A round-the-world (RTW) trip is a dream for many travelers, offering the chance to explore multiple countries and continents in a single journey. While RTW trips can seem expensive, there are a variety of budget-friendly tour packages that allow you to experience the world without breaking the bank. These packages offer structured itineraries, budget accommodations, and cost-effective transportation options. Below are some of the best options for budget-friendly round-the-world tour packages.
1. Intrepid Travel’s “The Big Escape”
Intrepid Travel offers a variety of budget-friendly RTW tours with an emphasis on local experiences, sustainable travel, and immersive cultural encounters. Their “The Big Escape” package is a fantastic option for travelers looking to explore several countries without spending a fortune.
- Duration: 8 days
- Destinations: Countries in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
- Inclusions: Local transportation, most meals, and experienced guides.
- Why it’s budget-friendly: Intrepid focuses on small group travel, local transport, and simple accommodations, keeping the overall cost low. Their tours also minimize expenses by avoiding expensive tourist traps.
2. G Adventures’ “Classic World Journey”
G Adventures is known for its budget-conscious adventure tours, which often include multiple countries in one package. Their “Classic World Journey” is designed for those who want to visit a variety of countries without sacrificing comfort.
- Duration: 50+ days
- Destinations: Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
- Inclusions: Accommodation, transportation, and some meals.
- Why it’s budget-friendly: G Adventures offers affordable, small-group tours that focus on authentic experiences. Travelers can benefit from the economies of scale that come with group bookings and sharing accommodations, which helps reduce costs.
3. Contiki’s “European Highlights”
For those looking to focus primarily on Europe, Contiki’s “European Highlights” offers a fantastic round-the-world experience at a budget price.
- Duration: 14 days
- Destinations: Multiple European countries including France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.
- Inclusions: Transportation by coach, accommodations, most meals, and guided tours.
- Why it’s budget-friendly: Contiki specializes in group travel for young adults, which keeps costs low by sharing accommodations and transportation. The company also offers affordable optional excursions and a range of travel styles to suit different budgets.
4. Topdeck’s “Big Chill RTW”
Topdeck offers tours that appeal to younger, budget-conscious travelers. Their “Big Chill RTW” tour focuses on fun and affordable travel experiences, including exploring a mix of famous and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- Duration: 26 days
- Destinations: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Bali.
- Inclusions: Accommodation, transportation, and selected meals.
- Why it’s budget-friendly: Topdeck tours emphasize group travel and budget accommodations. The longer duration of the trip ensures that the cost per day is reduced, making it a more affordable way to explore multiple destinations.
5. Flight Centre’s “Round-the-World Ticket”
Flight Centre is known for its customized travel packages, and their RTW tickets are designed to offer flexibility while keeping the overall price reasonable. Their RTW packages allow you to book flights across multiple continents, with the ability to choose destinations based on budget.
- Duration: Flexible (usually between 3 and 12 months).
- Destinations: Multiple countries in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Australia.
- Inclusions: Flights, booking assistance, and some additional add-ons.
- Why it’s budget-friendly: Flight Centre allows you to customize your itinerary based on your budget. By booking RTW flights in advance and traveling off-season, you can keep your costs low while still visiting numerous countries. They also offer package deals that include discounts on accommodations and tours.
6. Busabout’s “Flexible Europe Tour”
Busabout offers a flexible and budget-friendly way to explore Europe. Their “Flexible Europe Tour” package allows travelers to hop on and off buses that travel to various European cities, making it ideal for those who want to explore multiple countries at their own pace.
- Duration: Flexible (you can travel for up to 3 months).
- Destinations: Europe (over 40 destinations including Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and more).
- Inclusions: Transportation between cities via Busabout’s coach network, local transportation, and some guided tours.
- Why it’s budget-friendly: The flexibility of Busabout allows travelers to create their own itinerary, and the coach passes offer affordable travel between major cities. Plus, it’s cheaper than booking individual train or flight tickets across Europe.
7. TrekAmerica’s “Grand Adventure”
TrekAmerica specializes in budget-friendly group tours for young travelers. The “Grand Adventure” tour is a great way to see multiple countries in North America, including the U.S. and Canada, in a fun, budget-conscious package.
- Duration: 27 days
- Destinations: The U.S. (New York, Washington, D.C., Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, San Francisco) and Canada (Vancouver, Whistler).
- Inclusions: Accommodation, transportation, and some meals.
- Why it’s budget-friendly: TrekAmerica tours use hostels and budget-friendly camping as accommodation options, keeping costs low. Group travel also allows for shared costs, making the trip more affordable than traveling solo.
8. Exodus Travels’ “Highlights of South America”
Exodus Travels offers some of the most affordable and enriching tours to South America, making it ideal for budget-conscious travelers interested in the continent’s diverse landscapes and cultures.
- Duration: 24 days
- Destinations: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru.
- Inclusions: Accommodation, transportation, selected meals, and expert guides.
- Why it’s budget-friendly: Exodus focuses on small group travel and offers tours that feature budget accommodations, local transportation, and cultural experiences that make the trip more affordable while providing authentic interactions with local communities.
9. SmarTours’ “Best of India and Nepal”
SmarTours offers affordable tours to some of the most exotic destinations in Asia, including their “Best of India and Nepal” package, which allows you to experience the vibrant cultures of two countries in one trip.
- Duration: 15 days
- Destinations: India (Delhi, Jaipur, Agra) and Nepal (Kathmandu, Pokhara).
- Inclusions: Accommodation, transportation, most meals, and guided tours.
- Why it’s budget-friendly: SmarTours provides affordable tours that often focus on classic destinations in India and Nepal. Their all-inclusive packages minimize extra costs, making it easier for travelers to stick to their budgets.
10. Busabout’s “Asia Adventure”
For those wanting to explore Asia, Busabout’s “Asia Adventure” offers a budget-friendly way to visit multiple countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
- Duration: Flexible, up to 6 months.
- Destinations: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and more.
- Inclusions: Bus travel, local transportation, and guided excursions.
- Why it’s budget-friendly: Busabout’s flexible bus passes and affordable accommodation options make this tour a budget-friendly way to explore Southeast Asia. The flexibility allows you to customize your trip and spend as much time as you like in each destination.
