Booking a Round-the-World Trip Through Southeast Asia
Do not book a single airline alliance ticket; instead, buy an initial long-haul flight into a major hub like Bangkok or Singapore and book regional budget flights as you go. This approach saves you at least $800 compared to fixed multi-stop RTW tickets and provides total flexibility for your route.
- Identify your gateway hubs. Search for flights from your home country to major Asian hubs: Bangkok (BKK), Singapore (SIN), or Kuala Lumpur (KUL). These are the cheapest entry points and offer the most connections.
- Use regional low-cost carriers. Once in Asia, use carriers like AirAsia, VietJet, and Scoot. Book these flights 3–5 weeks in advance to secure tickets between $40 and $90. Use Google Flights to track these specific routes.
- Avoid regional airline alliances. Don't bother with 'Round-the-World' passes from Star Alliance or Oneworld; they are overpriced and restrictive. Simply piece together your legs individually as you decide your next destination.
- Verify luggage fees. Budget Asian airlines almost always charge for checked bags. Factor in an extra $20–$30 per flight for a 20kg checked bag when calculating your flight budget.
- Should I use a flight aggregator or book directly with the airline?
- Use aggregators like Skyscanner or Google Flights to find the best route, then click through to the airline’s website to book. If you have an issue, it is much easier to resolve directly with the airline than through a third-party site.
- How far in advance should I book regional flights?
- 3 to 5 weeks is the sweet spot. Prices rise significantly within 14 days of departure.