Hi there -

Has anyone taken an extended around the world trip, say approximately a year? Does anyone have any thoughts on what that would cost (accomodatiion would be cheap and cheerful, but one step up from hostels where one shares rooms)?

cheers

Seems like you could do it for $36500 - - probably half that, and ten times as much as well. Neither extreme would appeal to me particularly.

And for the vast majority of "typical" Fodorites, the far more significant cost would be the income loss, and the "keep-my-life-going-otherwise" costs.

Best wishes,

Rex

I've done it twice, once when I was 18 and the second time after university when I was 22, therefore I had no commitments, career or ties.

The price of RTW air tickets seem to be the similar as in the 80's when I did them.

I stayed in hostels and subsidised my travel by working under the table for cash, On the second RTW, I had to work immediately, as after I had purchaed my ticket, I only had about US$150 left so I had to find work immediately.

I can suggest routes etc but the cost is difficult, if you spend a lot of time in the Far East it can be incredibly cheap but it can get expensive if you're partying every night.

Geordie

Check out lonelyplanet.com, they have a message board dedicated to RTW travel.

Friends of mine did just that, took a year out and travelled.
Before they went they took 3 jobs each for 7 months, which nearly killed them and when they had enough money they went.
Problem is they are still trying to pay off the debt 6 years later. So it appears that they seriously underestimated the cost, that is despite getting jobs in every country they visited.
Heed the warning and decide how much you think it will cost then double it and add 20% for good measure.

Good Luck
Muck

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone. I've had estimates from friends ranging from £8,000 to £35,000! not planning anything yet, just a teeny thought that's crept into my brain ;-)