Travel round the world

Halcyon · 12-02-2010, 18:17

Hello!

Has anyone here travelled round the world on one of these deals you can get often called "world ticket" or "Round the world trip".

From what I can see you can get 6 flights and have to work in a circle so can't come back on yourself. So you have to go all the way round.
Prices seem good and you have a year to take your flights.

I'm looking at the possibility of doing a few countries.

Has anyone done this or travelled round the world?

I need to try and save up some mega money but I think if there is a time now is the time for me to do this.

I'd be interested to hear your views if you have ever done any world travelling. I'm thinking of going it alone. Good or bad thing?

Thanks.

danielf · 12-02-2010, 19:06

I've never done a 'round the world' trip, but I have done a fair bit of travelling. I've done most of my travelling in South East Asia, but I'm running out of countries to visit

I'd definitely recommend it. It's a real eye opener and broadens the horizon. Regarding going alone: I wouldn't but then I'm an old fogie. If you hit the banana pancake trail (that's the guest houses that all the backpackers frequent and where they have banan pancakes for breakfast), you're bound to run into people you can hook with for a while, if you're sociable enough. I know lots of people do that.

Oh, you want to have a look at Lonely Planet's thorn tree forum. Everything you ever wanted to know about travel.

Hom3r · 12-02-2010, 21:04

Meany years ago my sister and husband (then here boyfriend) did.

They flew to LA, and spent 3 days there, they then flew via Hawaii to Perth, to spend 3 weeks with our Aunt & Uncle, then spent 2 days in Singapore.

In the four weeks they spent 56 hours in the air.

**Kymmy** · 12-02-2010, 21:17

I'd only recommend it if you have a month or more to dedicate to a trip like this, also see if there is any restrictions like for example distance in any one leg as that will mean sticking with more direct routes and you end up following the equator.

My personal choice on an unrestricted 6 flight RTW ticket would be UK to South Africa capetown then the gardens route to Durban, Durban to Mumbia (train to east coast India) India to somewhere in Singapore/Malaysia, Then onto Perth Australia, then probably an paid for seperate flight to Adelaide, coach/train trip to Melbourne, then sticking to the east coast Sydney upto Brisbane, then fly to LA, SF or SD, overland and cheap internals florida then up east coast to DC/NY and then a final flight to UK

You don't have to fly out of where you fly into and cheap internal flights, trains or even coaches can make a great trip into something more special. For that lot though I'd need a least 3-4 months to enjoy the trip otherwise you just end up jet-lagged and going from place to place without enjoying it.

Halcyon · 12-02-2010, 22:07

Thanks for your replies.

I can't afford or take time off work to spend several months off so this would have to be all done in a summer. This would mean a busy holiday but less expensive as no long stop overs. I'd have about 6 weeks maximum.

I was thinking something along the lines of UK to Thailand, to Japan, then on to Sydney, then on to Los Angeles, and then back to the UK.

danielf · 12-02-2010, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Thanks for your replies.

I can't afford or take time off work to spend several months off so this would have to be all done in a summer. This would mean a busy holiday but less expensive as no long stop overs. I'd have about 6 weeks maximum.

I was thinking something along the lines of UK to Thailand, to Japan, then on to Sydney, then on to Los Angeles, and then back to the UK.

If you're 'only' going to spend that amount of time, I wonder if the around the world thing really is the most sensible. Why not just go for three weeks in Thailand? Thailand is extremely easy to travel in, and very laid back. It'll give you an idea of what travelling in semi-exotic places is like, and there really is lots to do. Spend a couple of days in Bangkok, take in a few days at the beach (avoiding Pattaya, there's other places near BKK). Head up to the former capitals of Ayuttaya, then Sukothai to watch the temple ruins. Continue up north to Chiang Mai to do some trekking and hill-tribe watching, and then fly back to BKK. You won't be disappointed (imo), and you won't spend half your vacation on airplanes. If the travel bug bites, you've got years ahead of you to visit other places.

