If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to find a good flight deal, Google Flights is about to become your new best friend. It’s free, fast, and packed with tools that most travelers never even discover.
This guide walks you through everything. And once you’ve found a great fare, make sure to use a credit card so that you’re earning maximum points on every dollar you spend on flights.
Let’s dig in.
See our FAQ at the end of this article.
Step 1: Start With a Basic Search
Head to Google Flights and you’ll land on the main search page. At the top, you’ll see a few key settings to configure before you hit search:
Trip type: Round trip, one way, or multi-city. Most leisure travelers will stick with round trip.
Passengers: Default is 1 adult. Tap the person icon to add more travelers.
Cabin class: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, or First. Economy is the default. If you’re considering splurging on a premium seat, check out our EgyptAir 787 Business Class review. Sometimes business class is more affordable than you’d think, especially when using miles.
Then fill in your origin and destination airports, and plug in your travel dates. In our example, we searched Nashville (BNA) to London Heathrow (LHR), departing April 10 and returning April 17.
Hit Search and let Google do the heavy lifting.
Step 2: Read the Results Page
Once your results load, you’ll see two tabs at the top: Best (Google’s recommended balance of price and convenience) and Cheapest (the lowest price available, sometimes with brutal layovers).
A quick note on currency: Google Flights displays prices in your local currency by default, but you can change it. Scroll to the very bottom of the page and click the currency selector. This is useful if you’re comparing fares that might be cheaper when purchased in a foreign currency — though always check for foreign transaction fees on your card before going that route.
The first thing to check: are prices currently high or low? Google will flag this right on the results page. In our search, it showed “Prices are currently high” — which is actually really useful information that we’ll come back to later.
The Top departing flights section highlights the options Google thinks offer the best overall value. For our Nashville–London search, the top picks included:
- American Airlines with a 40-minute layover in Charlotte — $1,032 round trip
- American Airlines via Philadelphia — also $1,032, but with lower emissions
- British Airways / Finnair nonstop — $1,065 round trip, and Google flagged it as having 36% fewer emissions than typical flights
That nonstop option is a great example of something worth paying a small premium for: no connection stress, fewer things that can go wrong, and you arrive fresher.
And if you ever use miles to upgrade into the front cabin, our American Airlines 777 Business Class review gives you a sense of what to expect on a transatlantic haul.
Step 3: Use the Filters to Narrow Things Down
This is where Google Flights really shines. The filter bar across the top gives you granular control over your results. Here’s what each one does:
Stops
Click Stops to set a maximum number of connections. Your options are:
- Any number of stops
- Nonstop only
- 1 stop or fewer
- 2 stops or fewer
If you have a tight schedule or just hate layovers, filtering to “Nonstop only” is a quick way to slim the list.
Airlines
The Airlines filter lets you select specific carriers — or entire alliances (Oneworld, SkyTeam, Star Alliance). Every airline is checked by default. Uncheck the ones you want to avoid, or select just the alliance you’re loyal to. This is especially handy if you’re chasing status points on a specific airline. For example, if you hold an American Express Platinum card, you might want to favor carriers that maximize your Membership Rewards earning.
Bags
The Bags filter lets you factor in carry-on bag requirements. It’s more limited than you might hope — you can specify the number of carry-ons — but it helps if you want to make sure your bag situation is covered without hunting through individual fare rules.
Times
Click Times to set a departure window. There are sliders for both outbound and return legs. You can limit departure times (great if you refuse to take a 5 AM flight) and arrival times (useful if you need to land before a certain hour). In our example, we filtered departures to end by 10 AM to cut out overnight options.
Emissions
Google Flights now shows CO2 estimates for every flight. The Emissions filter lets you choose “Less emissions only,” which narrows results to flights that produce below-average carbon output. It won’t always find you a bargain, but it’s a great tool if sustainability factors into your travel decisions.
Connecting Airports
This one is underrated. The Connecting airports filter does two things:
- Lets you set layover duration with a slider (useful for avoiding brutal 7-hour layovers or anxiety-inducing 45-minute connections)
- Lets you exclude specific connecting airports — perfect if you’d rather not connect through Newark, or if you want to avoid airports with a history of delays
Pro tip: if you do end up with a long layover on an international trip, some airlines make it genuinely worthwhile. EgyptAir, for example, offers free hotel stays and tours in Cairo for business class passengers during extended stopovers.
Duration
The Duration filter is a simple slider that caps the total flight time. Slide it left to cut out the marathon routes.
