Beginner’s Guide How to Use Google Flights Website

A complete beginner’s guide to Google Flights Website. Compare airfares, track prices, and easily find the best flights for your next trip.

Google Flights, part of Google Travel, is one of the most powerful tools for searching, comparing, and tracking flight prices. Whether looking for cheap flights or planning an international trip, it helps streamline your search for the best flights at the lowest prices. It simplifies finding the best deals and booking flights by providing real-time fare comparisons from multiple airlines and travel agencies.

However, many first-time users may not be familiar with how to navigate and make the most of its features. This guide will walk you through the first six steps to using Google Flights Website effectively, whether booking your next trip or just tracking fares for a future getaway.

Google Flights is accessible via any web browser on desktop or mobile devices.

Unlike other travel platforms, Google Flights does not have a standalone app. However, the website is fully responsive and works seamlessly on iOS and Android mobile browsers. To start, visit Google Flights.

Quick Steps

• Open your preferred web browser.
• Go to Google Flights or type https://www.google.com/travel/flights into your browser.
• Explore the homepage for trending destinations and fare insights.

Before entering your flight search details, you must select the type of trip you are booking. Getting these details right ensures accurate pricing and availability when you search for flights. Google Flights offers three options:

One-way: Ideal for travelers who do not need a return flight.
Round-trip: Best for those who want to book both departure and return flights together.
Multi-city: Useful for travelers with complex itineraries involving multiple destinations.

After selecting your trip type, choose the number of travelers and specify any age groups, including adults, children, or infants. Airlines have different pricing and policies based on passenger age, so accuracy is crucial. Finally, select your cabin class:

Economy: The most budget-friendly option, suitable for general travelers.
Premium Economy: Offers more legroom and better service than standard economy.
Business Class: Provides enhanced comfort, premium meals, and lounge access.
First Class: The most luxurious option, with fully reclining seats, fine dining, and top-tier service.

Once you have selected your trip type, the number of travelers, and the cabin class, you can enter your flight search details. Google Flights provides an intuitive interface for inputting your flight preferences and generating relevant results.

Start by entering your departure city or airport. If you’re flexible, Google Flights allows you to explore multiple airport options in broader locations like a city.

Next, input your destination. If you want to consider various regional airports, click the + symbol in the destination bar. This allows you to select several nearby airports, helping you find the best fares across multiple options.

If you are open to different places, leaving the destination field blank will allow Google Flights to suggest destinations based on available deals.

After entering your locations, select your preferred travel dates. If you have flexibility, you can click on the calendar to view fare variations across different days, making choosing the most cost-effective option easier.

Flying from or into a nearby airport sometimes results in significantly lower fares. Google Flights allows users to toggle the Nearby Airports option to see pricing from different airports in the same region. If you don’t know all the airports in a city, enter the city name, and Google Flights will display all available airport options.

For example, checking fares from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark may help you find a cheaper option if you’re flying from New York. If you are unsure or flexible, leave the city in, and Google will give you a selection of results.

Expanding your airport search is particularly beneficial for international flights, where smaller airports may offer budget-friendly alternatives to major hubs.

Getting this step right ensures you receive the most relevant flight options tailored to your budget and travel needs. Once all the details are set, click the search button to generate a list of available flights that match your criteria.

Quick Steps

• Type in your departure city or airport.
• Enter your destination. Remember, for the best price, choosing just the destination instead of a specific airport will return more options. But do your research. As you can see in this example, Google Flights offers Luton as an airport for London. It is nowhere near London!
• Click ‘Search’ to generate available flights.

One of the features that makes the Google Flights website so valuable is that it allows users to filter results based on a wide range of factors, including:

Stops: Direct flights, one-stop, or multiple-stop options.
Airlines & Alliances: Select specific airlines or exclude certain ones. You can filter flights by airline alliances (e.g., Star Alliance, Oneworld, SkyTeam) to maximize loyalty benefits and streamline connections.
Baggage options: Filter by flights that include carry-on.
Times: Choose departure and arrival time windows.
Price tracking: Enable alerts for fare changes.

Quick Steps

• Use the filters selection bar along the top of the search results to refine flight options.
• Compare flights based on duration, price, and baggage inclusions.
• Check if a flight is marked as the ‘Best Available’ option.

Google will update the search results automatically as each filter is selected or cancelled.

Understanding the price insights and travel trends is one of Google Flights’ best elements. Analyzing fare trends and predicting future price movements makes it easier to spot the best deal before committing to a purchase.

When you search for a flight, you may see a box indicating whether prices are high, low, or average for that route. This can help you determine the best time to book. Annoyingly, Google doesn’t always display this box, especially on routes you may have searched on previously. But there is a work around.

Google Flights helps you to explore flexible date options, making it easier to find the best deal on specific dates or adjust your travel dates to save money. If your travel dates are flexible, you can click on the calendar to see which days have the cheapest fares, helping you find cheap flights without needing to search multiple times.

Quick Steps

• Look for the price insights box to determine the best time to book.
• Use the flexible date tool to compare fares across different days.
• Set up price alerts to track price changes over time.

The Price Graph feature visually represents fare trends, helping users identify the best booking times. If prices are expected to drop, you can set up price tracking (see below) and get notified when fares decrease.

After filtering your options and analyzing fare trends, click on the flight you want. Google Flights will display the full itinerary, including layovers, baggage fees, and available booking partners.

Google Flights does not handle bookings directly but redirects users to airlines or online travel agencies, ensuring you can secure the best flights at the lowest fares without hassle.

When you select a flight, you will be given links to complete your purchase on the airline’s website. The booking details are automatically transferred, so you don’t need to re-enter your itinerary manually.

Reviewing baggage policies before booking is essential, as is checking the airports, as often, to achieve the best price when city to city has been selected. For example, Google can choose an outbound from JFK and have you return to EWR, so don’t always focus on the cheapest price.

Quick Steps

• Click on a flight to see full details.
• Review layovers, baggage policies, and total fare cost.
• Click ‘Book’ to proceed to the airline or third-party website.

If you’re not ready to book, Google Flights lets you track fares for specific routes. This feature is handy if you’re planning a trip ahead of time and want to secure the best price before committing. You can also track multiple flights simultaneously, which is helpful when comparing different routes or airlines. To enable price tracking:

• Perform a flight search as detailed above.
• Sign into your Google account (if not already logged in).
• Click on the toggle labeled “Track prices.”
• Google will send email notifications when prices change.

Additionally, Google Flights has started offering price guarantee options on select flights. This is only a pilot trial on selected itineraries. If you book a flight with a price guarantee badge and the fare drops later, Google may refund the difference.

Final Thoughts

Google Flights Website is essential for travellers looking for the best airfare deals. Following these steps, you can efficiently search, compare, and track flights, making informed decisions about when and where to book. While Google Flights does not handle ticket purchases directly, its seamless integration with airline and third-party booking sites ensures a smooth process.

Remember to always be signed into your Google account when using Google Flights to access personalized features and track prices efficiently. Use the Airlines & Alliances filter to maximize your air miles and elite status benefits.

Early planning is vital, and the Track Prices option is by far the best method for monitoring fare changes until you are ready to book.

With its powerful filtering options, price tracking features, and real-time fare comparisons, Google Flights makes planning and booking flights easier. Whether booking international flights or searching for the cheapest flights on specific dates, Google Flights helps you find the best deal for your next trip. Whether booking a quick weekend getaway or an international adventure, Google Flights can help you secure the best deals and avoid unnecessary costs.

Try it out today and make your next trip a hassle-free experience!