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Skyscanner vs Google Flights: Finding Cheapest Flights
When it comes to finding cheap flights, there are a lot of options out there. Some people prefer to use Skyscanner, while others prefer to search with Google Flights.
So, which is the best option for finding flight deals?
In this blog post, I will compare Skyscanner vs Google Flights and help you decide which is the best tool for finding cheap flights!
Skyscanner and Google Flights are both great tools for finding cheap flights. While they both have their pros and cons, Google Flights provides live updates on prices so you can see the most accurate price, while Skyscanner finds the cheapest fares.
Below, I’ll go over the pros and cons of each search engine and help you decide which is the best option for you.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
What is Skyscanner?
Skyscanner is a search engine that allows you to compare prices of flights from different airlines. It’s one of the original flight search tools and has been around for 20 years.
Skyscanner searches for flights, as well as car rentals and hotels, from over 1,200 providers, and it’s a great option if you’re looking for the cheapest flight possible.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Skyscanner Features
Search “Everywhere”
One of the great things about Skyscanner is that you can search for flight deals to “Everywhere”.
This is a great option if you’re flexible with your destination.
Enter your departure airport and select “Everywhere” as your destination.
Skyscanner will then show you a list of the cheapest places to fly to.
The cheapest fare is at the top of the list and as you scroll down, the fares increase in price.
Choose a destination and click the down arrow on the right side to view the details, such as prices to specific cities, as well as number of stops.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Cheapest Month Search
Skyscanner also allows you to be flexible with your travel dates.
This is a great option if you have flexibility with when you can travel.
Enter your departure airport and desired destination, and then select “Whole Month” or “Cheapest Month” under “Dates”.
Skyscanner will then show you a calendar with the cheapest fares for each day of the month.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Search by Weather
This is one of the best features of Skyscanner: you can search for flights and destinations by weather!
This is great if you’re looking to escape the cold weather and find a warm destination.
Or maybe you’re looking to experience a white winter.
The travel guides and articles found in the Travel News section also recommend some of the best destinations to travel for each month. Search the articles for the month that you are wanting to travel in and see Skyscanner’s recommendations for where to go.
You can also search the best beach destinations or winter activities, and read through Skyscanner’s recommendations.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Recommended for You
Based on your search history on Skyscanner and similar searches by other users, the search engine will recommend flight deals from your departure airport for you.
This is a great way to find some inspiration on new destinations that you may not have considered before.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Search by Map
Skyscanner allows you to search on a map, so you can narrow down your options based on location.
This is a great option if you have a general region that you want to stay in, but you’re not set on a specific destination yet.
This feature can also help you find budget flights by looking at the cheapest place to fly to from your destination.
It’s also a great option if you’re considering flights to different destinations. You can quickly see the different fares displayed on the map, which helps you choose an area to consider.
Zoom out on the map and you can see the cheapest flight prices for the region you are considering.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Advanced Filters
Both Skyscanner and Google Flights have filters that you can apply to find the perfect flight for you.
One of the big differences between the two is that Skyscanner’s filters are very visible on the left-side of the page, while Google Flights’ filters are less obvious.
Some of the filters that are unique to Skyscanner include being able to search for:
- Flexible tickets
- Greener choices
- Multi-city flights
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Price Alerts
Skyscanner also has a price alert feature, which will send you an email alert when the price drops.
This allows you to monitor the flight you are eyeing, or decide between different destinations so you can get the best possible price.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
User Friendly Interface
Skyscanner’s interface is more user-friendly than Google Flights.
It’s easy to navigate, the filters are very visible, and the results are displayed in an easy-to-read list with drop-down menus for more details.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Car and Hotel Bookings All At Once
Once you have decided on a flight, Skyscanner makes it easy to book both your hotel and rental car in one go.
Before you finish booking your ticket, you can complete your trip by comparing hotels and finding rental cars. This way, you can be sure to get the best deal on your entire trip, not just your flight.
Both options are located on the right-hand side and open in new windows, so you won’t lose your flight information.
Or, as you’re browsing the flight options, you can click on the light-blue tabs beside the “Flights tab” for “Car Rental” and “Hotel” search options. Your flight information transfers right over.
This is a great option if you’re looking for a complete vacation package deal.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Skyscanner App
Skyscanner has a great app, which makes it easy to search for flights on the go.
