How Much Does It Cost to Develop an Expedia Clone?
Create a powerful, customizable streaming solution with Miracuves’ Expedia Clone, equipped with high-performance features and next-gen technology.
If you’re planning to launch a travel booking app like Expedia, one of the first things you’ll want to know is: how much does it cost to develop it?
The truth is — there’s no one-size-fits-all price tag. The total cost depends on several factors like app complexity, the features you include, the platforms you build for, and whether you’re working with an in-house team or a dedicated development company.
In this guide, we’ll break down the Expedia clone app development cost based on key variables such as region, development phase, and app functionality. Whether you’re building an MVP or a fully-loaded platform, this will help you plan your budget wisely.
Key Factors That Influence Development Cost
The cost of building an Expedia clone app can vary widely depending on the following major factors:
🔹 App Complexity
Are you building a simple MVP with core booking features or a fully-loaded app with AI, multilingual support, and partner dashboards?
🔹 Number of Platforms
Building for iOS, Android, and web increases development time and cost. A single-platform MVP is more budget-friendly.
🔹 UI/UX Design
A custom, premium design with animations and interactive elements costs more than using a ready-made UI kit or template.
🔹 Feature Set
The more features you include (chatbots, loyalty programs, vendor panels, etc.), the more time and resources are needed — impacting the overall budget.
🔹 Backend Infrastructure
Using cloud-based, scalable infrastructure (like AWS or Google Cloud) ensures performance but adds to monthly hosting and setup costs.
🔹 Development Team
Costs differ significantly based on whether you hire a freelancer, in-house team, or a specialized Expedia clone development company.
Average Development Cost by Region
Cost Breakdown by App Complexity
|
App Type
|
Features Included
|
Estimated Cost (USD)
|
|---|---|---|
|
Basic MVP
|
User registration, hotel/flight search, booking, payments
|
$15,000 – $30,000
|
|
Moderate Complexity
|
Admin panel, vendor panel, reviews, filters, coupon system, multi-currency
|
$30,000 – $70,000
|
|
Advanced Clone App
|
AI recommendations, chat support, loyalty program, multi-language, real-time syncing
|
$70,000 – $150,000+
|
If you’re launching a startup, starting with a MVP version is cost-effective and helps validate your idea before scaling further.
Development Timeline and Its Impact on Cost
The longer and more complex your project, the more hours are required — which directly affects the overall cost.
Here’s a general timeline breakdown based on project size:
|
Development Phase
|
Estimated Time
|
|---|---|
|
Requirement Gathering
|
1–2 weeks
|
|
UI/UX Design
|
3–5 weeks
|
|
Frontend & Backend Dev
|
8–14 weeks
|
|
API & GDS Integration
|
3–4 weeks
|
|
QA & Testing
|
2–3 weeks
|
|
Launch & Deployment
|
1–2 weeks
|
|
Total Timeline (Full App)
|
4–6 months
|
💡 Tip: A well-managed agile development approach ensures you stay within budget and allows flexibility for feature updates.
How to Reduce Cost Without Compromising Quality
You don’t need a massive budget to build a quality Expedia clone — you just need to be strategic.
Here’s how to keep costs in check:
Start with an MVP
Focus on the core features first (search, booking, payments), then scale based on user feedback.Work with an offshore team
Hiring a reputable Expedia clone development company in countries like India can save up to 70% in costs.Use pre-built modules
Instead of building everything from scratch, use white-label solutions or APIs for login, maps, payments, etc.Plan before building
Invest in a strong planning and wireframing phase to reduce costly changes later.Focus on one platform first
Launch on Android or iOS only (or web), then expand once you gain traction.
Choose the Right Development Partner
Even with a solid development plan, launching a travel booking platform like Expedia is a major undertaking — and choosing the right tech partner is key. The right development team isn’t just a service provider; they’re your strategic partner in creating a high-performance, intuitive, and scalable travel app.
When you’re searching for the best Expedia clone development company, here’s what truly matters:
Demonstrated expertise in travel and hospitality app development
A strong portfolio of successful OTA (Online Travel Agency) or booking platforms
End-to-end capabilities — from design to third-party integrations and post-launch support
At Miracuves, we go beyond just building booking apps — we engineer robust solutions tailored for performance, flexibility, and global scale. Whether you’re targeting local travelers or international tourists, we help you go live faster with a reliable, feature-rich Expedia clone.
Focus on growing your travel business — and leave the tech to us.
Conclusion
The cost to develop an Expedia clone app can range from $15,000 to $150,000+, depending on features, complexity, and development region. Whether you’re starting small or aiming big, knowing what affects cost helps you build smarter and scale faster.
Need help estimating your exact development cost? Our team can provide a custom quote based on your requirements.
Want to explore business models or the marketing startegy to include in your travel app? Check out our related guides for more insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can start with a basic MVP version for around $15,000–$30,000, which includes core booking features and payment integration.
Developer hourly rates differ globally. For example, development in the U.S. may cost $100–$200/hr, while in India it’s $20–$40/hr — making offshore teams more cost-effective.
A complete app with moderate to advanced features typically takes 4 to 6 months, depending on complexity and platforms.
Yes — using pre-built modules, templates, or white-label Expedia clone scripts can significantly reduce both cost and development time.
Key cost drivers include the number of platforms (web, iOS, Android), feature depth, design customization, backend scalability, and third-party integrations.