Westbound (Americas to Asia to Europe) and eastbound both work. The best direction depends on seasons at your destinations, jet lag preferences, and fare availability. Eastbound routes from the US often price lower because of transpacific fare structures.
Westbound or eastbound. It's one of the first decisions you'll make, and it matters more than you might think.
Westbound (Americas to Asia to Europe to home) is the more popular choice. You follow the sun, gain time as you travel, and many people find westbound jet lag slightly easier to manage because you're extending your day rather than shortening it. The science on this is mixed, but the anecdotal evidence from thousands of RTW travelers is pretty consistent: westbound feels a bit gentler.
Eastbound (Americas to Europe to Asia to home) can be cheaper. Airline seat availability and pricing aren't symmetrical. Sometimes the same route costs $500 to $1,000 less in one direction than the other. This varies by season and by the specific cities on your route, so there's no universal rule.
AirTreks prices both directions for every trip request and recommends the better value. Sometimes westbound wins. Sometimes eastbound saves you real money. The difference depends on which airlines have availability on your travel dates and how the fare construction works across carriers.
A few other factors to consider. If you want to start your trip with long-haul travel and get the toughest flights out of the way first, eastbound from North America to Europe is a relatively easy first leg (5 to 8 hours). If you'd rather ease into your trip with a Pacific crossing to Asia, westbound puts that 10 to 14 hour flight at the beginning when you're freshest.
Seasonality also plays a role. If you're starting in January and heading westbound, you'll hit summer in Southeast Asia, then swing through Africa or the Middle East before reaching Europe in spring. Eastbound from January puts you in European winter first, which is less appealing for most people.
The AirTreks TripPlanner can quick map options and directions and give you a quick range on pricing. As you get closer to what suits you, our consultants will figure out the details options and walk you through the trade-offs for your specific route. (There are always trade-offs - just like in life)