Self-transfer flights can be safe. More or less.

However, unlike with airline-protected connecting flights, there are some extra steps necessary to achieve that. There are things you need to know and do in order to have a safe airport transfer. One of the easiest options is to book a Kiwi self-transfer connecting flight. Or to buy insurance. More on both below.

1. What Does Self-Transfer Mean for Flights?

To put it simply, self-transfer flights are DIY connecting flights.

It can be with one airline or with several different airlines.

You buy two separate flights to get to your destination. It can also be more than two flights. No matter how many flights you have, it’s a self-transfer, and it’s fully your responsibility. If you miss a connecting flight due to delay of the previous flight, it’s your responsibility. That’s also the biggest risk with self-transfer.

You also check in separately for every flight.

You collect and recheck baggage for every flight.

Sometimes you change airports between flights.

We have an in-depth guide to self-transfer flights.

Self transfers are more common with low cost airlines like Wizz Air, easyJet and Ryanair. But you can also have a self transfer with full service airlines like Lufthansa or KLM — if you book several flights separately, or if you book one flight with one airline, and another flight with another airline.

2. Are Self-Transfer Flights Safe?

Generally speaking, self-transfers aren’t safe.

They are much less safe than airline-protected connecting flights. For example, having a very short, 45-minute layover is super risky with self self-transfer. However, it is possible to make self-transfer flights much safer.

What are these risks? And how ways to avoid them?

2.1 It’s a Self Transfer at the Airport

The very fact that it’s a self-transfer means it’s more risky.

The fact that it’s you planning a transfer, not the airline. The fact that you take care of your baggage at the airport (collecting and rechecking for your next flight).

Let’s assume you are arriving with a delay and are now about to miss the next flight. No one knows about that. Your airline has no idea why you aren’t boarding the plane. They may think you don’t want to fly anymore. They don’t know that you are only arriving and on what airplane. They don’t know that it might be very helpful to wait just for 5 or 10 extra minutes.

You plan your layovers and stopovers.

You are responsible for missing anything.

Learn more: Layovers vs Stopovers

2.2 You Are Responsible If You Miss a Connecting Flight or Flights

With connecting flights, if you miss the next flight, the airline gives you a new flight.

With self-transfer flights, no airline gives you a new flight for free.

In both cases, there will be situations when you will have a right to compensation or care from the airline. The main difference is that with connecting flights, there are more situations when you are eligible for flight compensation in the EU / UK.

2.3 You Can Make It Safer

There are three best ways you can do it.

1. Have a good plan. Don’t risk with too short layovers. Travel light. Have a plan B. This is the easiest thing to do, and it requires no money.
2. Book a safe self-transfer. Kiwi self-transfer is one of the best options. It comes with insurance right away. It gives you extras like an option to check in for several flights at once. You also book several flights with a single purchase. Plus, in some situations, Kiwi Guarantee will give you a free flight if you miss your connection.
3. Buy travel insurance. What’s the difference between 2 and 3? Do you need both? It’s a good idea to have both. You see, when you are eligible, Kiwi Guarantee will give you a new flight right away. For free. Travel insurance won’t do that. They will pay you afterwards. At the same time, Kiwi Guarantee won’t protect you against anything else, like health problems abroad. That’s why it’s a good idea to have both — a safe self-transfer flight and travel insurance.

3. When to Buy Travel Insurance?

The sooner you do it, the better.

Because this is when it starts working. This is when it starts protecting you against possible flight or itinerary changes. So, book a flight and buy travel insurance right afterwards. And thank me later.

Flight changes may happen at any time on any day.

They may also happen one day after you have bought a flight. They may also happen literary 5 minutes after you make a booking. You can’t predict that. The airline may reschedule your flight, and it may destroy your travel plans. That’s why it’s important to buy insurance as soon as possible.

Duration of insurance? Duration of your trip.

You don’t need to buy it with a starting day of today. And it will still protect you against itinerary changes. Already starting from today. This is how travel insurances work when it comes to flight itinerary changes.

4. Are Self-Transfer Flights Bad?

In short, no, self-transfer flights aren’t bad. You just have to know the rules. And if you know the rules, if you know how self-transfer flights work, you may also have a great travel experience.

In many cases self self-transfer is the only or the best option.

What’s your experience with airport self-transfer? How do you book self-transfer flights? Do you do it directly or with flight booking websites? Do you buy travel insurance?