The app is available on both iOS and Android devices, and includes the same great features that are on the website.
The “Explore” tab allows you to see the best deals on flights; whether you’re looking for seasonal deals, weekend getaways, or you want to search “Everywhere”.
There’s also a timeline option where you can view the best flight options in the near future.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Includes Travel Guides
Skyscanner offers travel guides and resources on everything travel related.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, destination ideas, travel news, or advice on flying, Skyscanner has an article for you.
You can browse the tips and inspiration page or explore cities, airports, and countries on the menu at the bottom of any page on Skyscanner.
Choosing a city to explore will provide you with information of when is the cheapest time to fly, as well as everything you need to know about flying to that city.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Includes Online Travel Agency and Mistake Fares
Skyscanner searches small online travel agencies, which sometimes have cheaper fares.
Skyscanner also includes mistake fares in their searches, which happens as airlines sometimes make mistakes with their pricing. Even though it’s a mistake, it’s still possible to book that fare.
This means that you’re more likely to find a cheap flight when searching using Skyscanner than Google Flights.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Cons of Skyscanner
Doesn’t Live Update
Skyscanner does not have live updates, which means that the prices you see might not be accurate, especially for less frequently searched routes.
Skyscanner updates its prices as users search for flights, so more frequently searched routes will have more up-to-date pricing.
If you find a price difference between the search results and the actual price displayed by the airline, Skyscanner suggests contacting them and they will investigate further.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Ghost Fares
Sometimes Skyscanner displays ghost fares that are no longer active.
If this is the case, you’ll find that when you select the flight, the price is more expensive than the original search result. It may also state to call the airline to book instead of displaying a flight price.
While this is frustrating, it’s not unique to Skyscanner. This happens on Google Flights as well.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Need to Vet Travel Agencies and Cheaper Airlines
While Skyscanner is doing its best to search for cheap flights for you, you may need to do a bit of research on the travel agency or airline to make sure it’s reputable.
You can see an Online Travel Agency’s star rating on Skyscanner, but it’s always best to do your own research as well before spending your money.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
What is Google Flights?
While Skyscanner is a great option for finding cheap flights, Google Flights should not be overlooked.
Another flight search engine, Google Flights searches more than 300 airlines to find you the best flight deal.
Google Flights Features
Map Search
One of the best features of Google Flights is the search map. This way, you can see flight prices to various destinations all at once.
It’s an easy to use map that displays flight prices to different destinations from your airport. You can also see how long the flight is, and which airline the price is available with.
As you zoom in or zoom out on the map, the destinations and prices automatically update.
This is a great feature if you’re flexible on destinations, as you can search for flights within your budget and even explore somewhere new!
Calendar View
If you’re flexible on dates, this is easily one of my favourite features to use.
Simply click on the “Calendar View” button and you’ll be able to see two months worth of flight prices at once, so you can choose the cheapest dates to fly.
Best Flight Section
Google helps you filter your search by choosing the best flights for you.
Once you’ve done a sample search and chosen a destination and date, Google will highlight the best flights for you at the top of the flight search results page.
These are the best results based on price and total time, saving you the time and effort of scrolling through all the results.
Flight Insights
This is a feature that Skyscanner does not have.
Once you’ve narrowed down your dates and destinations, Google will let you know if there are cheaper days to fly on either side of your selected dates.
You can change your dates and view the prices for different dates in the price grid.
This is really helpful if you’re flexible on dates!
Google Flights will also tell you if the flight price is high, low, or average for your trip, so you know if you are getting a good deal.
The search results also provide information on how often flights are delayed and what type of baggage, if any, is included in the price shown.
Search Up to 7 Destinations at Once
Google Flights lets you search up to 7 destinations or departure airports at once.
This is really helpful if you’re looking for a cheaper flight and are flexible on your destination or departure airport.
User Friendly Interface
While Skyscanner and Google Flights share many of the same features, a big difference between the two is the interface.
While Skyscanner has a fun and friendly interface, Google has more of a minimal and clean approach.
With a white background and filters that are tucked away, Google Flights has a simple layout and is easy to navigate, making it a good choice for simple searches.
Price Alerts
Google allows you to track prices of flights or routes, and set a price alert so you will be notified when prices change.
An alert is also sent if they think that prices might rise, so you can be prepared to book before the price increases.
