Learn how to book multi city flights cheaply on Trip.com. Covers baggage rules, stopovers, and step-by-step tips for multi-city itineraries.
What Are Multi City Flights?
A multi-city flight refers to your flight from one city to another with a stopover in between. Instead of going back and forth (New York → London → New York), you can do it this way: New York → London → Paris → New York.
You won't return to the departure airport like on a round-trip flight. Use this method when visiting multiple places.
How to Book Multi City Flights on Trip.com
Be sure to use the "Multi-city" search tool on Trip.com. Booking a separate one-way ticket usually costs more money and also brings the trouble of luggage and connecting flights. The specific methods are as follows:
- Go to Trip.com → Click "Flights" → Select "Multi-City" (top of search box)
- Add your route (max 6 stops), below is just an instance for ref:
- First flight: Home → First destination (such as Chicago → Athens)
- + Add flights: like Athens → Dubrovnik
- + Add flights: like Dubrovnik → Zagreb
- The last flight: like Zagreb → Chicago
- Search → Compare airlines/dates
Why Multi-City Flights beats one-way tickets:
- One reservation means one confirmation number
- If your first flight is delayed, the airline must reschedule a connecting flight for you
- Checked luggage to the final destination (usually)
- It is usually cheaper than piecing together flights
Best Way to Book Multi City Flights - Useful Tips
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For international trips (ex: US → Europe → Asia):
| If you're... | Do this | Why |
| Flying long-haul | Book overseas flights together (ex: US→Europe + Asia→US) | One-way international flights cost way more alone |
| Adding regional hops | Book short flights separately later (Ryanair, AirAsia) | Budget airlines charge $30-80 for 1-2 hour flights |
| Connecting flights | Leave 4+ hours between int'l flights | Immigration/customs eats time |
Important things that people often forget:
- Search for incognito mode - prices sometimes jump if you refresh
- Check the visa regulations for intermediate stays (even if the stay is 8 hours, a visa may still be required)
- Airport changes? More than 5 hours away (for example: 90 minutes' drive from London Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport)
Multi City Flights - Baggage Rules: Will I Pay Extra?
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Depends entirely on your airlines:
| Your situation | What happens | What to do |
| All same airline | One allowance covers whole trip | Check weight limit (usually 23kg) |
| Mixed major airlines | Usually covered if same alliance (Star Alliance/OneWorld) | Verify on airline website |
| Includes budget airline | NO free baggage - Ryanair/AirAsia charge for everything | Pre-pay bags online (50% cheaper than airport) |
| Different airlines, no alliance | Each flight has own rules | Check each leg's policy during Trip.com checkout |
Real-talk tip: On Trip.com, baggage rules for each flight show before payment. Screenshot this - airport staff often get it wrong.
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Multi City Flights - Cheapest Booking Method
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Combine "open-jaw" + regional flights:
Examples of trips to Greece/Croatia:
- Booking on Trip.com: For example, NYC→Athens + Zagreb→NYC is one ticket (~$600- $900)
- Individual booking: Athens → Dubrovnik Ferry (about $50) or Ryanair flight (about $35)
Why open-jaw works:
- The price of an open-jaw tickets (from one city to another) is about the same as that of a round-trip air ticket
- The price of a one-way long-haul air ticket alone is more than 70% of that of a round-trip air ticket
- One-way air tickets in Europe/Asia are extremely cheap
Trip.com hack:
- Use "Deals" tab → or check Trip.com Flight Promo Codes before you book multi-city flights
- Set price alerts for your route
Multi City Flights - What If I Don’t Know Stopover Policies?
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Stopovers (stays in hub cities for more than 24 hours) vary by airline. To eliminate confusion:
- Google "[Airline] Stopover Policy" - some have clear pages (for example: "Emirates Dubai stopover")
- Search the Reddit-r /awardtravel thread for real traveler updates
- Can't find the information? Suppose it's not free. Call the airline directly.
