How much does it take to fly around the world?

How long will it take to fly around the world?

Okay, so this whole "flying around the world" thing? I did it, kinda. Not all at once, obviously. It was 2023, a crazy business trip. London to Hong Kong, then Sydney, then back through LA. Jet lag was brutal. Hong Kong was amazing, but the food made me sick. Seriously, the noodles. I swear, I spent a day in my hotel room.

Three separate flights, each about twelve hours or so. That's, what, thirty-six hours of flight time? Plus layover times, security, airport madness… easily another twelve. Forty-eight hours minimum, probably more like fifty. It felt longer. Much longer. I was exhausted. My body was a mess.

Private jets? Hah. I'd love that luxury. This was economy class, all the way. I wish I had a supersonic option. That would’ve been a dream, cutting the time. Small private jet? forget it, way too expensive. Commercial airliners are fine for long haul flights but they are not fun.

• London to Hong Kong: ~12 hours flight time
• Hong Kong to Sydney: ~10 hours flight time
• Sydney to Los Angeles: ~14 hours flight time
• Layovers: Minimum 3 hours each, at least 9 hours total
• Security, etc.: Add another 3-4 hours, minimum.

Total: Easily 50+ hours of travel. Never again unless it’s first class, maybe. That whole trip sucked.

Can you fly around the world in 24 hours?

Ugh, 24 hours around the world? 40,070 km, whoa. That's, like, from my apartment in Brooklyn to... well, I dunno, super far.

• Supersonic jet needed!
• My uncle had a model plane once... never flew right.

1,670 km/h. Gotta go fast. Faster than sound? That's 1,225 km/h, right? N-A-S-A says so.

• Wonder if I can get frequent flyer miles for that.
• Bet the peanuts are extra.

Okay, Brooklyn to... maybe tokyo? i think. And then... Somewhere else, even farther. Hmm. I should look up a map.

• Around the Earth.
• Sounds expensive and uncomfortable, tbh.

What was that show about rich people flying everywhere? I think it was some show. Never mind.

• Travel, fast.
• I'd rather stay in Brooklyn, I think.

How much money would it take to fly around the world?

Three grand? Five grand? Chicken feed! Think bigger, people. Fifty grand for first class? Like buying a slightly used Honda for your butt. My neighbor's cat has a more luxurious travel setup.

• Economy: Okay, three to five thousand smackeroos. Like a weekend in Vegas, but with more jet lag and fewer regrettable tattoos. You'll be eating peanuts like a squirrel prepping for winter.
• First Class: Fifty grand? Pshaw. That's my annual cheese puff budget. Private island cheaper, probably. Butlers, caviar, oxygen bar... Okay, maybe not the oxygen bar. But still.

Got a RTW ticket? Round The World, obviously. Not Run To Waffle House, though tempting. Cheaper. Flexible? Like Gumby after yoga. Score. Routing is crucial. Going from Timbuktu to Toledo and back? Gonna cost ya.

• Deals: Like finding a twenty in your old jeans. Sweet. But. Yeah, big but. Gotta be flexible. Like those bendy straws. They're fun. Until they're not.

My aunt Mildred once flew around the world on a shoestring. Literally. It involved kites and a lot of duct tape. Don't recommend it. She ended up in Boise. Thought it was Bali. Awkward.

2024 Update: Plane tickets are like avocados. Price changes faster than a chameleon in a disco. Check airline websites. Do your research. Don't be like Aunt Mildred.

How much money will it take to travel around the world?

Thirty thousand dollars. That's what it'll cost, at least. Maybe more. For a year. Around the world. God, it feels impossible sometimes.

It's a scary number. A weight on my chest. Like the pressure of all those unanswered emails. All those dreams.

• Flights. I’ve looked. Crazy expensive. Especially now. Peak season hikes. Seriously.

• Visas. Another nightmare. So much paperwork. I hate paperwork. It’s the worst.

• Accommodation. Hostels are cheap. But I crave a decent bed sometimes. A moment of quiet.

• Food. Street food is fine, sometimes. But I want a nice sit-down meal, you know? A break.

It's more than just money. It's time. A year of my life. Time I'll never get back. But… worth it? I hope so. I have to believe it is. 2024 is the year, I've decided. It's gotta be.

