When it comes to finding cheap international flights, the right apps can save you time, money, and effort. Here’s a quick rundown of the top 8 apps and what they offer:
- Skyscanner: Flexible search options, fare alerts, and multi-city searches.
- Hopper: AI-powered price predictions and alerts for the best booking times.
- Momondo: Comprehensive price comparisons and advanced filters.
- Kiwi.com: Creative routing and price lock options for unique savings.
- Kayak: Price forecasts, multi-city searches, and detailed flight insights.
- Opodo: Bundled travel services for flights, hotels, and car rentals.
- Trip.com: Price tracking, “Trip Coins” rewards, and multi-language support.
- Dollar Flight Club: Alerts for mistake fares and flash sales with membership options.
Each app has unique features, from tracking price trends to finding hidden deals. Use multiple apps together to maximize savings and flexibility. Whether you’re planning months in advance or looking for last-minute deals, these tools make international travel more affordable and accessible.
1. Skyscanner: Smart Search Options and Fare Alerts
Skyscanner is a go-to platform for finding affordable international flights, thanks to its versatile search tools and fare tracking features. One of its most popular features, ‘Everywhere’, allows you to browse flight prices to destinations across the globe from your starting point – perfect if you’re open to traveling anywhere that fits your budget.
The app also offers a flexible date search, including a ‘cheapest month’ option, helping you figure out the best time to book. You can even search flights from an entire country instead of a specific airport, giving you more opportunities to find great deals. For more complex trips, the multi-city search feature is a lifesaver, with filters for direct flights, airlines, and trip duration to fine-tune your itinerary.
Skyscanner’s price alerts let you monitor fare changes, so you can book when the price is right. Plus, it often finds hidden deals by searching smaller Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) that other platforms might overlook, making it a must-have for travelers on a budget.
While Skyscanner shines with its flexible tools and broad search capabilities, apps like Hopper focus on predicting price trends, which could help you save even more.
2. Hopper: Predict Flight Prices and Save
Hopper takes a different approach from Skyscanner by focusing on predicting flight price trends to help you book at the right time. Using advanced AI, the app analyzes billions of past flight prices and provides simple recommendations like “buy now” or “wait”, based on market trends.
With customizable notifications, Hopper keeps you updated on price changes and the best times to book. It also offers exclusive deals through airline partnerships, giving international travelers extra chances to save.
One standout feature is Flex Watch, which monitors several travel dates at once, making it easier to tweak your plans and grab the lowest fares. Hopper also has a loyalty program that rewards users with savings on bookings made through the app – perfect for frequent international flyers.
Though its predictions aren’t foolproof, Hopper often delivers better results than competitors like Google Flights, making it a go-to app for budget-savvy travelers. To get the most out of it, set up price alerts well before your planned trip.
While Hopper shines in forecasting price trends, other apps like Momondo focus more on comparing prices across airlines and booking platforms.
3. Momondo: Compare Flights Across Airlines
Momondo scans hundreds of travel sites at once to help travelers find hidden flight deals across various airlines. With a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot, it’s clear that many users appreciate its broad search capabilities and easy-to-navigate interface.
One standout feature is the flexible date search, which shows price differences over a week. This helps budget-conscious travelers tweak their plans to snag the best deals. The platform also offers advanced filters, allowing you to sort flights by time, duration, airline, price, and baggage options – making it simple to tailor your search to your exact needs.
Another handy tool is the ‘Measure your bag’ feature, which ensures your luggage complies with airline restrictions before booking. This can save you from surprise fees at the airport. Plus, customizable price tracking alerts help international travelers monitor deals and book when the timing is right.
The app’s straightforward design pairs well with its notification system, keeping you updated on price changes for your chosen routes. To make the most of it, set up alerts early in your trip planning and keep an eye on trends throughout the week.
Though Momondo excels at comparing flights, Kiwi.com offers even more savings through creative routing options.
4. Kiwi.com: Creative Routes and Fare Alerts
Kiwi.com takes a different approach to finding affordable international flights, making it a go-to for travelers looking to save money. It uses Virtual Interlining to mix and match flights from various airlines, building routes that traditional platforms often overlook.
One standout feature is Price Lock, which allows you to secure a fare for a small fee – perfect for peak booking seasons when prices can fluctuate quickly. The app’s search tool is highly flexible, scanning flights worldwide and coming up with route options you won’t typically find elsewhere. Plus, the Kiwi.com Guarantee offers protection against flight disruptions, giving you some peace of mind.
Keep in mind, though, that these custom routes may require you to recheck your luggage at stopovers. For budget-savvy travelers, this minor inconvenience can be worth the savings. Additionally, Kiwi.com’s easy-to-use interface and price alert system help you track fare changes, so you can book when the price is just right.
While Kiwi.com is great for finding these niche routes, platforms like Kayak might be better suited for travelers who want more versatile flight search tools.
5. Kayak: Flight Search Made Simple
For travelers keeping an eye on their budget, Kayak offers tools that make finding affordable international flights easier. One standout feature is Kayak’s Price Forecast, which predicts whether fares are likely to go up or down, helping you decide the best time to book.
