should be booked before you start traveling, meaning you need your entire itinerary planned to a T. Though backtracking is possible, you will get penalized. You also need to start and end the trip in the same country.
One-way ticket offers flexibility, and you can plan and change your itinerary as you go. But sometimes it can be expensive, and it can be a hassle to book tickets.
Add time to your hub spots
You should always factor in downtime during your journey. Rest periods are as important as traveling. Try to relax a bit in your primary hubs to recharge yourself and explore the area more thoroughly.
Example outline of an RTW trip plan
An RTW trip can be a bit easier to plan, mainly if you are concentrating on the best the continents have to offer.
- North America: Explore the USA’s major cities, national parks, and iconic landmarks. You can also go on road trips to visit the hidden gems.
- South America: Explore Machu Picchu in Peru, the Amazon rainforest, and the vibrant culture of the different Latin American countries.
- Europe: Visit historical sites in Rome and architectural marvels in Paris, and immerse yourself in the culture of Istanbul.
- Africa: Go on a safari in Kenya, discover the wonders of Egypt, and relax on the beaches of Zanzibar.
- Asia: Experience the bustling streets of Tokyo, the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the culture of India, and trek in the Himalayas.
- Australia and Oceania: Explore the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the islands of Fiji, and the natural beauty of New Zealand.
Conclusion
Planning a round-the-world trip is a thrilling experience, but it requires meticulous preparation and thoughtful consideration. You can make the most of an RTW trip by crafting a travel bucket list, determining your budget and timeframe, and optimizing your itinerary.
This is where an efficient platform like Travel-Wise can help. The huge library of itineraries on this platform has excellent RTW trip examples with detailed travel plans, maps, and budget estimation to help you with the planning. So, plan your RTW journey today with Travel-Wise, and let the world become your playground!