Charlie_Bubble · 13-02-2010, 00:29

A friend of mine went travelling for about 16 months after we got made redundant in 2001. He went with his girlfriend and had quite a wedge in the bank (£15k +) and a flat rented out back in the UK. His schedule was something like:
London to New York (5 days as he's not a fan of the US)
NY to California (5 days)
California to Mexico (Chiefly for the next trip)
Mexico to Cuba (1 month)
Cuba to Central America.
He then worked his way down central and south america for about 3 months.
They then flew to a little island and stayed there for a couple of months (I think they planned a month, but liked the relaxed life and stayed longer), I can't remember which one, but it was one of the tiny ones around Samoa/Fiji/French Polynesia area.
Small island to New Zealand. In NZ they bought a van on the tip of the south island and drove all over for 2 or 3 months.
NZ to Australia for a couple of weeks (Again, he's not a fan of Aus)
Aus to Borneo.
Borneo to Malaysia.
Malaysia to Thailand.
Thailand to Burma.
Burma back through Thailand to Cambodia.
Cambodia to Vietnam.
Vietnam to Laos and then back to Thailand
In total I think he spent about 5 or 6 months travelling around SE Asia.
On to India. 2 Months in India before flying back to the UK.

They didn't have a round the world ticket, because it's hard to stick to them really. You'll find you get somewhere and stay longer than you planned, because you like it.

---------- Post added 13-02-2010 at 00:29 ---------- Previous post was 12-02-2010 at 23:33 ----------

6 weeks isn't enough for a round the world trip. You really need to dedicate a year at least for something like that. Danielf is right. Pick a country or two and go there if you are only able to spare a few weeks. Pick somewhere slightly outside your comfort zone. Somewhere you wouldn't normally go to, so somewhere outside Europe. Ideally, if you are young and single, save like crazy for a year, maybe get a second job and then take a year out. Lot's of people do it these days, so it's not so bad to employers on your CV when you get back.

TheDaddy · 13-02-2010, 04:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

If you're 'only' going to spend that amount of time, I wonder if the around the world thing really is the most sensible. Why not just go for three weeks in Thailand? Thailand is extremely easy to travel in, and very laid back. It'll give you an idea of what travelling in semi-exotic places is like, and there really is lots to do. Spend a couple of days in Bangkok, take in a few days at the beach (avoiding Pattaya, there's other places near BKK). Head up to the former capitals of Ayuttaya, then Sukothai to watch the temple ruins. Continue up north to Chiang Mai to do some trekking and hill-tribe watching, and then fly back to BKK. You won't be disappointed (imo), and you won't spend half your vacation on airplanes. If the travel bug bites, you've got years ahead of you to visit other places.

Couldn't have put it better, Thailand is great, got a few mates living with the hill tribes they love it. 6 weeks max isn't enough time to do anything with on a trip like you said except see a variety of different airports.

**Kymmy** · 13-02-2010, 11:24

As already stated if you;ve only got a very max of 6 weeks then just go to one/two countries..

Last time I went to AUS I did 4 weeks just in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne and made sure I saw the sights

Nothing like relaxing on Rottsnest Island, doing a whole weekend of wine tours in the Barossa valley or exploring the coastline...

Don't try to pack to many countries into 4-6 weeks as you'll end up wondering why you bothered, constantly tired/jetlagged and wishing you had more time to explore one particular place

colin25 · 13-02-2010, 13:31

As with other posters have said...you should concentrate on an area smaller than the world..bigger than the backyard.

I can recommend Thailand, certainly you can spend a couple of weeks there at the start, then why not flit to cambodia, china etc..

You can always try other areas another summer. Your worst crime would be to travel so fast or so hectic..that you miss enjoying the experience

danielf · 13-02-2010, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin25

As with other posters have said...you should concentrate on an area smaller than the world..bigger than the backyard.

