Looking to travel more for less? Whether it’s a spontaneous city break, a beach escape, or a long-haul adventure, knowing how to use Skyscanner to your advantage can save you hundreds—if not thousands—on your airplane tickets.
In this ultimate guide, you’ll discover 10 powerful Skyscanner hacks that frequent travellers and travel bloggers use to unlock rock-bottom fares, hidden gems, and unbeatable flight combos. From flexible search tricks to clever booking timing, this guide will arm you with real, tested strategies that work.
And best of all? Every tip can be applied using Skyscanner, your go-to tool for finding cheap flights.
👉 Ready to find your next cheap deal? Start searching flights with Skyscanner now
Skyscanner isn’t just a flight search engine—it’s a full-on travel hack in your pocket. The Sky Scanner app (free to download) lets you compare flights across airlines, routes, and dates, all in seconds. It even includes budget carriers and local airlines many other platforms ignore.
From flexible date views to price tracking, it offers tools designed to help you fly smarter, not more expensively.
🚀 Hack #1: Search “Everywhere” for Spontaneous Trips
The Everywhere search option is a godsend for flexible travellers. Instead of locking yourself into a specific destination, just type in your departure airport and choose “Everywhere” as your destination.
Example:
A London-based traveller found a return trip to Porto for £19 using this feature—cheaper than a night out at the pub.
👉 Try the “Everywhere” feature now and see what pops up: Search “Everywhere” on Skyscanner
📆 Hack #2: Use the “Whole Month” Search to Spot Bargains
Instead of picking specific dates, opt for the “Whole Month” search view. This gives you a full calendar overview showing the cheapest days to fly.
✈️ Prices can vary wildly from day to day—especially for first class flights and long hauls.
This simple trick can reduce your fare by up to 60%, just by choosing a date a few days earlier or later.
👀 Hack #3: Browse in Incognito Mode
Flight prices can increase based on your browsing history. Use your browser’s private or incognito mode when searching to prevent cookies from influencing prices.
🔒 It’s one of those little-known airplane hacks seasoned travellers swear by.
🔁 Hack #4: Mix & Match Airlines for Custom Routes
Skyscanner allows you to mix and match different airlines for outbound and return flights. This flexibility is perfect when flying between cities with limited direct connections or when you’re trying to cobble together the cheapest route.
Example: Fly out with Wizz Air and return with Ryanair—it might save you up to £100 compared to a return with one airline.
👉 Start customising your flights with Skyscanner’s search engine: Search now
🌍 Hack #5: Explore Nearby
Skyscanner lets you include nearby airports in your search. Flying into or out of alternative airports can often lead to significant savings.
For instance, departing from London Southend instead of Gatwick can drop prices considerably. The same goes for flying into Beauvais instead of Paris CDG.
📲 Hack #6: Download the Skyscanner App for Alerts on the Go
The Sky Scanner app offers one of the best price alert systems available. Enable notifications to be the first to know when prices drop on your selected route.
✉️ You can track price changes without having to check every day—Skyscanner does the hard work for you.
👉 Get the app here: Download the Sky Scanner app
⏰ Hack #7: Book at the Right Time
While there’s no magic hour, Skyscanner’s data suggests that booking 5–6 weeks in advance often brings the best value—especially for first class flights or long hauls.
📊 Tuesdays and Wednesdays are statistically cheaper days to fly and book.
Tip: Use Skyscanner’s filters to compare prices by day, week, or month.
🔗 Hack #8: Use Skyscanner’s Multi-City Feature
Travelling to more than one destination? Use Skyscanner’s Multi-City search tool to book complex itineraries in one go—often for less than if you booked each leg separately.
Example itinerary:
- London → Rome
- Rome → Athens
- Athens → London
Total: £130 (vs £195 when booked separately)
👉 Try the Multi-City planner on Skyscanner: Plan a multi-city trip
🧳 Hack #9: Travel Light with Carry-On Only—and PackSmart
One of the most overlooked Skyscanner hacks? Flying with just carry-on luggage. Many budget airlines like easyJet offer free under-seat cabin bags, but charge extra for overhead cabin or checked bags.
✈️ My Personal Tip:
On my recent 4-night break, I used a compact under-seat suitcase that fits easyJet’s strict dimensions perfectly. It saved me at least £50 in baggage fees, and honestly, I didn’t feel like I was “travelling light” at all.
👉 You can check out the exact case I used here. It’s durable, glides smoothly, and hasn’t let me down after multiple trips.
But here’s where the real hack comes in…
🎒 Enter: Compression Packing Cubes
I also used compression packing cubes—which were a game-changer. They allowed me to fit 5 outfits, toiletries, and even a spare pair of shoes into my small case without sitting on the zip.
👉 I’ve linked my recommended set of cubes here. Highly recommend these for anyone doing city breaks, business travel, or even longer minimalist trips.
🧠 Pro Tip: When using Skyscanner, filter your search by “carry-on only” options to see the true lowest prices, especially when flying with airlines that charge separately for luggage.
💼 Hack #10: Set Price Alerts for Future Flights
Even if you’re just browsing for inspiration, setting a price alert means you won’t miss a flash sale or fare drop. It’s free, easy, and done in a couple of taps on Skyscanner.
👉 Set up a flight alert here: Track prices on Skyscanner
✈️ Extra Tips for a Smooth Flight Experience
Cheap flights are great—but comfort matters too, especially for long hauls. Here are a few airplane tips to keep in mind:
- Wear layers and bring a neck pillow for long flight hacks
- Stay hydrated and pack light snacks
- Download entertainment in advance in case in-flight options are lacking
- Bring a power bank to keep your devices charged
🧠 Expert Insight: Why Skyscanner Works
“The ability to set alerts and customise routes is what makes Skyscanner my go-to. It finds flights Google doesn’t.”
— Chris Elliot, Frequent Flyer
“Skyscanner’s strength lies in its transparency. It doesn’t push any airline—it just shows you what’s cheapest. Combine that with some flexibility, and it’s unbeatable.”
— Hannah Adams, Digital Nomad & Travel Blogger
🎯 Your Flight-Finding Strategy, Simplified
Scoring Skyscanner cheap flights isn’t just luck—it’s strategy. By using these 10 hacks, you’ll uncover hidden deals, avoid overpriced traps, and travel more for less.
And since all of these strategies are built into the Sky Scanner app or desktop platform, you won’t need to bounce between 10 tabs or juggle 3 sites. One platform. Endless savings.
✅ Summary: Your Cheap Flight Toolkit
| Hack # | Strategy | Use Skyscanner Feature |
| 1 | Search “Everywhere” | Destination: Everywhere |
| 2 | Whole Month Calendar View | Date Picker |
| 3 | Incognito Mode | Browser Setting |
| 4 | Mix Airlines | “Best” Sort Option |
| 5 | Add Nearby Airports | Advanced Filters |
| 6 | Download the App | Mobile App |
| 7 | Book 5–6 Weeks in Advance | Price Trend Analysis |
| 8 | Multi-City Booking | Multi-City Search |
| 9 | Carry-On Only Filter | Luggage Filter |
| 10 | Price Alerts | Email/App Notifications |
Don’t wait for prices to go up—put these hacks to work today.
👉 Search cheap flights now on Skyscanner