Planning your Round the World Flight
For many this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The chance to visit every country you've always dreamt of visiting. You've worked and saved and finally the time is right for you to pack up and leave behind the mundane for the adventure of a lifetime. But planning a round the world flight can seem daunting. Where do you start?
Here is a step-by-step guide to help turn your dream of seeing the world into a reality:
Where in the world? – grab a map and a notepad. Make a list of the places you want to visit. Don't worry about what order you plan on visiting these countries just yet. The itinerary can be worked out later. Just jot down the names of all the places that interest you. Put down as many as you want, the list can be fine-tuned as you go.
What route to take? – Round the world flights are normally planned from either an east to west or west to east direction. It's not common practice to back-track but there are ways around this if necessary. Plan the destination on a map in a geographical order in the direction you want to go placing a level of importance on each country, as you may find yourself having to eliminate some destinations.
How long? – think carefully about how long you want your trip to last, taking into consideration your budget. Check the cost of living in each of your countries and roughly work out how long you can afford to stay in each destination. Try to keep the amount of countries on your list to a manageable level. Don't try to fit too much into your round the world trip otherwise it might become too hectic. Ideally, you want to spend long enough in each country so you really get to know the place and culture.
Passports and visas – Check your passport is still valid, ensuring that there is a minimum of six months after the planned date of your return home. Check the visa requirements of each of the countries you plan to visit, baring in mind that these can take several weeks to arrange and they also normally charge you for them. Only arrange your visas once your flights have been booked.
Check your health – Is your health up to the stresses of traveling around the world? If your trip includes a lot of trekking then make sure you are physically able to keep up with the pace. Consult your doctor before you go as it's also important to get any necessary inoculations. They will also be able to advise you of any potential malaria risks that may face you.
Insurance – This is very important. Traveling without insurance or sufficient cover is just asking for trouble. Make sure you check that any insurance you do get covers the activities that you will likely to be par taking in, for example bungee jumping, water sports, skiing and other so-called strenuous sports.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help turn your dream of seeing the world into a reality:
Where in the world? – grab a map and a notepad. Make a list of the places you want to visit. Don't worry about what order you plan on visiting these countries just yet. The itinerary can be worked out later. Just jot down the names of all the places that interest you. Put down as many as you want, the list can be fine-tuned as you go.
What route to take? – Round the world flights are normally planned from either an east to west or west to east direction. It's not common practice to back-track but there are ways around this if necessary. Plan the destination on a map in a geographical order in the direction you want to go placing a level of importance on each country, as you may find yourself having to eliminate some destinations.
How long? – think carefully about how long you want your trip to last, taking into consideration your budget. Check the cost of living in each of your countries and roughly work out how long you can afford to stay in each destination. Try to keep the amount of countries on your list to a manageable level. Don't try to fit too much into your round the world trip otherwise it might become too hectic. Ideally, you want to spend long enough in each country so you really get to know the place and culture.
Passports and visas – Check your passport is still valid, ensuring that there is a minimum of six months after the planned date of your return home. Check the visa requirements of each of the countries you plan to visit, baring in mind that these can take several weeks to arrange and they also normally charge you for them. Only arrange your visas once your flights have been booked.
Check your health – Is your health up to the stresses of traveling around the world? If your trip includes a lot of trekking then make sure you are physically able to keep up with the pace. Consult your doctor before you go as it's also important to get any necessary inoculations. They will also be able to advise you of any potential malaria risks that may face you.
Insurance – This is very important. Traveling without insurance or sufficient cover is just asking for trouble. Make sure you check that any insurance you do get covers the activities that you will likely to be par taking in, for example bungee jumping, water sports, skiing and other so-called strenuous sports.
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