Round-trip or two separate one-way tickets — the choice directly affects what you pay. Contrary to popular belief, a round-trip ticket isn't always the cheaper option. Let's break down when each one wins.
When a round-trip ticket wins
Traditional full-service airlines (Turkish Airlines, AEGEAN, Lufthansa) often sell a round-trip ticket for less than two one-ways on the same route. This is especially true for long-haul and connecting flights.
If your dates are fixed and you fly into one city and return from the same one, a round-trip ticket is usually the simplest and cheapest option.
When two one-ways win
With low-cost carriers (Wizz Air, Ryanair, Pegasus) each direction is priced separately — here two one-ways cost the same as one round-trip, but you get more flexibility.
One-way tickets let you mix airlines for the outbound and return — for example, fly out on Wizz Air from Kutaisi and return on Turkish Airlines to Tbilisi.
Open-jaw — the third option
If you fly into one city and out of another (say, into Milan and home from Rome), you need an open-jaw ticket. It's often cheaper than two separate one-ways and saves you from backtracking to your arrival city.
Always compare all three options: one round-trip, two one-ways and an open-jaw — the price can differ by up to 30%.
Hidden costs to factor in
- Baggage: on low-cost carriers it's priced per direction — multiply by two
- Seat selection and check-in: often an extra fee
- Currency: prices appear in different currencies across sites — see currency exchange tips
- A one-way ticket can raise questions at some borders — carry proof of onward travel
How to find the best price
Compare prices separately: first search round-trip, then each one-way direction on its own and add them up. With flexible dates, shifting your trip by a single day can change the price significantly.
Travel365's price calendar shows the fare for every day of the month — compare your outbound and return dates and pick the cheapest combination. For more tactics, see when to buy tickets.
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