Vueling Self-Transfer Flights

What does self-transfer mean when booking flights?

A self-transfer means your journey is made up of flights booked separately rather than under one reservation. Instead of relying on a traditional connecting flight ticket, you are responsible for managing the transfer yourself — from collecting your baggage to checking in again for the next flight, often with a different airline. Unlike standard connections, where everything is handled under a single booking, self-transfer itineraries put the connection process entirely in your hands.

In this article, we’ll break down how Vueling self-transfer flights work and how you can make the most of them when planning your next trip with Vueling.

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What is a Self-Transfer Flight?

What does self-transfer mean in flights?

A self-transfer flight is a journey where you handle the connection yourself rather than relying on a single, combined booking (it’s called a “connecting flight“).

For example, you might fly from Barcelona to Rome with Airline A, then take a separate flight from Rome to Athens with Airline B. Because these tickets are booked independently, they aren’t linked in the airline systems — meaning you’ll need to collect your baggage, pass through security or immigration if required, and check in again for the next flight.

Although self-transfer travel requires more planning and effort, it can often be cheaper and offers greater flexibility when choosing airlines, routes, and timing.

How Do You Know If Your Flight Is a Self-Transfer?

You likely have a self-transfer if your flights were booked separately, come with different booking numbers, or are operated by different airlines without appearing under one reservation.

Another strong indicator is when your itinerary requires changing airports between flights — something traditional connections rarely involve.

Vueling Self-Transfer Flights

Vueling self-transfer flights are easy to book online and give you full control over how you build your itinerary.

You can choose multiple Vueling flights, or mix a Vueling leg with flights from other airlines — including both low-cost and traditional carriers. Because each segment is booked separately, these flights are not issued on a single ticket, which means you are responsible for managing the connection yourself.

In practice, this might look like booking a Vueling flight to one European city, then arranging a second flight — with Vueling or another airline — to continue your journey. Since the bookings are independent, you’ll need to check in for each flight individually, collect and recheck your baggage, and allow enough time between flights to make the transfer comfortably.

Self-transfer gives you more flexibility and sometimes lower prices, but it also requires more planning and attention to detail.

Vueling Self Transfer Flights: Baggage

Baggage is not automatically transferred on self-transfer flights because each leg is booked separately, and the airlines’ systems do not link the reservations.

Here’s what to expect with baggage on self-transfer itineraries:

• You must collect your luggage at the layover airport and check it in again for your next flight.
• Always allow extra time for customs, immigration, security, and the re-check-in process.
• Even if you’re flying on two Vueling flights which were booked separately (or easyJet, Wizz Air, and other low-cost airlines), your bags will not be transferred between them.
• If your itinerary involves switching terminals or even airports — for example, from London Heathrow to Gatwick — you must take your bags with you and transport them yourself.

In short, with self-transfers, you are fully responsible for moving both yourself and your baggage from one flight to the next.

Missed Vueling Self-Transfer Flights

What to do if you miss your self-transfer flight with Vueling?

You are not as protected as you would be with a regular connecting flight. If you miss your Vueling self-transfer connection, you’ll be responsible for arranging — and paying for — a new flight, accommodation, and any other expenses.

Here’s a step-by-step guide (when missing Vueling self-transfer flights):

• Rebook flights: Visit the Vueling customer service desk at the airport for assistance in booking the next available flight. Be prepared to pay full price, especially if rebooking at the last minute. You can book a new flight online, too.
• Find a place to stay: If rebooking for the same day isn’t possible, search for nearby hotels. Note that airlines typically don’t provide accommodation assistance for missed self-transfer flights.
• Stay calm: Remain calm. Stressing won’t help, so take your time to think clearly about the next steps.
• Know your rights: Even with a self-transfer itinerary, you still have passenger rights — but they apply to each individual flight, not your entire journey. If one of your flights is delayed or cancelled, you may be entitled to flight compensation for that specific leg. You also retain your right to care for each flight, meaning the operating airline must provide meals, refreshments, communication access, and hotel accommodation. However, if a delay or cancellation on the first flight causes you to miss your next separately booked flight, airlines are not responsible for your missed connection.

Read more:

• Vueling Flight Delay Compensation
• Vueling Flight Cancellation Compensation
• Vueling Denied Boarding Compensation
• Vueling Refund for a Cancelled Flight

Vueling Self-Transfer Flight Compensation

Even with a self-transfer itinerary, you still have passenger rights — but they apply to each individual flight, not your entire journey. If one of your flights is delayed or cancelled, you may be entitled to flight compensation for that specific leg.

• If your initial flight is cancelled on short notice (less than 14 days before departure) and it’s the airline’s fault, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
• If your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more and it’s due to the airline’s fault, you can also receive flight delay compensation.
• If you are denied boarding due to overbooking, you are entitled to flight overbooking compensation.

However, this applies only to the single flight, not the entire connection.

If the final leg of your journey is delayed or cancelled, the situation may actually work in your favour. Compensation under EU261 and UK261 is based on flight distance, not ticket price, so you might receive more money than the cost of your ticket. And because it’s the last flight of your trip, you’re not at risk of missing any onward connections — making the disruption less damaging overall.

Right to Care From Vueling

Yes, your connection isn’t protected.

However, with each separate flight, you still have all your rights.

For instance, if your flight is delayed overnight, or if it’s cancelled and rescheduled for the next day, you still have a right to free hotel stay.

If your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more, you’re entitled to free meals and access to communication (such as calls or emails) from Vueling or the airline operating your flight.

This is called “right to care“.

Vueling Connecting Flights vs Self-Transfer Flights

Vueling connecting flights are different from self-transfer flights.

With a self-transfer, you’re responsible for everything: checking in for each flight separately, handling your baggage between flights, and arranging — and paying for — a new ticket if you miss your onward connection. Every segment is treated as an independent journey.

Connecting flights, on the other hand, offer a much more seamless experience. Your luggage is transferred automatically to your next flight, and your entire trip is covered under a single reservation. If you miss a connection due to a delay on an earlier leg, the airline is responsible for rebooking you at no extra cost.

Although Vueling is primarily a low-cost carrier, it does provide traditional-style connecting flights similar to those offered by airlines like Lufthansa or KLM. These connections typically route through major hubs such as Barcelona, Rome Fiumicino, and Paris Orly, allowing you to travel across the network under one protected booking.

Connecting flights benefits:

• You can get all your boarding passes at check-in, so you don’t need to check in for each flight separately.
• No need to collect your baggage during a stopover; check it in at your departure airport and retrieve it at your final destination.
• If you miss your connecting flight, you can get a new ticket.
• Missing your connecting flight might also qualify you for Vueling missed connection compensation for the entire journey.
• You have a right to care while waiting for your new flight.

Vueling Global

Vueling Global itineraries also work as Vueling self-transfer flights, but with one key difference: they come with added protection through Dohop’s ConnectSure service.

This means that if a delay on one flight causes you to miss the next, Dohop will rebook you on an alternative connection at no extra cost. However, the journey still functions like a self-transfer in practical terms — your luggage is not transferred automatically, and you must check in for each flight separately. So while you get extra security compared to a standard self-transfer, you still need to manage the physical transfer process yourself.

Read more:

• The Difference Between Vueling Connecting Flights and Vueling Global
• Vueling Connecting Flights