Traveling around the world is becoming more and more accessible. The secret? Plan and buy tickets in advance. And the cost cannot be compared to the beauties you will see and the memories you will keep for your entire life. Ready to pack your bags?
Steps
Method 1 of 4: The Tricks to Spend Less
Step 1. Buy a single “Around-the-World” ticket, avoid booking a dozen single flights
The three largest airline alliances in the world are Star Alliance, which is the best known and most experienced in the industry, Oneworld and Skyteam.
- The Star Alliance offers packages of 29,000, 34,000 or 39,000 miles. To give you an idea, 29,000 miles will take you to about three continents, 34,000 miles in four and 39,000 miles in five or six. The more miles you get, the more destinations you can see, and vice versa. Each pass has a maximum of 15 stopovers (a stop over is considered a 24-hour stop in a destination) and you can buy the ticket in first class, in the business class or in the tourist class. The Star Alliance also requires passengers to depart and return to the same country, although not necessarily the same city (there are also passes limited to geographic regions around the world).
- Oneworld offers two different types of promotions: one based on segments and another based on miles. Global Explorer is the most conventional ticket and is based on miles. There are three levels: 26,000, 29,000 and 39,000 in tourist class, plus 34,000 in first class and business. Just like with the Star Alliance, all miles are counted, including land segments.
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Skyteam offers the Round the World Ticket. This group includes 19 airlines, including Alitalia, and allows you to choose more than 1,000 destinations in 187 countries and proceed at your own pace (you can use the ticket in a period of time between 10 days and a year). It offers four packages of miles: 26,000, 29,000, 33,000 and 38,000.
Traveling by plane is more expensive than other means. Use websites that allow you to compare rates, such as Travelsupermarket, Skyscanner and Kayak. Book flights on Travelocity, Expedia and Opodo. Pay special attention to restrictions. Many around-the-world tickets require you to always go in the same direction, such as, for example, from Los Angeles to London and London to Moscow; you couldn't go from Los Angeles to Paris and from Paris to London. This would require more preparation
Step 2. Get a credit card to collect miles
If your creditworthiness is positive, you have some savings and you are not afraid to use credit cards, you can earn thousands and thousands of miles for your flights.
- The offers are so many. Most banks have a version of a credit card associated with an airline, such as American Airlines Citi (if you live in the US). You should spend a certain amount of money over a certain amount of time, but the rewards are substantial. You will need around 120,000 miles to get a ticket to go around the world.
- You can also join your favorite airline's frequent flyer program and earn points every time you travel.
Step 3. Consider alternative ways to travel
Many people don't want to have this type of credit card. Organizing a trip this way requires a lot of preparation and, well, a certain amount of money. Fortunately, there is no shortage of cheaper options, often more interesting and promising.
- When you travel around Europe, you can take advantage of the offers of low cost airlines: Ryanair, Easyjet, Vueling, AirEuropa …
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Travel by train. Amtrak is the national railway company of the United States. In Europe, you can buy a Eurail (for non-European citizens) or an Interail (for European citizens), packages to travel by train from one country to another. In Asia, the Trans-Siberian runs from Moscow to Beijing, where it is possible to connect to Shanghai and Tokyo.
- A Global Eurail pass costs around $ 500 (€ 390) and will take you to 24 different countries.
- To go from Moscow to Beijing via the Siberian railway, with stops in Irkutsk and Ulaanbaatar, it takes 2,100 dollars (1635 euros); you will travel for 16 days with no frills. The cost is slightly lower for each additional person.
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Travel by bus. In the US, you can do this with Greyhound. In Europe, Eurolines provides a ticket to reach 45 European cities. Megabus allows you to travel from city to city in North America and Europe. In South America, the Crucero del Norte venture will take you to countries such as Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil.
- Almost all long-distance buses have air conditioning, on-board toilets and reclining seats with head restraints, and meal stops are set at the more usual times during which you usually eat.
- A one-way ticket from Lille to London with Eurolines can cost as little as $ 36 (€ 28). If you only visit a handful of cities, it can be a good alternative to Eurail or Interail. This company also offers a tolerance of two medium-sized bags in addition to the rest of the suitcases.
- Travel by ship / ferry. Cruises can be inexpensive when you consider that accommodation and meals are included. Cunard operates along the transatlantic routes. A ticket from New York to Hamburg (to feel like you're on the Titanic!) Currently costs around $ 1400 (€ 1090). TheCruisePeople compares the prices of cruises.
Step 4. Ask if you need a visa
The last thing you want is to be stopped in Saigon and reprimanded and sent back to Hong Kong. In some countries, you may pay an exorbitant price to obtain a residence permit immediately, but it is best to inquire before you leave.
- The length of stay and your citizenship are two important factors. Most Westerners believe they can go wherever they want without any problem. Unfortunately it doesn't work like that. Do all the necessary research a long time in advance (it may take weeks or months before you receive your visa approval). You need to know the migration laws of the places you visit.
- Generally, the tourist permit lasts 90 days; in some cases it can be renewed. In some countries, such as Argentina, if at the end of the three months you want to stay longer, you can leave the national territory even for a few hours (you can take the ferry and go to Uruguay) and return, so they will stamp your passport for another three months.
Method 2 of 4: Finding the Accommodation
Step 1. Search for hotels and hostels
Of course, if you have relatives or friends in the area, you can stop by them. But, if you don't know anyone, you will have to do a search. Some accommodations leave something to be desired, so inquire carefully.
