Do you dream of traveling the world without breaking the bank or spending hours planning every step? The round-the-world ticket, or RTW (Round-The-World), is the secret weapon of savvy travelers ready to conquer five continents with a single ticket. With these clever passes, traversing the Earth becomes as easy as booking a Paris-Marseille flight, all while enjoying unbeatable fares and a freedom that would make Jules Verne envious. Ready to embark? Follow the guide to learn everything about this precious pass, its benefits, its conditions, and tips to make the most of it.
The magic of the round-the-world ticket: what is it?
Imagine holding a ticket that opens the doors to dozens of countries for a flat rate much more enticing than a collection of round-trip flights. This is precisely what the round-the-world ticket offers, a multi-destination pass created by the world’s major airline alliances. In the form of a flexible flight booklet, it allows you to map your itinerary across the globe, mixing partner airlines and long-haul flights, all for a significantly reduced overall price.
Curious to travel with peace of mind? These tickets are flexible: they often allow you to change dates and juggle layovers as long as you adhere to the rules of the chosen alliance. And the little cherry on top: you can even accumulate miles, perfect for treating yourself to a little upgrade at the end of the journey!
How do round-the-world tickets work?
RTW tickets generally operate according to two systems: the number of miles traveled or the number of continents crossed. You choose your point of departure and arrival (often the same city), then draw your route while always moving in the same overall direction, either east or west. Beware of U-turns, which are often prohibited or incur additional charges!
One of the great advantages? The ability to fly with different airlines within the same alliance, maximizing the choice of destinations and connections while keeping a centralized management of your bookings.
The different alliances and their remarkable RTW offers
Star Alliance: the alliance for demanding globe-trotters
At Star Alliance, it’s all about miles and ingenuity: four packages are offered (26,000, 29,000, 34,000, or 39,000 miles) depending on the extent of your journey and your desire for exoticism. You can thus connect five stops in the United States, link several continents, and even take some detours within the same country. Guaranteed thrill!
A few rules to keep in mind: travel must start and end in the same country, it’s impossible to turn back across an ocean, and all travel between stops (by bus, train, or regional plane) will be counted towards your mile quota.
OneWorld: the tailor-made explorer
The OneWorld Explorer ticket plays the custom card, based on the number of continents visited, between 3 and 6. Convenient and flexible, this pass allows up to 16 segments, regardless of the duration of each flight. Within a continent, you can generally zigzag as you please!
For the more tireless, the Global Explorer from OneWorld operates on the number of miles, with an even wider choice of routes thanks to numerous partner airlines. Finally, for Pacific lovers, the Circle Pacific option allows you to explore all the countries bordering that ocean while skipping the Atlantic.
How much does the adventure around the world cost?
Traveling around the globe is no longer a luxury reserved for millionaires! A round-the-world ticket can cost between $1,500 and $15,000, depending on class, number of stops, season, and total distance traveled. For example, it’s possible to cross three continents for just over $3,000, or extend your journey to six continents for a higher fare.
Agencies like AirTreks, STA Travel, or Flight Centre can assist you in building your adventure, advising you on clever stopovers to add and handling suggestions to enhance your itinerary without inflating the bill. A significant bonus: changing dates is often free, while changes to destinations incur charges.
Why choose a round-the-world ticket?
The RTW ticket is a fantastic asset for travelers seeking freedom, those who enjoy planning a global itinerary while retaining the possibility to change their mind along the way. It appeals to families, seasoned globetrotters, and premium deal seekers who dislike the hassles of low-cost airlines.
It’s also an ally for prolonging vacations or chaining international meetings without stress. Ultimately, it allows for savings of up to 30% compared to individual tickets, easing administrative stress and minimizing the number of bookings to manage.
Tips and practical information for savvy globetrotters
Before you embark on your quest for the world, don’t forget to check the passport and visa requirements specific to each country (discover the latest news, for example about changes for the Channel Islands: Passport and authorization for the Channel Islands). Also, take into account the registration requirements at the consulate during your extended travels (Consular registration status).
In terms of safety, some destinations may be subject to restrictions or alerts related to risks of violence or terrorism (check recent alerts for Bangladesh here: Security alert Bangladesh or Bangladesh passport clause). For the curious, dive into the mysteries of the French passport: Why the burgundy color?
The adventure begins here
The passport to adventure might just be the spark you needed to take the plunge! Between total freedom, substantial savings, and extraordinary flexibility, the round-the-world ticket has everything to entice curious and insatiable minds.
Sail away, let yourself be inspired and discover more tips for a hassle-free journey. Need an extra boost? Check out our other practical guides to travel smart, learn how to pack light, or choose the perfect eSIM card to stay connected at the ends of the earth! Ready… set… go!
