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Google Flights is my favorite tool to search for cheap flights and travel planning.
I always start any flight search on Google Flights, but usually book directly with the airline after finding the flight.
Google Flights is an invaluable tool for those seeking to save money on air travel. With several user-friendly features designed to optimize your travel plans, you can easily identify the most cost-effective flights.
The Google Flights search page allows you to search nearly every airline in the world and compare travel lengths, departure times, class of seat, direct or non-direct flights, and the cost of the flight.
In this post:
Flexible Dates Flight Search
One of the standout features of Google Flights is the flexibility of searching for flights over a range of dates. The “Price Graph” tool allows you to see how prices fluctuate depending on the day you choose to fly. By selecting your travel dates based on the lowest price, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars.
How to Save Money with Google Flights
One of the most compelling features of Google Flights is its ability to help you save money on airfare. Here are a few strategies for leveraging the platform to find the best deals:
Flexible Dates
Google Flights provides a feature that allows you to explore prices across various dates. After you input your desired travel details and hit ‘Search', you'll see two tabs at the top of the page: ‘Dates' and ‘Price Graph'. Clicking on ‘Dates' will open a calendar view showing prices for your route on different days, while ‘Price Graph' shows price trends over time. Using these tools can help you pinpoint the cheapest dates to fly.
Discover Destinations:
If you're feeling adventurous and don't have a specific destination in mind, Google Flights' ‘Discover Destinations' feature can be a lot of fun. This option allows you to explore different locations based on your departure city, dates, and interests (like beaches, cities, or nature). The tool will show you a map with prices for various destinations that fit your criteria, offering a fantastic way to discover new locations that may not have been on your radar.
Price Alerts:
If you have a future trip in mind but aren't ready to book yet, Google Flights can monitor prices for you. Simply conduct a flight search as you normally would, then toggle the ‘Track prices' switch located just below the search bar. Google Flights will send you email notifications when prices increase or decrease significantly.
Track Flights and Prices
Google Flights also offers a tracking feature, which can be a game-changer if your travel dates are flexible. Once you've input your desired flight details, you can choose to track flights and receive email notifications when prices drop or start to increase. This way, you can book your tickets when prices hit their lowest point.
Explore Destinations
Another excellent money-saving feature of Google Flights is the ‘Explore Destinations' map. If you're not set on a specific destination, or if you're just in the mood for an adventure, this feature allows you to see the cost of flights to various destinations around the globe. Simply set your home airport and travel dates, and let Google Flights show you the world!
Cheap Flights Search Engine
Using Google Flights as your cheap flights search engine is straightforward. The website's layout is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for anyone to find and compare flights.
When you start your search, enter your departure city and travel dates. If you're not set on a specific destination, you can enter “anywhere” into the destination field. You can also specify other details such as the number of stops you’re willing to make, your preferred airlines, and the maximum length of the flight.
Google Flights will then present you with a list of options ranked by price. The results can be sorted by various factors including the duration of the flight, the number of stops, and the airlines.
The advantage of Google Flights is not just its comprehensive database of flights, but also the level of detail it provides for each option. Information on baggage fees, in-flight amenities, and potential travel disruption warnings ensure you can make an informed decision, beyond just the ticket price.
Remember, while Google Flights is an excellent tool for finding cheap flights, always cross-check prices with the airlines directly before making a purchase. In some cases, booking directly through the airline can offer additional benefits such as more flexible cancellation policies or loyalty points.
With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to becoming a savvy traveler, making the most out of every journey, and perhaps even scoring a few fantastic deals along the way. Happy flying!
Navigating the Google Flights Interface
Now that you're familiar with the filters available in Google Flights, let's take a closer look at how to use these tools in a live search. From the Google Flights homepage, input your departure and destination cities, along with your preferred travel dates, and click ‘Search'.
A new page will load displaying a list of available flights. At the top, you'll see a toolbar with several options. This toolbar is where all the magic happens! Here, you'll find each filter described above: Stops, Airlines, Bags, Price, Times, and More.
To use these filters, click on each option and a dropdown menu will appear with more detailed settings. For instance, under ‘Airlines', you can select your preferred airline(s), or opt to see flights from Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld members. Adjust each filter as per your requirements, and watch as your flight options update in real-time on the screen.
Conclusion
Google Flights is an incredibly powerful tool for finding and booking flights. With its comprehensive set of filters and money-saving features, it can make the often overwhelming task of finding the perfect flight a breeze.
Remember to experiment with different filters and tools to discover how they can best serve your travel needs. With a bit of practice, you'll soon be a Google Flights expert, ready to score the best deals and perfect your travel itinerary.