What Is a Circle Trip?

A circle trip ends at the point of origin with more than one stop in between.

A circle trip is an air industry term that refers to a trip that begins at the same point in which it ends, but includes visits to more than one location.

Definition

Unlike a round trip with connecting flights, a circle trip includes stops of several days or weeks at different locations before returning to the point of origin. A good example is a round-the-world trip that includes stops on several continents.

Fare Restrictions

Most circle trip fares will be constricted by a circle trip minimum, which means the fare for the trip cannot be less than a round trip between any two cities on the circle trip's itinerary. The circle trip can still be economically advantageous, however, when compared to one-way fares between all cities on the itinerary.

Length of Travel

The length of the trip will depend on your particular routing, but it is possible to purchase circle trips with a duration of one year, where travel must be completed within that time lest the remaining portions of the ticket be forfeited.

Considerations

Before booking your trip, ask your travel agent if it is advisable for you to book a circle trip or several one-way trips. If the dates on your ticket are flexible, be sure you know how long you have to use all portions of the trip, and what penalties you will have to pay if you forfeit the ticket.

References

• One World: Circle Trip Explorer
• Business Dictionary: Circle Trip Definition
• Travel Industry Dictionary: Circle Trip Minimum

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• World Travel Guide