Escape Travel

Top Tips for Travelling With An Around The World Ticket

woman standing and looking at a view of coastal town in greece

Round The World tickets offer the chance to visit many countries across the globe with a single ticket, usually involving stops in different continents as you travel eastward or westward – all the way home and then back again. These incredible journeys appeal to travellers with a serious case of wanderlust who want to keep their global trip planning nice and streamlined.

Today, we’ll outline the top tips for travelling with a Round The World ticket, whether you’re curious about what to pack, how to budget, and how to protect yourself as you go globetrotting.

woman in hat and sundress taking pictures with smartphone
Photo by Efrem Efre

Know What You’re Booking

Round The World tickets can come in different types of fares – typically continent-based, distance-based, or intercontinental fares. The option you choose will determine the cost of your ticket. Fortunately, Round The World tickets offer a good deal of flexibility, often allowing you to easily modify your plans to accommodate your unique needs. Changing dates can be low-cost (or even free!), but changing destinations can incur a fee. 

Most Round The World tickets are valid for up to one year from your first flight, meaning you have 365 days to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. When planning your itinerary, make sure you choose your route based on visa rules, preferred seasons, and the stopover options associated with your ticket.

photo of woman leaning on wooden fence
Photo by Jermaine Ulinwa on Pexels.com

Stay Safe, Secure, and Informed

Whether you’re embarking on a solo trip or travelling with friends and family, it’s imperative that you do some research on the destinations you’re expecting to visit to ensure that you’re well-prepared for their unique risk factors. Are there higher rates of pickpocketing or other forms of theft where you’re headed? Do you need travel vaccinations? Make sure to address all of these safety considerations well before you even start packing for your getaway.

The same goes for organising your international travel insurance. Make sure your insurance provider has all the countries listed on your itinerary, just to ensure you have the right cover for each destination. The last thing anybody wants is to find themselves headed to the ER on holiday, but on the off chance that you are stung by a jellyfish, fall off a dirt bike, or experience any of the other common injuries that befall tourists, you’ll want to make sure you have hospital cover you can rely on. 

We also recommend printing off your insurance policy statement and keeping it with you – that way, you can maintain access to all the details you need even if you lose internet access or if your personal devices are lost or damaged. Similarly, always ensure you have easy access to original or copies of your important documents like passports and visas as well.

Here are some other safety and security tips you should keep in mind when preparing to use your round the world ticket:

  • Be aware of the location of your country’s consulate in case of emergencies.
  • Always stay up-to-date on information regarding health and weather from local authorities.
  • Memorise your emergency contact information.
  • Label your luggage with at least two different ways to reach you if it gets lost. 
skogafoss selfie
Photo by Martin Sanchez on Pexels.com

Pack Smart for Multiple Climates and Long Travel

Packing for a Round The World trip requires more strategy than a standard two-week holiday in Bali. Unless you’re chasing summer, be sure to bring multipurpose items and garments for layering, such as a skirt that can be worn with a singlet in the summer or with fleece tights and a jumper in the winter. We also recommend bringing lightweight jackets and puffers that won’t take up too much space in your bag but will keep you cosy and warm in the wind or snow. 

Appropriate tech gear, international power adaptors, and travel-ready toiletries are other must-haves for extended journeys. Pack these, plus some snacks, and lightweight entertainment (think Kindles over hardcover books) in your personal item for a more comfortable travelling experience. 

Keep your initial luggage under the weight limit to make room for any extra items you purchase along the way. Follow packing guides and use space-saving packing cubes to get the most out of your checked baggage and carry-on, and don’t be afraid to buy an extra bag at the airport. 

Plan Accommodation in Advance

Whilst Round The World tickets allow you to map out a rough itinerary based on the order or direction you’re travelling in, it’s still up to you to sort out the fine points of your journey. This means mapping out your own itinerary of activities, and sorting out all your other transportation as well as your accommodation.

If you’re planning to travel during peak seasons, then it’s wise to book your accommodation well in advance. This ensures you’ll absolutely have somewhere to stay within your travel window, and allows you more wiggle room to change your plans based on unexpected delays or cancellations. 

When searching for your stay, choose a home base that is both safe and central, ideally near public transportation so that you can travel around the city with ease. Budget travellers can find affordable hostels on sites like Hostelworld, while those looking for more boutique or homey stays will find what they’re looking for through booking websites like Booking.com or Airbnb.

silhouette of person standing near camping tent
Photo by Cliford Mervil

Budget Across Borders

Budget more than you expect to spend before your trip abroad to allow yourself stress-free flexibility. When creating your budget, do some research about the average cost of goods and services at your destination, and remember to account for exchange rates. 

Using cash is one easy way to hold yourself accountable to your budget while tracking your expenses. Decide in advance when to splurge and when to save. For example, you may allow yourself multiple fine dining experiences per location or instead splurge on sightseeing tours while enjoying cheaper options of local cuisine.

Travel cards are ideal for those looking to jump from one destination to another, as you can transfer funds at the most optimal exchange rate – and make payments without any foreign expense fees. So alongside checking up on weather forecasts and researching consulates before you depart, we also highly recommend keeping an eye on exchange rates before you depart. With a little careful planning and good timing, you can ensure you’re travelling at a point where your money can stretch a little bit further.

Key Takeaways

We hope these tips help you have an unforgettable experience on your trip around the world! In summary, you can get the most out of your Round The World ticket by:

  • Fully understanding the fees associated with your ticket and thoughtfully planning your travel route.
  • Staying safe and informed by keeping copies of important documents, following the recommendations of local authorities, and investing in international travel insurance.
  • Packing efficiently for multiple climates and comfortable travel, allowing room for souvenirs and gifts from your destination.
  • Planning accommodation well in advance to ensure you stay in a prime location and have the flexibility to regroup in the event of unexpected changes.
  • Budgeting carefully for your trip and tracking your spending closely.

Discover more from

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading