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KAYAK review

Updated September 28, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026

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Our verdict

KAYAK suits families comparing flights, hotels and car rental in one search, with a mobile app for searching between the airport and the hotel desk. On the booking side: No booking fee, and cancellations are Handled by the travel provider. KAYAK Software Corporation has run it from the US since 2004.

Key facts

Best for
Comparing flights, hotels and car rental in one search, with a mobile app for changes on the go
Products
Flights, Hotels, Car-rental, Packages, Cruise↗
Booking fees
No booking fee↗
Cancellation terms
Handled by the travel provider↗
Mobile app
Yes↗
Legal entity
KAYAK Software Corporation↗
Headquarters
United States↗
Founded
2004↗
Support channels
Help-centre, Email↗
Official website
kayak.com

Facts checked September 26, 2026, 4 sources

Apps and profiles

Get the app
App Store
Elsewhere
WikidataWikipediaX

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Covers flights, hotels and car rental in one search, so a flight, a hotel and a car can be weighed against each other.
  • It adds No booking fee, so what you see is the fare or rate the travel provider quoted.
  • It has a mobile app, so searching and comparing work between the airport, the hotel and the car hire desk.

Cons

  • Support runs on help centre and email only, so a phone line or live chat is not part of the offer.
  • Cancellations are Handled by the travel provider, so a refund is settled by the travel provider rather than by KAYAK.
  • Searching is limited to flights, hotels and car rental, so a coach or rail ticket needs a different site.
KAYAK

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Scored 9.0 / 10 by NomadCue.

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Who it suits

  • Families lining up a flight, a hotel and a car for the same trip in one search
  • Travellers who want No booking fee on the booking side rather than a service charge from the site
  • People who search mostly from a phone, since a mobile app is available

Who should look elsewhere

  • Travellers after coach tickets only: FlixBus sells bus and nothing wider, so the choice is simpler.
  • Anyone booking a rental car or an airport transfer on its own: Hertz Bahamas WiFi covers car rental and transfers directly.
  • Shoppers who want a fee pledge in writing: Latam Travellers states 0 hidden fees, no contracts.

Who runs it

KAYAK is run by KAYAK Software Corporation, based in the US and founded in 2004. It is a comparison and booking site, so the details on each trip come from the travel providers it lists rather than from KAYAK itself. Support runs on help centre and email, which means written answers rather than a phone line or live chat.

How KAYAK compares

Where KAYAK is available

Available
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam

Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)

Frequently asked questions

Does KAYAK charge a booking fee?+

KAYAK adds No booking fee on top of the price displayed, so the fare or rate you see is the one the travel provider quoted. Extras such as bags or a deposit are set by the airline, hotel or hire company.

What can be booked through KAYAK?+

The range covers flights, hotels and car rental, so a flight, a hotel, a car, a holiday package and a cruise can be compared in one session. KAYAK is a booking site rather than a travel provider, so the trip is arranged with the company you pick.

Is there a KAYAK app for my phone?+

A mobile app is available, which suits trips where plans change between the airport, the hotel and the car hire desk. Searching from your phone does not change the money side: bookings still carry No booking fee, while prices and availability shift through the day.

What support is there if a booking goes wrong?+

Support runs on help centre and email only. A help centre covers the common questions and email takes the rest, so a problem needing a fast back-and-forth takes longer to settle than it would with a staffed desk on the line.

Who handles a cancellation?+

Cancellations are Handled by the travel provider, so the terms accepted at checkout are the ones that apply. A change fee, a fare difference or a refund deadline belongs to the airline, hotel or car hire company, so read those terms before paying.

Is KAYAK an airline or a hotel group?+

No. KAYAK is run by KAYAK Software Corporation, based in the US and founded in 2004. It is a booking site, so the contract you accept belongs to the travel provider on the confirmation.

Is KAYAK a good fit for a family holiday?+

For a family it works well, since flights, hotels and car rental sit in one search and a mobile app keeps the shortlist on your phone. Less good for a coach trip, where FlixBus covers bus, or when you want a fee pledge in writing, as Latam Travellers states 0 hidden fees, no contracts.

Sources

  • apps.apple.com/us/app/kayak-flights-hotels-cars/id305204535 checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Mobile app

    “trackName=KAYAK: Flights, Hotels & Cars; sellerName=Kayak Software Corp”

  • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayak_(company) checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Founded

    “Kayak was founded in January 2004 by Steve Hafner and Paul M. English.”

  • kayak.com/help checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Support channels

    “Got questions or feedback about bookings, trips, pricing, or anything else? Get in touch”

  • kayak.com/terms-and-conditions checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Booking fees, Cancellation terms, Headquarters, Legal entity, Products

    “KAYAK is free to use for travelers. Travel Providers may pay us a fee when you click through or complete a booking”

Compiled from 4 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.

KAYAK

KAYAK

Comparing flights, hotels and car rental in one search, with a mobile app for changes on the go

9.0/10See alternatives