The app’s multi-city search feature can reveal cheaper route combinations, such as open-jaw flights. Plus, Kayak’s color-coded calendar makes it easy to spot the least expensive travel dates at a glance. The ±3 days view is another handy tool, allowing you to adjust travel dates slightly to find better deals – especially useful during peak travel times when prices can vary a lot.
Kayak also provides detailed flight information, like baggage fees, aircraft type, meal options, and Wi-Fi availability, so you know exactly what you’re getting before booking. With customizable price alerts, you can track fare changes based on specific thresholds or percentage drops, and even monitor multiple routes at once.
Another useful tool is the baggage fee calculator, which helps you avoid unexpected costs by including these fees in your total trip comparison across airlines. Kayak’s user-friendly interface, flexible filters, and detailed flight insights make it a go-to app for finding budget-friendly international flights. Features like the multi-city search, price alerts, and color-coded calendar save you both time and money.
While Kayak focuses on detailed flight planning tools, Opodo takes a different approach by combining flight deals with travel packages, offering a broader booking experience.
6. Opodo: Flight Deals and Travel Packages
Opodo goes beyond basic flight searches, offering a way to find affordable international flights by bundling travel services. The app combines flights, hotels, and car rentals into packages, often saving you more than booking each separately.
For those with complex itineraries, this bundling can lead to noticeable savings. Plus, Opodo’s Missed Connection Guarantee offers up to $310 for delays, adding an extra layer of protection for multi-leg trips.
The app also includes customizable price alerts. You can set specific criteria for your preferred routes, and Opodo will notify you when fares drop within your budget. This feature makes it easier to act fast when deals align with your plans. Its mobile-friendly design allows you to compare travel options and manage bookings anytime, anywhere.
Opodo is a great choice for travelers who want both savings and peace of mind. Its mix of competitive pricing, travel guarantees, and price tracking tools makes it especially appealing for budget-conscious users.
That said, while Opodo shines in bundling travel services, Trip.com provides an even wider range of affordable options, making it another excellent choice for those looking to save.
7. Trip.com: Affordable Flights and Travel Services
Trip.com, a key player in the global travel industry, offers great international flight deals across more than 200 countries. Its price tracking tool alerts users when fares drop below their desired amount, making it a handy option for travelers with flexible plans. Plus, you can earn “Trip Coins” with every booking, which can be used for discounts on future flights – perfect for saving money over time.
The app’s search tools make it simple to find budget-friendly flights. You can filter results by price, departure time, airline, or flight duration to match your specific needs. With support for over 30 languages, the interface is designed to accommodate users worldwide.
Trip.com goes beyond flights by bundling services like hotels and car rentals, often unlocking better deals. It also provides 24/7 customer support, so you can get help anytime, no matter where you are. Frequent promotions and flash deals on the app can help you save even more, especially when paired with its price alert feature.
While Trip.com delivers a wide range of travel services, Dollar Flight Club remains a top choice for those focused solely on finding the best flight deals for tight budgets.
8. Dollar Flight Club: Flight Alerts You Don’t Want to Miss
Dollar Flight Club is all about helping travelers snag incredible deals on international flights, especially mistake fares and flash sales. They offer three membership options: Basic (free, with limited alerts), Premium ($69/year for more deals and destinations), and Premium+ ($99/year, which includes business class alerts and SMS notifications).
Here’s how it works: Members set their preferred departure cities and dream destinations, and the platform sends alerts for deals tailored to those preferences. Premium+ users even get SMS notifications, ensuring they never miss out on time-sensitive offers. Some deals are jaw-dropping – think round-trip flights to Europe for under $300, with discounts of up to 90% on long-haul international flights.
Premium members also get extra perks like travel discounts from top brands. And if you’re unsure, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for Premium memberships. To make the most of the service, turn on notifications and act fast – mistake fares and flash sales disappear quickly.
Unlike standard flight search apps, Dollar Flight Club focuses on finding those rare mistake fares and flash sales. If you’re looking for budget-friendly international flights and want alerts sent straight to you, this app is a must-have for savvy travelers.
Conclusion
Finding affordable international flights is much easier with the right apps. Each app brings something different to the table, offering tools to help cut costs and simplify the booking process.
Being flexible with your travel dates and destinations can open up opportunities you might not have thought of. Apps like Kayak and Momondo give you a clear breakdown of flight options and costs, including baggage fees. By using a combination of these apps, you can compare prices more effectively and make smarter decisions.
No single app does it all, so mixing and matching their features works best. Hopper’s price tracking helps you book at the most cost-effective time, Dollar Flight Club alerts you to rare deals, and Kiwi.com’s routing options can reveal unconventional itineraries that other platforms might overlook.
To get the best deals:
- Use multiple apps to set price alerts and compare fares.
- Stay flexible with your travel dates and departure airports.
- Consider premium features if you’re a frequent traveler.
Whether you’re planning far in advance or need a last-minute ticket, these apps can help you snag the best prices. Pick the ones that fit your travel habits and budget for the best results.
