Bicycles, Buses, Hitchhiking
TRAVEL RTW LOW COST:
Bicycles
Bicycles are the world's most common vehicles. For a good reason as they are also the most energy-efficient form of human transportation. One of the greatest advantages of riding a bicycle is that it brings you closer to local life.
Adventure Cycling Association: travelling by bike is a truly life-changing experience. Based in the USA, it has been mapping bike routes since 1976, and its route network now covers 50,000 miles.
Crazy Guy On A Bike hosts bicycle touring journals, forums and resources, with accounts of past and present bicycle journeys around the world.
For somewhere to sleep, Warmshowers is a hosting network just for touring cyclists, with more than 200,000 cyclists and hosts in over 160 countries. See Hospitality Exchange for the others.
Buses
Australia, the United States and Canada differ from most other modern countries, in being larger in area and less densely populated. These are the countries where you are most likely to take really long-distance buses.
In the US that means Greyhound, which also crosses into Canada and Mexico. In Australia, Greyhound Australia sells Whimit passes for unlimited travel: the national pass starts at AUD 465 and the East Coast pass, between Melbourne and Cairns, at AUD 319. In Europe, look at FlixBus.
Outside modern countries, it's another story. In developing countries, often buses depart only when the vehicle is full. You also hear tales of bus rides from hell. Check the situation thoroughly before jumping on for long distances.
Hitchhiking
The poorer the place, the more likely you are to have to hitch rides with whomever passes. Ask local people how you should signal to passing vehicles that you want to ride, as each area of the world has its own methods and signs. In poor countries they most often stop, but also ask for a tip.
Hitchwiki is a free guide written by hitchhikers, with tips for getting out of big cities, advice on safety, and a map of rated hitchhiking spots.
The sea and the rails can be cheap too. See freighters, travelling around the world by train and On the Road.
Tags: bicycles, bus, hitchhike, rtw low cost, travel, travel rtw low cost
Planning a round-the-world trip? AirTreks has built multi-stop itineraries since 1987. See sample routes or ask a specialist.