10 Tips for planning a Round the World Trip

A round the world trip is the ultimate holiday that anyone could ever take. Imagine hopping from one country to the next, seeing all the places on our massive planet that you’ve always dreamed about. By the end of it your passport will be a badge of honour, chalked full of immigration stamps. Experienced travellers and backpackers will agree that the best trips begin with planning and here are ten tips to get you started.

1. Make a list of destinations
The exciting part of planning world travel is dreaming about where you are going to go. Are there places around the world that have called to you? Are there rolling fields from your parent’s homeland that you want to see in person? No matter where it is in the world, make a start by writing it down.

2. Prioritise your list of locations
This will provide a general idea of where you can start your journey. For safety reasons, avoid any war zones. You want to schedule your ‘must go’ destinations at the beginning of your trip. If you need to cut your adventure short, at least you can say that you saw what you wanted to.

3. Create a tentative trip route
Solidify your geographical knowledge by physically mapping out the route that you wish to take. Are there places that you’ve been itching to see along the way? This process gives you a visual representation of your journey.

4. Decide on modes of travel
See how your cities connect to one another. Air travel is not the only way to get from place to place. There might be a train route or a cruise that you can take to get there. You may want to experience the local flavor by taking a small sailing vessel to an island.

5. Research travel costs
Go through travel sites to find the cheapest rates that stay within your needs. Find out which parts of your adventure will cost more and plan accordingly. A travel agent who specialises in round the world trips might be beneficial.

6. Find out costs of room and board
Research the relative costs of where you’re planning on staying. Do you expect to live in the best hotels? It might be possible in Indonesia where the weak Rupiah makes everything affordable but not so in the more built-up countries like Singapore or Hong Kong.

7. Documents need to be up to date
Make sure that your passport and driver’s license are up to date. Many travelers (including myself) have been caught out by the late discovery of a passport about to expire. What ensues is gut wrenching regret and a last minute dash to the passport office. Get your travel off to a good start and have your passport and ID sorted out before you even book a flight. Also, find out if you’re going to need other forms of identification.

8. Study local customs and languages
If you stray off the beaten path, knowing the local customs and language will be beneficial. Make sure that you know what’s offensive to the locals to avoid confrontation.

9. Vaccinations
Every country has rules about necessary vaccinations. Get all of your immunisations up to date and bring records with you on your trip.

10. Book your travel plans at least a month in advance
You don’t want to be spending all of your money on travel expenses. The cheapest tickets can be had with advance planning. There might be package deals for accommodations and flights.

You want everything to go smoothly on your round the world trip. The more things that you plan in advance, the more time that you have to enjoy the countries that you’re visiting. Have a great adventure!

This post was written by David from Frequent Flyer Credit Cards where you can learn more about the leading airline loyalty programs in Australia and South East Asia.