Flight question - Stop over length

Raymond Lin · 19 Jan 2018 at 20:29

Later this year I have to attend a wedding in Taiwan, and want to make an extended stop over in Hong Kong on the way there but on the way back I want to come back as quickly as possible.

Is it possible to get a stop over in the length of like 5 days on the way out and on the way back, either direct or a few hours stop over (anywhere).

Raymond Lin · 19 Jan 2018 at 21:07

arknor said:
I don't get the question.
surely its just how you book the flights?

book a flight to hong kong, book another flight 5 days later to taiwan ? for the way back just book a direct or with as little stop over as possible.

if you are trying to use the same airline for all then maybe not so easy

A Direct Flight to Hong Kong is £692, not counting another flight to Taiwan and then the return leg.

A Stop over Flight to Taiwan is £595.

So as you can see, if there is some way to make the Stop Over flexible, i can save a lot of money? I am just wondering, no doubt someone might say "well, duh, if you can, then everyone would be doing it." I just wondered if it is actually possible that's all and what's the best or cheapest way doing thees 2 places. I thought what I planned above would be the cheapest, if it works.

Raymond Lin · 19 Jan 2018 at 22:15

Ahleckz said:
What dates do you want to go and what do you think is a fair price? Just use Google Flights multi city...

Edit - Probably makes sense to book return flights from London to HK and then get a cheap flight to and from Taipei.

28th Aug - 9th Sept.
LHR - HK (direct with BA - I know you like them)
£658

6th Sept - 9th Sept
HK - TPE (direct, China Airways. Not a recommended airline, but be ok for a short trip like this).
£126

Second edit: @Raymond Lin , you can't fly direct from Taipei to London with a decent airline so a stop in HK makes sense. I think my above is the best way to do it but if you want to keep it all in one booking this works, found on Expedia:

Wedding is 27th so that’s firm.
Also I need to leave on 28th to come back ASAP.

The only flexibility is outbound where I can stay anywhere between 3-5days.

Raymond Lin · 19 Jan 2018 at 22:40

Destination said:
Raymond, try booking 'multicity' with your chosen dates.
Check various airlines.

We will fly to Japan later this year, adding a 2 days multicity stopover in Hong Kong on the way took the flight cost of return flights with Cathay down significantly.

Perfect ! I do like BA but I also like Cathay.

Something like this would do nicely.

Raymond Lin · 19 Jan 2018 at 22:53

Destination said:
When you go to any of their direct websites, there will be option for one way, return, and multicity.
Chose multicity, and then enter you chosen days and dates for each.
Should allow some options and ideas on price, when you find the best deal, then quidco the purchase too.

I never had to do this before, thanks for the tip.

Raymond Lin · 9 Feb 2018 at 23:03

Jimbeam3678 said:
@Raymond Lin I've done this trip a fair few times with my wife being Taiwanese - Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong is your best bet. Which City is the wedding in? I only ask as you can fly into Taichung from Hong Kong.

Job done! Thanks everyone !

Raymond Lin · 10 Feb 2018 at 10:51

Feef said:
Man, I've never had flight times that civilised, need to check Cathay next time I go back to the UK

I can get stupid flights like 6am but that would mean taxi to the airport at 4am as I don’t expect there’s any public transport then or want the hassle of getting that early!

The pain will be coming back home, 3hrs drive home then up next morning for work!