How does Skyscanner find cheap flights and what makes it different from booking sites?

Skyscanner compares prices from airlines and travel agencies in one search, then sends you to the partner you choose to book. It’s not a seller, so you see broader options, flexible date tools, and alerts that help catch price drops without added booking fees.

Can I use Skyscanner to book boutique hotels, resorts, hostels, and guesthouses too?

Yes. Skyscanner searches a wide range of accommodation types, from boutique and resort hotels to hostels and guesthouses. You can sort by rating, location, and amenities, then book with the provider that offers your preferred price and cancellation policy.

Does Skyscanner charge fees, and why do prices sometimes change at checkout?

Skyscanner is free to use and doesn’t add fees; you pay the airline or agency. Prices can shift because seats or rooms sell fast, taxes update, or providers refresh inventory. Turning on alerts and booking promptly helps lock in the fare you see.

How do Skyscanner Price Alerts and Cheapest Month searches actually save money?

Price Alerts notify you when fares rise or fall on routes you track, so you can pounce on drops. Cheapest Month shows when prices are lowest across a calendar, helping you adjust dates by days or weeks to grab significantly better deals without guesswork.

What should I check before booking car hire or luxury rentals through Skyscanner?

Review deposit, fuel, mileage, and insurance terms, plus pickup rules and driver age limits. Use filters for free cancellation and pay-at-pickup when you need flexibility. Bring a credit card and ID that match the booking to avoid delays at the counter.

Skyscanner

Name: Skyscanner
Brand: Skyscanner
Rating: 4.3 (8 reviews)

Best Flight Ticket WebsitesLuxury Car RentalResort HotelsMotorcycle RentalFlight Tickets

Skyscanner is a global travel search engine that compares flights, hotels, and car rentals to help y…

About Skyscanner

What is Skyscanner and how does it help you travel smarter? Skyscanner is a powerful, free travel search engine that compares prices across hundreds of airlines, online travel agencies, hotel providers, and car rental companies worldwide. Rather than selling you a ticket directly, Skyscanner helps you discover your best options in one place, then sends you to a trusted partner to complete the booking. It’s a time-saver for anyone planning a quick city break, a family road trip, or a long-haul adventure on a budget. With intuitive tools like flexible date searches, Everywhere destination inspiration, and customizable filters, Skyscanner is designed to surface the most relevant choices quickly. Whether you’re chasing the cheapest month to fly to New York, scouting boutique hotels in Lisbon, or comparing car hire at LAX, the experience centers on clarity and convenience. Flight, hotel, and car rental search in one place Skyscanner’s flight search is…

Highlights

Powerful price comparison across flights, hotels, and cars
Flexible date and Everywhere search for cheapest options
Free Price Alerts with timely notifications
Clear filters for baggage, cancellation, and amenities
Global coverage with localized currencies and support
Greener Choice indicators for lower-emission flights

Considerations

Bookings completed with third-party partners, not Skyscanner
Some low fares may exclude baggage or seat selection
Occasional price changes at checkout due to availability
Car hire insurance terms vary by provider and can be confusing

Frequently asked questions

Current deals at Skyscanner

Active promotions and perks — informational only, terms apply on the operator's site.

Free notifications

Summer Fare Drop Alerts

Track routes for late-summer and early-fall discounts with Price Alerts.

Requires Skyscanner account or app login; availability varies by route and airline.

Free cancellation picks

Flexible Hotel Rates

Filter for refundable stays to lock in today’s price and keep plans open.

Refund policies set by hotel or OTA; check terms before booking.

Up to 25% off

Car Hire Early-Bird Savings

Compare providers to snag advance-purchase discounts at major airports.

Discounts vary by supplier, location, and dates; blackout dates may apply.

Player reviews from the web

4.3 · 8 reviews

Review source breakdown

Source	Reviews	Avg rating
Trustpilot	2	4.3
Google	2	4.3
App Store	2	4.8
Reddit	1	3.5
Community	1	4.5

"Used Skyscanner to plan a May trip to Lisbon. The Whole Month view showed two cheaper weeks, and Price Alerts pinged me the day TAP fares dipped. Booked a boutique hotel in Chiado via a partner and it matched the price at check‑in."

"Great for comparing airlines side by side. I filtered for bags included and avoided a low-cost trap. Minor gripe: one OTA price jumped at checkout, but switching to the airline link kept the fare stable. Alerts were super helpful."

"The app is slick. I tracked JFK–BCN for weeks and got a push right before Black Friday. Saved $140 roundtrip. Also found a guesthouse in Gràcia with free breakfast using the map filters. Syncs perfectly across phone and laptop."

"It works, but read the fine print on car hire. One provider at MAN had a steep deposit I only noticed in the details. Switched to another supplier via Skyscanner with free cancellation and it was fine. Flight search remains top tier."

"Loved the Everywhere search. Ended up in Porto because it was cheapest that weekend. Hotel filters helped me pick a riverside boutique stay with parking. Payment went through the OTA smoothly and matched the rate emailed."

"Booked LAX car hire and a resort in Maui. The comparison made it easy to spot a prepaid rate with better insurance. Only downside: some listings didn’t include resort fees upfront, but these were flagged before final confirmation."