courtesy: Cathay Pacific Airways

By Laura Lippstone

It’s every traveler’s dream — to see the world or as much of it as one can afford.

Most of the major airlines have teamed up to offer round-the-world tickets. The two big partnerships are Star Alliance, which includes US Airways, United and Continental; and oneworld, which includes American and Cathay Pacific airlines and British Airways. Both offer the world — meaning anywhere they fly — for prices that are off the map for most.

If your budget and schedule make that an impossibility, how about settling for part of the planet? Breaking  it down into smaller pieces may make it more financially palatable. The partnerships offer fares that allow you to focus on one continent – say Europe — or  an entire region, like the South Pacific.

You may be able to use frequent-flier miles to pay for the trip or cut down on the cost.  Or call any of the airlines in the partnerships and ask to be connected with the proper departments.

Oneworld member Cathay Pacific Airways is offering its own separate promotion — an “All Asia Pass” starting at just under $1,600, excluding taxes and fees. Frequent-flier miles are not allowed for this ticket. 

JetBlue and Sun Country Airlines created quite a buzz a while back with their “all-you-can-fly” passes, offered for a limited time. Though JetBlue tells us they may not be offering another deal like this for quite awhile, keep an eye out for weekly airline specials in general, which often crop up midweek.

Or how about trying a multi-city airline fare?  Suppose, for instance, that you’re in New York City, and have always been interested in visiting San Antonio and San Diego? One-way fares from JFK to both cities and back to JFK are running around $387 on US Airways’ website, before taxes and fees. It just might be worth building a fare — either domestic or international — that includes two or more places that have long been on your must-see list.

Courtesy: NNEPRA

To see the USA from eye-level without getting behind the wheel, consider a train pass.

Amtrak offers USA Rail Passes that are calculated by duration and segments. Prices start from $389 for adults. Children up to age 15 ride for half-price.

There’s also a California Rail Pass that permits a week’s worth of travel for $159. The half-price rule for children also applies. For more information: Call 1-800-872-7245.

Courtesy: Greyhound Lines, Inc.

Greyhound’s Discovery Pass offers unlimited bus travel around the U.S. and Canada. Passes start at $239 for a week for all travelers, including kids. A 15-day journey costs $339. The passes are also good on more than a dozen other regional bus lines. For more information:  1-800-231-2222.