When booking a round-the-world (RTW) flight, there are several popular travel routes that are often chosen due to their affordability, ease of travel, and access to iconic destinations. These routes typically follow the globe’s most traveled flight paths, ensuring that you can visit a mix of diverse cultures, landscapes, and major cities while keeping costs manageable. Here are some of the most popular travel routes for round-the-world flights:
1. The Classic East-to-West Route
- Starting Point: North America (e.g., New York, Los Angeles, Toronto)
- First Stop: Europe (e.g., London, Paris, Barcelona)
- Second Stop: Asia (e.g., Dubai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong)
- Third Stop: Oceania (e.g., Sydney, Auckland)
- Final Stop: North America (return to your departure city)
This is one of the most common and accessible RTW routes. It begins on the East Coast or West Coast of North America and takes you across Europe, into Asia, and then down to Oceania before returning to your original departure city. It offers a variety of cultures and experiences in a relatively straightforward path.
2. The Asia to Oceania and Beyond Route
- Starting Point: Asia (e.g., Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore)
- First Stop: Oceania (e.g., Sydney, Auckland, Melbourne)
- Second Stop: South America (e.g., Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires)
- Third Stop: North America (e.g., Los Angeles, Mexico City, San Francisco)
- Final Stop: Asia (return to your departure city)
This route is perfect for those looking to explore the Pacific region and the southern hemisphere. It covers key destinations in Asia, Oceania, and South America, before looping back to Asia.
3. The Trans-Pacific Route
- Starting Point: North America (e.g., San Francisco, Los Angeles)
- First Stop: Asia (e.g., Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok)
- Second Stop: Oceania (e.g., Auckland, Sydney)
- Third Stop: South America (e.g., Lima, Buenos Aires)
- Final Stop: North America (return to your starting point)
The Trans-Pacific route is ideal for travelers who want to experience the vastness of the Pacific Ocean and travel from North America to Asia, Oceania, and South America. It’s particularly popular for those visiting multiple continents but without a significant detour.
4. The Southern Hemisphere Loop
- Starting Point: North America (e.g., New York, Toronto)
- First Stop: South America (e.g., Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago)
- Second Stop: Oceania (e.g., Sydney, Auckland)
- Third Stop: Southeast Asia (e.g., Bali, Bangkok, Singapore)
- Final Stop: North America (return to your departure city)
This route is ideal for those wishing to stay within the southern hemisphere for much of the trip, experiencing the natural beauty of places like South America, Oceania, and Southeast Asia. It’s a great choice for those seeking adventure travel, beaches, and outdoor activities.
5. The Europe to Asia and the Americas Route
- Starting Point: Europe (e.g., London, Paris, Amsterdam)
- First Stop: Middle East (e.g., Dubai, Doha)
- Second Stop: Southeast Asia (e.g., Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Bali)
- Third Stop: North America (e.g., New York, Toronto, Mexico City)
- Final Stop: South America (e.g., Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires)
This route focuses on Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, taking you through some of the most dynamic and fast-growing regions of the world. It allows you to explore ancient cities, modern metropolises, and stunning landscapes.
6. The Ultimate Adventure Loop (North America to South America)
- Starting Point: North America (e.g., New York, Los Angeles)
- First Stop: Central America (e.g., Mexico City, Panama City)
- Second Stop: South America (e.g., Buenos Aires, Lima, Rio de Janeiro)
- Third Stop: Europe (e.g., Madrid, Barcelona, Paris)
- Final Stop: North America (return to your starting point)
For adventurous travelers looking to explore the Americas thoroughly, this route covers both Central and South America and then moves on to Europe before returning to North America. It’s perfect for those who want to delve into both the vibrant cultures and natural wonders of the Americas.
7. The Europe to Africa to Oceania Route
- Starting Point: Europe (e.g., Paris, London, Amsterdam)
- First Stop: Africa (e.g., Cairo, Nairobi, Cape Town)
- Second Stop: Middle East (e.g., Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha)
- Third Stop: Oceania (e.g., Sydney, Auckland)
- Final Stop: Europe (return to your departure city)
This route is ideal for travelers who want to explore a wide range of environments, from the bustling cities of Europe and Africa to the remote natural beauty of Oceania. It’s an eclectic route that connects continents with varied landscapes and cultures.
8. The East to West Asia-Africa-Australia Route
- Starting Point: Asia (e.g., Bangkok, Tokyo, Singapore)
- First Stop: Africa (e.g., Nairobi, Cairo, Cape Town)
- Second Stop: Oceania (e.g., Sydney, Auckland)
- Third Stop: Europe (e.g., Paris, Madrid, London)
- Final Stop: Asia (return to your departure city)
For travelers looking to start in Asia and venture through Africa and Oceania before looping back to Europe, this route offers an incredible combination of diverse cultures, landscapes, and wildlife.
9. The Europe to Southeast Asia to Australia Route
- Starting Point: Europe (e.g., London, Paris, Berlin)
- First Stop: Southeast Asia (e.g., Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City)
- Second Stop: Australia (e.g., Sydney, Melbourne, Perth)
- Final Stop: Europe (return to your departure city)
This is a popular route for travelers seeking to combine the cultural richness of Southeast Asia with the relaxed beach and city lifestyle of Australia. Starting and ending in Europe, this loop is ideal for those who want to experience both continents without backtracking.
10. The Pacific Rim Route
- Starting Point: North America (e.g., Los Angeles, San Francisco)
- First Stop: Japan (e.g., Tokyo, Osaka)
- Second Stop: Southeast Asia (e.g., Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong)
- Third Stop: Australia/New Zealand (e.g., Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland)
- Final Stop: North America (return to your starting point)
This route focuses on the Pacific Rim, linking countries on the western Pacific side, and is ideal for those interested in exploring the cultures, food, and landscapes of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.
These routes are flexible and can be customized based on personal preferences, budget, and time constraints. Most RTW flights allow for multiple stops, enabling travelers to explore a range of destinations across continents. Many round-the-world tickets are available through airline alliances like Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam, offering a variety of itineraries that suit different travel styles. With careful planning, you can create a route that balances adventure, culture, and relaxation while getting the most out of your budget.
