Skyscanner

With millions of monthly users, Skyscanner is one of the most comprehensive travel 'search and book' systems currently available. The Skyscanner search system incorporates powerful smart filters that provide flexible Flight, Hotel & Car Hire search results that can be tailored to match your travel style and budget.

1. Introduction: The Skyscanner website is well-designed, uncluttered and easy to use; it provides some of the best global travel deals with no hidden charges. (Although Skyscanner includes an estimate of all mandatory taxes and charges, some airlines/agents displayed on Skyscanner will apply additional fees, such as for baggage, insurance and use of credit cards).

2. How Skyscanner Works: To help find a flight that matches your needs and budget, Skyscanner smart filters can be set to different search options, including availability for direct flights only or availability displayed by cheapest flights first. You can also include non-direct or stopover services in your search (a flight service with stops or a change of aircraft can often work out cheaper than direct non-stop services).

Search filters can be set for fixed travel dates or flexible date ranges. If you are searching for multiple flights, Skyscanner has a multi-city search option, you simply add your chosen destinations, and Skyscanner will search and display their best routes and fares for your multi-sector itinerary.

Top Tips: (1) If choosing a non-direct service with a change of aircraft, check you have sufficient time to make your connecting onward flight, (you might need more time than you think, especially if travelling with hold baggage, or if you need to clear passport control and airport security before boarding your onward flight). Always check the connecting flight requirements with your travel agent or airline before confirming your reservation.

(2). When selecting a flight (especially short-haul flights with stopovers) look out for stop points and the total journey time (duration), usually given in hours. The +1 symbol next to a flight means it will arrive the following day, meaning you could have a long 'airport wait' between connecting flights.

3. Hotel and Car Hire: Adding hotel accommodation and car rental deals to your travel itinerary is easy and cost-effective. Skyscanner has millions of hotel rooms at discounted rates, from budget grades to luxury accommodations, including the world's top hotel chains and smaller independent-style hotels.

Adding car rental is straightforward; you can search, compare and book a range of vehicles, from small holiday runabouts to family-friendly SUVs and even luxury convertibles. You'll find a great range of car rental rates and insurance options, plus handy pick-up locations.

4. Convenient (money-saving) Search Tips: If you are flexible or simply need some destination inspiration, try searching ‘Everywhere’ to see which destinations pop up at discounted prices.

Alternatively, keep up to date with Skyscanner price alerts; if you have a specific destination in mind, simply register with the Skyscanner Price Alert system. Enter your destination and travel dates and select the 'Get Price Alerts' tab next to your desired flights. Whenever prices go down or up Skyscanner will send you an email or push notification advising on the change, allowing you to pounce on the deal that's right for you. Skyscanner Price Alerts are a great way to track price movements on a particular flight and date. However, flight ticket prices may not fluctuate, and prices can increase, especially on popular routes.

Another great tip is to search using the 'Add Nearby Airports Option'; this allows you to potentially save money if a similar flight is cheaper departing from a nearby airport. Just tick the "add nearby airports" option in the search selection panel and if an alternative departure airport is cheaper (and is not too inconvenient or costly to get to), select it and save!

5. Skyscanner goes Green: If you prefer to travel on flights that emit less CO2, choose the 'only show flights with lower CO₂ emissions' option. This option has helped millions of travelers select flights with the lowest emissions for their flight itinerary.

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