Are multi-city flights worth it?
Planning a trip can be exciting, but the many choices available can quickly become overwhelming. One option that has been gaining popularity in recent years is multi-city flights. But are they really worth it? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at multi-city flights and help you determine whether they’re a good choice for your next adventure.
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What Are Multi-City Flights?
A multi-city flight is a type of flight that allows you to visit multiple destinations within a single trip, without necessarily having to go back to your original starting point. This means you can fly to more than one place using just one itinerary.
Here are some examples of a multi-city flight itineraries.
1. London – Paris – Rome – London
Departure City: London
Destination City 1: Paris
Destination City 2: Rome
Return City: London
This itinerary would involve flying from London to Paris, then from Paris to Rome, and finally from Rome back to London.
2. Los Angeles – Tokyo – Seoul – Beijing – Hong Kong
Departure City: Los Angeles
Destination City 1: Tokyo
Destination City 2: Seoul
Destination City 3: Beijing
Final Destination City: Hong Kong
This itinerary would involve flying from Los Angeles to Tokyo, then from Tokyo to Seoul, then from Seoul to Beijing, and finally from Beijing to Hong Kong. The traveler would not return to Los Angeles, but instead end their trip in Hong Kong.
Multi-city flights that don’t return to the origin airport are also known as open-jaw flights.
Multi-city flights can be a great option for travelers looking to visit multiple destinations on the same trip. But, whether or not it’s a good option for you depends on your travel requirements and desires.
Are Multi-City Flights Worth It?
Are multi-city flights worth it? Should you take one?
A multi-city flight can be a great value depending on the destinations you choose, providing more flexibility and often at a lower cost than booking two return tickets. However, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of this type of travel before deciding if it’s worth it for your next trip.
1. Allows You to Save Money
Multi-city flights can save you a lot of money, especially if you’re travelling to multiple countries or regions.
In many cases, multi-city flights can be cheaper than booking multiple one-way or round-trip tickets. Airlines typically offer discounted fares for multi-city trips, which can be especially useful if you are visiting multiple cities within the same region.
2. More Destinations in One Trip
Multi-city flights allow you to visit multiple destinations in one trip, giving you the flexibility to explore different cities and experience different cultures without the need to go on separate trips.
If you have a limited amount of time for your travels, multi-city flights can help you visit more places in a shorter amount of time.
3. Returning to a Different Location
You don’t need to return back to where you came from.
Multi-city flights that don’t return to the origin airport are also known as open-jaw flights. They are a good choice for travelers who want to visit different countries and areas of the world without having to go back to their original destination.
4. Reduced Travel Time
Multi-city flights can reduce the total travel time compared to backtracking to the origin airport. By choosing an open-jaw itinerary, you can avoid wasting time and money on unnecessary travel back to your starting point.
5. More Planning and Research
However, on the other hand, multi-city flights also require more planning and research in order to find good deals and make sure there are no overlapping layovers.
You will need to carefully consider your itinerary, taking into account the sequence of your destinations, the duration of your stay in each city, and any extra transportation or accommodation requirements.
Also you need to make sure you meet the entry requirements of each country you are traveling to. When planning to book a multi-city flight, keep in mind that you might need a visa for a multi-city flight.
6. More Potential for Delays and Complications
There is a higher likelihood of travel delays and complications due to multiple flights and destinations. This may result in missed connections, unforeseen expenses, and a less pleasant travel experience.
However, as multi-city flights have longer layovers than connecting flights, the chances of missing a plane are lower.
If you miss your next flight due to delay or cancellation of the previous flight, you will be put on a new flight for free. As long as it’s a multi-city flight booked from an airline. If you have booked a multi-city flight trough a flight search website, you won’t be as protected – if you miss your connection, you won’t be put on a new flight for free. You will need to book a new flight yourself, and pay for it yourself.
7. More Exhausting
Visiting multiple destinations can be tiring, especially if travel involves long flights or different time zones. It may hinder the ability to fully enjoy each location and could result in an overall more exhausting trip.
Are Multi-City Flights Worth It: Bottom Line
Should you book a multi-city flight?
In the end, whether multi-city flights are a good choice depends on your personal travel style and preferences. If you like seeing many places quickly and are willing to put in extra planning, then they could be ideal for your next trip.
However, if you prefer to take things at a slower pace and don’t want the added stress of planning for multiple destinations, then a traditional round-trip flight might be a better option for you.
Can’t decide between connecting flight or multi-city flight? Read this article to learn more about the differences between these two flight types.
Have you booked multi-city flights? What was your experience? Which website did you use to book the flights?
About the author:
Una is an organized globetrotter and foodie who’s been living a digital nomad lifestyle since 2013. She always starts her day early with a good book before diving into work. Apart from traveling and aviation, her other passions include gym, hiking and cycling. Una is also a strong proponent of AI technology. She firmly believes in its potential to simplify life and has often advocated for its wider adoption in our day-to-day activities. Her favorite airlines are Qatar Airways, Emirates, and KLM.