The Best Onward Ticket Sites Compared

For digital nomads, one-way flights represent freedom. Spontaneously hopping from place to place is a life that many dream about – except, of course, for those pesky onward travel requirements.

Enter onward ticket services, which help travelers fulfill the “proof of onward travel” requirement without actually buying a return flight. Our guide reviews four of the best providers in the industry, covering factors such as pricing, validity, and booking speed. 

How We Chose Them

We narrowed down the plethora of onward ticket services into four reputable sites. Our analysis covers both the pros and the cons of each company, covering essential factors like cost, validity, booking speed, and user ratings. Finally, our buying guide goes into further detail about onward travel requirements and how you can get around them as a digital nomad.

Compare the Best Onward Ticket Sites

Onward Ticket

Excellent for speed, customer support

OneWayFly

Excellent for speed, customization

We appreciate that OneWayFly features a user-friendly interface, with a booking process that takes less than a minute. The company provides both onward flight and hotel reservations that you can show to migration officials. OneWayFly offers more optionality than some competitors, including an option to book a hotel itinerary and multiple passengers. 

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Pros & Cons

✅Hotel booking option available.

✅Get your documents within 60 seconds. 

✅Round trip and advance booking options available. 

❌Customer service options aren’t as robust as Onward Ticket.

❌OneWayFly is more expensive than competitors. 

BestOnwardticket

Excellent for long validity, flight choice

View Plans

Base Price

Starting at $12

Validity

48 hours, extendable for 14 days

Features

round trip, advance booking, multiple passengers, flight choice

Editor’s Take

BestOnwardticket differs from other providers in that you have the option to actually purchase the flight at the end of the booking window. The service provides proof of onward departure that you can show to migration officials. BestOnwardticket allows you to choose an individual flight rather than assigning one automatically, and you can also extend the validity window to 14 days for an additional fee.

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Pros & Cons

✅Tickets extendable for up to two weeks.

✅Purchase option available.

✅You can choose a specific flight and airline. 

❌Customer service is by email only. 

❌No option for hotel itinerary. 

TopOnwardTicket

Excellent for budget

View Plans

Base Price

Starting at $10

Validity

48 hours

Features

round trip, advance booking, hotel option

Editor’s Take

TopOnwardTicket provides proof of onward departure for just $10, which is lower than other services on our list. The company provides both onward flight and hotel reservations that you can show to migration officials. The catch is that TopOnwardTicket’s office is only open during certain hours, so you must book within this window if you want immediate service.

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Pros & Cons

✅Lower prices than competitors. 

✅Hotel booking option available. 

❌Limited customer service and booking hours. 

❌No option for multiple passengers. 

Onward Ticket Service Buying Guide

What is an onward ticket service?

For a small fee, onward ticket services provide temporary documentation that you can show to migration officials. Note that this is not a fake ticket. The companies on our list all generate real airline or hotel reservations, complete with confirmation numbers. In other words, if an official was to search for your reservation, they would find that the flight actually exists. After a set period of time, the ticket is automatically canceled, allowing you to continue your journey stress-free. 

Countries that require proof of onward travel

Over 40 countries mandate that you present proof of onward departure before they will allow you to enter. Requirements may vary depending on your home country’s relationship with your destination, but in general, the list includes the following countries: 

What to expect with obtaining proof of onward travel

In practice, onward travel requirements are enforced by the airlines. The gate agent will often require that you present proof of a return flight ticket before allowing you to board the plane. Migration officials may also ask for proof of your return flight, especially if you are applying for a nomad visa. 

Your itinerary should last from the time that you show up at the airport until the time that you arrive at your destination and clear customs. The standard onward travel service provides proof that lasts 24-48 hours. Some services on our list provide tickets instantly, although others may take up to 8 hours. 

Alternatives for providing proof of onward travel

Aside from onward ticket services, many airlines offer fully-refundable tickets. However, you will need to go through the steps of obtaining your refund later on, which can be time-consuming. You might also consider booking a return flight that allows itinerary changes, just in case you change your travel plans down the road.