In today’s fast-paced world, finding the perfect flight at the right price can be a daunting task. With numerous online platforms available to help travelers compare and book flights, it’s essential to know which one best suits your needs. Two popular flight search engines are Skyscanner and Google Flights. This article compares the pros and cons of these platforms, answering key questions like whether Skyscanner is the same as Google Flights and highlighting their differences.
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Is Skyscanner the Same as Google Flights?
While both Skyscanner and Google Flights serve the same primary purpose – helping travelers search for and compare flight options – they have distinct features and capabilities that set them apart. This article will delve into their unique advantages and disadvantages, allowing you to make an informed decision when selecting the ideal flight search engine for your travel needs.
Here’s a table comparing Google Flights and Skyscanner across several key features:
| Feature | Google Flights | Skyscanner |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Search | Comprehensive and easy-to-use flight search. | Extensive flight search capabilities. |
| Price Alerts | Yes, allows setting price alerts. | Yes, provides price tracking and alerts. |
| Fare Calendar | Offers a fare calendar to view prices. | Provides a fare calendar for flexible dates. |
| Multi-City Search | Supports multi-city and open-jaw trips. | Allows multi-city search for complex itineraries. |
| Destination Search | Allows flexible destination searches. | Offers a “Everywhere” search to find best deals. |
| Flight Reviews | Basic information but limited reviews. | Provides user reviews and ratings for flights. |
| Mobile App | Has a dedicated mobile app. | Offers a mobile app for flight booking. |
| Price Comparison | Compares prices across multiple airlines. | Compares prices and offers with recommendations. |
| Loyalty Programs | Links to loyalty programs for booking. | Offers information on loyalty program perks. |
| User Experience | Clean and straightforward interface. | User-friendly design with a simple layout. |
| Travel Insights | Provides insights and price predictions. | Offers travel insights and price trends. |
Is Skyscanner better than Google Flights?
Both Skyscanner and Google Flights are powerful tools for travelers looking for the best flight deals, but each has its strengths. Skyscanner is known for its comprehensive scanning across various airlines and booking websites, often unearthing lesser-known deals or budget airlines. Google Flights, on the other hand, integrates seamlessly with other Google services and has a very user-friendly interface. It also offers features like “Explore” to find the best deals based on flexible dates or destinations. Which is “better” depends largely on user preference and what they prioritize in a flight search tool. It’s worth trying out both to see which suits your needs. Skyscanner | Google Flights
Can I get price alerts from both Skyscanner and Google Flights?
Yes, both Skyscanner and Google Flights offer price alert features. With Skyscanner, once you’ve entered your flight details and are viewing results, there’s an option to set up an email alert for any price changes. Google Flights offers a similar feature; after choosing your flights, you can toggle on “Track prices” to receive email notifications about price fluctuations for your chosen route.
Can I book through both Skyscanner and Google Flights?
Neither Skyscanner nor Google Flights are direct booking platforms. Instead, they act as search engines that aggregate flight options from various sources. Once you’ve selected a flight on Skyscanner, it redirects you to the airline’s website or a third-party booking site to finalize the purchase. Google Flights operates in a similar fashion, providing links to either the airline or a third-party site where you can complete the transaction. Always ensure you’re comfortable with the platform or website you’re redirected to before entering payment details.
Skyscanner
Pros:
- Comprehensive Search Results: Skyscanner aggregates data from a wide range of airlines, including low-cost carriers and smaller regional airlines. This ensures that users have access to a diverse array of flight options, making it more likely that they will find a suitable flight at a competitive price.
- Price Alerts: Skyscanner allows users to set up price alerts for specific routes, notifying them via email when fares change. This feature enables travelers to monitor flight prices and book when they are most affordable.
- Multi-City Search: Skyscanner’s multi-city search functionality makes it easy to plan complex itineraries. Users can enter multiple destinations, and Skyscanner will provide the best route options and prices.
- Third-Party Booking Options: Skyscanner not only compares prices from airlines but also includes prices from various online travel agencies (OTAs). This allows users to choose the most convenient and cost-effective booking option.
Cons:
- Inconsistencies in Pricing: Occasionally, Skyscanner may display outdated or inaccurate pricing information. While this issue is not exclusive to Skyscanner, it can be frustrating for users who click through to book a flight, only to find that the price has changed.
