When trying to decide on our next destination, we like to explore how far our budget can stretch with Google Flights. Google Flights is an excellent way to browse destination options for a weekend or week-long trip from your home airport and highlights the dates and prices for roundtrip flights.
We’ve used this travel hack to score some incredible destinations at a fraction of the cost by keeping our options open and exploring what is available.
How to Get Started
Start by opening an incognito window. This trick is the easiest way to prevent price hikes from tracking your IP address while you are exploring locations.
Once you find a place to travel, you have peace of mind knowing your search history won’t be used to increase the price of the flight if you book at a later time.
Open Google Chrome from your taskbar by right-clicking and selecting New Incognito Window. Then go to: Google.com/flights
Once you have the screen open, check your departure airport. Here you can select one or more airports to depart from based on your preference. I can select SFO and OAK since they are nearby and flights may be cheaper out of one rather than another based on airline hubs.
Ready to Search
Now that you have your departure airport(s) selected, leave the Where to? and dates as is, and click Search.
There are two main elements that determine your search filters:
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- Amount of time for your trip
- Timing of your trip
The amount of time for your trip will depend on how much time you have to travel and are preset to a weekend, week, or 2-week options. This time will be flight time meaning the time you leave and return.
Timing will depend on when you want to travel. If you have a specific month in mind within the next six months or if you are open to any timeframe.
Simply click into the date box, select Flexible dates, make your selections, and watch the magic happen!
Let's Start Exploring
Once you click search, the engines fire and do the hard work to find the best deals available!
There are highlights on the left of top destinations or a map for you to explore to your heart’s content on the right. I love using the map and seeing how far (literally) my budget can stretch.
As you move the map, new destinations will populate – so don’t let the current extent of the map slow you down. Feel like going to Europe – slide that bad boy over there and see where you can go!
Pick Your Destination
Once you’ve found your winning destination, a list of available airlines and flight times will populate. Select the one that best suits you and you will be directed to the airline to finalize the booking!
Booking direct with the airline offers many perks in the event of cancellations or schedule changes. Typically they also have the lowest prices too. Win-win!
