Yesterday I discovered how easy it is to build a cheap RTW ticket using Skyscanner’s Everywhere search function. I quickly and easily planned out my own 16 country, five continent RTW adventure for under $3000. Naturally, as I was thinking of myself, I started and finished in New Zealand.
Because it was so much fun (yes, I am that much of a travel nerd!) I thought I’d plan one out for my North America friends to show just how simple and effective the Skyscanner tool is to use. Getting to and from New Zealand is a costly exercise so I predict that a independently built RTW ticket from North America will be even cheaper.
Here are the rules in case you missed them yesterday:
I’ll travel around the world by picking the cheapest destination that the “Everywhere” option provides as my next stop provided I’m:
- Not backtracking to any previous country, region or continent except on connecting flights
- Always moving East
- Stopping no more than three times on one region or continent
As it’s a central point and major hub I’m going to start the route in Chicago.
Beginning in North America
Chicago to Toronto, Canada on Porter Airlines $136
Leg total – $136
Hop Across to Europe
Toronto to Reykjavik, Iceland on Iceland Air $445
Reykjavik to Cologne, Germany on German Wings $92
Cologne to Katowice, Poland on Wizz Air $32
It was hard to find flights from Katowice outside of Europe so I searched from all of Poland instead.
Warsaw to St Petersburg, Russia via Riga Latvia on Air Baltic $152
Leg total – $721
Exploring the Middle East
St Petersburg to Yerevan, Armenia on Aeroflot $199
Yerevan to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (via Dubai) on Fly Dubai $295
Riyadh to Karachi, Pakistan (via Doha) on Qatar Airways $150
Leg total – $644
Into Asia
Karachi to Bangkok, Thailand on Thai Airways $285
Incidentally, if you wanted to fly from St Petersburg to Bangkok you could do so for under $600 saving $300 but skipping over the Middle East.
Bangkok to Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Air Asia $47
Phonm Penh to Guangzhou, China (via Singapore) on Tiger Aiways $140
Leg total – $472
Homeward Bound
Guangzhou to Chicago on Hainan Airlines (via Beijing & Seattle) $694
Leg total – $694
That’s 3 continents, 12 countries and only $2667. Not too shabby. What do you think?
On a traditional RTW ticket you wouldn’t visit countries such as Iceland, Armenia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Personally I think this is more interesting than a standard RTW ticket because I’ve been to many of the typical destinations. But for a first time traveller, Riyadh and Yerevan aren’t exactly high on the list.
A typical RTW ticket would go something like this Los Angeles – New York – London – Paris – Rome – Bangkok – Singapore – Sydney – Auckland – Los Angeles. Let’s see how this stacks up to my more creative method of RTW planning.
Starting in North America
Los Angeles to New York on United for $141
New York to London on Iceland Air (via Reykjavik) for $530
Taking in the Best of Europe
London to Paris on Easy Jet for $43
Paris to Rome on Ryan Air for $33
Getting a Taste of Asia
Rome to Bangkok on Sri Lankan Airlines for $444
Bangkok to Singapore on Air Asia for $66
Going Down Under
Singapore to Sydney on Air Asia (via Kuala Lumpur) for $247
Sydney to Auckland on Jet Star for $123
And Heading Home
Auckland to Los Angeles on Air Pacific (via Nadi, Fiji) for $804
That’s 4 continents and 8 countries. The grand total for this bog standard cheap RTW ticket is $2431.
Which of my cheap RTW tickets would you prefer?
Cover image used with permission © Friendlydragon | Dreamstime Stock Photos& Stock Free Images
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Fantastic post Bethaney. I think flight research is your travel ninja skill 😉
This is awesome, Bethaney! Puts it all into a realistic perspective, rather that off the in the abyss of imaginary “Oh a RTW is too expensive” $3k is an achievable amount to save for flights! And if you pay in advance, before you leave, that’s one less thing to worry about! Just sucks being locked into dates, but even that’s okay!
Nice work lady! I’m also a big fan of skyscanners functions like using the map to see where I can fly direct. Currently in need of a RTW ticket to take up my NZ working hol visa so will try building my own to see how it compares too!!
Thanks Peter. I did another one starting from NZ, you should check out that post too. Getting to and from NZ is pricey!
I’ve got to admit, Bethany, you’ve got me beat. I love playing with the Skyscanner Everywhere function, but you’ve taken it to a whole new level. . . you are a Travel Nerd Goddess 🙂
Lol. I’m happy to accept the title of “Travel Nerd Goddess”… Thanks Larissa!!!!
Both sample itineraries are awesome! Its really good to know there are cheaper ways of flying! Its one of the biggest costs of long term travel, or any travel for that matter, so its good to know how to save money on it!
this seems way too easy AND really reasonably priced. might have to use skyskanner ourselves soon…
Thank you Bethaney! I would love to do this for my 40th birthday next year!!!
Amazing that it could be that inexpensive. Thanks for the great tips!!
Great tips….if only Skyscanner applied this to hotels as well!:)
great tips – and i have to say, food for thought!
Very useful advice!
What a fun exercise. I’m going to play with Skyscanner next time I have some free time!
Wow I can’t believe how many stops you got on one ticket. Much better than years ago when it was a maximum of 5-6 stops.
My dad is amazing at hacking flights (my mom is coming “just because” from chicago to seville for 250 bucks!), and I sadly lack that skill.
if i decide to do a RTW trip i will be asking you for help!!
woohoo! Yerevan, Armenia great choice! SUCH an interesting city! My sister lives there!
You wrote this post specifically for me, without even knowing it. I’m a Chicagoan hoping to do a round the world trip sometime soon, so seeing all these prices laid out concisely is very informative 🙂
Great tips Bethaney. I hope I get to try some of them soon!
Lots of them are second nature to me now but some I need to constantly remind myself of. I hope you get to use them too!