How to Use Google Flights to Find Cheap Flights?

In today's world of endless flight options, finding the cheapest fare can feel like a really difficult task. But don’t worry—Google Flights is here to save the day! You can become a really smart deal hunter if you learn how to actually make the most of Google Flights’ advanced features. So, let’s understand how you can use these tools to find cheap flights with ease.

How to Start Finding Cheap Flights on Google Flights?

Start by going to the official website of Google Flights. The first step is simple: enter your departure city and destination. If you’re not set on a particular place, you can even search by region or country to see all the available options.

Now you can use any of the following methods to find the cheapest flights for your preferred destinations or dates:

1. Use the Calendar View to Find the Cheapest Dates

Here’s where Google Flights really does the best. Once you enter your cities, click on the departure date field, and a calendar will pop up. This isn’t your average calendar—it’s packed with affordable price tags! The Calendar Method lets you see the lowest available fares day by day. This makes it pretty convenient to spot the cheapest travel dates.

Steps

Click on the date field.
Scroll through the calendar to see prices for different dates.
Adjust your travel dates to find the lowest prices.

This method is pure gold if your dates are flexible. You can quickly find which days offer the cheapest flight deals, then you can adjust your trip accordingly.

2. Take Advantage of the Price Graph

If you’re a visual person, you’ll love the Price Graph feature. This useful tool shows you how prices fluctuate over time, so you can see if prices are rising, falling, or staying steady.

Simply click on “Price Graph” after selecting your destination, and you’ll get a clear picture of what the fares look like over a month or more.

Why It Works

See Trends: It helps you identify the best times to book.
Spot Patterns: It allows you to avoid peak times when prices go high.

This feature is particularly helpful if you’re planning a longer trip and want to ensure you’re flying at the most affordable time.

3. Quickly Find Cheap Travel Dates with Date Grid

The Date Grid feature is a game-changer if you’re someone who likes a simple approach. After entering your destination, just click on “Date Grid,” and what you'll see next is a grid displaying prices for flights based on different departure and return date combinations. The best part? You don’t have to guess which dates will give you the best deal—the grid highlights the lowest prices so you can quickly find the cheapest options instantly.

Why It Works

Quick Overview: It provides an at-a-glance view of the best and worst days to fly.
Flexible Planning: It helps you adjust your travel dates to save the most money.

In short, the Date Grid is a must-use tool for anyone serious about finding cheap flight deals. This feature is particularly useful if you have flexible travel dates and want to pinpoint the most affordable options.

4. Use the Explore Feature for Ideas

Let’s say you want to travel but don’t have a specific destination in mind. Enter the Explore feature! By selecting the “Explore” option, you can search for flights within your budget to any destination in the world. You can filter by interests, such as beaches, cities, or outdoor activities, and Google Flights will show you a map of possibilities.

Why It’s Great

Explore New Destinations: Find places you hadn’t considered.
Stay Within Budget: Filter results to only show destinations within your price range.

The Explore feature is perfect for adventure lovers who just want to get away without going over budget.

5. Set Up Price Alerts

Don’t have time to keep checking prices? No problem—Google Flights has you covered. By setting up a price alert, you’ll receive email notifications when fares drop or rise for your selected route. This is a fantastic way to ensure you don’t miss out on a super-cheap deal, even if you’re not constantly checking prices.

Steps

After searching for a flight, toggle on the “Track Prices” button.
You’ll receive emails whenever there’s a big change in price.

Why It’s Helpful

Save Time: No need to constantly check back—Google does it for you.
Grab Deals Quickly: Be the first to know when a price drops.
See All Your Options: No need to visit multiple sites to compare fares.

Final Thoughts

It should not feel complicated to find cheap flights using Google Flights. You can easily discover the best deals according to your needs with features like the Calendar Method, Price Graph, Date Grid, Explore Map, and Price Alerts. You can always trust Google Flights as your helpful travel companion. So next time you’re planning a trip, let Google Flights do the research for you—your wallet will thank you!