Booking a Round-the-World Trip Including South America
Use an alliance-based multi-city tool like Star Alliance or oneworld to book your main segments in one ticket to save on fees. Plan your South America connections separately using regional budget carriers to avoid the high costs of long-haul international hubs.
- Budget
- $150 per day (excluding international flights)
- Duration
- 30-90 days recommended
- Best Time
- September to November or March to May
- Visa Required
- Depends; check entry requirements for each country on your route individually.
Step by step
Map your 'Big Legs'
Identify your primary intercontinental flights (e.g., London to Lima, Santiago to Sydney). Check the round-the-world (RTW) calculators on airline alliance websites to see if a bundled fare is cheaper than booking these as individual 'open-jaw' tickets.
Use Regional Hubs in South America
Do not include every small South American stop in your main RTW ticket. Book a flight into a hub like Bogota or Santiago, then use regional airlines like LATAM or Avianca to move around. It is almost always cheaper than adding an extra segment to a global alliance ticket.
Use 'Open-Jaw' Tickets for Flexibility
If you don't want the strict rules of a RTW ticket (which require you to keep flying in one general direction), book 'multi-city' or 'open-jaw' tickets. Fly into Lima, travel overland, and fly out of Buenos Aires.
Verify Luggage Policies
Regional South American budget airlines often have strict carry-on weight limits (often 8kg/17lbs). Ensure your RTW ticket's checked baggage allowance covers the gear you are taking for varied climates.
Questions people ask
Is it cheaper to buy a RTW ticket or individual one-way tickets?
RTW tickets are often cheaper if you are hitting expensive regions like Australia or Japan. If you are sticking to budget-friendly regions, individual tickets are usually more flexible and cheaper.
Do I need proof of onward travel?
Yes. South American border agents almost always ask to see an exit flight from the country. Have a digital or printed copy of your next flight ready.
Can I change my dates?
On alliance RTW tickets, you can change dates for a fee (usually $125 per change). On individual budget tickets, you usually lose the value of the ticket if you need to change it.
Budget
Expect to spend $4,000–$6,000 on the flight segments alone for a standard 5-6 stop route. Budget an additional $200–$400 for regional 'hop' flights within South America that are not covered by your main ticket.
Packing
- Global universal power adapter with surge protection.
- A 40-liter carry-on backpack that meets international airline weight restrictions.
- Physical copies of all flight itineraries and proof of onward travel.
- An unlocked smartphone to easily swap local SIM cards in every country.