When it comes to booking cheap flights, Google Flights is one of the best tools available. It allows you to compare prices across a wide range of airlines, airports, and travel dates, giving you the flexibility to explore alternative airports and nearby airports for potentially cheaper flights. By using Google Flights smartly, you can uncover significant savings and discover affordable flights that might otherwise be hidden.

In this guide, we’ll explore how you can use Google Flights to find the best flight options through alternative airports, adjust your travel dates for better prices, and utilize advanced features like price alerts to save money on your next trip.

Understand the Basics of Google Flights

Google Flights is powered by ITA Matrix, a sophisticated search engine developed by MIT scientists, that scans multiple airlines, airports, and dates to provide accurate pricing and flight options. It offers a simple yet powerful interface, allowing you to filter flight searches based on factors like flight prices, number of stops, departure and arrival times, and travel time.

With Google Flights, you can also access historical pricing data to track trends and determine the best time to book. Additionally, if you’ve used your Google account to book flights previously, Google Flights can automatically pull up your trip details from your Gmail for easy management.

Key Features of Google Flights:

Search multiple airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs) for the best flight deals.
Track price changes with price alerts for any selected flight.
Explore affordable destinations and alternative airports.
Book flights directly through airlines, cutting out the middleman.

Master Google Flights Search Features

Utilize Flexible Date Options

One of the most useful tools Google Flights offers is its Flexible Dates feature. If you’re willing to adjust your travel dates, this option allows you to see how flight prices change over a range of days, weeks, or even months. This flexibility can lead to significant savings.

For instance, flying a day earlier or later than planned could cut your costs dramatically. You’ll also be able to spot cheaper flights based on off-peak travel periods. The Price Graph feature provides a visual representation of how prices fluctuate, helping you pinpoint the cheapest flights.

Tips for Using Flexible Dates:

Check multiple months: If you have flexibility, use Google Flights to explore prices across an entire month to find the best rates.
Midweek travel: Flights tend to be cheaper midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) as most people travel on weekends.
Consider changing your return date: Sometimes, shifting your return date by a few days can lead to significant savings.

Set Price Alerts for Fare Drops

If you prefer to wait for a price drop on a flight, Google Flights offers a Price Alert feature. Simply set a price alert for the departure city and arrival airport, and Google Flights will notify you via email when the price of your selected flight drops. This can help you secure the cheapest fares without having to constantly check prices manually.

How to Set a Price Alert:

After entering your trip details, toggle the Track Prices button.
Sign in to your Google account to receive email notifications whenever the price changes.
Use historical pricing trends to determine the best time to book, based on past data.

Explore Feature for Cost-Effective Destinations

Google Flights’ Explore feature is perfect for travelers who are flexible about where they want to go. If you’re open to multiple destinations, this feature lets you search for affordable places to fly based on your budget and available travel dates. You can also filter results by nearby airports or alternative airports to find even better deals.

Using the Explore Feature:

Set a budget: You can input your maximum budget, and the Explore tool will show you the most affordable options based on that limit.
Filter by interest: Search for destinations based on what interests you, such as beaches, mountains, or historical sites.
Get inspired: The Explore feature is great for spontaneous travelers who want to get away but are flexible about the destination.

Searching Multiple Departure Points

One of the best ways to find cheaper flights is by considering multiple departure cities. Google Flights allows you to search flights departing from up to seven different airports at once. By expanding your search to nearby airports or other cities, you increase the chances of finding a cheaper flight.

Benefits of Searching Multiple Departure Points:

Access more options: Searching from multiple airports increases your chances of finding a better fare.
Save on transportation: You might find that it’s cheaper to drive to a nearby airport or take public transportation, compared to paying more for flights from your local airport.
Discover hidden gems: Smaller airports or less-known hubs often offer cheaper options than major, more congested airports.

Inputting Alternative Airports in the Search Bar

Google Flights enables you to include alternative airports in your search by simply adding nearby airports in the search bar. For example, if you’re flying to Los Angeles, you could check flights to both LAX and Ontario. This allows you to cast a wider net and potentially discover better prices or less crowded flights.

How to Add Alternative Airports:

When entering your departure or arrival city, click on the airport name to open a list of nearby airports.
Select multiple airports to expand your search and uncover more flight options.

Identifying Hidden Savings in Nearby Airports

Sometimes, the best savings come from choosing a nearby arrival airport. For instance, if you’re flying to Orlando, consider airports like Tampa or Jacksonville instead. Although they may be slightly farther from your final destination, they can often offer much lower flight costs.

Examples of Nearby Airports for Cheaper Flights:

Los Angeles: Try Long Beach or John Wayne.
New York: Consider Newark or LaGuardia.
Chicago: Look for flights to Midway or O’Hare.
London: Explore options to Gatwick or Stansted instead of Heathrow.

Advanced Filtering Options

Google Flights offers various advanced filtering options that can help narrow down your search for affordable flights.

Sorting by Price, Duration, and Number of Stops

Once you’ve entered your travel details, Google Flights displays a variety of flight options. You can adjust the search results based on factors like price, duration, and the number of stops. If you’re aiming for a cheaper flight, choosing options with one or more layovers might lower your costs.

Tips for Sorting:

Cheapest first: Sort by price to immediately identify the most affordable options.
Minimize travel time: If you prefer faster flights, sort by duration to find the quickest route.
Fewer stops: If layovers aren’t a concern, searching for flights with multiple stops can save money.

Selecting Specific Airlines and Flight Times

If you’re loyal to specific airlines or prefer flying during certain hours, Google Flights makes it easy to filter your results. You can choose to display only specific airlines or budget airlines and even set preferred flight times. This is useful when you’re balancing cost with travel time and other preferences.

How to Filter by Airline:

Under the “Airlines” section, you can either check or uncheck specific airline boxes to tailor the search to your preferences.
You can also select or deselect options for specific airline alliances if you’re aiming to earn miles with a particular carrier.

Understanding Travel Timing and Fare Pricing

Off-Peak Travel Benefits

Flying during less popular periods—such as weekdays, off-season months, or outside major holidays—can save you a lot of money. Google Flights helps you track these trends by showing when flight prices are generally lower and offering cheaper fares for off-peak periods. You can also use alternative airports to further reduce your costs.

Best Off-Peak Times to Travel:

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to fly.
Avoid traveling during peak seasons like summer and the holidays when airfares are higher.
Early morning or late-night flights often offer lower prices than those during more convenient times.

Booking in Advance vs. Last-Minute Deals

While booking in advance is typically the best strategy for securing low prices, last-minute deals can sometimes offer incredible savings, especially when airlines need to fill seats. Google Flights’ price tracking tool helps you assess the best time to book based on historical data.

When to Book:

Advance booking: The sweet spot for booking is usually between 6-8 weeks before departure for the best prices.
Last-minute booking: If you’re flexible, last-minute deals can sometimes provide huge savings on unsold seats, especially if you have alerts set up.

Reviewing Flight Options

When comparing flight options, it’s important to evaluate the full cost of the trip, not just the ticket price. Google Flights allows you to filter results based on total costs, including any additional fees for luggage or seat selection.

Comparing Flights with Different Airlines

Google Flights shows flights from various airlines, so you can easily compare options based on price, travel time, number of layovers, and other factors. This allows you to select the best deal that fits both your budget and preferences.

Assessing Total Travel Costs Including Fees

When reviewing flights, keep in mind that some budget airlines may have additional fees for checked luggage or carry-ons, which can add up quickly. Google Flights lets you account for these additional costs, ensuring you’re truly getting the best deal.

Tips for Finalizing Your Booking

Once you’ve found the perfect flight, Google Flights simplifies the booking process by linking directly to the airline’s website or third-party booking sites. Before finalizing your purchase, double-check the fare details, including any hidden fees that may not have been immediately apparent.

If you’ve set a price alert, check whether the price has changed before you finalize your booking. This could help you save even more money if the fare has dropped since you last checked.

Double-Check for Extra Fees

Before confirming your booking, make sure to check the total cost for the flight, including:

Baggage fees: Budget airlines may charge for carry-on or checked luggage.
Seat selection fees: Some airlines charge extra to pick your seat.
Other hidden fees: Taxes and other costs may be added on at checkout.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Google Flights

Ignoring Alternative Airports Completely

Failing to consider alternative airports can prevent you from discovering significant savings. Many cities have multiple airports, and flying into a smaller, nearby airport can sometimes save you hundreds of dollars. Google Flights lets you compare airports to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Overlooking Different Cabin Classes

Another common mistake is not exploring different cabin classes. While economy class is usually the cheapest option, premium economy or business class can sometimes offer a better overall value, especially on long-haul flights. Google Flights lets you easily switch between classes and compare prices.

Conclusion

Google Flights is an incredibly powerful tool for finding cheaper flights, especially when you take full advantage of alternative airports, flexible travel dates, and price alerts. By exploring all your options, including nearby airports and different cabin classes, you can uncover significant savings on your next trip.

Start planning today and see how Google Flights can help you save money on your next adventure. Set your price alerts, experiment with departure cities, and explore alternative airports to make your travel plans more affordable. Safe travels!