Track Flight Prices
Tracking flight prices helps you book when fares drop instead of overpaying. This guide covers how to set price alerts on Google Flights and Skyscanner, when to book after an alert, and how to combine tracking with flexible dates for the best results.
Google Flights price tracking
After you search for a route and dates on Google Flights, you can turn on “Track prices.” You’ll get emails when prices go up or down. Use the date grid and “flexible dates” view to see cheaper nearby dates. For a comparison with other tools, see our Google Flights vs Skyscanner guide. Pair tracking with our Best Time to Book Flights tips so you know typical booking windows.
Skyscanner price alerts
On Skyscanner, run a search and use “Get Price Alerts” to get notified when prices change. You can set alerts for specific dates or for “whole month” views, which is useful if your travel dates are flexible. Skyscanner aggregates many OTAs, so you may see options that don’t appear on Google Flights. Use our How to Get Cheap Flight Tickets guide for more ways to save. Budget your trip with our Personal Finance Planner so you know your max airfare when alerts arrive.
When to book after an alert
When you get an alert, check whether the new price is lower than what you’ve seen and whether it fits your budget. If yes, book soon—fares can change within hours. Have payment and passenger details ready. If the price is still high, keep the alert on and wait; avoid holding out for a perfect price if you’re close to your travel date.
Using multiple tools
Set alerts on both Google Flights and Skyscanner for the same route. They use different data and can surface different deals. Sometimes one will show a drop before the other. For business travel or relocation, use our Salary Calculator to compare pay in different cities so you can factor in travel cost when evaluating job offers.
Frequently asked questions
On Google Flights, search your route and dates, then turn on “Track prices.” On Skyscanner, search and use “Get Price Alerts.” You’ll get emails when prices change. Use both for the same route to compare.
If the alerted price is lower than what you’ve seen before and fits your budget, book soon—prices can change quickly. Have your dates and passenger details ready so you can complete the booking without delay.
Yes. Google Flights and Skyscanner support alerts for domestic and international routes. Set alerts as soon as you know your route and rough dates so you have time to act on drops.