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What is Skiplagging?

Is skiplagging legit?

Our flagship travel hack is very real, and so are the savings. But it’s not for everyone. Here’s what you need to know before you book.
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$180

average savings per flight¹

300k+

travelers who’ve flown this way with us²

99.7%

trips went exactly as planned²

How it works

Fly to the layover, skip
the last leg

Skiplagging is when you book a flight with a layover in the city you actually want, and get off there instead of flying the last leg. Sometimes that itinerary costs less than flying straight there.
*Average savings of $180 per flight based on historical Skiplagged rate comparisons.

Five simple rules

Discounts like these come with a few considerations. Follow our best practices and your skiplagging experience should be seamless.³

Backpack only. No checked bags. Ever.

Any checked bag, including at the gate, flies to the final ticketed destination. When you’re skiplagging, bring a backpack so your stuff always stays with you.

One-way tickets only

On a round trip, skipping a segment cancels the rest of your reservation, including your return. Instead, book two individual one-way tickets.

App check-in

Use the airline app instead of the counter when possible and leave out your frequent flyer number. It keeps the process simpler and smoother.

Rule check

Skiplagging is 100% legal, but airlines make their own rules. Read up on your airline’s contract of carriage before you decide whether this travel hack is for you.

Documents and visas

When skiplagging internationally, make sure you have the required real ID, passport, and visa for all destinations. Including the ones you’re skipping.

How often do issues happen?

Among 300k+ skiplaggers, 99.7% traveled completely issue-free.

For rare events

We’ve got your back

If an airline cancels your ticket, reroutes your flight, or causes you to miss a connection, rebook through Skiplagged and we’ll cover the fare difference up to $500. Included automatically on skiplagging flights, available as an add-on for regular flights.
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Before you book

Find out if Skiplagging
fits your trip

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Skiplagging could be for you if…

You can limit yourself to a personal item or backpack.
You’re comfortable booking separate one-way tickets.
The potential savings outweigh the need to take a few extra steps.

Skiplagging may not be for you if…

You need to pack a large carry-on or checked luggage.
You want to use your frequent flyer number or earn points.
You’re most comfortable following the exact route on your ticket.

More than one way to save

Skiplagging is just the beginning

There are so many more ways to save, including on regular flights.
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Questions? We’ve got answers.

Skiplagging, also called hidden-city ticketing, is when you book a flight with a layover in the city you actually want to visit and leave there instead of taking the final flight. Sometimes, that itinerary costs less than a ticket ending in the layover city.

How skiplagging works →

Skiplagging is legal, but airlines may prohibit it in their contracts of carriage. Airline policies—and the possible consequences for violating them—vary, so review your airline’s rules before deciding whether a hidden-city ticket is right for you.

More about skiplagging risk →

Airlines set their own policies, but to our knowledge, no traveler has ever been banned when flying on a Skiplagging ticket. What’s more likely to happen is an airline cancels your ticket.

Hidden-city ticketing best practices →

Do not check a bag on a hidden-city itinerary. Checked bags—including bags checked at the gate—generally continue to the ticketed final destination, not the layover city where you plan to leave. Bring only a personal item that fits under the seat and can stay with you.

Checked bags and Skiplagged →

Search Skiplagged for a one-way flight to the city you want to visit. When a hidden-city option is available, it will appear automatically in your results, labeled “Skiplagging, ” with the unused final leg crossed out. You can also use the Skiplagging filter to view only hidden-city options.

Find hidden-city flights →
SEE FULL FAQ

Disclaimers

¹ Average difference between the hidden-city fare booked and the lowest available nonstop fare to the same destination on the same date. Based on Skiplagged bookings, 2024-2025.
² Reflects bookings and post-trip feedback made through Skiplagged from 2024-2025.
³ These best practices cover the most common issues, not every one. Airlines set their own policies in their contracts of carriage — check yours before booking.

The smarter way
to book flights.

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