When it comes to booking air travel, most people instinctively search for round-trip tickets. However, savvy travellers know that booking two one-way flights — even with different airlines — can often be significantly cheaper than a standard return fare. This method, known as “splitting your tickets”, gives you the flexibility to choose the most affordable and convenient options for each leg of your journey. In many cases, low-cost carriers and flash sales may only apply to specific routes or dates, making the mix-and-match approach a clever way to capitalise on the best deals available.
Not only can this strategy save money, but it can also offer greater freedom in your travel planning. For instance, you might choose to fly out from one city and return from another, giving you the chance to see more destinations without being tied to a traditional itinerary. Just be sure to factor in baggage fees, differing policies between airlines and allow adequate time between connections if you’re not booking through a single carrier. With a bit of research and flexibility, splitting your tickets could be your ticket to smarter, more affordable travel.
To make the most of this travel hack, use platforms like Skyscanner, Google Flights, Kiwi.com, Momondo, and Hopper to compare one-way fares across different airlines. Budget carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Jet2 and Vueling are also worth checking for cheap single-leg journeys. Set price alerts to catch deals early and stay flexible with your dates and destinations to maximise savings.
Bonus Tip: Search in Incognito Mode
Flight prices can sometimes appear to increase based on your search history, as cookies track your visits. To avoid this and see the most accurate fares, always search in incognito or private browsing mode. It gives you a clean slate every time and may help you spot lower prices that aren’t influenced by previous searches.
