How to plan a trip around the world
1. How to plan a trip around the world
You want to travel, great. But where?
Defining a roadmap is essential, as a trip around the world does not necessarily mean traveling the whole world.
Make a list of the places you want to visit and define the available time you want to stay in each one. At this stage, it is important to seek some basic information about the chosen destinations, such as visa requirements and the region's climate during the period of your visit.
Believe me, you won't want to travel to Thailand's beaches in the rainy season, catch the summer peak of 50 ° C in Dubai, or enjoy New York in the midst of a blizzard.
2. How to buy airline tickets around the world
With the script set, it's time to put the plan down on paper. On the boarding pass paper!
There are two very practical ways to buy tickets for a trip around the world: first you can buy the individual tickets by leg, according to your will. This gives more flexibility and freedom when choosing destinations, but at the same time it takes more work and there is a risk of suffering from fare variations according to demand, which can harm your budget.
There is a second option that few people know: A passage back into the world ( Round The World Ticket ). With this ticket you can book all flights on your trip in advance and guarantee a defined itinerary.
The main airline alliances sell this type of ticket, including online simulators where you select the desired destinations and assemble a personalized itinerary. Check out:
- Star Alliance World Tour Simulator
- One World Round the World Simulator
- Sky Team World Tour Simulator
Round the world airline ticket rules
There are some rules that vary according to the alliance, but can be summarized as follows:
- The trip must start and end in the same country;
- The minimum duration of the trip is 10 days, and the maximum is 1 year;
- The minimum number of sections is 3, the maximum 16.
- It is necessary to take a complete tour of the globe, following in the same direction. That is, if you leave Brazil for Europe, you cannot return to North America, for example. It will be necessary to move on passing through Asia / Oceania and returning to Brazil via the Pacific Ocean;
- The final price is calculated taking into account the number of miles traveled, the class chosen and the number of zones (the alliances separate the world into zones / continents visited);
- It is possible to make changes to flight dates without paying fees, provided that within the minimum period determined by the alliance. But changes to the script will be subject to a charge.
Try a simulation and see that the price of a trip around the world can start at $ 5,000, which is no fortune to travel for up to a year.
If, on the one hand, this option is safer and may even be cheaper than buying all the stretches separately, it can also plaster your trip, since you will have less flexibility in changing destinations and the period of stay, if you want.
There is no better or worse way, but one that best suits your travel style. Think carefully before making a decision and making your purchase.
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3. Around the world in 30 days: Is it possible?
Yes, it is perfectly possible! As explained above, a round-the-world ticket can have a minimum duration of up to 10 days. However, let us be frank: This is an alternative that serves more those who want to "set foot" in destinations, than actually knowing them. We explain why:
Depending on the number of sections of your trip, this period can be extremely busy. Consider for example someone who chooses to use the maximum number of sections (16) on a trip like this. In 30 days, that gives less than two days at each destination! This without considering the time lost in commuting between cities - and the more places to visit, the more time is lost!
Even a 30-day trip with “only” 10 segments would result in an average of 3 days per destination - which may even be considered reasonable when traveling in Europe, but not when you are crossing two or more continents in the same week !
So, unless you want to go into the record books, taking a trip with many destinations and little time is not exactly a pleasant experience. Try to book as many available days - or do the painful task of excluding destinations.
4. Budget for a trip around the world
Air tickets aside, the costs of a trip around the world will vary according to two important factors:
1) The traveler's consumption pattern ;
2) The cost of living for the destination to be visited.
Nowadays it is relatively easy to anticipate the expenses of a trip abroad, as sites like Numbeo provide updated tables with the average costs in each country. Extra expenses with tours and tourist attractions can be searched individually using tools such as TripAdvisor and WikiTravel .
However, there is still no definitive answer to the question " How much does a trip around the world cost ". There are those who undertake a trip like this, spending an average of US $ 50 per day, and others who need at least ten times more.
It is your travel style that will most influence your spending. It is necessary to adjust your budget when defining how much will be spent on the accommodation , food and transportation triad .
Depending on your budget, staying in luxury hotels may not be sustainable on a long-term trip. It is worth looking for alternatives such as cheaper hostels , hostels and Airbnb , which can help to reduce your accommodation expenses considerably .
