Winging it RTW Vs Buying a RTW ticket

If you are unsure if you want to commit to a RTW ticket before you go as opposed to winging it and using cheap one way flights and other transport options, consider some of the following points to help you decide.

For your first time away buying an RTW will make things easier, but going your own way can give you the ultimate freedom to do what you want.

other transport Winging it RTW Vs Buying a RTW ticket

Pros Of RTW tickets

  • Feel secure in planning a grand route and knowing a schedule in advance.
  • RTW tickets normally work out cheaper if you plan to head to out of the way places like South America and Africa.
  • You will have the chance to earn a decent amount of frequent flyer miles if travelling with one of the big alliances.
  • They can be great value for money if you plan properly.
  • Buying a RTW means taking one big item out of the budget before you travel
 Pros of winging it

  • No need to plan in advance without the information you’ll discover while on the road.
  • Growth of budget airlines across the world opens up heaps of options.
  • If going overland for parts of your trip this way can give you much more freedom
  • Things change, stuff happens; you will have  more freedom if booking this way to do as you want
Cons of RTW tickets:

  • In most cases you are limited to 12 months to complete your travels (except one 18 month ticket through STA, but this has limited destination options).
  • You will have to plan your route before you go; route changes are difficult and expensive.
  • You will still have to buy some internal flights if travelling to some locations (Central America for example)
 Cons of winging it:

  • Not having an onward ticket can land you in trouble with border officials.  This can mean allot of hassle moving from one place to the next
  • Requires more time spent booking and researching flights while on the road
  • It can be hard to set a budget for your flights before you leave, and you could end up paying through the nose for flights to some destinations in peak season

In the end it’s just what you are more comfortable with; most people will opt for the RTW ticket but if you have the confidence winging it can be a real adventure. Going your own way will force you a long way out of your comfort zone, which can be a pretty rewarding experience.

Check ou the other transport options in this section for ideas on other ways to make your way around the world.

Next: Which RTW ticket to buy?