Multi-city flights allow travelers to visit multiple destinations on a single trip, offering cost efficiency, a simplified booking process, and flexible itineraries. Ideal for complex journeys, booking a multi-city flight can save both time and money while providing the convenience of managing all flights in one booking. We run through a list of different questions below that can help you understand more about what our multi-city flight services have to offer.
What Are Multi-City Flights?
Multi-city flights are a type of airline booking that allows travellers to visit several destinations on a single trip without the need to book separate one-way tickets for each leg.
This type of itinerary is perfect for people who want to visit multiple cities or countries in one journey, saving both time and money compared to booking several round-trip tickets.
Benefits of Booking Multi-City Flights
Booking a multi-city flight offers several benefits, making it a popular choice for travellers planning complex itineraries or extended trips. Here are some of the key advantages:
- Cost efficiency: Often, booking a multi-city ticket is cheaper than purchasing multiple one-way tickets between each destination.
- Simplified booking process: Rather than managing several separate bookings, a multi-city ticket consolidates all your flights into one booking. This simplifies the process and makes it easier to handle changes or cancellations.
- Flexible itineraries: Multi-city flights allow travellers to explore multiple destinations in one trip without returning to the original departure point. This is ideal for trips that include several stops, such as a European tour or an extensive business trip across different cities.
How to Book Multi-City Flights
Effortlessly book your Multi-City trip with us in just three simple step:
- Search: Scroll up to our search widget or use the mobile app to navigate to the "Multi-City" tab. Enter your departure city, destination cities and travel dates. Click the "Search Flights" button to initiate the search.
- Choose: Explore a variety of flight options that our innovative technology provides within minutes. Select the flights that align with your preferences, whether they are the cheapest, fastest, or best available. Review the summary of your chosen flights, including the total price.
- Book: Proceed to the booking page, enter your passenger details and finalise the payment process to confirm your booking. Once completed, you will receive a confirmation email with your detailed travel itinerary. Pack your bags and get ready for an exciting trip ahead!
Top Destinations for Multi-City Flights
Exploring new cities and cultures is an adventure, but safety is paramount. Read these essential safety tips for solo travellers to stay secure wherever you go. Additionally, respecting local customs enriches your travel experience; learn how to observe and participate in local traditions respectfully.
Europe’s Best Multi-City Route
Europe is well-suited for multi-city trips due to its dense network of cities close in proximity, extensive transportation options, and diverse cultures and languages. Here are some popular multi-city flight routes in Europe that travellers often choose:
- Western Europe Loop: A common route might start in London, then move to Paris, followed by Amsterdam, and finally Berlin. This route covers some of the most iconic cities in Europe, each with its own rich history and attractions.
- Mediterranean Tour: Travellers often explore the Mediterranean coast by starting in Barcelona, then flying to Nice, followed by Rome, and ending in Athens. This route offers a blend of beautiful beaches, historical sites, and vibrant urban life.
- Central European Trail: A typical itinerary could include Vienna, Prague, Budapest, and Krakow. These cities are relatively close to each other, making travel easy, and each offers a unique glimpse into the region's history and culture.
Asia’s Top Multi-City Adventures
Asia offers a vast array of culturally rich and diverse destinations, making it a fantastic region for multi-city trips. Here are some popular multi-city flight routes in Asia that cater to various interests and allow travellers to experience the breadth of Asian cultures and landscapes:
- East Asia Exploration: A popular route might start in Tokyo, Japan, then move to Seoul, South Korea, followed by Beijing, China, and conclude in Hong Kong. This route covers major capitals and economic centers in East Asia, each with its unique blend of modernity and tradition.
- Southeast Asia Circuit: Travellers often choose a route that begins in Bangkok, Thailand, moves to Siem Reap, Cambodia (for Angkor Wat), then to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and concludes in Singapore. This route is perfect for experiencing vibrant street life, rich history, and diverse cultures.
- India Discovery Tour: Starting in Delhi, moving to Agra (for the Taj Mahal), then Jaipur (the Pink City), and finishing in Mumbai, this route provides a deep dive into India’s rich history, architecture, and bustling urban centers.
North America Exploration Trips
North America offers diverse landscapes and cityscapes, making it ideal for multi-city travel. Here are some popular multi-city flight routes across the United States, Canada, and Mexico:
- East Coast Highlights: A common route might start in New York City, then move to Washington D.C., followed by Boston, and conclude in Toronto, Canada. This route allows travelers to explore major urban centers known for their history, culture, and architecture.
- West Coast Journey: Begin in Seattle, Washington, then travel to Portland, Oregon, follow up with San Francisco, California, and end in Los Angeles. This itinerary is great for those looking to experience the Pacific coastline's natural beauty and vibrant cities.
