Skyscanner is a popular travel search engine that enables users to compare and book flights, hotels, and car rentals from a wide range of providers. The company was founded in 2003 and has since grown to become one of the most widely used travel search engines on the web. In this article, we will explore Skyscanner in detail, discussing its features, strengths, and weaknesses, and helping you understand how to get the most out of the site.

Using Skyscanner

Using Skyscanner is simple and straightforward. The homepage offers you a range of options, including flights, hotels, and car rentals. You can enter your desired destination, departure and return dates, and the number of travelers. Once you have entered your search parameters, Skyscanner will display a list of options from various providers, enabling you to compare prices and choose the best deal.

One of the best things about Skyscanner is the ability to search for flexible dates. This is particularly useful if you are looking to save money on your travels. By entering a range of dates instead of specific dates, you can often find cheaper flights, hotels, and car rentals.

Another useful feature of Skyscanner is the ability to search for flights to "everywhere." This option is particularly helpful if you're looking for inspiration or don't have a specific destination in mind. You can enter your departure airport and select "everywhere" as your destination, and Skyscanner will show you a list of the cheapest flights to various destinations.

Searching for hotels on Skyscanner is just as easy as searching for flights. You can enter your destination, check-in and check-out dates, and the number of guests, and Skyscanner will display a list of available hotels. You can also use the map view to see the locations of the hotels and filter the results based on price, rating, and other factors.

Booking on Skyscanner

Once you have found a flight, hotel, or car rental that you want to book, Skyscanner will redirect you to the provider's website to complete the booking. Skyscanner does not handle the actual booking process, but it does provide a convenient way to compare prices and options from different providers.

Skyscanner also offers a range of tools to help you save money on your bookings. For example, you can set up price alerts for flights, hotels, and car rentals. Skyscanner will notify you when prices for your selected travel dates and destination drop, enabling you to book at the lowest price.

Skyscanner also offers a "best time to book" feature, which uses historical data to recommend the best time to book flights to specific destinations. This feature can help you save money by booking at the right time.

Mobile App

Skyscanner's mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices and offers all the same features as the desktop site. The app is easy to use and features a simple and intuitive interface. You can search for flights, hotels, and car rentals, set up price alerts, and manage your bookings directly from the app.

One of the best features of the Skyscanner app is the ability to track your flight status. You can enter your flight details, and the app will provide real-time updates on your flight status, including any delays or cancellations.

Strengths of Skyscanner

Skyscanner's biggest strength is its ability to search for the best deals from a wide range of providers. The site has partnerships with over 1,200 travel providers, including airlines, hotels, and car rental companies. This enables users to compare prices and options from a variety of providers and find the best deal.

Skyscanner also offers a range of features that make it easy to find the best travel deals. For example, the "everywhere" search feature and flexible date search enable users to find the cheapest flights, hotels, and car rentals. The price alerts and "best time to book" features can also help users save money on their bookings.

Skyscanner also has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. The site and app are well-designed and offer a range of filters and sorting options to help users find the best options for their travel needs. The search results are displayed clearly, and the user can easily compare the prices and options of different providers.

Weaknesses of Skyscanner

While Skyscanner has many strengths, it also has some weaknesses. One of the biggest complaints about Skyscanner is the pricing accuracy. Sometimes the prices displayed on Skyscanner do not match the prices on the provider's website. This is because the prices are often cached, and the provider may have changed the price since Skyscanner last checked. Therefore, it's always best to double-check the prices on the provider's website before booking.

Another potential issue with Skyscanner is that it does not always show all available options. While Skyscanner searches a wide range of providers, it does not search all providers. Therefore, it's a good idea to check other travel search engines or directly with the provider to ensure you are getting the best deal.

Finally, Skyscanner does not handle the booking process directly. This means that if there are any issues with the booking, the user will need to contact the provider directly to resolve them. This can be inconvenient if the user needs to make changes to the booking, and the provider's customer service is not helpful.

Conclusion

Overall, Skyscanner is an excellent travel search engine that offers a range of features to help users find the best deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals. The site and app are easy to use, and the search results are displayed clearly, making it easy to compare prices and options from a wide range of providers.

While Skyscanner has some weaknesses, such as pricing accuracy and limited search results, it remains a popular and useful tool for travelers around the world. Whether you're planning a long vacation or a quick weekend getaway, Skyscanner can help you find the best travel deals and save money on your bookings.