Multi-city trips allow you to explore several destinations on a single journey, often at a lower total cost than booking separate round-trip flights. By planning strategically, you can save money and visit multiple cities in one trip. Here’s how to book multi-city flights for less.

1. Use the Multi-City Search Option on Flight Comparison Sites

Most flight search engines, such as Google Flights, Kayak, and Skyscanner, offer a multi-city search option that lets you add multiple destinations in one booking. This feature often reveals hidden savings compared to booking individual one-way flights.

• How to use it: On your preferred flight comparison site, select “multi-city” instead of “round-trip” or “one-way,” and add each leg of your journey.

2. Consider Open-Jaw Flights for Flexibility

Open-jaw flights allow you to fly into one city and out of another, providing flexibility in travel plans and sometimes lower fares. For example, you can fly from New York to London, travel within Europe on your own, and return from Paris.

• Example: This type of booking is ideal for travelers planning to explore multiple cities without backtracking to their original destination.

3. Use Stopover Programs for Additional Savings and Destinations

Many airlines offer free or low-cost stopover programs, allowing you to add an extra destination on your journey. Airlines such as Icelandair, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates offer stopovers in their hub cities, sometimes at no additional charge.

• Pro tip: Look up stopover options on airlines’ websites to maximize savings and get a bonus city experience without extra airfare.

4. Fly with a Single Alliance or Partner Airlines

Booking multi-city flights within the same airline alliance (e.g., Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or oneworld) often provides smoother connections, better support in case of delays, and sometimes discounted fares. Alliance partners usually coordinate flights for easier transfers.

• Benefit: Flying within one alliance can also help you earn more frequent flyer points and enjoy alliance-specific perks like priority boarding.

5. Use Low-Cost Airlines for Short Regional Legs

For shorter flights within a multi-city trip, low-cost airlines like Ryanair in Europe or Southwest in the U.S. offer affordable options. By booking your long-haul flights on major airlines and short-haul flights with budget carriers, you can reduce overall costs.

• Warning: Be mindful of baggage policies on budget airlines, as fees can add up quickly.

6. Take Advantage of Fare Comparison Tools for Each Segment

Using fare comparison sites to compare prices for each leg of your multi-city trip allows you to find the best prices for every destination. Sometimes it’s cheaper to book legs individually rather than as one ticket.

• How to do it: Search each leg separately, then compare with the multi-city package. If booking individually is cheaper, proceed with separate tickets.

7. Check Different Combinations of Cities and Routes

Adjusting the order or cities you visit can affect the price of multi-city flights. If your plans are flexible, experiment with different combinations to find the lowest-cost route. For instance, switching between cities or reversing the route can lead to better deals.

• Example: If your plan is to visit London, Rome, and Paris, try different sequences to see which itinerary offers the best savings.

8. Book in Advance for International Multi-City Trips

Booking early is key for long-haul international routes, as fares tend to rise closer to departure. Ideally, book your multi-city trip 4 to 6 months in advance to secure better fares.

• Best time to book: For peak travel seasons, start planning as early as 6 to 9 months ahead, especially if you’re visiting popular destinations.

9. Utilize Open-Jaw and Multi-City Mix for Added Savings

If your plans include both open-jaw and multi-city segments, combine these booking strategies to optimize costs. For example, fly into one city, travel overland, and then fly out from another city.

• How to combine: Use the multi-city search feature to enter an open-jaw route. This method often reduces backtracking and lowers flight costs.

10. Look for Special Multi-City Fare Deals and Packages

Airlines and travel agencies occasionally offer multi-city fare deals or packages designed for travelers exploring multiple destinations. These offers sometimes include extra services, such as free stopovers, that can help you save.

• Tip: Check directly with airlines or online travel agencies, as they may have exclusive packages or seasonal promotions for multi-city travelers.

Conclusion: Discover More for Less with Multi-City Bookings

Booking a multi-city trip can open up incredible travel opportunities at a fraction of the cost of separate round-trip flights. By using flexible dates, low-cost carriers, and strategic route planning, you can explore multiple destinations affordably and make the most of every leg of your journey.