How to plan a multi-stop holiday without spending your whole trip in transit

What if your next long-haul holiday could take you somewhere you hadn't even considered visiting? Perhaps a few nights exploring Singapore on your way to Australia. Or an opportunity to combine New Zealand's extraordinary landscapes with time on Australia's beautiful coastline.

One of the most exciting things about a multi-stop holiday is the freedom to experience different places, cultures and landscapes within a single journey. But there's a difference between an itinerary that opens up possibilities and one that leaves you constantly packing, checking out and heading to another airport.

The secret is in how you connect the places you want to visit. Here are five practical ways to plan a multi-stop holiday that makes the most of both your journey and your time away.

1. Start with the route, not just the wish list

Before booking anything, put the destinations you'd love to visit on a map. It sounds simple, but seeing how places connect geographically can reveal opportunities you might otherwise miss. Could you travel through a region rather than flying in and out of the same city? Could a scenic drive or rail journey connect two destinations and introduce somewhere new along the way? For example, if you're planning to explore Melbourne, the Australian coast and Sydney, consider how those places could form one continuous journey rather than several separate trips. Of course, the shortest distance on a map isn't always the easiest route. Flight connections, local transport and seasonal conditions all play a part.

Try this: Plot your destinations in order and draw a line between them. If the route zigzags or doubles back, explore whether changing the sequence could save time.

2. Make your stopovers part of the experience

Some of the most interesting destinations might already be on your flight path. Major international hubs such as Singapore offer the opportunity to break up a long-haul journey while experiencing somewhere entirely different. Instead of spending a few hours waiting for your next flight, imagine having time to explore a new city, sample its food or discover somewhere you might never have chosen for a standalone holiday. But a worthwhile stopover needs more than a convenient airport. Consider how easily you can reach the city, how many nights you'll need to enjoy it and whether adding the stop changes your flight options or overall cost.

Try this: When comparing long-haul routes, look at the cities you could connect through. Then consider whether two or three nights in one of them would add something special to your journey.

3. Think beyond a conventional return flight

Once you've decided where you want to go, consider how your international flights could support the route. A multi-city booking can allow you to arrive in one destination and fly home from another, rather than returning to your starting point. For example, you might fly into Melbourne, explore parts of southern Australia and finish in Sydney, before flying home from there.

This type of itinerary, often called an open-jaw journey, can eliminate unnecessary backtracking and create more opportunities to explore along the way. It isn't automatically cheaper than a standard return ticket, but comparing the complete itinerary can reveal advantages that aren't obvious when looking at headline fares alone.

Try this: Compare a standard return flight with a multi-city option. Include any additional flights or ground transport you'd need, rather than comparing international fares in isolation.

4. Look at the whole journey, not just the flight time

A two-hour flight might sound like a quick way to move between destinations. In reality, it can take up much of your day. Airport transfers, check-in, security, baggage collection and onward travel all need to be factored in. And when you're planning several stops, there's another important consideration: how your flights are booked.

Separate tickets can sometimes look attractive, but they may leave you responsible for rearranging onward travel if an earlier flight is delayed. Baggage may also need to be collected and checked in again. Flights booked together on a single ticket can offer greater protection for eligible missed connections, although the arrangements depend on the airline, itinerary and ticket conditions. It's worth understanding these differences before deciding which option offers the best overall value.

Try this: Mark each travel day on your itinerary and calculate the door-to-door journey time. Check whether your connections are protected and how baggage will be handled.

5. Make sure every destination earns its place

With so many possibilities, it's tempting to keep adding places to your itinerary. But before including another stop, think about what it will contribute to your holiday. Does it offer a different experience? Is it somewhere you're particularly excited to explore? And will you have enough time there to enjoy what makes it special?

A destination that requires a full day of travel for just one night might not be the best use of your time, unless there's a compelling reason to visit. Sometimes choosing three well-connected destinations rather than five gives you the freedom to experience much more.

Try this: For each stop, write down the experiences you're most looking forward to and how many full days you'd like there. Then compare that with the time needed to reach it.