7 Google Flights Hacks to Save Hundreds on Your Next Trip

Why Google Flights is the Ultimate Travel Hack

If you are still searching for flights on Expedia, Kayak, or directly on airline websites as your first step, you are likely leaving money on the table. Google Flights is the most powerful flight aggregator in the world because of its speed, comprehensive data, and advanced filtering tools.

Here are 7 Google Flights hacks that will instantly make you a better budget traveler.

1. The “Anywhere” Search

Don’t know where you want to go? Just know you want it to be cheap? This is the best feature of Google Flights. Leave the destination blank (or type “Anywhere”) and leave the dates flexible (e.g., “1 week in October”). Google will present you with a world map populated with the cheapest flights from your origin airport. It’s the ultimate tool for spontaneous adventurers.

2. The Date Grid and Price Graph

Never click “Buy” without checking the Date Grid. Airlines price their flights dynamically. By clicking the “Date Grid” button, Google will show you a matrix of prices. Sometimes, simply flying out one day earlier or returning one day later can cut your airfare in half.

3. Track Prices for Price Drop Alerts

If your trip is a few months away and the current price feels high, toggle the “Track Prices” switch. Google will email you the moment the price drops to a historic low, or if the price is about to increase.

4. Separate Tickets (The Hacker Fare)

Sometimes, booking two one-way tickets on different airlines is cheaper than a round-trip ticket on a single airline. Google Flights automatically calculates this for you and will flag it in the search results.

5. Search Multiple Airports at Once

If you live near multiple airports, or are willing to drive a bit to save money, you can input up to 7 origin airports and 7 destination airports separated by commas. Google will calculate every possible combination to find the cheapest route.

6. Filter by Baggage

Basic Economy fares are designed to look cheap but often restrict carry-on bags. Use the baggage filter in Google Flights to add a carry-on bag to your search. The prices will update, showing you the true cost of the flight.

7. Avoid the “Hidden City” Risk

While Google Flights is amazing, it won’t show you “Hidden City” tickets (booking a flight to City C with a layover in City B, and getting off at City B). While tempting, this violates airline terms of service. Stick to the legitimate hacks above, and use the money you saved to fund your Trip Budget!

Ready to Plan?

Once you’ve booked that cheap flight, head over to our Travel Budget Calculator to start planning the rest of your adventure!