How to Use Skyscanner to Find Cheap Flights Easily
Finding affordable airfare doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Skyscanner is a powerful, user-friendly flight search engine that helps travelers compare prices across hundreds of airlines and online travel agencies in seconds. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a long-haul international trip, learning how to use Skyscanner to find cheap flights easily can save you hundreds of dollars. With flexible date searches, fare alerts, and a clean interface, Skyscanner simplifies the process of uncovering the best deals without hidden fees or confusing filters. This guide walks you through every step to maximize your savings and book with confidence.
Why Choose Skyscanner for Flight Search?
Skyscanner stands out from other flight comparison tools because it searches across a wide range of carriers—including budget airlines—without favoring any specific provider. Unlike some platforms that prioritize paid placements, Skyscanner shows results based on price and relevance. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account for basic searches, and offers features like price tracking and flexible destination options that make it ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Another advantage is its “Everywhere” search option, which lets you explore the cheapest destinations from your departure city. This is especially useful if you’re flexible on where to go. For example, if you’re flying out of Chicago and open to any warm destination in December, Skyscanner can show you whether Cancun, Miami, or Puerto Vallarta offers the lowest fare—all in one view.
Step-by-Step: How to Use Skyscanner to Find Cheap Flights Easily
Using Skyscanner effectively comes down to a few smart strategies. Follow these steps to consistently find low fares:
1. Start with Broad Search Parameters
Begin by entering your departure city and leaving the destination field blank if you’re flexible. Alternatively, use the “Whole month” or “Cheapest month” view to see when flights are least expensive. For instance, searching for flights from New York to London in “September” might reveal that flying the second week is $150 cheaper than the first.
2. Use the Flexible Date Calendar
After entering your route, click on the date fields to open Skyscanner’s interactive calendar. This tool highlights the cheapest days to fly in green, making it easy to spot savings. Midweek flights—especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays—are often significantly less expensive than weekend departures. A round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo might cost $780 on a Friday but drop to $620 on a Tuesday.
3. Set Up Price Alerts
Once you’ve found a flight you’re interested in, enable price alerts. Skyscanner will email you whenever the fare changes. This is particularly helpful for popular routes where prices fluctuate frequently. For example, a traveler monitoring flights from Denver to Reykjavik for a summer trip could receive an alert when the price drops from $920 to $740—allowing them to book immediately.
4. Compare Nearby Airports
Skyscanner allows you to include nearby airports in your search. Flying out of a secondary airport—like Oakland instead of San Francisco—can sometimes save $50–$100 per ticket. Similarly, arriving at a smaller airport at your destination may offer lower fares. Just be sure to factor in transportation costs to and from the airport to ensure overall savings.
5. Filter and Sort Results Wisely
Use Skyscanner’s filters to narrow results by number of stops, airlines, departure times, and baggage policies. Sorting by “Cheapest” helps identify budget options, while “Best” balances price, duration, and convenience. Avoid filtering too strictly early on—sometimes a slightly longer layover results in major savings.
Advanced Tips for Maximum Savings
Once you’ve mastered the basics, these advanced techniques can help you uncover even better deals:
- Search in Incognito Mode: Some travel sites use cookies to track your searches and may increase prices based on demand. Using a private browsing window prevents this potential price inflation.
- Book on the Right Day: While there’s no universal “best day” to book, studies suggest booking domestic flights 1–3 months in advance and international flights 2–8 months ahead yields the lowest fares. Skyscanner’s “When to book” tool provides personalized recommendations based on historical data for your route.
- Consider Nearby Dates: If your travel dates are fixed, try searching ±3 days. A flight from Atlanta to Paris on June 15 might be $890, but flying June 12–19 could drop to $710.
- Check for Hidden Fees: Budget airlines like Ryanair or Spirit often appear at the top of Skyscanner results due to low base fares. Always click through to the airline’s site to review baggage, seat selection, and change fees before booking.
Skyscanner vs. Other Flight Search Tools
While several platforms offer flight comparisons, Skyscanner’s simplicity and transparency make it a top choice. Below is a quick comparison of key features:
| Feature | Skyscanner | Google Flights | Kayak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free to use | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flexible destination search | Yes (“Everywhere”) | Limited | Yes |
| Nearby airport option | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Includes budget airlines | Yes | Mostly | Yes |
| User-friendly interface | High | High | Medium |
Skyscanner excels in flexibility and ease of use, particularly for travelers who aren’t tied to a specific destination or date. Google Flights offers excellent integration with calendar views and real-time updates, while Kayak provides strong fare forecasting. However, Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search and straightforward design make it ideal for spontaneous or budget-focused trips.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced travelers can fall into traps that cost them money. Avoid these common pitfalls when using Skyscanner:
- Booking too early or too late: While booking in advance is generally wise, fares for some routes dip closer to departure. Use Skyscanner’s price trend graphs to identify the optimal window.
- Ignoring baggage policies: A $299 fare may seem unbeatable—until you add $80 for checked bags. Always review the full cost on the airline’s website.
- Overlooking refundable options: If your plans are uncertain, consider paying slightly more for a flexible ticket. Skyscanner lets you filter for refundable fares.
- Skipping the final confirmation: After clicking “Go to site,” double-check the airline, dates, and passenger details before payment. Errors at this stage can be costly and difficult to correct.
Real-World Example: Saving $220 on a Trip to Lisbon
Sarah, a teacher from Boston, wanted to visit Lisbon during her spring break. She used Skyscanner to search “Boston to Lisbon” with flexible dates in March. The calendar showed that flying out on Tuesday, March 12, and returning Tuesday, March 19, cost $645 round-trip. A weekend departure would have been $865. She set a price alert and received a notification two days later when the fare dropped to $598. By acting quickly, she saved $267 compared to the original weekend quote—and used the extra cash for a food tour in Alfama.
Final Thoughts
Mastering how to use Skyscanner to find cheap flights easily comes down to flexibility, timing, and attention to detail. By leveraging tools like price alerts, flexible date searches, and nearby airport options, you can consistently uncover low fares without spending hours comparing sites. Skyscanner’s transparent, ad-free platform puts the power in your hands—so you can focus on the adventure, not the cost.
FAQ
Is Skyscanner free to use?
Yes, Skyscanner is completely free. It earns revenue through affiliate commissions when users book flights via partner sites, but this doesn’t affect the prices you see.
Does Skyscanner include budget airlines?
Yes, Skyscanner searches include low-cost carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, Southwest, and Spirit, making it a great tool for finding the cheapest available fares.
Can I book directly through Skyscanner?
No, Skyscanner redirects you to the airline’s website or an online travel agency to complete your booking. This ensures you receive official confirmation and customer support from the provider.
