Skip to Content

These Are The 6 Most Popular Travel Booking Apps Right Now

Share The Article

Last Updated


Where is the first place you head to when you’re planning a trip?

For some of us, we always use the same booking platform – maybe through habit, or maybe through always having good experiences with it.

Others search around on different apps and websites looking for the best deal that fits our needs.

Woman with cell phone in europe in Prague city

However you plan your travel, it’s always good to know what other travelers are using so you can make sure you’re not missing out on a platform that offers something more or so you can avoid a platform that is falling below its usual standards.

Global data company PYMNTS has revealed the 6 most popular travel booking apps right now based on coverage, up-to-date downloads, monthly average users, sessions per user, and average session lengths.

Male Traveler Packing His Bag Ahead Of Traveling, International Travel

The top six features some names you’d expect but also a surprise or two, showing that travelers are keeping their options open when it comes to booking travel and searching for the best deals and most unique experiences.

Here are the rankings:

1) Airbnb

1) Booking.com

1) Expedia

2) Hopper

3) Skyscanner

4) Vrbo

Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia all tied for first place in this ranking with 98 points.

Those three big names were closely followed by Hopper with 97, Skyscanner with 89, and then Vrbo with 88.

Airbnb Still Flying High

Despite being superseded by other platforms in the eyes of some of our writers, Airbnb continues to be a very popular way to book travel accommodation.

The home-sharing app has had its fair share of controversies during its existence, the most recent of which saw the city of New York introduce new regulations that include hosts having to register with the city and also having to be present during rentals, sharing the space with their guests.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Easily Earn Points For Free Travel

woman looking at airbnb load screen on her phone

Despite Airbnb being banned or restricted in locations such as New York, Paris, Barcelona, and Japan, and suffering from increasing costs and fees, travelers don’t seem to have been put off using the app to book places to stay.

Booking And Expedia Hold Steady

Also tied for first place were Booking.com and Expedia – two of the longest-standing and most well-known travel booking platforms.

Both of these companies date back to 1996, which gives them a trustworthy reputation in the world of travel and means that when they suggest where the hottest destinations are, people tend to pay attention.

view of the coast from a plane window

The continued popularity of these apps might also stem from the ability travelers have to book not only accommodation but also flights, car hire, holiday packages, and even activities.

Both also offer solid loyalty programs, such as Booking’s Genius membership, which gives travelers exclusive rates.

Best Of The Rest

Hopper might be a name less familiar to travelers outside the United States, but this bunny-based brand now claims to be the most downloaded travel app in North America.

It offers unique selling points such as a tree planting program to help travelers offset their carbon footprints and also partnerships with airlines, including a recent one with Air Canada that allows travelers to use its ‘cancel for any reason' feature through the airline.

key hanging from door of luxury hotel room

As for Skyscanner, this flight comparison site has always been popular since it first launched in 2003.

It’s a great starting point when planning a trip, even just so you can see what kinds of flights are available and from where.

Just be aware that not all airlines are always featured on Skyscanner, and also make sure you don’t waste your time with many of the well-known hacks that simply don’t work.

woman looking out of the window in luxury hotel room

Vrbo has a similar business model to Airbnb, giving property owners the chance to rent out their spaces for vacations.

It has encountered some similar controversies to Airbnb but offers travelers the opportunity to find places not listed anywhere else.

Woman booking a flight with her phone

And in case you were interested, ranked in last place with a score of just 33 is HotelTonight, which specializes in last-minute deals booked up to seven days in advance.

Will this data change your travel booking habits?

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!


SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.


Jalan Jalan

Thursday 7th of September 2023

Despite high fees, AirBNB is still the only one that offers discounts for long-term stays.