How to Book Multi-City Flights on Trip.com for Flexible Travel
By Trip.com
June 25, 2026
Discover How to book multi-city flights on Trip.com. We cover baggage rules and layovers, and provide step-by-step tips for planning your multi-city itineraries.
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What are Multi-City Trips?
Multi-city trips are all about traveling from one city to another with stops in between. Instead of just flying back and forth between two cities (e.g., New York ← London ← New York), you can explore so many more destinations by doing something like this: New York ← London ← Paris ← New York.
You won't be heading back to your departure airport as you would on a standard round-trip flight. Use this option when you're planning to visit multiple destinations.
How to Book Multi-City Flights on Trip.com
Be sure to use the "Multi-city" search tool on Trip.com. Booking separate one-way tickets is usually more expensive and can cause some hassles with baggage and connecting flights. Here is the step-by-step guide:
- Head to Trip.com ← click on "Flights" ← select "Multi-city" (above the search box)
- Add your itinerary (up to 6 stops); here is an example below for your reference:
- First trip: From the starting point ← First destination (e.g., Chicago ← Athens)
- + Add flights: like Athens ← Dubrovnik
- + Add flights: like Dubrovnik ← Zagreb
- Last trip: e.g., Zagreb ← Chicago
- Search ← Compare airlines and dates
Why multi-city trips beat one-way tickets:
- One booking means one confirmation number
- If your first flight is delayed, don't worry! The airline will take care of rescheduling your connecting flight.
- Your checked luggage will be sent to your final destination (usually)
- It’s usually cheaper than booking each trip separately.
The Best Way to Book Multi-City Flights - Helpful Tips
Source: Unsplash, Siddharth Saboo
For international travel (e.g., United States ← Europe ← Asia):
If you're... | Give this a try! | Why |
Embarking on long-haul journeys | Book your international flights together (e.g., United States ← Europe + Asia ← United States) | International one-way flight tickets are significantly more expensive when booked on their own. |
Adding short regional flights | Book your short-haul flights separately later (Ryanair, AirAsia) | Budget airlines charge between $30 and $80 for flights lasting one to two hours. |
Connecting flights | Make sure to leave at least 4 hours between international flights for a smooth and stress-free connection! | Passport and customs procedures can take up quite a bit of time. |
Important things people often forget:
- Search using incognito mode, as prices can sometimes rise when you refresh the page!
- Make sure to check the visa regulations for layovers (you might need a visa even if your stay is only 8 hours long)
- Will you be changing airports? Is there more than a 5-hour gap between your flights? (For example: it takes 90 minutes by car from London Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport)
Multi-City Trips – Baggage Rules: Will I be Charged Extra?
Source: Unsplash
It all depends on your airline:
Scenario | What does that mean? | Will you be charged extra? | Helpful Tips |
Same airline, same ticket | All your trips are listed under a single booking reference. | Typically, there are no additional fees. | Your baggage allowance typically applies to every leg of your journey. |
Different airlines, one booking | Codeshare flights or partner airlines | Perhaps | Check the baggage policy for the "Most Significant Carrier" |
A blend that combines full-service airlines and low-cost carriers | Example: Singapore Airlines + Scoot | Chances are | Keep in mind that budget airlines often charge separate fees for luggage. |
Separate tickets for each city | Each stage is booked separately. | Yes | You'll need to purchase baggage for each trip. |
International + domestic flights | Example: Singapore ← Tokyo ← Osaka | Depends | Keep in mind that baggage allowances for domestic flights are often a bit more limited. |
Transit with a change of airline | You'll be switching airlines midway through your journey. | Perhaps | Double-check the baggage allowance for each airline. |
Pro tip: Baggage rules for every flight are displayed on Trip.com before you complete your payment. Take a screenshot of them, as airport staff sometimes get it wrong.
How to Book Multi-City Flight on Trip.com: The Cheapest Way
Source: Unsplash, JESHOOTS.COM
Combine "multi-city" flights with regional flights:
Trip ideas for Greece/Croatia:
- Booking via Trip.com: For example, a New York → Athens + Zagreb → New York trip can be booked on a single ticket (priced at approximately $600 to $900).
- Solo booking: From Athens to Dubrovnik by ferry (about $50) or via Ryanair (about $35)
Why "multi-city" trips are a great choice:
- The price of an open-jaw ticket (flying into one city and out of another) is roughly the same as a round-trip flight.
- The price of a one-way ticket for long-haul flights alone can reach over 70% of the cost of a round-trip ticket.