Step 4: Sort Your Results in Google Flights
Once you’ve applied your filters, you can also change how results are sorted. Click “Sorted by top flights” to open a dropdown with options:
- Top flights (default — Google’s blended score)
- Price
- Departure time
- Arrival time
- Duration
- Emissions
Sorting by price is useful for pure budget hunting. Sorting by emissions is helpful if you applied the emissions filter and want to rank the greenest options first.
Step 5: Use the Date Grid and Price Graph
Here’s a feature that can genuinely save you hundreds of dollars: the Date Grid and Price Graph.
Date Grid
Click Date grid on the results page to open a calendar matrix. The rows represent departure dates, and the columns represent return dates. Prices fill in the grid, color-coded from green (cheapest) to red (most expensive).
In our Nashville–London search, the grid showed a clear pattern: departing on Tuesday or Wednesday (April 7–8) and returning April 14–17 brought prices down to $927 — compared to $1,227 for our original Friday departure. That’s a $300 difference just from shifting by a couple of days.
Price Graph
The Price graph tab shows a bar chart of prices across a range of dates for a fixed trip length. You can adjust the trip duration (e.g., 7-day trip, 10-day trip) using the plus/minus buttons. It’s excellent for spotting patterns — if prices are creeping up over the next few weeks, that’s a signal to book sooner.
Step 6: Check the Price History
Back on the main results page, click View price history to expand a chart showing how prices have moved over the past two months for your specific route.
This is one of the most powerful — and underused — features on Google Flights. In our example, the chart showed that Nashville–London fares had been sitting around $640–$680 about 50 days ago, then climbed steadily to the current $977. Google helpfully labels the current price as “high” and shows the typical range of $640–$910.
What does that mean for you? If your dates are flexible, it might be worth waiting — or looking at adjusting your travel window. If your dates are fixed, you have realistic expectations going in. Either way, pairing a flexible mindset with a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve — which offers a $300 annual travel credit — softens the sting of paying a higher fare when timing isn’t on your side.
Step 7: How to Track Flight Prices on Google Flights
Don’t want to stalk Google Flights manually every day? Learning how to track flights on Google Flights takes about ten seconds and saves you a lot of refreshing.
Enable Track prices by toggling it on just below the filters. Once activated, Google will email you alerts whenever prices change significantly for your route and dates. You can track:
- Specific dates (e.g., Apr 10–17) — Google monitors that exact itinerary and emails you when the price moves meaningfully up or down
- Any dates — Google will alert you to deals on the route regardless of when they pop up, which is great for flexible travelers
Using Google Flights price tracking alerts is especially powerful when you’re watching a route weeks out. Set the alert, go about your life, and let Google do the monitoring. If prices drop, you’ll know immediately. If they keep climbing, you’ll have the data to decide whether to lock in now or hold out.
This is perfect for flexible travelers who have a destination in mind but haven’t committed to exact dates yet. If you’re in that camp, it’s also worth making sure you have a card that earns well on travel purchases — the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5x points on flights booked through Chase Travel and 2x on all other travel, making it a strong everyday companion while you wait for the right deal.
Step 8: Try the Explore Map
One of Google Flights’ most fun features is the Explore view, accessible from the main Google Travel navigation.
Instead of entering a destination, you leave the “Where to?” field blank and Google drops you into an interactive map with prices labeled on destinations around the world.
For our Nashville origin and April 10–17 dates, the map showed Europe filled with pricing bubbles:
- Stockholm: $577
- Copenhagen: $675
- Lisbon: $825
- London: $977
- Madrid: $843
- Milan: $818
You can also look for flight+car trips, if you don’t mind hiring a car or driving at your destination.
The Explore view has its own filters too — you can filter by Airlines, Bags, and Duration, just like the standard search. There’s also a Travel mode filter that lets you toggle between “All” (flights + driving) and “Flights only.”
For example, you can select flights based on your preferred airlines alliance.
Or you can filter by carry on bags, which might be important if you are flying a low-cost carrier.
This is incredible for inspiration shopping. If you know you want to go to Europe but haven’t decided where, the map tells you where your money goes furthest.
And once you land on a destination, don’t forget to think about where you’ll stay — our guides to World of Hyatt and Hilton Honors can help you get the most out of your hotel points in Europe and beyond.
Bonus Tips for Getting the Most Out of Google Flights
Book directly through the airline, not Google. Google Flights is a search and comparison tool — it doesn’t actually sell tickets. When you click through to book, you’ll go to the airline’s website or a third-party OTA. We always recommend booking directly with the airline when possible. It’s easier to make changes, and you’ll earn miles credited properly. Speaking of miles — if you’re flying on Alaska Airlines, it’s worth knowing they just relaunched their loyalty program as Atmos Rewards with some major upgrades.
