Kayak
#8 in Hotel Booking · Rated 4.0
Global travel metasearch for flights, hotels and more
Kayak is a global metasearch engine owned by Booking Holdings that compiles hotel, flight and car rental options from hundreds of providers. Founded in 2004 and operating from Stamford, Connecticut, Kayak supports dozens of languages and markets, making it a popular starting point for comparing prices and finding the best available deal. Kayak’s strength lies in its breadth of data, quick price comparisons and user-friendly tools like price alerts. It’s not a direct booking engine; after you pick an option, you’re redirected to the partner site to complete the booking. This model provides transparency across many providers but can introduce additional steps for users who prefer a single checkout.
Features
- Large, global inventory aggregation
- Price comparison from hundreds of providers
- Price tracking and alerts
- Multi-language support
- Cross-brand integration within Booking Holdings
Pros
- Wide price visibility and fast comparisons
- Easy access to multiple providers from one search
- Strong mobile app and flight/hotel coverage
Cons
- Requires redirect to supplier site to finalize booking
- Variability in offer quality across partners