Around the world for USD$1500.00 or less - the AFF RTW Challenge!

[munitalP]

Here's a challenge in two parts, first, can we travel around the world for less than USD$1500.00 and second, can we find an AFF member willing to participate in such frivolous activity? (the finer details will get worked out later) :shock:

OK - Rules, theres not too many...

1. Your start point (capital city in Australia) must be your finish point
2. Mode of travel

a. Airlines - commercial, private, charter
b. Trains - any train that you can purchase a ticket for
c. Boat - any boat that you can purchase passage on
d. Bus - includes back of truck or shared vehicle transport - no hitchhiking
e. Other modes such as scooter, hot air balloon, submarine, space shuttle, fighter jet - all allowed ​

3. Accommodation / meals is not included in this challenge - it's the transport component alone
4. Countries that must be included to deem the trip around the world are

a. The Americas
b. Asia (including SE Asia)
c. Europe
d. UK or Ireland​

5. Extra KODUS points for including Africa or the Middle East
6. Travel must be between 1st October and 1st November 2010
7. VISA costs etc must be included in travel costs
8. SIN / BKK or HKG are the only cities you may visit more than once
9. Exploiting any FF benefit is acceptable except - you may not redeem flights using points, you may however, if possible, use points to redeem upgrades, status to reduce luggage costs and any other benefit you can find

Please ensure bookings are complete - eg, go as far as payment stage to ensure no extra taxes or fees creep in. Also, the traveler will have a backpack weighing in at 15kg - so hand luggage fares are not acceptable.

Assemble your route and booking ideas and post them for scrutiny...

I so look forward to seeing what we can come up with, and I am sure there will be a few interested parties in sponsoring an event like this

Mr!

 

[oz_mark]

Interesting challenge - will have to think about this. Downside is that the airlines involved may be LCC's which may detract from desires to actually partake in such frivolity

 

[anat0l]

Ooooh...I like the sound of this!

I'm certainly willing to try and find a routing; I might even volunteer to be the one who undertakes the trip.

Let's hope the USD doesn't devalue any more than it has, otherwise USD 1500 might be a squeeze :mrgreen:

 

[bossreggie]

Sadly for me.... With a policy of only traveling in J or F.... I'd get as far as AKL

I AM interested in the options though..... I think my son needs a taste of Y.

 

[anat0l]

Rules Question (albeit minor):

With the exception of burning points or complimentary travel vouchers, are we allowed to exploit whatever status we may have (for airline, rail etc. frequent traveller programs, or credit card programs)?

For example, flying on AA domestic they will charge for your first checked bag, unless you have any sort of oneworld status.

 

[munitalP]

Good question - see rule 9 in post 1

Mr!

 

[anat0l]

More rule clarifications:

Do we need to count the cost of transfers within a city?

For example, if I arrive in Frankfurt by train but my next transport will be from Frankfurt Airport, do I need to count the cost of getting from Frankfurt city (Hbf) to Frankfurt Airport (e.g. by taxi or train)?

You could probably walk between the two and save the cash, but not advisable :mrgreen:


Also, do we have to account for credit card surcharges?

 

[serfty]

I'm here to say that it'll be a tough gig.

Yes, to Europe, and even OZ - EUR - USA.

The killer is USA - (ASIA -) - Oz. At the very least that must comprise 50% of the cost.

(LAX-SYD on Air Pacific for USD750 [MBULAOW] (via NAD)

 

[serfty]

SYD-KUL on SQ for AUD618 (~USD577) [HLPROW] (via SIN)

KUL-LAX on CZ for MYR2062 (~USD647) [LOXU ] (via CAN)

Of course, the UK/Ireland (& hence Europe) are missed.

 

[munitalP]

If it has to do with getting from point A to point B and it costs, yes you need to account fit it, but say FRA to FRA Hann, allow 10 euros. Common charges apply and no one will get too upset if we end up a couple of dollars euros or pesos out, unless you don't think this is a good idea, then we could say transfers are not included... Thoughts?

 

[munitalP]

I'm working in a round about way towards developing a fare, so I started at LAX and have got myself to Darwin via Asia, 3 airlines and a train for approx $780 so far. This is good as it is the most expensive legs - now I'll look for UK or Europe across the Atlantic somehow...

Hmmm, $495 from MAN to JFK

running out of money


Mr!

 

[serfty]

KUL-LHR on KU MYR1609 (~USD505) [HOWMY1] via KWI

LHR-LAX on AB GBP453 (~USD697) [OFLY ] via DUS confused

 

[markis10]

Air Asia MEL to UK is $700 AUD with 20Kg on Oct 1.

 

[PaulC83]

Here is about as good as I could come up with, it is still more expensive than you wanted but as stated TransPac is pretty hard to get LCC wise.........

All flights found in October, BUT is dependent on which day, so you have to route around a little.

I chose Perth as the starting point

PER->KUL Air Asia X (D7 2715) $229 AUD
KUL->STN Air Asia X (D7 2008) 1085 MYR or $365 AUD
get from stansted to kings cross any which way one can (hitchhike )
Eurostar cheap morning fare to Paris, 39 pounds $56 AUD
CDG->REK Iceland Air (FI543), Connecting with REK->YYZ Iceland Air (FI603) 277.49EUR $403 AUD
YYZ->HKG Cathay (CX829), Connecting with HKG->PER Cathay (CX171) 1336 CAD $1428.66 AUD

So Total : $2482 AUD or around $2300 USD.

 

[serfty]

I used ITA to search fares.

SYD-KUL on SQ for AUD618 (~USD577) [HLPROW] (via SIN)

KUL-LHR on KU MYR1609 (~USD505) [HOWMY1] via KWI

LHR-LAX on AB GBP453 (~USD697) [OFLY ] via DUS

LAX-SYD on Air Pacific for USD750 [MBULAOW] (via NAD)

Total cost USD2529 - SYD-... SYD, no transfers/transits required.

UK is part of Europe...

 

[markis10]

There are quite a few outlets doing $2143 for a three stop RTW for sale until Nov 11, we must be able to at least better that????? Maybe not.

 

[serfty]

The main issue is "one way fares"; they are often 40-80% more than ½ a return fare.

I'm pretty sure I get get close to USD3000 for 2 ATW routing composed of nested fares with one being the reverse of the other.

 

[dajop]

4. Countries that must be included to deem the trip around the world are

a. The Americas
b. Asia (including SE Asia)
c. Europe
d. UK or Ireland​

​

Is a crossing of both the Atlantic and Pacific required, or will an itinerary just including each of these places sufficient? I suspect the latter may be easier.

 

[milehighclub]

I suppose staff travel tickets are out of the question?

 

[munitalP]

[/INDENT] Is a crossing of both the Atlantic and Pacific required, or will an itinerary just including each of these places sufficient? I suspect the latter may be easier.

theres no need to cross the oceans if you dont want to

cheers