Multi Destination Flights??? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**millmuff** · 01-16-2007, 11:47 AM

Just have a quick question I was hoping someone was familiar with.

When planning a trip with multiple flights to several different destinations...say over a 6 month period.....are most airlines flexible with there dates, or itinerary changes.

For example I want to book a ticket...somewhat of a RTW ticket, but since I haven't been to several of the places I have no idea on how long I will stay therefore I dont want to set exact flights in and out until I'm there.

Is there any good companies out there that will offer miles, or a set of destiinations and as you travel you can set yor dates? The reason is I don't want to book one fligth at a time because its ridiculously expensive, but I also dont want to have a RTW ticket that I have to pay everytime I want to change my flight??

Any ideas??
Thanks...peace.

**Esterina** · 01-17-2007, 08:30 AM

Most airlines offer rtw trips with multiple destinations, for that part, you better work it up with a travel agent. They'll do all the research for you, based on your $$$ and rough itinerary. My agent (which was STA Travel) suggested at least 5 different itineraries before I agreed on one.

As far as I know, there are fees to pay (around $50 I believe) if you want to change the date. So you do have flexibility in your itinerary.

One tip I'd give you is to have one stopover per continent and buy your plane tickets there (Asia is fairly cheap, so is Europe with Ryanair and others), or of course travel by train or bus. The best place to buy cheap tickets in Asia is Bangkok, btw.

To travel within Asia, check this out : AirAsia
Jetstar

If you have time, you can travel overland to the next flight point. That's also a huge money saver !

**millmuff** · 01-25-2007, 06:42 AM

Thanks for the advice. I definitely plan on doing most of the travel over land, and even some long train rides, but I actually figured that it would cost a lot more that way because it would be kinda spur of the moment booking things.

**Esterina** · 01-25-2007, 07:10 AM

It depends on the countries you are travelling from. It is often a lot cheaper overland than flying, even with last minute tickets. Maybe not in Western Europe or expensive countries like the States, Japan and Hong Kong for example. But Central/Eastern Europe, Asia, and Central/South America, train and bus are a better option, budgetwise.

Do you already have an itinerary planned ?

**millmuff** · 01-28-2007, 01:55 PM

Yeah, a basix one. One not going to get into to much detail into places further down the road because I want to kinda just wing it.

To start though I'll be headed out os wetern canada maybe a quick stop in the states and then off to NZ, and Oz. From there I'm just going to head up SEA and get in China...unti; I make my way to europe.

So as you can figure a lot of that will be land but I just want to be open and available in case I change my mind all of a sudden.

**Esterina** · 02-26-2007, 01:35 PM

Sorry, for some reason, I had missed your latest reply.

To travel overland in Eurasia, from SEA to Europe, requires unfortunately some preps... the annoying visas you'll need to enter every country but Thailand. And for the ex-USSR, an invitation letter is mandatory in order to get a visa. There are agencies that "sell" them, but usually, it is through hotels/hostels that you can buy them for around $50 upon reservation (one night booking is sufficient).

If time isn't a problem, you can always get them on the road, at your consulate, otherwise have them ready before departure. However, you can get a visa for Laos at the border ($30 cash + pictures) and I think Nepal also, but I'm not sure.

It takes some spontaneity out of the adventure, I know...

But it's the only way in.