My son is having a gap year next year and plans to travel extensively. He is starting in Ghana for eight weeks coaching football from January to March 2008. Which is the best deal on a world ticket and can he use this to travel onwards from Ghana, and which is the best route from Ghana to Thailand? Simon Bliss, by email

Sunday Times travel expert, Richard Green, responds: Until recently, West Africa was something of a round the world dead end, as most flights into the region are from Europe, and once there it impossible to fly out on an airline that is an alliance partner, and therefore affordable as a round the world option.

However there are now three good options, thanks to flights with Emirates, Kenya Airways, and South African Airways. The most direct, and cheapest, way to reach Thailand from Accra though, is to fly from there to Bangkok with Emirates (via Dubai).

Trailfinders (0845 0505892) sell a Voyager round the world ticket, which includes the route networks of almost 20 airlines, including big carriers like Continental, KLM, Malaysian, and Emirates, and some smaller airlines like Air Pacific (for Fiji), Alaskan Airlines, and Air Vanuatu. Fares are dependent on the route you choose, but expect to pay about £1,200 plus taxes of £200-£300.

Alternatively, you can fly across to Nairobi and then onto Bangkok with Kenya Airways, or down to Jo¹burg and then on to Bangkok with South African Airways, also on a Voyager fare.

Using a fare with the Star Alliance group of airlines could also be useful, but it is more expensive. South African Airways is a member, so you could route via Jo¹burg, and then carry on with a collection of renowned carriers, like Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Thai Airways, and United Airlines, from about £1,400 plus taxes of £200-£300.

It pays to tap the expertise of good round the world specialists when booking this type of trip, with companies like Trailfinders, STA Travel (0871 2300 040), or Flight Centre (0870 499 0120).

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