Guide to Build a Successful Travel App Like Priceline, Expedia, and Airbnb

October 6, 2025

Traveling is fun, but planning it? Not so much. Flights, hotels, rentals it’s a lot to figure out. And calling agents or jumping between websites just to get everything sorted? Nobody enjoys that. That’s why apps like Priceline, Expedia, and Airbnb are so popular; they put everything in one place and make it easy.

You will be surprised to know that the global travel and tourism industry is expected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2035. If you’re planning to build a travel app, now is the time. The goal is to make something that genuinely helps people and grows your business. Put flights, hotels, rentals, and experiences together in one place and make it easy to use. It’s not just about showing options; it’s about making the whole process simple and enjoyable for anyone using it. In this blog, learn the key steps to build a successful travel app that works for users and helps your business stand out in a crowded market.

Make Money With Travel Apps like Airbnb, Expedia, and Priceline

Travel apps can be a great way to earn revenue if you do it smartly. There are a few main ways to turn your app into a business that pays off.

1. Merchant Model

A lot of travel agencies purchase reservations and tickets straight from providers before offering them to customers. They receive a reduced price when they purchase in bulk, and they profit when they sell at a greater price. Depending on the state of the market, they might modify their profit margin.

2. Commission Fees

Getting a share, or commission, from the services that are advertised on the app is another popular method. To feature hotels, restaurants, or other providers on the site, a nominal charge must be paid. Apps for booking hotels, flights, and rental cars frequently include this concept.

3. Advertising

In-app advertisements are another way travel applications can generate revenue. This covers sponsored listings, interstitials, and banner adverts. By doing this, businesses can charge service providers to access the app’s user base while keeping its essential services free for consumers. 

The following are some other useful revenue models.

• Subscription plans: Users pay yearly/monthly/weekly charges to access the app’s premium features, deals, or content.
• In-app purchases: Within the app, users can purchase virtual products or additional features.
• Loyalty programs: When users use the app regularly or make repeat reservations, they might receive prizes or discounts.
• Sponsored content: Businesses pay to have advertisements or other material appear on the app.

Process of Developing a Travel App Like Priceline, Expedia, and Airbnb

The process to Build Successful Travel Apps like Airbnb, Priceline, and Expedia involves several stages. It is important to fully develop your idea and ensure that it aligns with market expectations before creating a mobile solution.

1. Ideate and Validate

Start by generating app concepts for travel that cater to certain requirements or problems faced by travelers. Examine and evaluate the possible features and functions that pertain to booking, trip planning, navigation, or local suggestions.

Before you start building your app, just take some time to really look around. Check out other travel apps, see what people like and don’t like, and figure out where things could be better.

Also, think about the people who will actually use your app. What do they want? What frustrates them? Understanding that will help you make something they actually enjoy.

2. Decide on Features and Platforms

Make decisions on the main features and functionalities your travel app will provide based on user research and market analysis. Give top priority to elements that improve the user experience, such as simple booking and tailored suggestions.

Have a broad concept of the appearance you wish for your program. Make sure to highlight smooth navigation and user involvement in your drawings.

Finally, choose between creating a progressive web app (PWA), a hybrid app, or a native app for iOS and Android. To select the best course of action for your situation, speak with a reputable source of mobile app development consulting services.

3. Find a Development Team

If you’re making a travel app, it helps to work with people who really know the travel business and have built apps like this before. Keep checking in with them while they’re working so nothing gets missed.

Think about using an agile development methodology when choosing a development plan. During the travel app development process, it enables flexibility in responding to evolving requirements and comments, which is important for startups and advantageous for well-established firms.

4. Monitor, Approve, Test, and Suggest

When the app is ready, try it yourself and fix anything that’s broken. Once it’s live, just ask people what they think—through short surveys or little prompts in the app. Notice what they like, what annoys them, and tweak it so it’s easier and nicer to use.

After that, bring the input you’ve gathered back to your development team so they may continue to make changes and updates. Apps that adapt to the demands of the user are appreciated. 

Cost of Developing a Travel App

The price of creating a travel app usually ranges from $10,000 to $500,000. The following list of factors influences this cost variance.

• Complexity of the app
• Features and functionalities of the app
• The platform it is designed for (such as iOS or Android)
• level of customization required, and the intricacy of third-party integrations
• Expertise and geographical location of the development team

Why Do You Need a Travel App Like Priceline, Expedia, and Airbnb 

Are you still unsure whether to invest in a travel app? Let’s examine the points that can make you feel that your travel business needs an app.

1. Personalized Solutions for Special Needs

There are many different types of establishments in the travel and hospitality sector, each with specific needs. These include hotels, airlines, travel agents, and more. Here’s where personalized travel software or solutions meet the unique needs of your company, guaranteeing smooth operations and top-notch customer support.

2. Improving the Client Experience

A good travel app? It’s not just a bunch of flights and hotels listed. If it can give people suggestions that actually make sense, show updates as they happen, and be easy to figure out, they’ll actually like using it. And when people like it, they come back. Simple as that.

3. Optimized Processes and Effectiveness

If your app can handle the boring stuff like bookings, billing, or check-ins automatically, everyone wins. Fewer mistakes, less stress, more time to focus on the stuff that really matters—like helping your customers.

4. An Edge Over Competitors

You may differentiate yourself from the competition by investing in travel applications. The best bet is to hire a skilled travel app development agency that offers original and cutting-edge solutions and helps you beat the market competition.

5. Adaptability and Scalability

Demand swings are common for businesses in the travel and hospitality sectors throughout the year. Your company may grow by adjusting to the shifting market circumstances with the help of a travel solution or app. 

6. Cost-Effectiveness in the Long Run

Although developing a bespoke travel app can seem like a big upfront commitment. But it doesn’t require recurring license fees, and is simple to update and manage to meet shifting consumer tastes and industry trends.

Final Thoughts

Above all, travel businesses that have a mobile app have a significantly greater chance of success in the market. However, it is advisable to hire Mobile App Developers like Richestsoft to build Successful Travel Apps Like Airbnb, Priceline, and Expedia. Richestsoft is a top-tier mobile app development firm in Dubai, offering comprehensive travel app development services, from site design and app development to API integration and maintenance.

Whether you require a user-friendly travel app or a strong online platform, we provide excellent solutions. We also offer Airbnb Clone App Development solutions that can help travel businesses launch faster without starting from scratch.