A few months ago, I had read advice suggesting it's best to wait until about a month before your planned departure to buy airfare, otherwise you'll spend all your time worrying about whether something will derail you from using those expensive tickets.
It made sense to me, and I cut it real close. Last Friday, I bought the following itinerary through the friendly people at AirTreks.com to kick off my world tour:
- Nov 30 - New York City to Tahiti (direct, with a short stopover in Los Angeles)
- Dec 6 - Tahiti to Auckland, New Zealand
- Jan 2 - Christchurch, New Zealand to Brisbane, Australia
- Jan 29 - Melbourne, Australia to Bali, Indonesia
To get to NYC, I'll take a $20 bus ride, and then spend my last night in the USA couchsurfing at my friend Kai's/brother's apartment. And before I get to Indonesia, I'll have to buy my next ticket or two so I can show proof of onward travel. The discount Asian airlines seem to have reasonable prices from that point forward. I'll probably hop to Singapore for a few days, and then on to Hong Kong and beyond.
Oh, and if you're wondering how much those 4 flights cost, it came out to $2091 (tax included). Given it will get me to the other side of the world during New Zealand's peak tourism season (summer), I'm fairly satisfied. Once I hit mainland Asia, I plan to rough it overland via trains and buses for awhile.
Skip says
Hello Dave,
Soon the weather in NY will be miserable... and you'll be enjoying Tahiti! Outstanding!
I am subscribed and look forward to hearing about your journey as you go.
I've read about your plan (very meticulous) and I was just curious, how did you narrow down your itinerary, for example, your spending 3 weeks in Australia, how did you decide that would be enough time?
regards,
-Skip
Dave says
Hi Skip - thanks for following along! I may eat these words in a few months, however Australia doesn't hold too much interest with me. I'm more excited about New Zealand's geography and adventure sports. I perhaps see Australia as too close to the USA so I'm spending less time there.
Basically, I picked some must-see countries, and have tried to allow 30 days for them, while other places may come in with shorter visits because I'm less curious about them or they are too expensive (most of Europe).
Skip says
Hello Dave,
Soon the weather in NY will be miserable... and you'll be enjoying Tahiti! Outstanding!
I am subscribed and look forward to hearing about your journey as you go.
I've read about your plan (very meticulous) and I was just curious, how did you narrow down your itinerary, for example, your spending 3 weeks in Australia, how did you decide that would be enough time?
regards,
-Skip
Dave says
Hi Skip - thanks for following along! I may eat these words in a few months, however Australia doesn't hold too much interest with me. I'm more excited about New Zealand's geography and adventure sports. I perhaps see Australia as too close to the USA so I'm spending less time there.
Basically, I picked some must-see countries, and have tried to allow 30 days for them, while other places may come in with shorter visits because I'm less curious about them or they are too expensive (most of Europe).
lissie says
Nice itinerary - its good advice not booking every thing months and months in advance. Its years since I was in Tahiti but I remember down by the waterfront a whole lot of mobile food stalls setup with crepes etc - yum and cheap - for Tahiti. NZ at Christmas 25th - everything will shut down - make sure you are somewhere you can self-cater. The rest of the holidays 26th 1/2nd are OK - and yes the 2nd is a holiday in NZ not in Australia. I can recommend the YHA in Brisbane too If you are taking a vehicle across the Cook Strait in NZ you will need to book the passage ASAP (can do online google Cook Strait ferry there are a couple of companies) - if you are just going as a foot passenger no problem! Good luck!
Dave says
Hi Lissie -
Thanks for the heads-up about the holidays. I'm not quite sure how it'll go, however I'm sure I'll survive if I have to spend Christmas in a hostel cooking random items with fellow backpackers. I'm not planning to rent a car much, however I don't want to rule it out completely. I definitely don't intend to buy one and ship it across the strait!
lissie says
Nice itinerary - its good advice not booking every thing months and months in advance. Its years since I was in Tahiti but I remember down by the waterfront a whole lot of mobile food stalls setup with crepes etc - yum and cheap - for Tahiti. NZ at Christmas 25th - everything will shut down - make sure you are somewhere you can self-cater. The rest of the holidays 26th 1/2nd are OK - and yes the 2nd is a holiday in NZ not in Australia. I can recommend the YHA in Brisbane too If you are taking a vehicle across the Cook Strait in NZ you will need to book the passage ASAP (can do online google Cook Strait ferry there are a couple of companies) - if you are just going as a foot passenger no problem! Good luck!
Dave says
Hi Lissie -
Thanks for the heads-up about the holidays. I'm not quite sure how it'll go, however I'm sure I'll survive if I have to spend Christmas in a hostel cooking random items with fellow backpackers. I'm not planning to rent a car much, however I don't want to rule it out completely. I definitely don't intend to buy one and ship it across the strait!
Kango Suz says
Your post this morning made me all excited. Almost like I was going myself! I can't wait for the upcoming posts as you take on the world. How long total do you plan for your trip to take? (in other words, how long do I have to enjoy your site as part of my daily reading?)
Dave says
I've tried to budget for about 16 months away. In the hands of some people, I know my budget could last 2 years, while in others (including my own), less than half that time.
My past two motivational trips in 05 and 06 to Costa Rica and Belize were not good case studies. I didn't really stick to a budget (just tracked my spending) because I knew I had a job to go back to. My challenge will be to find a good balance between stretching my money, and enjoying the places I visit.
Kango Suz says
Your post this morning made me all excited. Almost like I was going myself! I can't wait for the upcoming posts as you take on the world. How long total do you plan for your trip to take? (in other words, how long do I have to enjoy your site as part of my daily reading?)
Dave says
I've tried to budget for about 16 months away. In the hands of some people, I know my budget could last 2 years, while in others (including my own), less than half that time.
My past two motivational trips in 05 and 06 to Costa Rica and Belize were not good case studies. I didn't really stick to a budget (just tracked my spending) because I knew I had a job to go back to. My challenge will be to find a good balance between stretching my money, and enjoying the places I visit.
Stu says
Unfortunately I wont be in Melbourne when your going through ^_^ I wish I was but we are planning to be there in June... I miss my 'home' place :(
I dont see Australia as anyhting like the USA. New Zealand + Australia are two peas in same pod (like usa + canada, different but same).
Whats your Melbourne itinerary if you have one?
Dave says
Ah, that sucks we'll miss each other. I have no itinerary for Australia, let alone Melbourne! I do know that sailing in the Whitsundays, exploring Fraser Island, surfing, and drinking lots of beer are popular activities. :)
I wouldn't mind a wine tour either.
Stu says
Unfortunately I wont be in Melbourne when your going through ^_^ I wish I was but we are planning to be there in June... I miss my 'home' place :(
I dont see Australia as anyhting like the USA. New Zealand + Australia are two peas in same pod (like usa + canada, different but same).
Whats your Melbourne itinerary if you have one?
Dave says
Ah, that sucks we'll miss each other. I have no itinerary for Australia, let alone Melbourne! I do know that sailing in the Whitsundays, exploring Fraser Island, surfing, and drinking lots of beer are popular activities. :)
I wouldn't mind a wine tour either.