I can recommend Thailand, certainly you can spend a couple of weeks there at the start, then why not flit to cambodia, china etc..

You can always try other areas another summer. Your worst crime would be to travel so fast or so hectic..that you miss enjoying the experience

I wouldn't recommend Cambodia on a first trip. Siem Reap/Angkor maybe (but probably not overland from Thailand), but not Cambodia proper. Laos is far more relaxed for travelling. An easy extension of the trip I suggested earlier would be to continue north from Chiang Mai, head up to Chiang Rai and then hop over the border into Laos. Then travel down to Vientiane and enter back into Thailand, taking in Isaan whilst making your way back to Bangkok, or fly back from Udon Thani/Vientiane. Should be a good trip

Halcyon · 14-03-2010, 13:22

Hello again!

Everyone has given some great advice and I can see that it really is impossible to do so much travelling in little time.
I have therfore decided to concentrate on one place and go to Thailand. I have been looking at various packages from STA Travel who seem to have some great deals that include flights, accomodation, meals, and the best places to see.

There seems to be a lot to do and see.

danielf · 14-03-2010, 13:33

Good choice! Give us a shout if there's anything you want to know. I've been to Thailand between 5 and 10 times over the last 20 years, so I think I know the place reasonable well. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

colin25 · 14-03-2010, 18:11

Recommend bkk..then would certainly would try to see surrounding areas...

http://bangkokforvisitors.com/general/around.html

a little snorkling down south is good...I liked nang yuan..nice and quiet

But your spoilt for things to do...I've never got North yet..but that is supposed to be nice too.

danielf · 14-03-2010, 22:29

Bangkok is great, if dirty and dusty. You can easily spend a week there. Things to do in BKK: hit the temples (do not be taken in by the gold/gems touts), and visit the Royal Palace. Do take the trip across the river from Wat Po to Wat Arun:

http://www.tothailand.com/wallpaper/...k/wat_arun.jpg

shop shop shop. Eat fantastic food.

Do the klong (canal) tour. See how life is lived on the water in a metropolis. Best way (imo) is to take the river ferry up to Nonthaburi pier and charter one of these babies:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/...4d6e36.jpg?v=0

to explore the canals. IIRC you pay about 500-700 baht (500 baht = ~ £10) for a 1-2 hour trip. These small boats are far more exciting than the regular long boats, and they get into the small klongs. And boy, these boats are fast. Those are serious engines in the back...

Shop and eat. Did I mention shopping and eating?

Make sure you have a weekend day in BKK. Stock up on cheap clothes and handicrafts at Chatuchak (weekend market). It has to be seen to be believed. Over 1square km filled with 5,000 stalls selling everything imaginable. You can easily spend an entire afternoon there, if you're not too claustrophobic. Oh. Haggle, haggle, haggle. It's the national sport, and the Thai frown upon those not taking part.

Visit a muay thai (thai kickboxing) fight. That's to watch the spectators going berserk as much as the fights themselves.

Shop some more. And eat...

Do a daytrip to Ayuthaya, one of Thailand's former capitals, to watch the temple ruins.

If you feel rich, pay European prices and sample royal cuisine at bussaracum. The wife and I can't visit BKK without visiting it. In fact, we once scheduled a BKK stopover to eat there

And last but not least: Be charmed by the wonderful Thai people. Thailand is called the land of a 1000 smiles for a reason. Thai people are incredibly friendly and pleasant.

Do be aware of scams though. The Thai do like them. Generally, they tend to prey on the victim's greed. Don't get suckered into buying gems, which a friendly man at a temple claims to have sold in the UK at four times the price you will pay for them. Don't be surprised if this man claims to have sold gems/gold items to a jeweller in your home town, and knows the name and street of a jeweller local to you. It's a scam. Well executed...

Oh, do avoid gatherings of people in yellow or red shirts. The political situation in Thailand isn't exactly stable at the moment. This shouldn't affect foreigners, but you don't want to get caught up in local affray.