Airlines with reliable stopovers:
| Airline | Stopover Service Details |
| Turkish Airlines | Stopover in Istanbul: Minimum 20-hour layover qualifies for free hotel stays (Economy: 1 night, Business: 2 nights). Additional activities available. |
| Emirates | Dubai Connect: 8-24h layover (Economy) or 6-24h (Business/First) includes complimentary hotel, meals, transfers, and UAE visa. |
| Finnair | Stopover in Helsinki: Access lounges and convenient services for layovers. |
| Qatar Airways | Doha Stopover: 12–96h layover offers discounted hotels (as low as $14/night), meals, and tours. |
| Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi Stopover: Minimum 18-hour layover includes two free hotel nights and local perks. |
| Air China | Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu: Transit accommodation program for eligible international passengers with 8+ hour layovers. |
| China Southern | Guangzhou Stopover: 8-48h layover provides complimentary hotel stays, meals, and transfers. |
| Royal Air Maroc | Casablanca Stopover: Unlimited layover duration with free hotel stays and lounge access. |
| TAP Air Portugal | Lisbon/Porto Stopover: Up to 10 days with discounts on hotels, tours, and flights. |
| Icelandair | Reykjavik Stopover: Free stopovers for 1-7 days with access to city tours. |
Multi City Flights - How to Find Cheap Dates/Routes?
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First of all, arrange your travel dates flexibly. The prices of airlines often fluctuate. If you can travel one or two days earlier or later, you may save a lot of money. Compare the prices of different airlines and platforms. Sometimes, booking certain flights with budget airlines can reduce costs. In addition, consider loyalty programs. Participating in an airline's frequent flyer program can earn you points, which can be redeemed for discounts on flights to multiple cities.
Stop guessing cheap dates or routes. Do this:
- Trip.com "Flexible Date Flights": After search, click this → shows cheapest days per leg
- Reverse your route: Try flying into City B, out of City A (ex: Singapore → Bangkok → Tokyo vs Tokyo → Bangkok → Singapore)
- Major hub start: Begin trips from airports like London/Singapore/LA (more competition = cheaper flights)
- Check ground transport: Rome2Rio.com compares flight/train/bus prices (ex: Athens→Dubrovnik ferry: $55)
Recommended Multi City Flight Routes Worldwide
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Efficient and popular routes that won't be costly:
| Region | Route | Why it works |
| Europe | Lisbon→Madrid→Paris→Berlin | Trains/flights under $50, <2 hours |
| SE Asia | Bangkok→Chiang Mai→Hanoi→HCMC | Flights $25-40, 1-hour hops |
| USA West | LA→Vegas→SF→Portland | Southwest $49 flights, no bag fees |
Golden rule: Keep cities close. Adding Tokyo to a Europe trip adds ~$400+ and 12 hours flying.
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FAQs about Multi City Flights
How do I ensure I get the best price when booking multi city flights?
First, be flexible with your travel dates. Airlines often have price fluctuations, and by being open to traveling a day or two earlier or later, you might find significant savings. For instance, if you're planning a multi - city trip in Europe, traveling mid - week might be cheaper than on weekends. Compare prices across different airlines and platforms. Sometimes, booking with a budget airline for certain legs of the journey can reduce costs. Also, consider loyalty programs. Signing up for an airline's frequent - flyer program can earn you points that may be redeemed for discounts on multi city flights.Can I book multi city flights with different airlines for each leg?
Yes, you can. Many booking platforms, both airline - specific and third - party, support multi city bookings with a mix of airlines. However, it's important to note that if your trip includes flights with more than one airline or alliance, it might be cheaper to book these flights separately in some cases. For example, on Click Travel's platform, you can enter the airline you prefer, and if it's part of an alliance, other airlines in the alliance will be displayed automatically. But if you don't see results for a multi city trip, it could be that the chosen airline doesn't operate on one of the selected routes, and you may need to try a different airline or search for separate trips.What information do I need to provide when booking multi city flights?
You'll need to provide the standard information for each passenger, such as full name as it appears on the ID, contact details like phone number and email address. For the flight details, you must specify the departure and arrival cities (or airports) for each leg of the journey, along with the travel dates. Some platforms may also ask for additional information like frequent - flyer numbers if you want to earn or use points. For international flights, you might need to provide passport details as well. When using a travel agency to book, they'll collect all this information from you and handle the booking process on your behalf.How can I manage my multi city flight booking after it's made?
Most airlines and booking platforms offer a way to manage your booking. On airline websites, you can usually log in to your account, find the "manage booking" section, and make changes such as seat selection, adding special requests (like a meal preference), or checking the flight status. For example, if you booked a multi - city flight with Finnair, you can manage your itinerary through their website. When using a third - party platform, they will also have a section for managing bookings. However, be aware that some changes may incur fees, especially if they involve altering the flight route or travel dates. It's important to review the fare rules and conditions at the time of booking to understand the flexibility you have.