Finding the best flight deals can be one of the most time-consuming parts of planning a trip, but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re hunting for a budget-friendly option or a last-minute deal, there are plenty of websites and apps out there that make booking flights easy and, most importantly, affordable. In this post, we’ll share some of the best websites and apps we use to book flights—and why they’re worth checking out.
Skyscanner: Best for Flexibility and Price Comparison
If you’re looking for a flight comparison tool that gives you a wide range of options, Skyscanner is a great starting point. I love how it lets you search for flights not just by destination but by month or even year, helping you spot the cheapest times to travel. Skyscanner pulls data from a wide variety of airlines and booking sites, so you can compare prices across the board.
One of the best features is the “Everywhere” search option, where you can choose “anywhere” as your destination, and Skyscanner will show you the cheapest flights from your location to cities all around the world. It’s a great tool for spontaneous travelers or those looking for the best possible deal.
Pro Tip: Use the “Price Alert” feature to monitor flight prices and get notified when they drop.
Google Flights: Best for Easy Navigation and Insights
Google Flights is my go-to for simple, user-friendly flight searches. What I love about Google Flights is its intuitive interface, which makes it incredibly easy to compare different flights and travel dates. Google Flights also provides insights like price trends, which helps you figure out if you’re getting a good deal or if it’s worth waiting a few days for prices to drop.
Another awesome feature is the interactive map, which shows you a range of destinations and prices from your departure city, making it easy to explore new places and find affordable options.
Pro Tip: If your travel dates are flexible, Google Flights will show you a calendar with color-coded prices, so you can easily spot the cheapest days to fly.
Momondo: Best for Finding Hidden Gems
Momondo is another flight comparison website that’s perfect for finding those “hidden gem” flights—whether it’s a budget airline you haven’t thought of or a lesser-known route that offers a better deal. The platform searches a wide variety of airlines, including low-cost carriers, which helps you uncover some unexpected options that you might miss on other sites.
Momondo also includes a “Trip Finder” feature, where you can enter your budget and desired destination type (e.g., beach, city, nature) and it will suggest a range of options that fit your preferences. This feature is fantastic if you’re still figuring out where you want to go.
Pro Tip: Check out the “Flight Insight” section, which shows you historical data about flight prices and how flexible dates can save you money.
Kayak: Best for Comprehensive Trip Planning
Kayak is a fantastic all-in-one tool that lets you search not only for flights but also hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. It’s especially useful for travelers who want to bundle their trip into one seamless booking process. Kayak also offers a feature called “Explore,” which shows you the best destinations based on your budget and the time of year.
Kayak’s “Price Forecast” feature helps you understand whether flight prices are likely to rise or drop, so you can make a more informed decision about when to book.
Pro Tip: Set up a “Price Alert” so you can get notifications when a flight you’re watching drops in price.
Hopper: Best for Predicting Future Flight Prices
If you’re planning a trip months in advance, Hopper is the app to check out. This app is known for its price prediction feature, which uses historical data to forecast whether flight prices will go up or down in the coming weeks or months. If Hopper tells you to wait a little longer, you could save a substantial amount.
Hopper also has a user-friendly interface and sends push notifications when it’s the best time to book, ensuring you don’t miss out on the best deals.
Pro Tip: If you’re not sure when to book, let Hopper’s algorithm decide for you and track prices until it suggests the best time to buy.
Airline Websites: Best for Loyalty Programs and Direct Deals
While third-party booking sites are great for comparison, don’t forget to check the airlines’ official websites. Often, booking directly with an airline can give you access to special promotions, exclusive discounts, or even the ability to use loyalty points if you’re a frequent flyer.
Airlines like Southwest, Ryanair, and easyJet (to name a few) may not show up on third-party sites, so it’s always worth checking their websites directly.
Pro Tip: Many airlines offer loyalty programs where you can accumulate points or miles toward future flights, which can save you money in the long run.
Secret Flying: Best for Last-Minute Deals and Error Fares
For the truly adventurous or flexible traveler, Secret Flying is an amazing resource for finding insanely cheap flights, including error fares, last-minute deals, and “mistake” fares. The website frequently posts limited-time offers for international flights, often at huge discounts (sometimes as much as 50-70% off).
It’s a great resource if you’re flexible with your travel dates and want to find a deal that others might not even know about.
Pro Tip: Set up email alerts on Secret Flying so you’re always the first to know when a deal pops up.
