MakeMyTrip vs Yatra vs Cleartrip: The Complete India Travel Booking Guide (2026)
MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Cleartrip, and Goibibo dominate India's online travel booking. This 2026 guide breaks down where each wins, hidden fees to watch for, and when an AI trip planner like Winnie is a better first step.
The quick verdict
MakeMyTrip has the widest inventory and best domestic flight deals. Yatra edges ahead on international flights and package tours. Cleartrip offers the cleanest interface and honest pricing. Goibibo (owned by MakeMyTrip) is best for last-minute hotel deals. None of them plan a trip: they book components.
Head to head comparison
| Feature | MakeMyTrip | Yatra | Cleartrip | Goibibo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2000 | 2006 | 2006 | 2009 |
| Best for | Everything | Packages | Cleanest UX | Last-min hotels |
| Domestic flights | Best inventory | Good | Good | Good |
| International flights | Good | Best for packages | Cleanest fees | Limited |
| Hotel discounts | Aggressive | Moderate | Transparent | Deepest |
| Hidden convenience fees | 300 to 700 INR | 200 to 500 INR | Rare | 300 to 600 INR |
| Customer service quality | Mixed | Poor to fair | Best of the group | Mixed |
MakeMyTrip: pros and cons
MakeMyTrip is India's largest OTA. Their inventory is unmatched: 500+ airlines, 40,000+ hotels, cabs, buses, holiday packages. Their app is the most feature-packed, though it is aggressive with upsells.
- Pros: widest selection, best domestic flight deals, generous MMT Black loyalty program.
- Cons: convenience fees stack up (payment gateway, insurance, seat selection). Customer service outsourced and inconsistent.
- Best for: any trip where you already know your dates and cities.
Yatra: pros and cons
Yatra is strong on holiday packages and corporate travel. If you want a bundled Europe or Southeast Asia trip, Yatra's packages tend to be marginally cheaper than MakeMyTrip's. Their domestic experience is less polished.
- Pros: better international holiday packages, occasional flash sales, decent point earning.
- Cons: dated interface, worst customer service of the four for domestic cancellations.
- Best for: pre-packaged international group tours or fixed-departure holidays.
Cleartrip: pros and cons
Cleartrip (now owned by Flipkart) has the cleanest UX and the most transparent pricing. Fewer aggressive upsells. If you value a stress-free booking flow more than the absolute lowest price, Cleartrip wins.
- Pros: fewest hidden fees, cleanest interface, best customer service response times.
- Cons: inventory is slightly smaller than MakeMyTrip, especially for luxury hotels.
- Best for: travelers who value simplicity and honest pricing over saving 200 rupees.
Goibibo: pros and cons
Goibibo is now part of the MakeMyTrip group but runs independently. Their hotel algorithm often surfaces better last-minute domestic deals. Their GoCash reward system is generous if you book frequently.
- Pros: aggressive last-minute hotel deals, unique GoCash rewards.
- Cons: fewer flight options than MakeMyTrip parent, interface less polished.
- Best for: last-minute domestic hotel bookings within 48 hours of check-in.
Hidden fees to watch for
- Convenience fee: 200 to 700 INR per booking. Auto-added. Cannot be removed on some sites.
- Payment gateway fee: 1 to 2 percent on credit card. Sometimes disguised as processing.
- Insurance: pre-checked by default. Uncheck it unless you actually want it.
- Seat selection: extra 200 to 800 INR per person on domestic flights.
- Meal pre-booking: cheaper if bought at the airport counter directly for domestic hops.
Where AI trip planners fit in
OTAs like MakeMyTrip solve the booking step. They do not solve the planning step. If you are figuring out which cities to visit, how long to stay, and what to do each day, an AI trip planner like Winnie is the right first tool.
Winnie is free and builds a full day-by-day India itinerary in under a minute. Once you have the plan, you can book each leg on whichever OTA gives you the best price. No lock-in.
Which platform when
- Planning stage: Winnie (free) to build the day-by-day itinerary first.
- Domestic flights: MakeMyTrip or Cleartrip.
- International flights: Yatra or Google Flights direct.
- Hotels: Booking.com, then compare on Cleartrip and Goibibo.
- Trains: IRCTC direct (avoid Cleartrip's train markup).
- Buses: RedBus (better inventory than any OTA).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: MakeMyTrip or Yatra?
MakeMyTrip wins for domestic bookings with a wider inventory and cleaner mobile app. Yatra wins for pre-packaged international holidays. For pure booking convenience, MakeMyTrip is the safer default.
Is Cleartrip cheaper than MakeMyTrip?
Not consistently. Cleartrip is more transparent with fewer hidden fees, so the final price is often within 50 to 200 rupees of MakeMyTrip. If you value stress-free checkout, Cleartrip wins.
How much do OTAs charge in hidden fees?
Between 200 and 700 rupees per booking depending on the platform, plus 1 to 2 percent payment gateway fees on credit cards. Always uncheck insurance and inspect the fare breakup before paying.
Do I need to use an OTA at all?
No. Booking flights direct on IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, or SpiceJet websites is often cheaper (no convenience fees). Trains are always cheapest on IRCTC. Hotels are usually cheapest direct via the property's website.
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