Check multiple nearby airports. If you’re near multiple airports, search from each one. From the Nashville area, BNA is your main option, but it’s worth checking if a slightly longer drive to another hub saves you significantly.
Get Global Entry before your international trip. It won’t help you find cheaper flights, but it will make coming home dramatically easier. Our step-by-step guide to the Global Entry mobile app walks you through exactly how to breeze through customs when you land back in the US. Many travel credit cards also reimburse the application fee.
Use incognito mode — but don’t stress about it. There’s a long-running debate about whether Google tracks your searches and raises prices. The honest answer: probably not in any meaningful way. But if it makes you feel better, searching in a private browser window costs nothing.
Watch for the “low emissions” badge. Flights flagged with lower emissions aren’t just greener. They often have shorter routes or fewer connections, which can also mean better value and comfort.
Tuesday and Wednesday departures are almost always cheaper. The date grid will prove this almost every time you check. If your schedule has any flex, even shifting by one day can knock a meaningful amount off the price.
One More Thing: Earn Miles
Finding a great fare on Google Flights is only half the battle. The other half is making sure those flights are actually earning you something. Every major airline has a loyalty program worth understanding before you book. If you fly American frequently, our complete AAdvantage guide breaks down how to earn miles, hit elite status, and use tools like Systemwide Upgrades to get into business class for a fraction of the price.
United flyers should read our MileagePlus explainer since the program has some underrated advantages, including no fuel surcharges on partner awards and miles that never expire.
Alaska just relaunched as Atmos Rewards with a bigger network and new companion award options worth knowing about. And whatever programs you’re collecting in, bookmark our guide to airline miles expiration policies as the rules vary wildly by carrier.
Our Take
Google Flights is one of the best free tools available to any traveler — and most people barely scratch the surface of what it can do. Between the filters, the date grid, the price history, the Explore map, and price tracking, you have everything you need to find a genuinely smart deal rather than just a convenient one.
The key is slowing down before you book. Spend five minutes with the date grid and price history chart before committing to anything. Those two features alone can save you hundreds on an international ticket.
And if you want to go deeper on maximizing every trip — from the flight itself to American Airlines business class to hotel sweet spots — explore the rest of the site. There’s a lot of value hiding in those points balances.
Happy hunting — and happy travels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about using Google Flights to find cheap flights, track prices, and book smarter.
How do I use Google Flights?
Go to flights.google.com and enter your origin, destination, travel dates, passengers, and cabin class. Hit Search.
From there, use the filter bar (Stops, Airlines, Bags, Times, Emissions, Connecting Airports, Duration) to narrow results. Use the Date Grid and Price Graph to find cheaper date combinations, and toggle on Track prices to get email alerts when fares change.
Is Google Flights free to use?
Yes — completely free. Google Flights is a search and comparison tool, not a booking platform. You use it to find flights, then click through to book on the airline’s website or a third-party travel site.
Does Google Flights actually find the cheapest flights?
It covers the vast majority of commercial airlines and is one of the most comprehensive search tools available. It won’t always catch the absolute lowest fare — some budget carriers opt out of aggregators — but it’s an excellent starting point.
Use the Date Grid to find the cheapest date combinations and enable price tracking alerts so you’re notified when fares drop.
Should I book on Google Flights or directly with the airline?
Google Flights doesn’t sell tickets — it’s a search tool. When you click to book, you’re taken to the airline’s website or a third-party OTA.
We always recommend booking directly on the airline’s website. Direct bookings are easier to change or cancel, your miles post correctly, and you have direct customer service access if something goes wrong.
Does Google Flights raise prices if you search the same route multiple times?
No solid evidence supports this. Price changes are driven by real-time seat inventory and demand — not your search history. That said, searching in a private/incognito window is a simple, free precaution if you want peace of mind.
How do I track flight prices on Google Flights?
After running a search, find the Track prices toggle below the filter bar and switch it on. You can track your exact travel dates, or enable Any dates to receive alerts whenever a deal pops up on that route.
Google emails your Gmail account when prices change significantly. A free Google account is required.
How do Google Flights price tracking alerts work?
Once tracking is enabled, Google monitors the route in the background. When the price moves meaningfully up or down, it sends you an email showing the new fare vs. what you were watching.
Set the alert, go about your life, and let Google do the legwork. If prices drop, you’ll know immediately. If they keep climbing, you’ll have the data to decide whether to lock in now.
What does “prices are currently high” mean on Google Flights?
It means fares on your route are above the typical historical range. Click View price history to see a chart of how prices have moved over the past two months and what the normal range looks like.
