Self-transfer flights are on the rise as travellers mix and match low-cost carriers to get cheaper fares and more flexible routes. Build-your-own itineraries mean more options (and bigger savings), but they also put a little more responsibility on you. Before you book yours, there are some trade-offs to consider: more planning, tighter timing, and a bit more risk.
What is a self-transfer flight?
For starters, you may be asking yourself, what does self-transfer mean exactly? A self-transfer flight is when you book each leg of your itinerary separately. This gives you the flexibility of mixing airlines or airports to suit your needs and combine the best flight deals.
Examples of self-transfer flights:
- Flying into Paris Orly, out of Charles de Gaulle
- Landing at London Heathrow, departing from Gatwick
- Arriving in Milan Bergamo, continuing from Milan Linate
You might transfer within the same airport or hop between nearby ones, on domestic or international legs. It’s flexible and often cheaper, but you’re fully in charge of making it work. This means checking your bags in again and potentially going through security/immigration at each airport and navigating any delays or cancellations on your own.
Self-transfer vs. traditional connections:
| Feature | Self-transfer | Traditional connection |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket type | Separate tickets you piece together | Single through-ticket |
| Baggage handling | You collect and recheck bags | Bags checked through |
| Missed connection | You’re responsible | Airline responsible |
| Schedule changes | Managed separately per airline | Protected by airline |
| Recommended buffer time | Longer, you decide | Shorter, governed by minimum connection time |
How self-transfer works in practice?
Self-transfer basically means you’re handling everything an airline would normally do for you during a connection. After booking your legs separately, each segment becomes its own trip. So you’ll need to build in enough time and be ready for extra steps.
What self-transfer flights usually looks like:
- Check in for each flight separately (sometimes with different airlines or apps).
- Collect your baggage after the first flight and recheck it for the next.
- Go through security again – and immigration too, if you’re switching countries.
- Transfer between terminals or even airports.
- Add a generous buffer (think 3–6 hours or more) in case of delays.
When flying KLM to Amsterdam, then hopping onto a low-cost flight, expect a terminal change and another security queue. That means it’s best to leave at least 90–120 minutes more than you would for a traditional connecting flight.
Pros & cons of self-transfer flights
Self-transfer comes with major upsides, but it also shifts more responsibility onto you. Here’s how the benefits stack up against the risks.
Benefits of self-transfer flights:
- Cheaper overall. Mixing low-cost carriers with major airlines can cut prices significantly, especially on long-haul routes.
- More flexibility. You get to design your whole itinerary: choose your stopover city, stretch your connection to explore, or pick airports that work better for your trip.
- Route creativity. Self-transfer opens combinations airlines don’t normally sell. This way you can reach destinations that might otherwise be pricey or awkward to access.
- Control over timing. Whether you prefer a long stopover to sightsee or a short one to keep things moving, you get to decide.
Risks of self-transfer flights:
- No built-in protection. Miss your second flight and you’re on your own. You forfeit the airline’s help in rebooking you for free when you book a self-connecting itinerary. That’s no minor detail when, according to an Official Airline Guide (OAG) survey, 55% of travellers cite missing a connection as their biggest worry.
- Higher delay fallout. A study by the European Transport Research Review found that a delay of just 30 minutes can cause 40% of self-connecting passengers to miss their onward flight.
- Tricky baggage logistics. Note that you must collect and recheck bags between connections, because they won’t be checked through when you book an itinerary with multiple airlines. The same OAG survey also reports that 21% of travellers say they fear their luggage won’t make it when booking self-transfer flights.
- More stress and planning. From airport transfers to immigration queues, every step becomes your responsibility, so buffers (like planning extra transfer time) matter.
I always build in extra time, travel light, and monitor any flight alerts closely. Self-transfer offers freedom with a side of responsibility, but I think it’s worth it because I can put the savings towards enjoying my holiday.
Your rights & compensation with self-transfer flights
When you self-transfer, your rights will depend on the country you’re flying through. In most cases, protections are limited because each leg is on a separate ticket.
EU (Regulation 261/2004)
EU261 offers compensation for long delays, cancellations, or denied boarding. However, this usually only applies to the affected flight. If you miss your second flight because your first one was delayed, EU261 does not protect the onward leg unless both segments were on a single ticket.
US & Canada
The US has no federal compensation rules for delays or cancellations. Airlines may offer rebooking or vouchers, but it’s voluntary.
Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), you may be eligible for compensation in the event of long delays and cancellations. Again, they apply per flight, not to missed onward segments on a separate ticket.
Asia-Pacific
Protections vary widely. Some countries have passenger charters, but most do not guarantee compensation for missed self-connections.
Who’s responsible?
With separate tickets, you are responsible for managing delays and cancellations and how they may impact your connecting flights. If you want to book self-transfer flights, give yourself protection through travel insurance and travelling with extra time buffers.
How to prepare for a self-transfer flight?
Self-transfer flights can be a great way to save money and build unique itineraries, but they require a little extra homework. The more prepared you are, the smoother your trip will be, and the less chance there is of missing that onward flight. Here’s how to stay on top of it:
- Book with time buffers. Give yourself plenty of time. Most airports suggest at least 3–6 hours for self-transfer flights, especially when switching terminals or airports.
- Take hand luggage only. Skip checked bags to save time and avoid baggage recheck stress.
- Check terminal layouts & baggage policy. Know where to go and how to handle your luggage before you fly.
- Check visa requirements. If you’re changing countries, even briefly, make sure you can legally transfer there.
- Monitor your first flight. Delays can cascade. Stay informed and adjust your plans ASAP if needed.
- Book flexible fares or alliance-linked tickets. This adds an extra safety net if delays occur.
- Consider travel insurance. Look for policies that explicitly cover missed self-transfer connections for extra protection.
In some cities with multiple airports, you can find direct shuttles between them. This was the case for me when I had to self-transfer between Paris Orly and Charles de Gaulle. I’d recommend researching transfer options before you fly.
Alternatives to self-transfer flights
Self-transfer flights can save money and offer flexibility, but they’re not for everyone. If you want fewer headaches (or a safety net for delays) consider these alternatives.
- Traditional connections: Book a single-ticket itinerary with one airline or alliance. This way, baggage and delays are handled for you.
- Multi-city tickets: Officially plan multiple stops on one ticket. It’s still flexible but with more protection.
- Open-jaw routes: Fly into one city and out of another on a single ticket. This option is perfect for loop trips without extra hassle.
- Travel packages with protection: Some travel platforms offer bundled flights plus insurance or rebooking guarantees. Always check the fine print.
- Stopover hacks: Use long stopovers (24 hours or more) to explore a city while staying on a single ticket. (Check out this guide on leaving the airport during your stopover for tips on how to make the most of your time.)
These alternatives still provide options for unique itineraries but without the stress of managing separate tickets.
FAQs
Plan at least 3–6 hours – or more if switching airports, terminals, or countries.
Usually not. EU261 protections generally only apply to flights on the same ticket. Delays on one leg rarely cover the next.
Not automatically. With separate tickets, you must collect and recheck your baggage. However, bringing only hand luggage can simplify things.
Often, but not always. It can save you money, especially with low-cost airlines. But hidden costs on transfers, baggage, or missed flights can offset those savings.
