Skyscanner is a free search site that compares flights, hotels and car rentals, then sends you to an airline or travel agency to book, or lets you book on Skyscanner for some options. It's most useful for seeing which dates, airports and routes are cheapest before you buy.
Here's how it works, which search tools save money, and where it falls short.
How Skyscanner Works
Skyscanner is a travel search engine available on the web and as a mobile app. You enter where and when you want to go, and it lists fares from airlines and travel agencies side by side. When you pick one, you either book on Skyscanner or on the partner's site.
It doesn't charge travelers. Skyscanner says some partners pay it a commission on bookings or a fee when you visit their sites, and others advertise on the site and app. That means the order of results isn't the whole story, so compare the final price on the booking page.
Search Tools Worth Using
Flexible dates and whole-month search. If your dates can move, view fares across a whole month and pick the cheapest days instead of testing them one at a time.
Everywhere search. Leave the destination open and Skyscanner shows where your budget goes from your home airport. It's the fastest way to turn "somewhere warm in March" into a short list.
Direct flights filter. Show only nonstop options when you'd rather pay a little more than lose a connection.
Price alerts. Set an alert on a route and Skyscanner tracks fare changes for you, so you can buy when the price drops instead of checking daily.
Where It Falls Short
- Not every airline or booking site appears in the results, so a fare you see elsewhere may be missing.
- Prices change quickly, and the price you click can differ from the price at checkout.
- Booking through a partner means that partner handles changes, refunds and customer service, not Skyscanner.
- It compares cash fares. If you're booking with points, use an award search tool instead; our award search tools guide covers the options.
How to Use Skyscanner
- Visit the Skyscanner website or open the mobile app.
- Enter your departure city, destination and travel dates, or choose Everywhere.
- Turn on the direct flights filter if you don't want connections.
- Compare prices, airlines and total travel time.
- Choose a fare and complete the booking on Skyscanner or the partner's site.
- Check bag fees and the final total before you pay.
Next Step
Run your route in Skyscanner to find the cheapest dates, then price the same flights directly on the airline's site before you book. If the fares match, book with the airline so changes and refunds stay simple.
Updated October 17, 2026: tools and features.
