Are open-jaw flights always more expensive?

Usually $50-150 more than round-trip, but you save money by not backtracking to your original arrival city. The time and transportation savings often make up the difference.

Can I book open-jaw flights on budget airlines?

Budget airlines typically don't offer multi-city bookings. You'll need to book separate one-way flights, which can actually be cheaper but requires more research and planning.

What if I need to change my departure city?

Change fees for open-jaw tickets work like regular tickets, but you're locked into departing from that specific city. Build flexibility into your ground transportation, not your flights.

How far apart should my arrival and departure cities be?

Plan for cities you can realistically travel between in your trip duration. London to Rome works for a 10-day trip. London to Athens might be pushing it unless you have 2+ weeks.

How to Book Open-Jaw Flights for Europe

Book open-jaw flights by selecting "multi-city" instead of round-trip on airline websites or booking platforms. Search for flights into one European city and out of another, then book ground transportation between your arrival and departure cities. This saves money compared to booking separate one-ways and eliminates backtracking.

Choose your open-jaw cities strategically. Pick cities that make geographic sense for your trip. Fly into London and out of Rome, not London and out of Stockholm. Consider transportation costs and time between your first and last destinations when selecting endpoints.
Use multi-city search tools. On airline websites or booking platforms like Google Flights, Kayak, or Expedia, select "Multi-city" instead of "Round-trip." Enter your origin city, your European arrival city, then your European departure city back to your origin. Set your dates with at least 3-4 days between arrival and departure.
Compare with separate one-way tickets. Search for two separate one-way flights as a comparison. Open-jaw tickets are usually cheaper, but budget airlines like Ryanair or EasyJet sometimes offer better deals on individual legs. Factor in the time saved by not backtracking.
Book ground transportation early. Once you've booked flights, immediately arrange transportation between your arrival and departure cities. Train tickets in Europe are often cheaper when booked in advance. For longer distances, consider budget flights between European cities.
Pack for one-way travel. Remember you won't return to your arrival city. Pack accordingly and plan to ship souvenirs home from your departure city, or leave room in your luggage for items you pick up along the way.

Are open-jaw flights always more expensive?: Usually $50-150 more than round-trip, but you save money by not backtracking to your original arrival city. The time and transportation savings often make up the difference.
Can I book open-jaw flights on budget airlines?: Budget airlines typically don't offer multi-city bookings. You'll need to book separate one-way flights, which can actually be cheaper but requires more research and planning.
What if I need to change my departure city?: Change fees for open-jaw tickets work like regular tickets, but you're locked into departing from that specific city. Build flexibility into your ground transportation, not your flights.
How far apart should my arrival and departure cities be?: Plan for cities you can realistically travel between in your trip duration. London to Rome works for a 10-day trip. London to Athens might be pushing it unless you have 2+ weeks.