This trip… it feels like a last-ditch effort. A desperate attempt to rediscover myself, somewhere far from this kitchen. Far from everything. A escape. A reset. Maybe it'll work, maybe not. But I'm tired of this place. Tired of this life, I guess.

What are the conditions of a round-the-world ticket?

So, round-the-world tickets, eh? Like a slightly less crazy Phileas Fogg adventure. Buckle up, buttercup!

• Direction? Gotta go east or west, like the sun. No zigzagging like a confused pigeon, or you'll be paying extra. Think of it like this: the earth is round. Not a flat earther are ya?
• Start/End: Home sweet home! Gotta start and end in the same nation. Imagine flying all the way 'round, only to land in, I dunno, Tuvalu, and realize you're stuck. Nightmare. This year, 2024, I’m dreaming of starting and ending my trip with a decent cuppa back in good ol' Blighty.
• Time's ticking: Usually, you're looking at at least a week and at most a year to complete your circumnavigation. Don't dawdle. I like that! Who wants to spend 2 whole years doing this, pffft.
• Stop it! (Number of Stops): You'll need at least 3 stops, or it's just a very long, pointless flight. More is okay, obvs. I get bored really quick, that's just me.
• Uh oh, changes: Wanna change things up? Prepare to cough up some dough. These things are about as flexible as a plank of wood.
• Mileage cap? There is a limit, like the amount of biscuits I can eat in one sitting... which is, uh, a lot. But individual flights, fly as far as ya want! That is, before the air marshal stops you.
• Pre-booked paradise: Gotta book it all in advance. No winging it! I mean, you could try, but that's a recipe for airport-floor sleeping. Imagine showing up at some airport in the middle of nowhere and being like, "Surprise!" No thanks!

Plus, flights can be canceled, like that date I went on in 2018. So always double check.

It’s all about planned spontaneity, innit? Like my last attempt to bake sourdough.

What constitutes a round the world ticket?

Ugh, round-the-world tickets. Yeah, those things... Circumnavigating the globe in one trip, right? I think my aunt Sarah once looked into one for her retirement, but then she just went to Italy for like, six months. Less complicated.

It's a single ticket! That's the key thing. My friend Dave tried to piece one together himself once. Total disaster. Flights missed, connections...yikes. It involved like, fifteen airlines.

Airlines teaming up! That's how they used to be, right? Marketing deals between airlines. Do they still do that? It's 2024, who knows!

• One itinerary: Essential.
• Multiple airlines: Probably still a thing.
• Expensive?: Defintiely.

I'm going to Hawaii for two weeks. Not quite around the world, is it? Although, maybe someday...nah, too much planning. But the single ticket is something. One ticket... hmmm. Less stress maybe? I dunno.

What are the benefits of a round-the-world ticket?

It's late. Round-the-world tickets. Yeah, I looked into them. Once.

Flights, the bedrock. You start there. That's the core. Get around the world, you need... the flights.

Flexibility. Okay, that's real. Changing dates. A real lifesaver. Needed it. Bad.

Personal service? Support? Hope so. Alone out there. It's uh... something.

Expert advice. It's needed. For sure. Avoid messes with immigration. That is important.

No hidden costs? Is that really true?

• Flights are planned, mostly, in advance.
• Date changes, easier, supposedly. If it costs less... that's good.
• Advice is crucial. Someone needs to know all the rules.
• Avoiding immigration problems? Price is well worth that, my god.
• Fixed costs would make it easier to keep track.

Is Round the World worth it?

Worth it? Depends. Route matters. Flexibility is key. Don't double back.

• Complexity reigns. Book carefully.

• Secrets remain. Awards await.

• Pros exist. Cons linger.

• Reddit knows. Seek answers there.

• My own RTW? A test.

Expand Content:

• RTW tickets can be cheaper than individual flights, sometimes. Savings hinge on route complexity and destination choices.

• Flexibility is offered but beware change fees, date restrictions.

• Major airline alliances (Star Alliance, OneWorld, SkyTeam) offer RTW tickets. Fares vary wildly.

• Research intensely. Booking isn't simple.