Planning a trip is exciting, but finding affordable flight tickets and comfortable accommodation can be challenging. Airfares change frequently, hotel prices vary between booking websites, and selecting the wrong travel option can increase your expenses.
What if you could compare different airlines, hotels and travel providers without opening multiple websites?
Skyscanner is a travel comparison platform that helps you explore flight prices, accommodation options and rental cars in one place. Whether you are travelling within India, visiting Dubai, planning a family holiday or preparing for an international journey, the app can simplify your travel research.
In this detailed guide, we explain how Skyscanner works, how to search for affordable flights, how to compare hotels and how to use its useful travel-planning features.
What Is Skyscanner?
Skyscanner is a travel search engine that compares available offers from airlines, online travel agencies, hotel booking platforms and car rental providers.
Instead of checking individual websites to compare prices, travellers can perform a single search and review multiple available options.
For example, someone planning a journey from Kochi to Dubai can enter the departure airport, destination and travel dates to compare available flights.
Skyscanner can display details such as ticket prices, travel duration, airlines, departure times and connecting flights.
An important point: Skyscanner primarily helps you search and compare travel options. When you choose an offer, the actual reservation and payment are generally completed through the airline, hotel or travel partner providing it.
Why Is Skyscanner Useful for Travellers?
The cheapest advertised ticket is not necessarily the most suitable option.
A flight might have a low base fare but include a long layover, restrictive baggage allowances or extra charges.
Skyscanner allows travellers to compare several important details before making a decision.
Some of its useful features include:
- Comparing flights offered by different airlines and travel agencies.
- Discovering potentially cheaper travel dates.
- Exploring affordable destinations with the Everywhere search feature.
- Receiving notifications about flight-price changes.
- Filtering flights by duration, stops, airline and departure time.
- Comparing hotel accommodation options.
- Searching for rental cars.
- Saving interesting travel options for later.
These features are especially helpful for people who have flexible travel dates or want to compare different options before booking.
How to Download and Install Skyscanner
Skyscanner is available for Android devices, iPhones and through its official website.
Installing on Android
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Search for Skyscanner Flights Hotels Cars.
- Check that the app is published by Skyscanner Ltd.
- Select Install.
- Open the application after installation.
- Choose your preferred region, currency and other available settings.
Official Android download:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.skyscanner.android.main
Installing on iPhone
- Open the Apple App Store.
- Search for Skyscanner.
- Select the official travel application.
- Tap Get and complete the installation.
- Open the app and begin searching for travel options.
Official iPhone download:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/skyscanner-flights-travel/id415458524
You can also use Skyscanner without installing the app by visiting:
How to Search for Cheap Flight Tickets Using Skyscanner
Finding flight options is straightforward once you know how to use the search filters.
Step 1: Open the Flight Search
Launch Skyscanner and choose the flight search option.
Step 2: Enter Your Departure Airport
Select the airport or city from which you want to travel.
For travellers in Kerala, common starting points include:
- Kochi – Cochin International Airport (COK)
- Kozhikode – Calicut International Airport (CCJ)
- Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV)
- Kannur International Airport (CNN)
You can compare more than one departure airport if you are willing to travel to a different city.
Step 3: Choose Your Destination
Enter your destination city or airport.
For example, you might search for flights from Kochi to Dubai, Kozhikode to Abu Dhabi or Thiruvananthapuram to Bengaluru.
Step 4: Select the Journey Type and Dates
Choose between a one-way and return journey, then enter the appropriate dates.
If your schedule is flexible, explore the monthly price calendar to identify dates that may offer lower fares.
Step 5: Add Passenger Details
Enter the number of adults, children or infants, as applicable, and choose your travel class.
Step 6: Compare Available Flights
Review the search results and compare:
- Total ticket price
- Departure and arrival time
- Flight duration
- Direct or connecting flights
- Number and duration of stops
- Booking provider
- Baggage and fare conditions
Some additional details may only become available when you review the airline or travel provider’s booking page.
Step 7: Select a Suitable Offer
Choose a flight that matches your budget and travel requirements.
Skyscanner will show the available booking providers for the selected option.
Step 8: Complete the Booking
Continue to the airline or travel agency’s booking website.
Before paying, verify passenger names, travel dates, baggage allowance, cancellation rules and the final payable amount.
After payment, check that the booking provider has issued a confirmation and, where applicable, a valid airline booking reference.
How to Find Cheaper Travel Dates
One of the most valuable Skyscanner features is its flexible-date search.
Airline ticket prices can vary significantly depending on the day, route, season and demand.
Instead of checking each date individually, you can compare indicative prices across a month.
Using the Monthly Price Calendar
- Open the flight search.
- Enter your departure airport and destination.
- Tap the date selection field.
- Explore the monthly calendar.
- Look for dates displaying comparatively lower fares.
- Select a suitable date to check the latest available flight options.
Remember that prices displayed in a monthly calendar are indicative. They may be based on previous searches rather than a live quote, so the final price can change.
Discover Budget-Friendly Destinations with Everywhere Search
Sometimes travellers have a fixed budget but have not selected a destination.
Skyscanner’s Everywhere feature can help with that.
Instead of entering a particular destination, select Everywhere in the destination search field, where available.
The app can then display destinations along with indicative flight prices.
This can be useful for students, solo travellers, couples and families planning budget holidays.
For example, a traveller departing from Kochi can explore available destinations and compare approximate fares before choosing where to visit.
The displayed prices are not guaranteed and must be checked again before booking.
How to Set Up Flight Price Alerts
Flight prices can change frequently, even for the same route and travel date.
Skyscanner offers Price Alerts to help users monitor fare changes.
Steps to Enable a Price Alert
- Open the Skyscanner app.
- Search for a specific route and travel date.
- Open the available flight results.
