QUESTION: Connections and transfers: how do single tickets and through-checked luggage work?

Booking a single ticket for flights with transfers is one of the most reliable ways to protect yourself from transport risks. When you purchase a ticket from your starting point to your final destination with a single airline or within a codeshare agreement, the carrier takes full responsibility for delivering you and your luggage to your destination. This means that even if the first flight is delayed, they are obligated to rebook you onto the next available flight for free.

As for luggage, when purchasing a single ticket, it is checked straight through to the final destination. You do not need to collect your bags at an intermediate airport, check in again, and drop them off anew. The exceptions are international transfers where local laws require customs clearance at the first point of entry into the country, which you will certainly be warned about in advance.

To ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible and brings only positive emotions, experienced travelers use the seventy-thirty rule. It assumes that seventy percent of your itinerary is firmly fixed with single tickets and pre-booked hotels, while thirty percent is left for spontaneous walks and relaxation. This balance between reliable planning and flexibility allows you to enjoy the trip without fearing logistical failures.