With separate tickets, a delay on the first flight can leave you responsible for reaching the second departure. Do not assume the next airline will move you to another flight without charge.
A self-transfer may also require collecting checked baggage, passing immigration, changing terminals and checking in again. In some itineraries, it can involve travelling between different airports.
Before booking, ask the seller whether the journey is issued as a single reservation, whether bags are checked through and what happens if the connection is missed.
The distinction also matters for passenger rights. The European Union’s air passenger guidance explains that protection depends on the route, operating airline and circumstances. Certain missed connections on a single reservation can qualify for compensation, subject to the applicable conditions.
Those rules do not automatically apply to every journey involving a European airport. Travelers from the United States, Canada and Australia should check the complete itinerary rather than relying on the location of the stopover alone.
Compare the total cost of each option. Include baggage fees, airport transfers and any overnight accommodation needed to make a separate-ticket connection realistic.
There is no single connection time that works everywhere. Border queues, terminal layouts and check-in deadlines differ.
A cheaper itinerary can still be worthwhile. The saving becomes meaningful only when you understand the transfer and can absorb the consequences if the first flight runs late.
