Google Flights is the best first stop, Skyscanner is the best wide-net search, and Aviasales is the sleeper pick for price hunting in Europe, Asia, and CIS-heavy routes. If you only use one tool, use Google Flights for speed and date clarity. If you can spare five extra minutes, compare the same route on Skyscanner and Aviasales too. Skyscanner says it works with more than 1,200 travel partners, which helps explain why it often finds options Google misses [source: Skyscanner].
TLDR: Use Google Flights to find the best dates, then check Skyscanner and Aviasales before paying. On a sample search like New York to Rome, shifting travel by just 2 or 3 days can cut the fare by 15% to 30%, which Google’s calendar makes easy to spot. Skyscanner is better when you want more online travel agency options. Aviasales is worth checking when your trip includes Turkey, Georgia, Serbia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, or similar routes.
Quick verdict: which app should you use?
- Best overall: Google Flights
- Best for broad comparison: Skyscanner
- Best for regional bargains: Aviasales
- Best for flexible dates: Google Flights
- Best for “anywhere” trip ideas: Skyscanner
- Best for budget travelers who like hunting: Aviasales
Google Flights: fastest and cleanest
Google Flights is the tool I would open first. It is fast, simple, and very good at showing when prices rise or fall. The date grid and price graph are the real stars. You can see cheaper departure days in seconds.
It is also strong for filters. You can pick airlines, stops, times, bags, emissions, and connecting airports without feeling buried. That sounds basic, but many travel sites still make this painful.
The catch is that Google Flights is not really a booking app in the classic sense. It usually sends you to an airline or travel agency to finish payment. Google explains that bookings are often completed on the airline or agency site [source: Google Travel Help]. That is not bad. In fact, booking direct with an airline can make changes easier. Still, it means Google may not show every small agency fare.
Use Google Flights if:
- You care about speed.
- Your dates are flexible.
- You want a clean price calendar.
- You prefer booking direct with airlines.
Small annoyance: some low-cost airline fares can be incomplete or missing extras. Bags and seat fees may change the final price. Expect to check the airline site before you celebrate.
Skyscanner: the broad search machine
Skyscanner is the app I use when I want more choice. It searches airlines and online travel agencies, then lines them up in one place. The “Everywhere” search is still one of its best features. Type your airport, choose flexible dates, and it gives you trip ideas by price.
This is great when you know you want to travel but do not care where. A long weekend from London? A cheap beach trip from Berlin? Skyscanner is built for that mood.
It also has useful month view pricing. Google does this too, but Skyscanner often feels more playful for open-ended planning. The app is friendly, and alerts are easy to set.
Honestly, it feels like Skyscanner sometimes throws too many booking partners at you. Some agencies have weaker reviews, odd payment fees, or strict refund rules. The cheapest result is not always the smartest one. You need to check baggage, payment charges, and cancellation terms before buying.
Use Skyscanner if:
- You want the widest set of fares.
- You are open to different destinations.
- You like price alerts.
- You do not mind checking agency reviews.
Aviasales: underrated for certain routes
Aviasales is less famous in North America, but it can be very useful. It is especially strong on routes linked to Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkey, and parts of Southeast Asia. If your trip includes places like Almaty, Tbilisi, Yerevan, Istanbul, Belgrade, or Phuket, it deserves a search.
The app compares airline and agency deals much like Skyscanner. It also has solid filters and fare alerts. Some users like its clean mobile flow. It can feel less cluttered than giant travel platforms.
Where Aviasales gets interesting is price discovery. On some routes, it may show smaller agencies or combinations that do not appear near the top elsewhere. That can save money, especially for one-way flights or mixed airline trips.
But be careful. As with Skyscanner, the agency matters. A fare that is $18 cheaper is not worth it if support is slow or baggage rules are unclear. It drives me crazy when a fare looks cheap, then jumps after card fees or luggage. Always click through to the final payment page before trusting the number.
Side-by-side comparison
| App | Strongest point | Weak spot |
|---|---|---|
| Google Flights | Fast date and price comparison | Not every agency fare appears |
| Skyscanner | Huge choice and flexible trip ideas | Agency quality can vary |
| Aviasales | Good regional deals and hidden finds | Less familiar to many travelers |
Best way to use all three
- Start with Google Flights. Find the cheapest travel dates.
- Copy the exact route and dates into Skyscanner.
- Check the same search on Aviasales, especially for Europe or Asia routes.
- Compare the final price with bags included.
- Book direct with the airline if the price difference is small.
If the airline price is only $10 to $30 higher, I usually book direct. It can save stress later. If an agency is $100 cheaper and has strong reviews, then it may be worth it.
Final pick: Google Flights wins for most travelers because it is fast, clear, and reliable. Skyscanner is the better idea generator. Aviasales is the extra check that can sometimes reveal the fare everyone else missed.