Travel

‘Trip-Chaining’: The new travel trend saving Brits up to a week of annual leave

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2025

Ryan Maxwell

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New data shows you can save £782 on multi-centre holidays to St Lucia and Barbados

Trip-chaining can save Brits up to 34 hours of travel time

Google searches for ‘Dubai multi-centre holidays’ are up by 1600%1

Travel expert weighs in on the travel trend

Holiday-goers in the UK are getting smarter with their travel plans as Brits look to maximise annual leave and reduce costs wherever possible.

More and more travellers are looking to solutions such as ‘extreme day tripping’ and ultimate long weekends, where Brits can tick off their bucket list destinations without sacrificing precious time off work, so much so that searches for ‘extreme day trips’ have increased by +430% in the last 12 months2.

For those planning longer getaways, trip-chaining is a growing trend which is in demand, with searches for ‘Dubai multi-centre holidays’ increasing +1600% in the last year alone.

Senior Business Development Director at Aways Holidays, Gianni Leone says: “Trip-chaining is where travellers visit multiple destinations in one holiday and has grown in popularity as people seek to get more value from long-haul flights.

Rather than spending two weeks in just one location, travellers are now combining city breaks with beach escapes or cultural hotspots with natural wonders, turning a single flight into a multi-stop adventure.

This approach not only stretches your experience but also reduces the need for multiple long-haul flights across the year, an appealing thought for those mindful of both money and carbon footprint.”

With this in mind, the experts at Away Holidays have analysed factors such as flight costs and travel time to reveal the biggest savings that can be made from trip-chaining destinations.

Trip-chaining savings

Route	Amount Saved by Flying Multi-Centre (£)	Time Saved
St Lucia & Barbados	782	33h 30m
Kuala Lumpur & Langkawi	639	23h 10m
Phuket & Koh Samui	598	30h 45m
Phuket & Surat Thani (Khao Sok)	577	27h 20m
Phuket & Krabi	566	26h 5m
Phuket & Chiang Mai	551	28h 40m
Maldives & Bahrain	487	11h 30m
Maldives & Abu Dhabi	486	17h 20m
Dubai & Phuket	467	10h 35m
Dubai & Mauritius	433	16h 35m
Dubai & Abu Dhabi	399	2h 45m
Los Angeles, San Francisco & Las Vegas	378	37h 50m
Singapore & Bali	346	34h 35m
Dubai & Bali	335	20h 25m
Dubai & Zanzibar	289	11h 55m
Dubai & Maldives	272	17h 10m

St Lucia & Barbados

Saving a total of £782 and 33h 30m, St Lucia and Barbados are the ultimate trip-chaining pair.

Gianni says: “St Lucia and Barbados work well together for a multi-centre trip thanks to their similar tropical climates, relaxed pace of life and shared Caribbean culture.

Both islands offer easy access to beaches, fresh seafood and Creole-influenced cuisine, making it simple to settle in and enjoy familiar comforts in each place. While Barbados is known for its lively nightlife and colonial history, St Lucia offers dramatic scenery and natural attractions like the Pitons and sulphur springs, so you get variety without sacrificing convenience.”

Kuala Lumpur & Langkawi

This Malaysian getaway could save you almost 24hours of travel time and a whopping £639 in associated travel costs.

Gianni says: “Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi are a smart choice for a multi-centre trip, combining city energy with island relaxation. Both share a tropical climate and a strong Malaysian identity, so the shift between them feels smooth.

In Kuala Lumpur, you’ll find modern skyscrapers, street food and shopping and in Langkawi, it’s all about beaches, rainforest and slower-paced island life. The food culture overlaps, think satay, nasi lemak and fresh seafood, while the short flight between them makes travel easy and efficient.”

Phuket and Koh Samui

This multi-centre pairing could save you up to £598 and up to 31 hours of travel time.

Gianni says: “Phuket and Koh Samui are ideal for a multi-centre Thai getaway, offering a balance of lively beaches, island culture and dependable tropical weather. Both islands have a laid-back atmosphere, with plenty of overlap in food, fresh seafood, spicy curries and local market snacks, but each has its own draw.