This helps you decide whether to book now or wait. If prices have only recently spiked they may come back down; if they’ve been climbing steadily for weeks, it may be better to lock in.
What is the Date Grid on Google Flights?
The Date Grid is a calendar matrix showing prices for different combinations of departure and return dates. Click Date grid on the results page to open it.
Cells are color-coded from green (cheapest) to red (most expensive). Shifting your departure by one or two days — especially toward Tuesday or Wednesday — can save hundreds of dollars on an international ticket.
What is the Price Graph on Google Flights?
The Price Graph (inside the Date Grid modal) shows a bar chart of prices for a fixed trip length across a range of departure dates. Use the +/− buttons to adjust trip duration.
If prices are rising week over week, that’s a signal to book soon. If there’s a dip visible ahead, it may be worth waiting a bit longer.
What does “self transfer” mean on Google Flights?
A self transfer means your itinerary is made up of flights on separate tickets. You’re responsible for re-checking your bags, clearing customs if needed, and making the connection entirely on your own.
If the first flight is delayed and you miss the second, the airline owes you nothing — they didn’t sell the flights together. Self-transfer fares are often cheaper, but build in at least 2–3 hours of buffer at international airports before committing.
What does “separate tickets” mean on Google Flights?
Separate tickets means Google is combining two independently booked flights to show a lower combined price. There’s no airline coordination between legs — if you miss a connection you’d need to buy a new ticket out of pocket.
It can be a smart play for flexible, experienced travelers, but it’s not recommended for tight itineraries or trips where a missed flight would be costly.
What does the Connecting Airports filter do?
The Connecting Airports filter controls two things:
- Layover duration — set a min/max connection time with a slider (e.g., at least 90 min, no more than 5 hrs)
- Airport selection — uncheck specific hubs you want to avoid
It’s one of the most underrated filters on Google Flights, especially for nervous connectors.
How does the Emissions filter work?
Google Flights shows estimated CO2 emissions for every flight and compares them to the route average. The Emissions filter lets you select “Less emissions only” to limit results to below-average flights.
Lower-emission flights are often nonstop or more direct — which tends to mean a shorter, less stressful journey too.
How do I add a flight to Google Calendar?
If your booking confirmation goes to Gmail, Google often auto-detects the flight and adds it to your calendar automatically — just check after the confirmation email arrives.
To add manually:
- Open Google Calendar and click your departure date
- Create a new event and enter airline, flight number, departure/arrival times, and airports
- Add your confirmation number in the notes field
- Set reminders — we suggest 24 hours out and again 3 hours before departure
How do I add a Delta (or any airline) flight to Google Calendar?
Same process for any carrier. If the confirmation email is in Gmail, Google may auto-create the event. Otherwise, open Google Calendar, click the departure date, and manually enter:
- Airline name and flight number (e.g., Delta DL 412)
- Departure time and origin airport
- Arrival time and destination airport
- Booking confirmation number
How do I change the currency on Google Flights?
Scroll to the very bottom of any Google Flights page and click the currency selector (displays your current currency, e.g., “USD”). Pick from the full list.
Useful when comparing international fares that may be priced differently in the local currency. Always check whether your card charges a foreign transaction fee before purchasing in a different currency — many travel cards waive it, but not all.
Can I find flights without choosing a destination?
Yes — use the Explore feature. Leave the destination field blank on the Google Flights homepage and an interactive world map appears with price bubbles on hundreds of destinations from your origin.
Filter by travel dates, airline, and trip duration to find the best value. Perfect when you know you want to travel but haven’t decided where.
What credit card should I use to book flights?
A travel rewards card that earns bonus points on flight purchases is ideal. Top options:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve — 5x on flights via Chase Travel, $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access
- Chase Sapphire Preferred — 5x on Chase Travel flights, strong welcome bonus, lower $95 annual fee
- Amex Platinum — 5x Membership Rewards on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
Always book directly with the airline when possible so your miles post correctly.
What are the cheapest days of the week to fly?
Tuesday and Wednesday departures are almost always cheaper than Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The Google Flights Date Grid confirms this every time — the green (cheapest) cells cluster around midweek.
Returning on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of a Sunday also tends to reduce costs. Even shifting by a single day can make a meaningful difference on an international itinerary.
Do travel credit cards cover the Global Entry fee?
Many premium travel cards reimburse the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee (currently $100 for Global Entry). The Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, and several others include this benefit.
Global Entry is well worth it for international travelers — it lets you skip the regular customs line on the way home. See our step-by-step guide to the Global Entry mobile app for how it works.