- Look for the bell icon or the price-tracking option.
- Sign in to your Skyscanner account if requested.
- Activate the alert for that search.
Skyscanner can notify you when the tracked prices change.
However, a price alert does not reserve a seat or guarantee that the advertised fare will still be available when you proceed to booking.
How to Find Hotels Using Skyscanner
Skyscanner can also help travellers compare accommodation options.
This is useful when visiting a new city or planning a holiday where accommodation accounts for a large part of the budget.
Hotel Search Process
- Open the hotel search section in Skyscanner.
- Enter your destination.
- Choose check-in and check-out dates.
- Select the number of guests and required rooms.
- Search for available accommodation.
- Compare hotel prices, locations and facilities.
- Select a suitable hotel and continue to the booking provider.
What Should You Check Before Booking?
A lower room price does not always mean a better deal.
Check whether the listed price includes taxes and service charges. Review cancellation conditions, check-in restrictions, guest ratings and available facilities.
Also consider the distance from the airport, railway station, tourist attractions or the location you intend to visit.
If you are travelling with your family, confirm the room’s occupancy rules and any charges for additional guests.
How to Compare Rental Cars
In destinations where public transportation is limited, renting a car may be convenient.
Skyscanner allows travellers to compare available rental vehicles from different providers.
You can search using your pickup location, pickup and return dates, and other rental requirements.
Before selecting a vehicle, check:
- Driver eligibility and minimum age.
- Licence requirements, including any international driving permit.
- Deposit and insurance conditions.
- Fuel policy.
- Mileage limitations.
- Additional driver charges.
- Pickup and return arrangements.
Rental conditions vary by company and location, so always review the provider’s terms before payment.
Practical Tips to Reduce Travel Expenses
1. Compare Nearby Airports
If you are travelling from Kerala, compare fares from airports that are reasonably accessible to you.
A ticket from a neighbouring airport may cost less, but you should include the expense of travelling to that airport.
2. Be Flexible with Travel Dates
If possible, compare different departure and return dates.
There is no universal cheapest day to book flights, so checking available prices is more reliable than following fixed booking-day myths.
3. Compare Direct and Connecting Flights
Connecting flights may sometimes be cheaper than direct flights.
However, a long layover can increase food, transport or accommodation expenses.
4. Review the Final Price
Compare the total payable amount rather than the initial fare alone.
Add any baggage, seat selection, payment or provider charges that apply.
5. Consider Airline Booking Conditions
Before choosing between an airline website and a third-party travel agency, compare refund policies, support arrangements and possible amendment charges.
6. Check Visa and Transit Requirements
An international ticket does not automatically provide permission to enter or transit through another country.
Verify passport validity, visa conditions and transit requirements using relevant official sources.
7. Use Price Alerts
If your journey is several weeks away and your travel plans allow flexibility, monitor changing prices before deciding.
8. Protect Your Payment Information
Use official app stores and legitimate booking websites. Avoid unfamiliar payment links and never share OTPs or payment credentials with someone claiming to offer a special travel discount.
Is Skyscanner Free to Use?
Yes. Travellers can use Skyscanner to search and compare flights, hotels and rental cars without paying a fee to Skyscanner for those searches.
Skyscanner states that it does not add its own booking fees.
However, airlines and booking providers may have separate baggage charges, payment fees, service charges or optional extras. Always review the final checkout amount.
Is Skyscanner Safe?
Skyscanner is an established travel comparison service that directs users to travel providers for reservations.
However, travellers should still review the individual booking provider before making payment.
Check the provider’s cancellation policy, support information and final terms.
Keep your booking confirmation, payment receipt and travel reference numbers after making a reservation.
Advantages and Limitations of Skyscanner
Advantages
- Convenient comparison of multiple travel options.
- Flexible date and destination searches.
- Flight-price tracking.
- Hotel and car rental searches.
- Available on mobile devices and the web.
- Useful for both domestic and international travel planning.
Limitations
- Listed fares can change before booking.
- Not every airline or travel offer is necessarily included.
- Some fares exclude additional services.
- Booking support and cancellation processing depend largely on the selected provider.
- A cheaper offer may have restrictive travel conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Skyscanner in India?
Yes. Travellers in India can use Skyscanner to search for domestic and international flights, hotels and available rental cars.
Does Skyscanner book flight tickets directly?
Skyscanner generally directs travellers to airlines or travel booking partners to complete their reservations.
Can I search for flights from Kerala to Gulf countries?
Yes. You can search available routes from Kerala airports to destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat and other cities.
Can I compare flight fares without installing the app?
Yes. Skyscanner also operates through its official website.
Does Skyscanner guarantee the cheapest ticket?
No. Although it compares fares from many providers, prices and availability change frequently, and the platform does not guarantee the lowest possible fare for every journey.
Can I cancel a ticket through Skyscanner?
Ticket cancellations and modifications are generally handled by the airline or travel provider through which you completed the booking.
Can I set a notification when ticket prices fall?
You can use Price Alerts to monitor fare changes for selected journeys.
Final Thoughts
Skyscanner can be a useful travel-planning tool for people who want to compare flights, explore different destinations and find suitable accommodation without visiting numerous websites individually.
Its flexible date calendar, Everywhere search and Price Alerts are particularly useful for travellers trying to manage expenses.
The key to finding a good travel deal is not simply selecting the lowest advertised price. Compare the total cost, baggage allowances, booking terms, travel duration and the reliability of the booking provider before making a decision.
Explore the official Skyscanner app or website, compare your options carefully, and plan your next trip with greater confidence.
Disclaimer: This article is an independent informational guide and is not sponsored by or officially affiliated with Skyscanner. Prices, features, availability and booking conditions may change. Verify all details with the relevant travel provider before making a payment.