Don't let a bad hostel ruin everything. There are several reputable chains, and you don't have to fumble around in the dark to find them. Click on https://www.hihostels.com/ to find numerous options. If you want to share accommodation with strangers, you will save money and meet lots of new people. The important thing is to choose the right place. Also rate the reviews on Trip Advisor
Step 2. Consider couchsurfing or woofing
These forms of hospitality are increasingly widespread. Go to https://www.couchsurfing.org/ to find a… sofa!
If you want to stay a little longer, think about woofing. You will be working on an organic farm for at least a couple of weeks in exchange for a roof over your head and meals. You can improve your manual skills and learn more about the local culture than you might know by staying in a hotel and seeing what's in the minibar
Step 3. House sitting, which is much better than couchsurfing, gives you the opportunity to stay in one place for free, all you have to do is feed the cat
Two of the largest sites are https://www.housecarers.com/ and https://www.mindmyhouse.com/. Once you have paid a registration fee, you can publish your ad (don't forget that you will have to sell yourself) and meet owners willing to leave their home in the hands of trusted people.
Understandably, demand outstrips supply. When you sign up, do some research and create a flawless profile. Consider the application a kind of job interview, as you will find thousands of competitors. Stand out from the crowd in any way you can
Method 3 of 4: Prepare for the Trip
Step 1. Don't overfill your suitcases
Unless you have a personal assistant to roll out the red carpet before you walk by with your 12 suitcase set, you'll want to carry a few bags with you. More than once you will have to drag them and go through various check-ins and check-outs. Being weighed down will make you tire even more, especially during long waits. Having a few light bags will also allow you to go shopping during your travels and try the typical products of the places you visit.
In addition to basic clothes, a couple of books, some personal hygiene products and a few small electronic gadgets, be sure to bring an international adapter with you. You will be immensely grateful when you are in Phnom Penh with a dead computer and the need to make an urgent reservation
Step 2. Establish a budget based on where you will go and how long you will stay
Whether you go to a first, second or third world country, there will always be unexpected expenses, so you will need to have emergency money.
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Obviously, the first world countries (Europe, North America, Japan …) are the most expensive. The countries of the second world are a bit more difficult to define, but they are somehow developed (Mexico, Eastern European countries, China, Egypt…). Third world countries are the cheapest, even if they can sometimes hide pitfalls (most of the countries of Africa and Southeast Asia, Bolivia, Peru…).
Travel Around the World Step 6
Step 3. Think about your safety
Traveling around the world can be dangerous, so take the necessary precautions:
- Inform your bank. Some banks immediately cancel credit cards if they notice suspicious activity. To avoid this, call before you leave and submit your exact itinerary. Also call on your return.
- Do not put valuables in a bag that could easily tear or cut it without you noticing. Buy a small fanny pack to keep with you at all times and keep your cash, credit cards and passport inside.
Method 4 of 4: Living the Easy and Cheap Way
Step 1. Go shopping
Cooking yourself will cut costs a lot.
Living like a local is much more fulfilling than traveling as a tourist. Go to local supermarkets, bakeries and shops to discover local flavors. Not only will you save, you will also have new life experiences
Step 2. Do your research
Most of the larger cities are so vibrant that options to have fun will never be lacking.
- Go to https://www.timeout.com/ for a list of what you can do and see in different cities.
- Tour guides are helpful, but sometimes they deceive. If they tell about the "best kept secret of a city," then everyone will start going there. Think of them as a general point of reference, but take it all with a grain of salt.
- Ask around. Who knows the city better than the locals? If you are staying in a hotel or hostel, ask the staff. If you're couchsurfing, ask your host - they'll likely take you around themselves. Don't worry if you don't speak the language: you will be able to communicate in one way or another.
Step 3. Keep in touch with your family and friends
For security reasons, connect to the internet every two or three days to send an email, so they know where you are in case of an emergency.
- It is not difficult to get a cheap phone if you are staying in an area for a while.
- Carry your computer only if you work or need it for any reason. Otherwise, it will clutter, not to mention they could steal it from you. You will find internet points everywhere. Or, if you have a smartphone, take advantage of Wi-Fi connections.
Step 4. Make the most of the experience
Such a trip changes your life. Let me do it. Meet new people, do things you've never tried before and learn. This may be your only chance.
- Go with the flow. If you come across a group of Colombians looking for a place to dive, follow them. If 100 people queue to see a comedy in a New York bar, join them. Spontaneity pays off.
- Forget the cutlery and pasta. A little voice will tell you not to dare, but you ignore it. Enter the typical places, do what the locals do. There are no better souvenirs than memories.
Advice
- Take out international health insurance, wherever you go, so you can get medical assistance if needed.
- Take only the essentials with you. Grab a backpack and go. Such an experience is only lived once in a lifetime, so you need nothing but heart and soul. Trust the right people to discover the most exotic neighborhoods and foods.
- Find out about the coins you will use during the trip. While traveler's checks are safe, it can be difficult to use them in smaller countries. You can almost always find an ATM where you can withdraw money in the local currency.
Warnings
- Make sure you are vaccinated (in some cases you will need, for example, the vaccine for yellow fever, hepatitis and typhoid).
- If you prefer to stay with a host family that hosts students and travelers, talk to members via Skype. It is important to know them better. Also check the opinions left by previous guests.
- Find out about the countries you will visit by contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so you will keep your distance from regions at risk.