- One-way flights in Europe and Asia are incredibly affordable!
A Trip.com hack:
- Use the "Deals" tab ← or check Trip.com flight promo codes before booking your multi-city flights
- Enable price alerts for your trip
Multi-City Trips – What if You're Unsure About Stopover Policies?
Source: Unsplash, Matthew Smith
Stopover durations (staying in a connecting city for more than 24 hours) vary from one airline to another. To avoid any confusion:
- Search Google for "[Airline] stopover policy" – some airlines provide clear, dedicated pages (for example: "Emirates stopover in Dubai")
- Check out the Reddit r/awardtravel discussion threads for the latest updates from real travelers.
- Can't find the information you're looking for? Assume it’s not free and contact the airline directly.
Airlines that offer reliable stopovers:
Airline | Stopover Service Details |
Turkish Airlines | Stopover in Istanbul With a stopover of at least 20 hours, you’re eligible for a free hotel stay (Economy Class: one night, Business Class: two nights). Plus, there are plenty of fun extra activities to enjoy! |
Emirates | Dubai Connect A layover of 8-24 hours (for Economy Class) or 6-24 hours (for Business/First Class) includes a complimentary hotel stay, meals, transfers, and an entry visa to the United Arab Emirates. |
Veneers | Stopover in Helsinki Enjoy access to lounges and comfortable amenities during your layovers. |
Qatar Airways | Stopover in Doha Layovers between 12 and 96 hours offer discounted hotel rates (starting from $14 per night), as well as meals and sightseeing tours. |
Etihad Airways | Stopover in Abu Dhabi A layover of at least 18 hours includes a complimentary two-night hotel stay and fantastic local perks. |
Air China | Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu A hotel accommodation program for eligible international transit passengers with layovers longer than 8 hours. |
China Southern Airlines | Stopover in Guangzhou A layover of 8 to 48 hours gives you a complimentary hotel stay, meals, and transfers. |
Royal Air Maroc | Stopover in Casablanca Unlimited stopover duration with free hotel stays and lounge access. |
TAP Air Portugal | Stopover in Lisbon/Porto Enjoy up to 10 days of discounts on hotels, tours, and flights. |
Icelander | Stopover in Reykjavik Enjoy a free stopover of 1 to 7 days, with the option to enjoy sightseeing tours of the city. |
Multi-City Trips – How to Find the Cheapest Dates and Routes?
Source: Unsplash, Avil Shoklanov
To start, try to be flexible with your travel dates, as airline prices are constantly fluctuating. If you can shift your travel dates by a day or two, you could save a significant amount. Also, be sure to compare prices across different airlines and platforms; sometimes booking with budget airlines is a smart choice to cut costs. And don't forget to take advantage of loyalty programs—signing up for a frequent flyer program lets you collect points that you can later redeem for fantastic discounts on your trips to various destinations and cities.
Stop guessing the cheapest dates or routes. Here’s what you need to do:
- Trip.com's "Flexible Dates" feature: After searching, click here ← to discover the cheapest days for every leg of your trip!
- Reverse your itinerary: try arriving in City B and departing from City A (e.g., Singapore ← Bangkok ← Tokyo vs. Tokyo ← Bangkok ← Singapore)
- Take off from major hubs: Start your adventures from airports like London, Singapore, or Los Angeles (more competition means cheaper flights)
- Check out ground transportation options: Rome2Rio.com compares prices for flights, trains, and buses (e.g., ferry from Athens to Dubrovnik: $55)
The Best Recommended Multi-City Flight Routes Around the World
Source: Unsplash, Hanson Lu
Popular and budget-friendly routes that won't cost you much:
The Region | Trail | Why is it a great choice? |
Europe | Lisbon ← Madrid ← Paris ← Berlin | Trains/flights for under $50, in under two hours |
Southeast Asia | Bangkok ← Chiang Mai ← Hanoi ← Ho Chi Minh City | Flights for $25-$40, quick one-hour flights |
The American West | Los Angeles ← Las Vegas ← San Francisco ← Portland | Southwest flights for $49, and no baggage fees! |
The golden rule: Keep your destinations close together! Adding Tokyo to a trip in Europe will increase the cost by about $400 and add 12 extra hours of flight time.
FAQs About How to Book Multi-City Flights on Trip.com
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How can I ensure I get the best price when booking multi-city flights?
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Can I book multi-city flights with different airlines for each leg of the journey?
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What information do I need to provide when booking multi-city flights?
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How can I manage my multi-city flight booking after completing it?