How to Use Skyscanner to Find Cheaper Flights

Skyscanner is one of my favourite tools for comparing flight prices, particularly when I’m flexible about where or when I travel.

But simply entering your destination and dates isn’t always the best way to use it.

Features such as Everywhere searches, flexible dates, price alerts and nearby airports can help you compare considerably more options before deciding which flight offers the best value.

Here’s how I use Skyscanner when searching for cheaper flights.

Search Everywhere for the Cheapest Destinations

If you know you want a holiday but haven’t decided where to go, start with Skyscanner’s Everywhere search.

Choose your departure airport and select Everywhere as your destination.

Instead of searching for one particular place, you’ll be able to explore destinations based on the flight prices available from your chosen airport.

I particularly like using this when I’m more interested in finding a good-value trip than travelling to one specific destination.

You might start looking for a weekend in Spain and discover that flights somewhere completely different are significantly cheaper.

It’s also a great way of discovering destinations you may not have considered before.

Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates

If your dates aren’t fixed, flexibility can make a huge difference.

Rather than assuming that travelling on a particular day of the week will always be cheaper, compare several departure and return dates.

Flight prices constantly change depending on demand, availability, route and time of year, so moving your trip by even a day or two can sometimes reveal a better fare.

Skyscanner’s flexible-date and calendar tools make it much easier to compare different combinations without repeatedly starting a new search.

If you’re completely flexible, you can also explore broader date ranges to identify cheaper periods to travel.

Compare flexible dates on Skyscanner

Try Different Departure Airports

Don’t automatically assume your closest airport will give you the cheapest trip.

For travellers in and around London, for example, it can be worth comparing Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City depending on your destination.

The difference can sometimes be significant.

However, always consider the total journey cost.

Saving £30 on your flight isn’t necessarily worthwhile if reaching another airport costs an additional £40 in trains, parking or taxis.

I compare the flight price first and then work out what the entire journey will actually cost me.

Compare Nearby Arrival Airports Too

The same principle applies at your destination.

Some cities and holiday regions are served by several airports, and flying into a different one may produce a cheaper fare.

Before choosing it, check where that airport actually is.

A cheaper flight isn’t necessarily better value if you then face an expensive or lengthy transfer to your hotel.

Compare:

• Flight price
• Airport transfer cost
• Transfer time
• Arrival and departure times

Sometimes paying slightly more for the more convenient airport works out better overall.

Set Up Price Alerts

Found a flight but aren’t ready to book?

Set up a price alert.

Skyscanner can notify you when the price of the route you’re watching changes, allowing you to keep an eye on fares without searching manually every day.

I find this particularly useful when I’m researching a trip well in advance or comparing long-haul flights where even a relatively small percentage change can mean a noticeable difference in price.

Just remember that a price alert can’t tell you with certainty what will happen next.

A fare that drops today could increase tomorrow, so once you’ve found a price you’re genuinely comfortable paying, waiting indefinitely for an even cheaper fare can sometimes backfire.

Compare Direct Flights With Stopovers

Direct isn’t always cheapest.

If you’re travelling long-haul, compare direct flights with itineraries involving one stop. A connection can sometimes reduce the fare considerably.

But look beyond the headline price.

A £50 saving may not feel worthwhile if it adds eight hours to your journey, while a larger saving for a manageable two-hour connection could be worth considering.

Think about price, total journey time and convenience together.

The cheapest flight isn’t automatically the best flight.

Compare Return and One-Way Tickets

It’s also worth experimenting with how you structure the booking.

A return ticket with the same airline may be the easiest option, but occasionally two separate one-way flights can produce a better combination of price or departure times.

This can also give you more choice if several airlines operate the same route.

Just be careful when booking separate tickets, particularly if you’re creating your own connecting itinerary. If the first flight is delayed and the flights are on separate bookings, you may not have the same protections you’d have with a through-ticket.

Check Exactly What’s Included

This is one of the most important steps.

The fare displayed first isn’t necessarily what you’ll eventually pay.

Before booking, check what’s included with the ticket:

• Personal item
• Cabin baggage
• Hold luggage
• Seat selection
• Meals, where relevant
• Booking or payment fees
• Airport transfer costs

A flight that initially appears £20 cheaper can quickly become the more expensive option once you’ve added the baggage you actually need.

Compare the final price for the trip you intend to take, rather than choosing purely based on the cheapest number in the search results.

Pay Attention to Who You’re Booking With

Skyscanner helps you compare flights, but you may ultimately be offered different ways to book the itinerary, including directly with an airline or through another travel provider.

Before paying, check who will actually manage your booking.

Compare the final price and consider things such as customer service, cancellation terms and how straightforward it would be to make changes if something went wrong.

Personally, if the difference is small, I consider whether the convenience of booking directly with the airline is worth paying slightly more for.

Don’t Forget the Flight Times

I’ve learned not to judge a flight purely by its price.

A very early departure could mean paying for an airport hotel or expensive taxi. A late arrival could leave you with fewer public transport options at your destination.

That £25 cheaper flight may suddenly not be cheaper at all.

Before booking, I look at the entire journey:

Flight + baggage + getting to the airport + getting from the destination airport + any extra accommodation required.

That’s the figure that really matters.

My Skyscanner Strategy

When I’m searching for flights, I don’t immediately book the first cheap fare I find.

I usually compare:

1. My preferred destination and dates
2. Flexible dates
3. Alternative departure airports
4. Nearby destination airports
5. Direct flights versus stopovers
6. Return tickets versus separate one-way fares
7. Baggage and additional charges
8. The final journey cost

If I haven’t decided where to travel yet, I’ll start with Everywhere and see what catches my attention.

It only takes a little longer than performing a basic flight search, but it gives me a much better idea of whether I’m actually getting good value.

Final Thoughts

Skyscanner can be a brilliant tool for finding and comparing flights, but the biggest savings often come from being flexible and looking beyond the first price you see.

Try different dates, compare airports, consider alternative routes and always calculate the final cost once baggage and transport are included.

Most importantly, don’t automatically choose the cheapest flight.

The aim is to find the best-value journey for your trip — because sometimes spending slightly more on the flight can save you money, time and hassle elsewhere.

Looking for your next adventure?

Explore hand-picked holiday deals, honest hotel reviews, practical travel guides and destination inspiration from around the world. Whether you’re dreaming of Thailand, a European escape or somewhere completely new, discover more ideas to inspire your next trip.