For countless Indian travellers, booking a flight often feels like navigating a maze with constantly shifting walls. The price you see today can vanish tomorrow, leaving you to pay a premium simply because you booked at the wrong time. This uncertainty makes sticking to a travel budget a frustrating challenge, especially for those eager to explore new destinations without breaking the bank.
End the Search Fatigue: Let Tools Do the Hard Work
Instead of manually checking prices across endless dates and destinations, savvy travellers are turning to intelligent tools that automate the hunt for deals. A leading solution in this space is Skyscanner, a popular global flight aggregator. Its suite of features is designed to save both time and money, particularly for users who have flexibility in their travel plans. Here’s a detailed guide on how to leverage three of its most powerful tools to secure the best airfare.
Hack 1: Discover Your Next Adventure with 'Explore Everywhere'
One of the biggest hurdles to finding a cheap flight is being fixated on a single destination. Skyscanner's 'Explore Everywhere' feature brilliantly removes this barrier. It allows you to search for flights from your departure city to literally 'Everywhere.' The results are then neatly organised from the cheapest to the most expensive destinations worldwide.
To use this, simply visit Skyscanner's website or app, enter your departure city, and select 'Everywhere' as your destination. You can choose specific dates or opt for the 'Cheapest Month' feature if your schedule is open. The tool provides filters for direct flights, specific airlines, or regions, making it perfect for spontaneous travellers or those simply looking for the most economical getaway option.
Hack 2: Automate Your Hunt with Price Alerts & Saved Searches
Manually tracking fluctuating airfares is a tedious task. Skyscanner simplifies this with its Price Alerts and Saved features. Think of the Saved feature as a digital travel wishlist where you can bookmark interesting flights and organise them. The real magic happens when you activate Price Alerts for these saved flights.
The process is straightforward: search for a flight in the app, tap the heart icon to save it, and then tap the bell icon to track its price. Skyscanner will then monitor the fare and send you email notifications the moment the price drops or changes. This automation ensures you never miss a good deal and can book at the optimal time without constant, manual checking.
Hack 3: Master Timing with the Flexible Dates Calendar View
Timing is everything in flight bookings. Skyscanner's Flexible Dates feature provides a comprehensive calendar view that compares prices across different days and even months. Key components include the 'Cheapest Month' tool, which identifies the most affordable month to travel, and the 'Whole Month' view, which shows day-by-day pricing for a selected month.
To utilise this, enter your travel cities, click on 'Flexible dates,' and choose your preferred view. You'll be presented with a grid showing the lowest recent fares, allowing you to select dates that perfectly align with your budget. It's crucial to remember that the displayed prices are estimates based on recent searches and can change rapidly, so prompt booking is advised when you spot a compelling offer.
By combining these three tools—Explore Everywhere, Price Alerts, and Flexible Dates—you create a robust, money-saving system. This approach takes the guesswork out of flight booking, empowering Indian travellers to explore more while spending less, turning travel planning from a stressful chore into an exciting opportunity.
