Definition
A return ticket where you fly into one city and back from another, such as Delhi to Zurich and Rome to Delhi. You cover the gap between the two cities yourself, by train, road or a separate flight.
Why open-jaw tickets suit Indian holiday routes
Most multi-country holidays are a line, not a loop. A classic Switzerland–Italy trip starts in Zurich and ends in Rome. On an ordinary return to Zurich, you'd lose most of a day, plus a train or flight fare, getting back from Rome. An open-jaw saves both.
Common open-jaw patterns:
| Trip | Fly into | Fly out of |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland and Italy | Zurich | Rome or Milan |
| Paris and Amsterdam | Paris | Amsterdam |
| Vietnam | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Japan | Tokyo | Osaka |
| Thailand | Bangkok | Phuket or Krabi |
How to book it
Use the multi-city option on an airline or portal search and enter the two legs, for example Delhi–Zurich and Rome–Delhi. On one airline or alliance, the fare is often close to a normal return. Two one-way tickets on different airlines can cost more, though not always, so price both. Keep it on one ticket where you can: if the outbound is missed, the airline can cancel the rest of the booking.
Things to check
- Visa: for Schengen, apply to the country where you spend the most nights, not the one you fly into. See Schengen visa.
- The ground link: book the train or flight between the two cities early in summer, when fares rise fast.
- Package fit: give your agent the in and out cities so hotels and transfers line up. Our Europe, Japan and Vietnam tour packages are usually planned this way.