View Plane Details Upon Booking
Once you’ve selected a flight, Google provides information on the plane, including legroom, WIFI, and USB outlets.
This is helpful to have all in one place, as you can see if the flight suits your needs before booking.
Live Updates Fares
One thing that Google Flights has that Skyscanner doesn’t is live updates on fares.
This means that the prices you see are the most up-to-date, so you can book with confidence knowing that the price won’t change when you click to pay.
Cons of Google Flights
Doesn’t Include Mistake Fares and Online Travel Agencies
Unlike Skyscanner, Google Flights doesn’t search many of the small online travel agencies.
This means that Google doesn’t always find the cheapest deals or the mistake fares that happen when fares are accidentally discounted by a huge percentage.
So while Google Flights is great for finding low prices, you might miss out on some super cheap fares.
Ghost Fares
Google Flights sometimes displays ghost fares, which is when the price shown no longer exists and the real fare is much higher.
This also happens on Skyscanner and other flight search engines, so it isn’t unique to Google Flights, but it can be really frustrating, especially if you’ve found a great deal!
Skyscanner vs Google Flights: Which is better?
While they both have their pros and cons, Skyscanner is the overall better choice.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Which Has Cheaper Flights?
While both Google Flights and Skyscanner show cheap flights for most destinations, sometimes Skyscanner takes longer to update their fares to the lowest price that Google shows.
However, Google Flights can miss out on mistake fares or travel agency deals so you may not find the absolute cheapest fares on this search engine.
If you’re looking for the cheapest flights possible, Skyscanner is the best option, as it searches a wider variety of online travel agencies.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Final Verdict: Skyscanner vs Google Flights
While both Skyscanner and Google Flights have a lot to offer, Skyscanner is the better overall choice to search for cheap flights.
If you’re looking for live updates on prices, Google Flights is a great choice, even if it’s not the absolute lowest fare.
But if you want the cheapest flights possible, Skyscanner is your best choice, as they can pick up mistake fares and online deals.
Skyscanner is also a better choice for using filters and it’s a fun interface with plenty of helpful tips and resources. This provides a better, and more complete user experience.
Just be careful and verify who you are booking through.
Have you ever used Skyscanner or Google Flights to book a flight? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments below!
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
FAQs:
Is there something better than Google flights?
There are a few different flight search engines that can sometimes offer cheaper prices than Google Flights, such as Skyscanner or Momondo. It’s always worth checking a few different sites before booking to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
I prefer using Skyscanner to find cheap flights, as it can pick up deals that Google misses.
Why is Google Flights more expensive than Skyscanner?
There can be a few reasons why Google Flights might be more expensive than Skyscanner. One possibility is that Skyscanner is pulling from different airlines or booking sites than Google Flights, so it has access to cheaper flights. Another possibility is that the dates you’re searching for are cheaper on Skyscanner. Skyscanner has the capability to pull from smaller travel agents and to pull mistake fares, which can also result in the best price for a one-way flight or return flight.
Is it better to book flights through Google?
Not always.
Booking through a travel search engine like Google is the same as booking through a travel agent.
Ticket prices may be lower, but you’ll be booking through a third-party. This can mean that airlines won’t honour dietary requirements, will be more likely to bump you from a flight if it’s overbooked, and may not factor in your rewards points.
However, you’ll get a better idea of price differences and find the best flight deals, which can be well worth the minor inconveniences of not booking directly with an airline.
Are Skyscanner flights trustworthy?
Yes, Skyscanner is a reliable and trustworthy flight search engine.
Skyscanner is IATA accredited, meaning it meets strict international standards for safety and security.
You can book flights through Skyscanner with confidence, knowing that you’re getting the best price and that your personal information is safe and secure.
I’ve flown around the world multiple times over with flights I booked through Skyscanner.
Save on flights with Skyscanner!
Why is Google flights cheaper?
Google flights is cheaper than booking a flight ticket with major airlines because it uses a different business model.
Google flights doesn’t own any airplanes or have any flight crews.
It is an online travel agency that uses the inventory of other airlines to create its flight options. This means that it can often offer cheaper prices than the airlines themselves, as it doesn’t have the same overheads.
However, it doesn’t have the same discounts pulled as Skyscanner does.
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- How to Use a Travel Budget Planner Template to Help You Save Money
- How to Send Money Internationally with Wise.com: TransferWise Review for Travellers
