Booking multi-city flights might sound complicated,
But it’s actually a great way to see multiple destinations on one trip—and it can even save you money and time.
When I first started traveling my budget trip around the world, I always booked one-way tickets for each destination.
It was a good way to save money, but it was also really tiring.
I had to piece together the perfect itinerary myself, from choosing layovers to finding connecting flights. It felt like solving a puzzle, and I had to hunt down each piece.
Booking multi-city flights, however, is a great way to save both time and effort. With a multi-city booking, all you need to do is add your destinations, and you’ll get a well-planned itinerary with ideal connections.
For example, you could go from New York to Paris, then to Rome, and finally back home—all in one booking.
Using this trick, you save time by avoiding the hassle of purchasing individual one-way tickets for each destination.
In this guide, we’ll explore the easiest ways to book multi-city flights in 2024. We’ll go over popular tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner that make planning these trips easy. So, if you’re ready to maximize your travels and save some money, let’s dive in!
Step-by-Step Guide to Booking Multi-City Flights
Booking multi-City flights using comparison tools is One of my best strategies Because it really make everything easier for my trip
Tools like Skyscanner allow you to compare flights, find cheaper prices, and create a streamlined itinerary for multiple destinations—all without needing to hop between different airline websites.
By using Skyscanner’s multi-city tool, you can customize your trip and get the best deals, saving both time and money.
How to Book Multi-City Flights using Skyscanner
Booking with Skyscanner’s multi-city tool is simple if you follow a few steps. Here’s how to use it to create a customized, multi-destination trip:
- Go to Skyscanner Homepage: Head to Skyscanner.
- Select “Multi-city” from the main menu. You’ll see options like “round-trip” and “one-way.” Click on “Multi-city” to start creating a multi-stop itinerary.
- Add Each Destination and Travel Date: In the provided fields, enter each destination along with the specific date you plan to travel there. For instance, you could enter New York to London for May 10, London to Paris for May 14, and so on.
- Set Preferences for Layovers, Airlines, and More: Once you’ve entered all your cities and dates, use Skyscanner’s filters to fine-tune your search. You can:
- • Filter for direct flights if you want to avoid layovers.
- • Limit layover duration to avoid overly long waits.
- • Adjust departure times or filter for specific airlines if you have preference
- Review All Results: Once your preferences and filters are set, browse the results Skyscanner provides. You’ll see various flight combinations, which lets you compare based on price, total travel time, and layovers.
- Compare Options for the Best Value: Look carefully at each choice to find the best value. Sometimes, a slightly longer route may offer considerable savings, so balance price with convenience.
How to book Multi-City Flights Using Google Flights
Google Flights is another powerful tool for planning multi-city trips. It allows you to easily compare prices across airlines
- Click on the booking type dropdown (typically set to “roundtrip” by default) and choose “multi-city.
- the same way like skyscanner Start by entering each city and the date you want to fly.
- Check Google’s Price Graph and Fare Insights: Google Flights offers a price graph and other fare insights to help you see if prices are typical or unusually high. You’ll also get suggestions on whether to book now or wait for a potential price drop.
- • Look at “Explore” Options for Inspiration: Google Flights also has an “Explore” feature, showing nearby destinations and their prices based on your travel dates. This can be great if you’re open to extra stops or want ideas for additional destinations that fit within your budget.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Multi-City Flights
Ignoring Layover Duration
- Risks of Missing Connections: One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is booking flights with layovers that are too short. While tight layovers may seem efficient, they leave little room for delays or navigating busy airports. Missing a connection can be costly and stressful, especially with multiple cities in your itinerary.
- Not Comparing Platforms
- Importance of Checking Multiple Sites: While tools like Skyscanner and Google Flights both offer great multi-city booking options, relying on just one platform can mean missing out on potential savings. Prices can vary significantly between platforms, especially with different airlines and booking sites.
- Overlooking Flight Policies
- Check Each Airline’s Policies: Different airlines have varying policies on changes, cancellations, and baggage fees, which can impact your trip if you need to adjust plans. With multi-city tickets, you may be booking with multiple airlines, making it even more important to understand each one’s policies.
- Rushing the Itinerary
- Avoiding Travel Burnout: Packing too many destinations into one trip may sound exciting, but it can quickly lead to exhaustion. Constant flights and travel days can leave little time to actually enjoy each destination, causing travel burnout.
Tips for Finding the Best Deals on Multi-City Flights
- Booking in Advance: Try to book at least 3-6 months in advance for international routes. If you’re traveling during peak seasons, booking even earlier can help secure the best rates and the most convenient flights.
- Finding cheaper options by shifting dates: When possible, select the “Flexible Dates” option during your search. Even adjusting by a day or two can reveal significant savings, especially on long haul flights.
- Setting Alerts for Price Drops: Set flight alerts as soon as you start planning your trip, so you’ll be notified of any price drops or flash sales. This is especially useful if you’re booking multiple legs individually.
- Understanding Seasonality’s Impact on Prices: Aim for shoulder seasons (like April-May or September-October) to balance cost and weather. You’ll find lower prices, and popular destinations won’t be as crowded.
- Best Days of the Week to Book Flights: Try checking for flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to see if there’s a difference. Additionally, avoid booking flights right before or during the weekend when prices are typically higher due to increased demand.