You Can Travel the Globe Starting at $3,000. Here’s How to Do It.

For many travelers, embarking on a year-long adventure around the globe is a dream come true. However, organizing such a trip can be complex due to the numerous flights involved. One effective way to realize this journey is by buying an around-the-world flight ticket.

Here’s what you need to know about around-the-world flights, including which airlines and companies provide them, along with tips for navigating this travel option.

What exactly is an around-the-world ticket?

An around-the-world (commonly known as RTW for 'round the world') ticket enables travelers to journey across the globe, visiting multiple destinations on a single ticket, usually at a more affordable price than purchasing individual tickets. RTW trips generally require a continuous forward trajectory, either east or west; for instance, an eastward route could include flights from New York to Buenos Aires to Barcelona to Berlin to New Delhi to Bali to Honolulu and back to New York.

With RTW tickets, modifications are generally permitted, allowing travelers to extend or shorten their stays at various destinations without additional fees. You can either create a personalized itinerary or choose from suggested routes.

Which airlines provide around-the-world tickets?

Around-the-world tickets are usually available through airline alliance networks and travel agencies, rather than individual airlines. Oneworld Alliance and Star Alliance both offer around-the-world flights, while SkyTeam (including Delta Air Lines, Air France, and KLM) has discontinued its around-the-world program. Ticket regulations vary depending on the provider.

Oneworld Alliance RTW Ticket Options

The Oneworld Alliance, which includes U.S. airlines like Alaska Airlines and American Airlines alongside international carriers such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Qatar, provides travelers with two RTW ticket options, including:

• Oneworld Explorer, where pricing is determined by the number of continents visited
• Global Explorer, which calculates costs based on the distance covered

Each option comes with certain limitations. For starters, trips must commence and conclude in the same city within a year. Additionally, travelers must visit at least three continents and cross both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans within a maximum of 16 flights, without retracing their steps (meaning you must maintain a consistent travel direction).

Oneworld RTW ticket prices for itineraries beginning in the U.S. start at approximately $3,500 for an economy ticket covering three continents. However, this price increases to around $7,000 for those wishing to visit six continents. Travelers opting for business or first class can expect starting rates exceeding $10,000.

Star Alliance RTW Ticket Options

With a Star Alliance RTW ticket, there are few destinations out of reach—this extensive network covers over 1,300 locations across 190 countries. It includes 26 airlines, including United, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Air New Zealand.

When booking, travelers can either choose their own destinations or opt for one of Star Alliance’s themed RTW tickets. For instance, the Architecture Hotspots Round the World itinerary begins in Athens and takes you to Cairo, Beijing, Miami, Chicago, Brasilia (Brazil), Barcelona, and Florence before returning to Athens.

Similar to Oneworld, Star Alliance RTW tickets require travelers to complete both a transpacific and transatlantic flight within a maximum of 16 flights over the span of a year. However, unlike Oneworld, there’s no requirement to start and end at the same airport; travelers only need to return to the same country—meaning one could start in San Francisco and finish in New York if they need to conserve miles (the journey can encompass a maximum of 39,000 miles). Additionally, each stop must be a minimum of 24 hours.

For Star Alliance, ticket prices are based on total mileage and service class. On the lower end, anticipate costs starting around $4,000.

Alternative companies offering around-the-world tickets

If you prefer not to go through an airline alliance, you can explore options with travel agencies that specialize in around-the-world tickets.

One of the longest-running agencies is AirTreks, which has been crafting RTW tickets for travelers since 1987.

Since AirTreks collaborates with various airline alliances (including SkyTeam, despite it no longer offering RTW tickets), it can provide greater ticket flexibility, often at a more affordable price. It also presents overland travel options between airports (meaning you could fly into London, take a train to France, and depart from Paris), whereas Oneworld and Star Alliances require travelers to fly in and out of the same airports.

One sample itinerary called Off The Beaten Path begins in Los Angeles and takes you to Melbourne and Catania, Italy, where you can travel overland to Palermo and then catch flights to Porto, Portugal; Florianópolis, Brazil; Medellín, Colombia; and back to Los Angeles. The price starts at $3,000, which is slightly less than booking a similar journey with an airline alliance.

AirTreks imposes no mileage or segment limits, allowing travelers the freedom to start and end their journeys wherever they wish. However, since flights are distributed across multiple alliances, tickets may incur change fees.

Other companies to consider are Trailfinders, Flight Centre, and RoundAbout Travel.

Is it possible to purchase an around-the-world ticket using miles?

Yes, you can finance your around-the-world ticket using certain airline miles. However, you'll need a substantial amount of loyalty points, and you'll also have to find flights that have award availability for each segment, which can be quite tricky.

Mileage programs that currently provide RTW tickets include Aeromexico, Air Canada, ANA, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Qantas, and Singapore Airlines.

Are around-the-world tickets worth the investment?

It varies depending on your situation.

“RTW tickets can offer a smooth way to consolidate that once-in-a-lifetime adventure,” noted Katy Nastro, a travel expert from the flight deal tracking service Going.com.

Booking a RTW ticket offers several distinct advantages, primarily flexibility and a fixed price. Since the cost is based on the number of destinations you choose, it can be more economical for travelers flying during high-demand peak seasons, like summer, compared to traveling during the off-peak times.

Nonetheless, some travelers might prefer to book individual tickets as needed instead of securing the entire itinerary in advance. Bypassing an airline alliance also allows for greater airline variety. Additionally, a DIY approach enables travelers to mix points and cash for their bookings.

“While RTW tickets can simplify the planning process, be mindful of the restrictions and associated costs,” advised Nastro. “Anyone considering a RTW ticket should explore all their options and shouldn’t hesitate to compare prices for a similar itinerary one flight at a time.”