iOS Coding ticket-price comparison app

[kuis1]

Goodevening,

I am currently working on an app that compares flight/train/bus tickets to a particular destination and provides users with the cheapest option, much like Rome2Rio.com does.

There are lots of ticket comparison websites out there, and I was wondering how they get access to these ticket-price 'databases'?
Are there any legal issues attached to this, for example? Or is it simply a matter of writing the right code that compares the different airline websites?

I'm completely in the dark on this one and would appreciate any help!

 

[iizmoo]

Train and bus tickets are usually publicly available via the web. Airline ticket prices are collected from the airline privately, if you're thinking something like Travelocity, they're a reseller for the airlines and have an API access into the airline ticketing system. You would start by calling the airlines and ask how you can access that API.

Message me if they actually do give it to you, I'd be interested to know what kind of hoops you had to go through.

 

[dejo]

Funny you should mention Rome2Rio.com, because they have an API.

Anyways, there is no easy answer to your question. My wife, who's a travel agent, explained to me that, at least in terms of air travel, there are a variety of ways to get prices and that you pretty much need to train to become a travel agent in order to understand and make sense of the complexity. Let me know if you would like more details.

 

[Jacob111]

Use them as starting point...

I wouldn't rely too much on tools such as rome2rio , distancemonk or travelmath because these tools use computer algorithms and don't take topography, weather conditions traffic conditions etc into account while predicting travel choices from point A to B. However, they can give you rough idea of possible options. They are always a good starting point to start your research.