Best apps to find cheap flights: Your guide to saving on air travel!
Finding affordable flights can feel like a complex puzzle, with prices fluctuating constantly based on demand, season, and timing. Thankfully, there are apps specifically designed to help travelers find the best deals, making it easier to secure budget-friendly flights. By leveraging technology, these apps provide real-time price comparisons, fare predictions, and custom alerts, taking much of the guesswork out of booking a cheap flight. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best apps for finding affordable flights, explain their key features, and provide tips on how to make the most of them.
Benefits of using apps to find cheap flights
Using dedicated flight search apps brings several advantages to travelers aiming to book flights at lower costs. One of the biggest benefits is access to real-time price comparisons. Apps like Skyscanner and Google Flights pull data from a vast array of airlines, travel agencies, and booking platforms, making it easy to compare rates side-by-side. This means you can spot the best deal within seconds without needing to navigate multiple websites.
Another advantage is the price alerts these apps provide. Tools like Hopper and Skiplagged allow users to set up alerts for specific routes, notifying them whenever a price drops. This feature is invaluable for travelers who can be flexible with their booking timeline, allowing them to wait for the best possible price before finalizing their purchase. Many apps also offer predictive technology, analyzing past trends to give users insights on whether a price is likely to go up or down, helping travelers decide when to book.
Additionally, flight apps often include useful filters for customizing searches. Whether you’re looking for flights within a specific budget, flexible dates, or a preferred airline, these filters make it easy to narrow down options. Finally, many of these apps streamline the booking process, so you can reserve flights quickly and securely without extra hassle.
Key features to look for in a cheap flight app
Choosing the right app for finding cheap flights involves considering several important features. One essential feature is the option to set up price alerts. With customizable alerts, users receive notifications when there’s a drop in price for a selected route. This tool is especially useful for travelers who aren’t restricted to specific travel dates and can afford to wait for the best fare.
Another valuable feature is flexible date searching, which allows users to view fares across a range of dates to identify the cheapest options. This feature is found in apps like Skyscanner and Google Flights and can make a big difference in pricing, especially if you’re open to adjusting your departure or return dates.
Flight apps with fare predictions are also beneficial, as they use data analysis to forecast price changes. Apps like Hopper and Priceline provide advice on whether you should book immediately or wait, based on historical data. Lastly, apps with multi-city and layover options, like Skiplagged, allow travelers to search for “hidden city” tickets, sometimes resulting in significant savings on complex routes.
Top apps to find cheap flights
Here are some of the best apps to consider for finding affordable flights, each offering distinct features to help you score a great deal on your next trip.
1. Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a well-established app for comparing flights, hotels, and car rentals. With its global reach, Skyscanner pulls data from airlines and online travel agencies to provide a broad view of available fares. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive search functions make it a popular choice among budget travelers.
- Key features: Skyscanner’s flexible date search lets users view prices for an entire month, making it easier to choose the most affordable travel dates. The app also offers price alerts, which notify you of drops in airfare for selected routes. Additionally, it includes multi-city search options for travelers planning complex itineraries.
- Best for: Budget-conscious travelers who want comprehensive search options and an easy-to-use interface.
2. Hopper
Hopper takes flight booking to the next level by using predictive technology to forecast flight prices. The app analyzes billions of price points to predict whether prices for specific routes are expected to rise or fall in the coming weeks, allowing users to make informed booking decisions.
- Key features: Hopper’s fare prediction is its standout feature, with accuracy in price forecasts for up to 95% of routes. Users can set up alerts for specific flights or routes and receive notifications on the best times to book. Hopper also offers “Watch a Trip” to help users keep track of price fluctuations for their desired journey.
- Best for: Travelers with flexible dates who want to book flights at the lowest possible price based on predictive technology.
3. Google Flights
Google Flights is a simple yet powerful tool for finding affordable flights quickly. Its clean interface and fast search results make it easy to compare prices across airlines and dates, making it an ideal choice for travelers who value efficiency.
- Key features: Google Flights provides calendar-based fare views, allowing users to find the cheapest travel days. The “Explore” feature is excellent for flexible travelers, suggesting budget-friendly destinations based on your location. Google Flights also allows you to track prices for specific routes, with alerts sent to your email.
- Best for: Users seeking a fast and straightforward way to compare fares and who may also want to explore different destinations.
Google Flights is available just for desktop:
4. Momondo
Momondo is a travel search engine that offers in-depth fare comparisons. Known for its vibrant interface, the app not only compares flight prices but also includes data on baggage fees, ticket types, and travel insights, giving users a fuller picture of their options.
- Key features: Momondo’s fare alert system and flexible date search make it easy to track and find deals. The app also provides a “Trip Finder” tool, which offers travel suggestions based on budget, location, and travel style.
- Best for: Travelers looking for detailed flight information, including ticket type and additional costs.
5. Kiwi.com
Kiwi.com is unique for its “Nomad” feature, which allows users to book complex, multi-city itineraries at the best possible rates. It often combines different airlines to find the cheapest routes, even if it means unconventional layovers or connections.
- Key features: The app provides filters for budget, layovers, and travel time, offering “Kiwi.com Guarantee” protection for missed connections. Its innovative multi-stop search feature can be a great money-saver for adventurous travelers.
- Best for: Those planning multi-destination trips who want to save by booking unconventional flight routes.
6. Skiplagged
Skiplagged has a unique approach to flight deals by specializing in hidden city flights. These are flights where the layover city is the intended destination, allowing travelers to save money by skipping the last leg of the journey. While not for everyone, it’s a valuable tool for finding unusual deals.
- Key features: Skiplagged’s hidden city search shows results that other apps don’t, sometimes resulting in significant savings. It also provides regular fare comparisons, notifications, and hotel booking options.
- Best for: Experienced travelers looking for hidden deals and who understand the limitations and risks associated with hidden city ticketing.
7. Priceline
Priceline is known for its bidding feature, “Name Your Own Price,” which allows users to suggest their price for a flight. While this feature is primarily for hotels, Priceline also offers competitive flight deals, making it a valuable tool for flexible travelers.
- Key features: Along with flight deals, Priceline offers package discounts when users book flights, hotels, and rental cars together. The app provides flexible date search and price alerts for added convenience.
- Best for: Travelers seeking bundled discounts or willing to take a flexible approach to save on travel expenses.
Tips for booking flights with these apps
Using these apps strategically can maximize savings on flights. Begin by setting up alerts on routes you’re interested in. This way, you’ll be notified immediately when prices drop, giving you a chance to secure the best fare. For flexible travelers, using the calendar or flexible date search options can help uncover significantly cheaper fares on off-peak days. Also, keep an eye on fare predictions in apps like Hopper and Priceline, which advise on whether to book now or wait for potential drops in price.
See more: Best travel apps and the essential tools for planning and enjoying your trip
Another useful tactic is combining multiple apps. For example, you might start with Google Flights to get an overview of fares and then switch to Skiplagged or Kiwi.com to find hidden city options or alternative routes that save money.
Additional tips for finding flight deals
Aside from using these apps, a few general strategies can help travelers find better flight deals. First, consider booking flights on lower-demand days like Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as prices tend to be lower on these days. Another strategy is to book tickets well in advance but not too early; research shows that the best time to book is often between 3 to 6 weeks before the trip for domestic flights.
If you’re concerned about price hikes from repeated searches, try browsing in incognito mode. Some travelers believe that using this mode can prevent sites from tracking your search activity and raising prices based on demand.
By using a mix of apps and strategies, you can improve your chances of finding affordable flights, ensuring you stay within budget while exploring new destinations.
