Single fares more expensive than return fares?

We're planning a trip to South Africa next year, and were thinking about flying in to Cape Town and home from Johannesburg.

But looking at flights, a return on the rough dates we plan to go a one way flight to either is about £1000 and a return flight is about £900.

Is it really about twice as expensive to fly into one, and out of the other, rather than a return to one or the other?

you can do an open jaw return flight, into one airport, out from another

choose "more options" on the flight page

[Nottingham Nick]

The reason single fares are so dear is that they are booked in the most expensive bucket in each fare class. Y in Economy for example

Penny's advice is spot on.. y)


Nick

But looking at flights, a return on the rough dates we plan to go a one way flight to either is about £1000 and a return flight is about £900.

Single flights are always priced for the most expensive fare buckets as you cannot meet the 'Saturday night rule'

As Penny says you need to look for open jaw tickets which do get priced in the cheapest fare buckets and meet the Saturday night rule as well (assuming that your stay does include a Saturday night) rather than as two single fares.

Thanks Penny - that's much better looking!