Is it cheaper to book a round-trip to one city?

It might look cheaper upfront, but you will pay for the cost and time of flying back to your start city at the end of your trip. The multi-city 'open jaw' ticket is almost always more efficient.

When is the best time to book regional flights?

Book regional flights 4-6 weeks in advance. Prices on low-cost carriers fluctuate based on demand, and last-minute tickets can be surprisingly expensive.

Booking Multi-City Flights for Southeast Asia

Use the 'Multi-City' search tool on flight aggregators to book your arrival in one hub and departure from another. This prevents backtracking and saves you the cost and time of a return flight to your initial point of entry.

Map your route geographically. Work in a linear path. Start in a major hub like Bangkok, Singapore, or Ho Chi Minh City, and finish in another. Avoid jumping back and forth across the region.
Use the 'Multi-City' search function. Do not book separate one-way tickets initially. Use the multi-city tool on sites like Google Flights or Skyscanner to input your home-to-first-stop, then your last-stop-to-home.
Calculate regional gaps. Once the long-haul legs are set, book the regional gaps (e.g., Bangkok to Hanoi) separately as one-way tickets using low-cost carriers like AirAsia or VietJet.
Verify baggage policies. Budget airlines in Southeast Asia have strict carry-on weight limits (usually 7kg). If you have checked luggage, purchase your baggage allowance at the time of booking to avoid triple the price at the airport gate.

Is it cheaper to book a round-trip to one city?: It might look cheaper upfront, but you will pay for the cost and time of flying back to your start city at the end of your trip. The multi-city 'open jaw' ticket is almost always more efficient.
When is the best time to book regional flights?: Book regional flights 4-6 weeks in advance. Prices on low-cost carriers fluctuate based on demand, and last-minute tickets can be surprisingly expensive.