Round-the-World Tickets from India: Star Alliance, oneworld, Planning a 6-Month Trip
Published · 12 min read
Star Alliance RTW, oneworld Explorer, mileage caps and how Indian travellers actually plan a 4-12 month round-the-world trip.
What this article covers
What an RTW ticket is — and why Indians should know about it
Star Alliance Round-the-World
oneworld Explorer Round-the-World
SkyTeam Go Round the World
Comparing the three alliances for Indian travellers
Planning a 4-12 month around-the-world trip
Changes, cancellations and the fine print
Is an RTW ticket right for you?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Round-the-World ticket cost from India?
Economy class Star Alliance RTW from India starts at approximately ₹2.6 lakh for the 26,000-mile tier and goes up to ₹4.2 lakh for 39,000 miles. oneworld Explorer at 3 continents starts at ₹2.4 lakh, scaling to ₹5 lakh for 6 continents. Business class RTW is ₹6-10 lakh — dramatically cheaper than booking equivalent business class tickets separately.
How long is a Round-the-World ticket valid for?
12 months from the first flight, across all major alliances (Star Alliance, oneworld, SkyTeam). You must complete all your flights within that 12-month window. You do not have to use it for the full year — many Indian travellers complete RTW trips in 6-12 weeks. The first flight date sets the clock; subsequent dates can be changed (subject to fare rules).
Can I book a Round-the-World ticket online?
Yes. All three alliances (Star Alliance, oneworld, SkyTeam) have online RTW booking tools — Star Alliance Book and Fly, oneworld Explorer, SkyTeam Go Round the World. However, most Indian travellers book through a specialist agent (Cox & Kings, Thomas Cook, SOTC, Air Treks) because RTW tickets are complex to issue and changes during the 12-month validity are easier to handle with agent support.
Do I have to fly in only one direction on a RTW ticket?
Yes. RTW tickets require continuous travel in one direction — eastbound or westbound from your origin (Delhi or Mumbai for most Indians). You cannot backtrack. You must cross both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans once each. Start and end city must be in the same country. Within these constraints, you choose your routing among the alliance's network of cities.
Is Air India part of an alliance with Round-the-World tickets?
Yes — Air India joined Star Alliance in 2014, so Indian travellers can use Star Alliance RTW tickets starting and ending at any Indian city served by Air India (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, plus international destinations). Air India's network is part of the 26-airline Star Alliance that includes Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, United, ANA, Thai and Turkish.
How many cities can I visit on a Round-the-World ticket?
Most RTW tickets allow up to 16 flight segments (Star Alliance), with 5-7 stopovers (cities where you stay 24+ hours) typically permitted. Layovers under 24 hours do not count against the stopover limit. A typical Indian RTW itinerary uses 8-12 segments visiting 6-8 cities, balancing the segment count against the mileage tier you have purchased.
Can I upgrade to business class on a RTW ticket?
Yes, but it must be done at booking or as a full-itinerary upgrade — you cannot upgrade individual segments to business after booking (with a few exceptions for mileage-based upgrades). Business class RTW costs ₹6-10 lakh from India, which sounds expensive but is 50-70% cheaper than booking equivalent business class on separate tickets. For travellers who fly only business internationally, a business class RTW often pays for itself in 4-5 segments.