In an era where travel is more accessible than ever, finding affordable flights is crucial for travelers looking to explore the world without breaking the bank. However, airfare prices fluctuate constantly, making it challenging to pinpoint the best time to book. Fortunately, several flight cost predictor and tracker tools have emerged, making it easier to spot deals and get the best rates. Here, we’ll explore some of the best tools available and how you can use them to save money on flights.
1. Google Flights: Reliable and User-Friendly
Google Flights is a popular choice among travelers for its simplicity and powerful features. It offers insights on when flights are likely to be cheapest and lets you track prices for specific routes, so you get notified when prices drop.
Key Features:
- Flexible Date Search: Google Flights allows users to explore fare options by checking various dates and even provides a “calendar” view to identify the cheapest travel days.
- Price Alerts: You can set up alerts for your chosen destinations, allowing you to receive notifications via email when prices change.
- Exploration Feature: If you’re unsure where to go, the “Explore” feature provides a list of destinations based on your budget, departure location, and travel dates.
Google Flights also offers insights on how booking time can affect fares, suggesting whether prices are expected to rise or stay the same. Its intuitive interface and reliable predictions make it a go-to tool for many travelers.
2. Hopper: Great for Prediction Accuracy
Hopper has built a solid reputation for its accurate flight predictions. The app analyzes billions of prices daily to forecast the best time to book, often saving users up to 40% on flight prices.
Key Features:
- Price Prediction: Hopper provides a detailed analysis of when prices are likely to increase, along with a calendar highlighting the best and worst days to travel.
- Watch a Flight: You can “watch” a flight, and Hopper will notify you when it’s the best time to book based on predicted price drops.
- Flexible Dates and Routes: Hopper offers options to search within a range of dates or find alternative routes that may offer cheaper options.
Available as a mobile app, Hopper is easy to use on the go, making it ideal for travelers who want flexibility in planning and don’t want to miss out on any deals.
3. Skyscanner: Versatile Search and Powerful Tracking
Skyscanner is another powerful tool for finding affordable flights and is well-suited for those with flexible travel plans. Known for its “Everywhere” search option, Skyscanner allows users to search for the best deals worldwide from a specific departure location.
Key Features:
- Everywhere Search: Type in “Everywhere” as your destination to see a list of affordable destinations.
- Price Alerts: Set up alerts to receive notifications on price changes for specific routes.
- Flexible Search Options: Skyscanner’s multi-city and flexible date searches help travelers explore various options to maximize savings.
Skyscanner is a great tool for travelers who enjoy spontaneity or need options for affordable trips.
4. Kayak: Comprehensive with Multiple Search Options
Kayak offers a variety of travel tools, including flight price tracking, that make it a robust choice for travelers. Kayak’s price alerts are especially useful for travelers looking to book well in advance.
Key Features:
- Price Forecasts: Kayak’s “Price Forecast” feature predicts whether prices for a specific flight will rise or fall.
- Price Alerts and Notifications: Set up alerts to monitor flight price changes for routes you’re interested in.
- Explore Option: Similar to Google Flights’ “Explore” feature, Kayak lets you find destinations based on budget, date range, and more.
Kayak’s ability to filter results by airline, time, and stopovers is a plus, helping travelers tailor their searches to meet specific needs.
5. Airfarewatchdog: Ideal for Finding Deals on Specific Routes
Airfarewatchdog is a lesser-known but highly useful tool for finding deals on specific routes. The tool focuses on tracking fares for only the best deals, making it ideal for travelers looking to fly on popular routes at a discounted rate.
Key Features:
- Deal Alerts: Unlike traditional flight trackers, Airfarewatchdog only sends notifications for particularly good deals, which saves you from sifting through average prices.
- Flexible Search Options: Search by destination or get alerts for deals out of your local airport.
- Exclusive Deals: Airfarewatchdog often highlights deals from smaller, budget airlines that may not appear in other search engines.
This platform is valuable for travelers who are open to last-minute deals or flexible destinations.
6. Scott’s Cheap Flights: Great for Finding Hidden Deals
Scott’s Cheap Flights is a subscription-based service that curates the best flight deals and error fares and sends them directly to your inbox.
Key Features:
- Curated Deals: Scott’s team actively searches for deals, so you don’t have to, and sends alerts for flights from your preferred departure airports.
- Customized Alerts: Select specific regions or types of deals (domestic, international, etc.) to receive alerts tailored to your preferences.
- Error Fares and Deep Discounts: Scott’s Cheap Flights frequently highlights “mistake fares” that can offer incredible savings.
Although it requires a subscription fee, Scott’s Cheap Flights is a fantastic resource for frequent travelers who want to find deals without doing any legwork.
7. Momondo: Excellent for Alternative Flight Routes
Momondo is a travel search engine that often finds affordable flight routes not shown on other platforms, making it a hidden gem among travel enthusiasts.
Key Features:
- Graph Insights: Momondo’s price insights show a visual representation of price trends, which is helpful for timing your booking.
- Flight Filters: Sort by airline alliances, baggage allowances, and more to find flights that best match your needs.
- Flexible Dates Search: Momondo also provides flexibility in date selection, helping you identify when prices are lowest.
Momondo’s tools for analyzing fare history and booking trends make it a valuable resource for travelers who want to make data-driven decisions.
Final Tips for Using Price Predictors and Trackers
To get the most out of flight price predictors and trackers, here are some tips:
- Be Flexible with Dates and Airports: Flexibility often leads to significant savings, especially if you’re open to nearby airports.
- Set Multiple Alerts: Track different flights and airlines to have options and increase your chances of finding the best deal.
- Book in Advance: While last-minute deals exist, booking in advance for international flights can often save money.
- Check Frequently: Airlines adjust prices frequently, so checking prices regularly can help you spot a deal.