Regarding food expenses , it is worth adapting them according to the destinations. In Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia, for example, eating out is very cheap, with dishes starting at $ 1-2. Unlike countries like England or the United States, where buying your food at supermarkets or using fast food is a more economical option.
The same is true for transportation , as the use of public transportation is often more affordable than traveling by taxi.
Do not deprive yourself of the minimum comfort necessary for your well-being and always try to use the “compensation” reasoning: saving by sleeping in a hostel in Europe can save you enough to stay in a resort in Asia. The high price paid for an unmissable attraction can be saved the other day, with a tour of the city for free attractions. Eating instant noodles for lunch can mean a romantic dinner in the evening.
Above all, it is worth using moderation and common sense in daily spending. Remember: the purpose of traveling around the world is to explore, learn, have fun. The budget is just a detail!
How to take money for a trip around the world?
Despite the 6.38% IOF charged on withdrawals from checking accounts abroad, using a credit card on a trip around the world is still a practical and safe option - and you can still earn miles! But be sure to ask the bank to activate the use of your card internationally.
Prepaid cards are no longer advantageous with the increase in IOF, but they are also practical options: you can reload with the desired currency and avoid losing money on conversions. The most famous are Visa Travel Money and MasterCard Cash Passport , and it is worth having at least one with a different flag on your credit card for eventual emergencies.
Cash is an excellent way to escape card fees, but there is an additional security concern. Take it in easily convertible currencies, like Dollar or Euro. Give preference to a moneybelt - the famous "doleiras" that are under your clothes - and respect the limit amount that can be taken without declaration to the IRS.
If you intend to spend a lot of time away from home, organize things for your absence: put your bills on automatic debit, leave your house keys with someone you trust and, if applicable, place a power of attorney on your behalf to resolve pending issues that don't can be remotely resolved.
5. Health care
Taking care of your health before and during the trip is very important. First of all, make sure that you have already had the yellow fever vaccine and have the Anvisa International Vaccination Certificate . Maximum attention to this, since this is a basic requirement for Brazilian travelers who intend to go abroad.
Consult a doctor, preferably at a traveler's medical center, and inform your travel plans. You can get recommendations for prophylaxis against Malaria, Rabies and other diseases (depending on the regions you visit), in addition to being referred for additional vaccines such as Hepatitis B and Tetanus, for example.
Take a little drug in your luggage, containing medicines for common situations like headache, diarrhea and nausea. If you take a prescription drug, bring a prescription - and don't forget to ask your doctor to translate it into English.
It is also essential that you take out travel insurance - even this is a requirement when visiting Europe. Hire insurance that covers urgent and emergency medical care. Depending on your travel style, it is even worth looking for insurance that covers extreme sports accidents, for example.
Don't travel unprepared, unforeseen events happen.
6. Preparing the luggage
Last but not least: what to bring?
Again, your travel style will make all the difference in this regard. However, keep in mind that the longer your trip, the worse it will be to deal with the logistics of carrying large bags from one corner to another.
You don't need to buy a giant backpack - which is just as uncomfortable and may not be your style. But it is worthwhile to “travel light”, choosing appropriately the best way to take your luggage, with the smallest possible volume:
- Clothes : Avoid falling into the temptation to take the whole wardrobe. You will have several opportunities to buy new clothes throughout the trip. Prioritize neutral and matching colors, and remember that light clothes get dirty faster. Give preference to light, quick-drying and non-wrinkling fabrics.
- Hygiene: Have a basic necessity with utensils such as dental kit, shampoo in small bottles, etc. Don't worry too much about taking supplies for your entire trip, after all you can go about replacing it on the way.
- Electronics: In addition to carrying in your hand luggage your main equipment, such as cell phone, camera, tablets , etc., don't forget the chargers and a universal adapter, because you will need it. Extra batteries are recommended, as are headphones and memory cards.
- Extras: Finally, sort out small things in your luggage that can make all the difference on your trip: An inflatable neck pillow for long trips, eye patches and ear plugs can make a total difference for your comfort. Padlocks, a Swiss Army knife and even a clothesline rope may sound like overkill, but they don't take up much space and you may end up needing it.
With the entire checklist resolved, it's time to embark on the biggest trip of your life!
Arrive at airports in advance, research your destinations well, keep track of your spending and, above all, make the most of this experience.
After all, it's not every day that you go around the world
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