Kiwi vs. Momondo: Which Finds Better Flights?

I’m not the type to plan trips a month in advance with a laminated itinerary and flight confirmations color-coded in a folder. I’m more of a “click it and go” kind of person — booking flights impulsively at 1:47 AM or during a dull work meeting with one eye on the calendar. So trust me when I say: choosing the right flight search engine matters.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve tested dozens of platforms. But two of them have really stuck with me — Kiwi.comand Momondo. Both are well-known. Both claim to show you the best prices and easiest booking. But let me tell you something: that’s pretty much where the similarities end.

1. Kiwi: For Those Who Don’t Mind Winding Through Three Countries and a Bus Ride

What I truly love about Kiwi is how it mixes different forms of transportation — flights, trains, buses… It’s not your typical comparison site. It’s more like a travel strategist that stitches together a journey through Vilnius, an overnight in Leipzig, and a landing in Valencia — all for half the usual price. Sounds great? It is — if you know what you’re doing.

My first Kiwi booking was from Stockholm to Portimão. Looked perfect: flight to Lisbon, connecting bus, all neatly bundled. But when my flight got delayed 45 minutes, I missed the bus connection. Kiwi does offer a kind of “guarantee,” but only if your entire route is made with their connected partners. Mine wasn’t. Result? A €98 taxi ride and a dead phone somewhere near the Algarve coast.

The App That Actually Helps

That said, their mobile app is honestly fantastic. You can save your trip plan, set alerts for favorite destinations (mine: Palermo, Porto, and sometimes Catania when I’m craving pizza), and get notified when prices drop. It feels like a flight tracker and travel buddy in one.

2. Momondo: Beautiful Overview, but No Safety Net

Momondo feels like stepping into a design-forward travel gallery. For those who enjoy comparing things visually and cleanly, it’s a dream. You can sort flights by price, layovers, total travel time, airline preference, or even departure hours. One feature I adore? The price calendar. It’s a colorful, interactive graph that shows you how fares shift by day — perfect if your dates are flexible.

Redirects Can Get Risky

But! Here’s the catch: Momondo is just a middleman. Once you choose a flight, it redirects you to a different website — sometimes a booking agency you’ve never heard of. This can be a bit risky.

I once found a flight from Copenhagen to Dubai at an amazing price through Momondo. I clicked, got redirected to some third-party seller, and boom — confirmation received. But then Emirates changed the departure time, and I needed to adjust my layover. Problem? The website Momondo sent me to had no live chat, no phone support, and a contact form entirely in Italian. I tried… but it felt like shouting into the void.

So yes — Momondo offers sleek overviews and often solid prices. But when something goes wrong, you’re on your own. You’re not dealing with Momondo anymore — you’re at the mercy of whoever actually sold you the ticket.

✈️ Pro Tip: Use a VPN to Unlock Better Flight Deals

Flight prices often vary depending on your location. Booking sites track your IP address and may show different fares based on where you’re browsing from. That’s why using a VPN is a game-changer.

Here are my go-to VPNs when searching for flights:

✅ Surfshark – Great for hopping between countries quickly and comparing regional prices.
✅ NordVPN – Fast, stable, and reliable on both mobile and desktop.
✅ CyberGhost – Offers servers optimized specifically for travel and booking websites.

💡 Try switching your virtual location to places like Argentina, Turkey, or Spain — you might be surprised how much the price changes.

Which Features Actually Matter? Here’s How They Compare

1. Searching and Filtering

When it comes to the search experience, both platforms are quick and user-friendly — just in very different ways.

Momondo goes for a classic comparison approach: clean filters, slick interface, and smart sorting. You can easily adjust the number of stops, flight times, airline preferences, price caps — all with just a few clicks. If you’re the type who enjoys quick comparisons without too much digging, Momondo feels like home.

Kiwi, on the other hand, is a bit more… creative. It doesn’t just show flights — it builds journeys. Think: flight + train + bus + nap at a Polish station. It’s amazing for discovering alternative routes you might never consider. I once found a route from Belgrade to Valencia via Milan and Alicante that cost 60% less than a direct flight.

But the flip side? You have to read every little detail carefully. Layovers can involve terminal transfers, overnight waits, or even switching between airports in different cities.

2. Customer Support

This part? It’s where things get real.

Kiwi has in-app support and a help center, but when my Venice → Heraklion flight got canceled, it took me over 48 hours to reach a human. They did eventually respond — and refunded part of my trip — but it wasn’t the smoothest ride.

Momondo is trickier: since they’re not the ticket seller, support depends on the partner you’re redirected to. Some have live chat. Some have nothing but a contact form. Once, I booked via a company that listed an email address that bounced. Lesson learned: check the reputation of the booking site before clicking “Buy.”

3. Pricing: Who’s Really Cheaper?

This one’s complicated.

• Kiwi often wins for less traditional routes or multi-city combos (think: Bucharest → Málaga via Bergamo).
• Momondo tends to show better prices for straightforward routes, like Vienna → Amsterdam or Prague → Barcelona.

But here’s the key: the first price you see isn’t always the final one. With Kiwi, check if baggage is included. With Momondo, make sure the final price doesn’t jump when you land on the booking page.

My Personal Slip-Up: The Oslo Episode

One summer, I decided to head north. I booked a trip from Oslo to Bodø, with a final goal of reaching the Lofoten Islands. Kiwi found me an awesome route — Norwegian flight, followed by a scenic train ride through Narvik, and then a bus to Svolvær. Total travel time: nearly 19 hours. It sounded like an adventure. And it was.

But here’s the twist — I completely missed the part that said the train doesn’t run on Sundays. I’d booked everything late at night, half-asleep, and only noticed the fine print a day before departure. By then, it was too late to rebook anything.

I ended up buying a new direct flight via Momondo (thanks, SAS!) — and it cost me nearly triple. The whole thing could’ve been avoided if I’d double-checked the day of travel and not assumed that everything would just “connect.”

So yeah, I learned the hard way.
Always. Check. The. Details.

So, Which One Should You Use? It Depends On You

We all travel differently. Some of us chase budget deals with wild layovers, others just want a reliable flight at a decent price. So instead of naming one ultimate winner, here’s what I recommend — choose based on your style:

Kiwi.com

Best for:
Backpackers, budget travelers, solo explorers, digital nomads

When to use:
If you’re okay with unusual routes, mixed transport, or don’t mind a longer journey to save money.

Watch out for:
Complex layovers, less responsive support, and the need to read all trip details very carefully.

Momondo

Best for:
Visual thinkers, busy people, city-hoppers, business travelers

When to use:
When you want quick comparisons, clean filters, and don’t plan to make tons of changes.

Watch out for:
Lack of direct support — you’ll be redirected to another seller, and it’s up to them to help you (or not).

Kiwi vs. Momondo Comparison Table

What About You?

Have you used Kiwi or Momondo recently?
Found a brilliant flight deal — or had a booking nightmare?
Drop your experience in the comments — your story might help someone book smarter. 🌍✈️

FAQ

Anna

My name is Anna, and my daily life is a balancing act between family logistics, work responsibilities, and trying not to lose myself in the process. I cherish the moments when everything comes together – a good cup of tea, a calm morning, and our family all in one place. I'm not a perfectionist, but I do like things in order (especially in my head). I love planning trips, trying new recipes, and creating a home that feels good not just for us, but for anyone who walks through the door. And even when life gets a little chaotic, I believe that humor, openness, and love can do more than the most perfect plan ever could.

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