Should I book all flights at once or separately?

Book together if using the same airline or alliance for better protection against delays and easier rebooking. Book separately only if mixing budget carriers saves significant money and you're comfortable with the rebooking risks.

What happens if I miss a connecting flight on separate bookings?

You're responsible for rebooking and additional costs. Budget carriers won't help with missed connections on separate tickets. Always book at least 3-4 hours between flights when using separate bookings.

Can I add cities to a round-the-world ticket later?

Yes, but expect change fees of $100-300 per modification plus any fare difference. RTW tickets typically allow route changes but not additional cities beyond the original limit without starting a new ticket.

Are open-jaw tickets cheaper than round-trip multi-city?

Sometimes. Flying into Tokyo and out of Bangkok can be cheaper than a round-trip multi-city ticket. Compare open-jaw prices against traditional multi-city routing, especially for longer trips.

How to Book Multi-City Flights Around Asia

Book multi-city Asian flights using airline alliance round-the-world tickets, Google Flights' multi-city tool, or by combining budget carriers. Plan your route in advance and book 2-3 months early for best prices. Expect to pay $1,200-2,500 for 4-6 cities depending on your routing.

Map your route geographically. Plot cities on a map to minimize backtracking. Asia works best in loops: Japan → Korea → China → Southeast Asia → India, or clockwise/counterclockwise around the region. Backtracking costs extra.
Choose your booking strategy. Three options: (1) Round-the-world tickets from Star Alliance or OneWorld for 4+ stops, (2) Multi-city booking on Google Flights or airline websites for 2-4 cities, (3) Individual budget carrier tickets booked separately for maximum flexibility.
Compare alliance round-the-world tickets. Star Alliance RTW starts around $2,400 for 5 stops within Asia-Pacific. OneWorld Explorer begins at $2,200. Both allow route changes for fees. Good for 5+ cities with mixed carriers.
Use multi-city search tools. On Google Flights, click 'Multi-city' and enter up to 6 segments. Try ITA Matrix by Google for complex routing. Kayak and Momondo also offer multi-city search. Compare against booking segments individually.
Consider budget carrier combinations. Mix AirAsia (Southeast Asia), Jetstar (Australia/Japan), Cebu Pacific (Philippines), and Scoot (Singapore hub). Book each leg separately. Cheaper for 2-3 cities but requires separate bookings and baggage fees.
Book 60-90 days in advance. Multi-city tickets have less last-minute availability. Book earlier than single destinations. Avoid local holiday periods like Chinese New Year, Golden Week in Japan, or Songkran in Thailand.
Verify visa requirements for each stop. Some countries require different visa types for multi-entry or if you're not continuing immediately. Japan and Korea often allow visa-free transit. Check if you need visas before booking non-refundable tickets.

Should I book all flights at once or separately?: Book together if using the same airline or alliance for better protection against delays and easier rebooking. Book separately only if mixing budget carriers saves significant money and you're comfortable with the rebooking risks.
What happens if I miss a connecting flight on separate bookings?: You're responsible for rebooking and additional costs. Budget carriers won't help with missed connections on separate tickets. Always book at least 3-4 hours between flights when using separate bookings.
Can I add cities to a round-the-world ticket later?: Yes, but expect change fees of $100-300 per modification plus any fare difference. RTW tickets typically allow route changes but not additional cities beyond the original limit without starting a new ticket.
Are open-jaw tickets cheaper than round-trip multi-city?: Sometimes. Flying into Tokyo and out of Bangkok can be cheaper than a round-trip multi-city ticket. Compare open-jaw prices against traditional multi-city routing, especially for longer trips.