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 (Singapore → London → Singapore), you can do it this way: Singapore → London → Bangkok→ Singapore.
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
Planning an international multi-city trip (for example: Singapore → USA → Europe → Asia → Singapore)? These tips will help you save money and avoid common travel mistakes.
Smart Booking Strategy
If You Are… | Do This | Why It Saves You Money & Time |
|---|---|---|
Flying long-haul | Book your overseas flights together (e.g. Singapore → USA + Europe → Singapore) | One-way long-haul tickets are often much more expensive |
Adding regional hops | Book short flights separately later (e.g. Ryanair, easyJet, AirAsia) | Budget airlines often charge just S$40–S$100 for 1–2 hour flights |
Taking connecting flights | Leave at least 4–5 hours between international flights | Immigration, security, and delays can easily eat into your time |
Important Things People Often Forget
- Search in incognito mode – prices can increase after repeated searches.
- Check visa rules for transit stops – even an 8-hour layover may require a visa.
- Watch for airport changes – some “connections” are in different airports (e.g. London Gatwick to Heathrow is about 1.5 hours by car/train).
- Check baggage rules for every flight leg, especially when mixing full-service and budget airlines.
Multi City Flights - Baggage Rules: Will I Pay Extra?
When booking multi-city flights, baggage rules can change between airlines and routes. For Singapore travellers, extra baggage fees may apply if your trip involves different carriers, low-cost airlines, or separate tickets.
Depends entirely on your airlines:
Scenario | What It Means | Will You Pay Extra? | Tip for Singaporeans |
|---|---|---|---|
Same airline, same ticket | All flights are under one booking reference | ❌ Usually no extra charge | Your baggage allowance normally applies to all legs |
Different airlines, same booking | Codeshare or partner airlines | ⚠️ Maybe | Check the “most significant carrier” baggage rule |
Mix of full-service + budget airlines | Example: Singapore Airlines + Scoot | ✅ Likely | Budget airlines usually charge separately for baggage |
Separate tickets for each city | Each leg booked individually | ✅ Yes | Baggage must be purchased for every flight |
International + domestic legs | Example: Singapore → Tokyo → Osaka | ⚠️ Depends | Domestic flights often have lower baggage limits |
Transit with airline change | You change carriers mid-route | ⚠️ Maybe | Re-check baggage allowance for each airline |
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
Multi-City Flight
Combine "open-jaw" + regional flights:
Examples of trips to Greece/Croatia:
Example: Singapore → Athens and Zagreb → Singapore on one ticket
Typical fare: S$800–S$1,200
- Regional travel in between
- Athens → Dubrovnik ferry: from S$70
- Athens → Dubrovnik flight (budget airline): from S$50
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?
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 |
Stopover in Istanbul : Minimum 20-hour layover qualifies for free hotel stays (Economy: 1 night, Business: 2 nights). Additional activities available. | |
Dubai Connect : 8-24h layover (Economy) or 6-24h (Business/First) includes complimentary hotel, meals, transfers, and UAE visa. | |
Stopover in Helsinki : Access lounges and convenient services for layovers. | |
Doha Stopover : 12–96h layover offers discounted hotels (as low as S$20/night), meals, and tours. | |
Abu Dhabi Stopover : Minimum 18-hour layover includes two free hotel nights and local perks. | |
Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu : Transit accommodation program for eligible international passengers with 8+ hour layovers. | |
Guangzhou Stopover : 8-48h layover provides complimentary hotel stays, meals, and transfers. | |
Casablanca Stopover : Unlimited layover duration with free hotel stays and lounge access. | |
Lisbon/Porto Stopover : Up to 10 days with discounts on hotels, tours, and flights. | |
Reykjavik Stopover : Free stopovers for 1-7 days with access to city tours. |
Multi City Flights - How to Find Cheap Dates/Routes?
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.
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 : S$75)
Recommended Multi City Flight Routes Worldwide
These popular routes are efficient, budget-friendly, and easy to plan. They work well because the cities are close to each other, with short flights or fast trains — helping you save both time and money.
Region | Sample Route | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
Europe | Lisbon → Madrid → Paris → Berlin | Budget flights and trains from S$70–S$120, most journeys under 2 hours |
Southeast Asia | Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City | Low-cost flights from S$35–S$60, short 1-hour hops |
USA (West Coast) | Los Angeles → Las Vegas → San Francisco → Portland | Frequent budget flights, many under S$80, with short travel times |
Golden rule: For example, adding Tokyo to a Europe itinerary can increase your cost by S$500+ and add 10–12 hours of flying. It’s often cheaper to save that destination for a separate trip.
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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.