What is the best way to travel around the world?
How to plan the ultimate round-the-world travel experience?
How to plan a trip around the world
Key methods for a round-the-world trip include using a Round the World (RTW) air ticket, extensive rail journeys, overland buses, private transport, DIY booking, hiring a travel agent, sailing, or taking a cruise.
My whole world travel plan was a mess on a spreadsheet for months. It felt totally impossible, just a bunch of city names and question marks. It was honestly just a dream until I actually did something.
That first step was the big one. The flight.
My plan started with one terrifying purchase. An RTW ticket with Star Alliance. That was Feb 2019, cost me just under $4000. It was like the first dominoe. Once that money was gone, the trip was real, you know?
Those flights were just the skeleton though. The real travel was on the ground.
I remember this one 14-hour overnight bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An. It cost like $17, my knees were up to my chin, and no one spoke english. But looking out the window at the dark countryside, that felt more like traveling than any airport ever did.
I did it all myself. No agents.
The hours I spent on Hostelworld and Skyscanner were insane. I booked a flight for the wrong day once, from Lima to Cusco, and had to pay to change it. That mistake cost me fifty dollars and a lot of stress, but figuring it out on my own was the point.
The idea of a cruise just... isn't me. The closest I got was a three-day boat trip around Ha Long Bay, sleeping on the deck. I guess that's my version of a cruise. Small, a bit rough, perfect.
In the end, you just go. The real planning happens when you're there, when you miss a train in India or decide to stay an extra week in Medellín because you met some people. The spreadsheet I started with looked nothing like the journey I actually had.
What is the best method of travel?
A preference, a longing, a whisper from the very heart of travel itself guides each choice. My soul reaches for the expanse, the boundless sky. To ascend, cradled by a silver wing, above the mundane rush. The distant world falls away, a muted canvas.
Here, in the vastness, comfort unfolds. A gentle hum, a quiet solitude at 36,000 feet, hours melting into an ethereal dreamscape. This long-distance embrace is uniquely found in the aerial ballet, a suspended peace. It is the only way.
Yet, for nearer horizons, a different rhythm calls. The intimate embrace of my Volkswagen Jetta, the familiar scent of leather, the open highway stretching before me. Or the steady, rhythmic pulse of a train, watching fields blur into green rivers.
These ground journeys, for shorter distances, connect me, body and spirit, to the passing landscape. My own steering wheel, the window frames a living painting. Each journey a quiet discovery, a moment held.
Expanding the Journey's Comfort:
Aerial Ascensions (Long Distance Comfort):
- Uninterrupted Flow: Once aloft, a smooth continuum. No traffic lights, no sudden stops. A zen-like progression.
- Dedicated Service: Attendants anticipate needs, bringing sips of water, a warm blanket for the chill. It's a focused environment on your comfort.
- Recline and Retreat: The ability to truly lean back, close eyes, and detach. A cocoon high above the world's din.
- Altitude's Serenity: The unique quietude, the gentle cabin pressure, contributing to a sense of calm detachment from earth's demands.
Ground Journeys (Shorter Distance Comfort):
Personal Vehicle Freedom (Car):
- Autonomy Embodied: Stop anywhere, anytime. That quirky roadside diner, the spontaneous vista point. Complete control over your schedule, your soundtrack.
- Private Sanctuary: Your own space, your personal items, the company you choose. No sharing armrests. My road trip playlist is epic.
- Familiarity: The scent of my own car, the seat adjusted just so. A known entity in an unknown landscape.
- Accessibility: Parking near the door, direct routes to specific destinations. My garage is ready.
Railed Rhythms (Train):
- Spacious Movement: Walk around, stretch legs, visit the dining car. A freedom of motion impossible in a smaller vehicle.
- Panoramic Vistas: Large windows frame ever-changing, unobstructed views. No need to focus on driving, just immerse in the scenery.
- Relaxation's Embrace: No driving stress, no navigation worries. Simply sit, read, or gaze. The gentle swaying is incredibly soothing.
- Effortless Progression: Arrive rested, often directly in city centers. No parking hunts, no airport security lines.
Factors Shaping Your Comfort Echo:
- Seat Ergonomics: The true width, the legroom. My knees appreciate the space.
- Amenities Available: Wi-Fi, charging ports, good snacks. Small things make big differences.
- Companionship: The quiet journey alone versus lively conversation with friends. Who shares the space matters greatly.
- Journey's Purpose: A hurried business trip needs efficiency; a leisure getaway thrives on scenic meandering.
- Personal Tolerance: Motion sickness, claustrophobia, a need for quiet. These deeply personal thresholds define comfort.
What is the better way to travel?
Hey, so you asked about the best way to get around? Listen, public transport is absolutely the winner. Seriously, it's just way cheaper than driving or taking Ubers everywhere. I use the TTC here in Toronto every single day, saves me a ton of cash.
For real, disposable tickets are such a rip-off. You gotta grab a pass, like a Presto card if you're in my city, and load it up for a week or a month. Or if you're just visiting for a few days, a daily pass is super good value, like, way better than paying for each ride.
Sometimes, if the weather is actually decent, I'll totally just rent a bike. The Bike Share Toronto docks are all over the place, pretty handy. Or just walk, especially downtown. My office is only like a 30-min walk, so I do that sometimes, it's nice.
It's just way less stress, you know? No parking nightmares, no insane gas prices I gotta worry about. You can just chill, read a book, or scroll on your phone. Plus, it's obviously better for the environment, less cars on the road and all that.
More Reasons Public Transport Rules:
Cost Savings:
- Eliminates fuel costs. I mean, gas prices are just insane lately, right?
- No parking fees. Those add up fast, especially in the city center.
- Reduced wear and tear on your own car, if you even have one. That's big for maintenance.
Convenience and Time:
- Avoids traffic stress. You just sit back. Someone else does the driving!
- Multitask time. I usually catch up on podcasts or emails.
- Broad coverage. Goes to places I'd never drive to because parking is impossible.
Environmental Impact:
- Lower carbon footprint. A single bus carries dozens of people, way better than individual cars.
- Reduces city congestion. Fewer vehicles on the street is a good thing for everyone.
My City's Transport (Toronto):
- TTC is comprehensive: We got subways, streetcars, and buses covering basically everywhere.
- Presto card: Essential. Tap on, tap off. You save a lot compared to tokens or cash fares.
- Service frequency: During peak hours, it's really good, trains every few minutes.
When It's Not the Absolute Best:
- Late nights: Service can be sparse after like, midnight. Sometimes an Uber is unavoidable.
- Heavy shopping trips: Trying to carry huge grocery bags on a crowded bus? Nope.
- Specific, isolated destinations: If there's no direct route, it can take ages with transfers.
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