Are one-way flights more expensive than round-trip?

Not always. For domestic US flights, one-way fares are usually exactly half the round-trip price. For international flights, one-way can be cheaper when using budget carriers or routing through hubs that don't offer competitive round-trip pricing.

When should I book a one-way flight?

Book one-way when you don't know your return date, when you're flying into one city and leaving from another, or when you can find a significantly cheaper one-way fare on a budget carrier.

Do airlines charge more for one-way tickets?

Most airlines price one-way at roughly half the round-trip fare for domestic flights. International one-way flights vary more — some airlines still charge a premium, but budget carriers and Chinese airlines often have excellent one-way pricing.

One-Way vs Round-Trip Flights: When Each Saves You Money

Every flight deal site assumes you’re buying a round trip. But for millions of travelers — digital nomads, backpackers, relocators, and anyone with flexible plans — one-way is the way to go.

The question is: when does one-way actually save you money?

The short answer

Domestic flights: One-way is almost always half the round-trip price. There’s no penalty for booking one-way on most US airlines.

International flights: It depends. Traditional carriers often charge more for one-way, but budget carriers and connecting flights through Asian hubs can be significantly cheaper one-way.

When one-way wins

1. You’re flying with a budget airline

Budget carriers like Frontier, Spirit, Ryanair, and AirAsia price one-way flights independently. A one-way on Spirit from Chicago to Las Vegas might be $39, while the cheapest round-trip from any airline is $120+.

2. You’re routing through a hub

Chinese carriers (China Southern, Xiamen Air) often have incredible one-way pricing from the US to Southeast Asia. A one-way to Bangkok for $299 vs. a round-trip for $650 — you’re saving by booking two separate one-ways.

3. You’re flying open-jaw

Flying into Barcelona and out of Istanbul? Two one-way flights are almost always cheaper than an open-jaw round trip, and give you more airline options.

4. You don’t know your return date

This is the nomad special. If you don’t know when you’re leaving, don’t pay for a return you might not use. Book one-way and find a deal when you’re ready to move.

When round-trip wins

1. Major airlines on competitive routes

On routes where United, Delta, and American compete heavily, round-trip pricing is often subsidized by business travelers. A round-trip JFK-London might be $400, while two one-ways are $300 each.

2. Sale fares

Airline sales are almost always advertised as round-trip. The sale price divided by two might beat any available one-way fare.

The SkipFare approach

We focus exclusively on one-way deals because that’s where the opportunity is. Every deal site covers round-trip sales — nobody is watching one-way prices for drops, error fares, and budget carrier deals.

That’s what we do. See today’s one-way deals →