- Southern Exploration: Starting in Miami, Florida, moving to New Orleans, Louisiana, then to Austin, Texas, and finishing in Nashville, Tennessee. This route offers a taste of the South's rich musical heritage, distinctive cuisine, and warm hospitality.
Multi-City vs. Single Destination Flights
Multi-city flights can offer greater flexibility and potentially lower costs for complex itineraries, whereas single-destination flights may be more straightforward and sometimes cheaper for simpler travel plans. It's always recommended to compare prices using flight comparison tools and to consider additional costs like baggage fees, which can vary widely between airlines and ticket types.
Tips for Planning Your Multi-City Travel Itinerary
Balancing Travel Time and Exploration
Planning a multi-city travel itinerary can be exciting but also requires careful consideration to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Here are some essential tips to help you plan effectively:
- Define Your Destinations and Sequence: Start by listing the cities you want to visit. Consider the geographical layout and try to plan your route in a logical, linear path to minimize backtracking and reduce travel time and costs.
- Research Flights and Transportation Options: Use flight comparison websites to explore different routes and airline options. Check both multi-city and individual one-way tickets to see which offers the best value. And, consider alternative transportation methods between close cities, such as trains or buses, which can be more economical and offer scenic routes.
- Flexible Dates: If possible, be flexible with your travel dates. Flight prices can vary significantly depending on the day of the week, time of year, and holidays. As a rule of thumb, flying mid-week is often cheaper than flying on weekends.
Dealing with Jet Lag and Travel Fatigue
Balancing travel time with exploration time is crucial for a fulfilling multi-city trip. Here are some targeted tips to help you make the most of both transit and exploration:
- Optimize Your Travel Routes: Choose flight or train routes that minimize travel time and avoid lengthy layovers. Look for early morning or overnight travel options to maximize your daytime exploration. And, when booking flights, consider the total travel time including transfers and airport waiting times, not just the flight duration.Learn more about reducing travel fatigue with effective strategies to stay refreshed and energized during your journey.
- Strategic Scheduling: Plan to arrive in a new city early in the morning. This way, you can use the full day for activities rather than losing a day to travel. Also, schedule travel between cities during your down times or less optimal times for exploration, such as late evenings or very early mornings. For advice on how to adjust your body clock and mitigate jet lag, check out these useful tips.
- Limit Your Destinations: Although it’s tempting to add many stops, consider spending more time in fewer places. This reduces travel stress and gives you a deeper experience in each location. And lastly, choose cities that are close to each other to reduce travel times and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How is my checked baggage handled on multi-city flights, especially with layovers or airline changes?
When flying multi-city with layovers, particularly when airlines or alliances are changed, baggage handling can vary. Generally, if all your flights are booked under one ticket and the airlines involved have interline agreements (partnerships to handle passengers traveling on itineraries that require multiple airlines), your baggage should be checked through to your final destination. This means you won’t need to reclaim and re-check your baggage at each stopover.
However, there are exceptions:
- Customs Requirements: In some countries, you must reclaim your baggage for customs inspection upon first entry, even if you're connecting to another international flight.
- Different Tickets: If your multi-city itinerary involves flights booked on separate tickets, you may need to reclaim and re-check your baggage at each stop where the tickets change.
- Airline Policies: Always check the baggage policies of the airlines involved. Policies may differ, especially with low-cost carriers, which might not offer through-check even on connected flights on the same ticket.
Do I need to check in for each leg of my multi-city flight?
For multi-city flights, whether you need to check in separately for each leg depends on how your itinerary is booked and the airlines involved.
- Single Ticket: If all your flights are booked under a single ticket, you typically only need to check in once for the initial leg of your journey. During this check-in, you'll receive all boarding passes for subsequent flights, assuming there are no airline changes and all flights are within a short time frame.
- Multiple Tickets/Airlines: If your itinerary includes flights on different tickets or airlines not part of the same alliance, you may need to check in for each leg separately. This is especially true if you switch from a full-service carrier to a low-cost airline, as their systems may not be linked for automatic check-ins.
- Online/Mobile Check-In: Many airlines offer online or mobile check-in, which can be completed 24 to 48 hours before each flight. Using these services, you can often check in for multiple legs at once if they are on the same day or consecutively.
- Transfers and Layovers: If you have a layover, particularly an extended one, or if your itinerary requires a change of airports, you will likely need to check in again for subsequent flights. This may involve collecting and re-checking baggage if it's not checked through to your final destination.
What happens if I need to change one leg of my multi-city flight itinerary?
Changing a leg of a multi-city flight can vary depending on the airline's policy, the fare type, and how the ticket was booked. Reviewing the fare rules around how these changes can effect your booking is recommended. If you need further assistance or have specific questions about your flight changes, visit our Support Center.