- Limited Filtering Options: Although Skyscanner offers several ways to filter search results, it lacks some advanced filtering options found in other flight search engines. For example, it doesn’t allow users to filter flights by aircraft type or in-flight amenities.
Google Flights
Pros:
- Fast and Intuitive Interface: Google Flights has a clean, user-friendly interface that provides quick search results. The platform’s speed and ease of use make it a popular choice for many travelers.
- Powerful Filters: Google Flights offers a wide array of filtering options, allowing users to narrow down search results based on specific preferences such as flight duration, layover duration, number of stops, airline alliances, and more.
- Price Predictions and Tracking: Google Flights uses historical data to predict whether prices for a specific route are likely to increase or decrease in the near future. Users can also track flight prices, receiving notifications when prices change.
- “Explore” Feature: Google Flights’ “Explore” feature allows users to view a map displaying flight prices to various destinations from their departure city. This feature is especially helpful for travelers with flexible plans who are looking for inspiration or affordable destinations.
Cons:
- Limited Low-Cost Carrier Options: Google Flights does not always include flight options from smaller, low-cost carriers. As a result, users may miss out on more affordable flight options.
- No Third-Party Booking Options: Google Flights only displays prices directly from airlines, excluding those from OTAs. While this ensures accurate pricing, it may limit booking options and prevent users from taking advantage of deals available through third-party platforms.
Key Differences Between Skyscanner and Google Flights
- Coverage: Skyscanner tends to have more comprehensive coverage, including low-cost carriers and smaller regional airlines. In contrast, Google Flights may not always include these options in its search results.
- Booking Options: Skyscanner provides booking options through both airlines and OTAs, offering users a wider range of choices. Google Flights, on the other hand, only displays prices directly from airlines.
- Filtering and Search Features: Google Flights offers more advanced filtering options and user-friendly features like the “Explore” map, allowing users to fine-tune their search results and find flights based on personal preferences. Skyscanner has a more limited set of filtering options but does offer multi-city search capabilities and price alerts.
- Price Predictions and Tracking: Google Flights utilizes historical data to provide users with price predictions and tracking features, making it easier for travelers to find the best deals. Skyscanner also offers price alerts, but it does not have a price prediction feature.
Steps to using either Skyscanner or Google Flights
3 easy steps to using Skyscanner
- Start Your Search: Go to the Skyscanner website. Enter your departure city, destination, and travel dates.
- Filter Results: Once the search results appear, use the filters on the left side to narrow down options based on your preferences such as stops, flight duration, and airlines.
- Select and Book: Click on the preferred flight deal to see more details. Skyscanner will redirect you to the airline or travel agency’s website where you can complete your booking.
Other features on Skyscanner
Booking Hotels
Look for and book hotels from Skyscanner. You don’t need to book a flight or rental car in order to use this service.
Booking Rental Cars
Find the rental car that’s just right for your and your needs while on your vacation.
Deals within the U.S.
Once you enter your start location in Skyscanner will customize their home page for you providing this section which shows flight deals and typical routes out of your location.
3 easy steps to using Google Flights
- Enter Your Details: Visit Google Flights and input your starting location, destination, and desired travel dates.
- Review and Customize: Explore the search results and make use of the calendar tool for flexible date pricing. You can also adjust filters to specify airlines, stops, and times.
- Make Your Choice: Once you’ve found the right flight, click on it for more information. Google Flights will provide you with a direct link to the airline’s website or a third-party booking site to finalize your purchase.
Other features on Google Flights
Suggested trips from
Similar to Skyscanner, Google Flights will customize your page experience with your location as the “home base” and how you typical and suggested flights out of your location.
Final Thoughts on Skyscanner vs Google Flights
Both Skyscanner and Google Flights have their own unique set of advantages and disadvantages, and the ideal choice depends on individual preferences and travel requirements. Skyscanner may be better suited for travelers looking for comprehensive search results, including low-cost carriers and third-party booking options. On the other hand, Google Flights may be more appealing to those who value a user-friendly interface, powerful filtering options, and price prediction features.
By understanding the key differences between Skyscanner and Google Flights, you can make an informed decision and choose the flight search engine that best aligns with your needs, ultimately helping you find the perfect flight at the best price.