Whenever I start planning a trip, the very first tab I open on my laptop is Google Flights. From short hops like Singapore to Penang to long journeys across continents, it has become my go-to tool for finding flights quickly and of course at some of the best prices. What I like most is how simple it feels. It is honestly quite simple to use and involves no gimmicks. With it, I get just the information I need to plan smarter. So in this guide, I’ll share how I use Google Flights in 2025 to save money and make my travels easier.

What is Google Flights?

If you’re new to it, Google Flights is basically Google’s free flight search engine. What it does is it pulls real-time data straight from airlines and travel partners, showing you the best options without the clutter you often see on booking sites. Think of it as a super-fast search tool which you use to check flight prices across multiple airlines and see which days are cheapest to fly. You can even opt in for the option where you get notified when prices change.

What I really like is that this platform doesn’t try to sell you tickets itself. Instead, it redirects you to the airline or booking partner to complete your purchase. That means it’s less about upselling hotels and add-ons, and more about giving you clear, transparent flight information so you can make the best choice.

For me, it has become the starting point for almost every trip. From finding a cheap domestic flight to planning international adventures, it’s always one of the first places I check before booking my flights.

How to Use Google Flights (Step by Step)

Using Google Flights is simple, but there are a few tricks that make it even more powerful. Here’s exactly how I use it whenever I’m planning a trip:

Start with the Search Bar

Head over to the website. The interface is clean and user friendly. Just enter your departure and arrival cities and travel dates. For example, if I’m looking for a quick trip, I might type in Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.

Example of Google Flights search results showing flights from Accra to London with airlines, prices, and duration.

When you first open Google Flights, the search page looks simple, but it’s packed with useful details. Let me break it down using my own search from Accra to London:

  1. Top Departing Flights – Google ranks flights based on price and convenience. In my case, Royal Air Maroc, KLM, and British Airways popped up first. In addition to seeing the airline, you also see the timing, duration, and whether the flight is nonstop or has a layover.

  2. Prices in Real Time – The green price shows the cost of a round trip (here in Ghanaian Cedis). Google Flights updates this almost instantly, which means you’re always working with fresh data.

  3. Stops & Duration – Notice how British Airways is nonstop, while the other two flights have a stopover. Duration matters, and Google makes it easy to compare at a glance.

  4. Emissions Information – A feature I love: the CO₂ emissions shown next to each flight. For eco-conscious travelers, this gives you a way to factor sustainability into your travel choices.

  5. Filters at the Top – Above the results, you can refine by number of stops, specific airlines, baggage policy, times, and even emissions. This is where you take control and tailor the search to your needs.

Explore the Calendar View

Google Flights calendar view showing flight prices from Accra with cheapest dates highlighted in green.

Once you run a search, one of the most useful features on Google Flights is the calendar view (which is something I should have mentioned earlier). Instead of hopping between dates and refreshing endlessly, the calendar lays it all out for you. The lowest fares are highlighted in green, making it easy to spot the cheapest days to fly.

For example, when I searched flights from Accra, I could instantly see how prices dipped to GHS 6,900 on select dates in October and November. If you’re flexible, this view is a game-changer. You can shift your travel dates by a few days and save hundreds of cedis (or dollars) without lifting a finger.

The beauty of this feature is that it works worldwide. Whether you’re planning a short regional trip or a long-haul flight, the calendar view gives you a bird’s-eye view of the best days to travel. I use it almost every time I plan a trip.

Set Price Alerts

If you’re not ready to book yet, just toggle on “Track Prices”. You’ll get an email whenever the price changes for your route. I can’t tell you how many times this feature has saved me money.

Compare Airlines and Booking Options

Google Flights lists different airlines and booking sites for the same flight. I usually book directly with the airline (it’s safer if changes happen), but it’s nice to see everything side by side before making a decision.

Best Features of Google Flights

Over the years, Google Flights has added tools that make it more than just a search bar. These are the features I use the most whenever I’m planning my trips:

Price Alerts

Turn these on and let Google do the work for you. You’ll get an email whenever the price of your chosen route changes. I once saved almost USD 100 on a Europe ticket just because I waited for the alert before booking.

Explore Map

This is my favorite feature when I’m not sure where to go. You type in your departure city and leave the destination blank. Upon doing this, Google shows you a world map with the cheapest places you can fly. You can really find some unexpected deals this way.

Multi-City Search

If you’re planning more than one stop (say, Singapore → Dubai → Warsaw), the multi-city option makes life much easier. Instead of searching separately, you can build the whole trip in one go.

Carbon Emissions Filter

Google now shows the estimated CO₂ impact of each flight. I don’t always use this, but it’s nice to have when I want to make a greener choice between two similar options.

Google Flights vs Other Platforms

Logos of Skyscanner and Expedia used to compare flight booking platforms with Google Flights.

I’ve tested almost every flight search tool out there from Skyscanner to Expedia, even airline websites directly. Here’s how Google Flights stacks up:

Speed and Clarity

Google Flights is fast. Results load in seconds, and the layout is clean. Skyscanner and Expedia sometimes feel cluttered with ads or hotel deals that distract from what you really want, which is the flight.

Price Transparency

What I like most about Google Flights is that it shows you the real price trends. The calendar and graph features make it easy to see when fares are lowest. Skyscanner has similar tools, but based on my experience they aren’t always as intuitive.

Airline Coverage

This is where Google Flights isn’t perfect. Some budget airlines – like AirAsia or certain regional carriers – don’t always show up. That’s why, after checking Google Flights, I sometimes hop onto the airline’s official site to double-check.

Booking Experience

Unlike Expedia or some other platforms, Google Flights doesn’t sell tickets. It redirects you to the airline or booking site. Personally, I prefer this because I like booking direct since it’s much easier to handle changes or cancellations.

In short, I use Google Flights to do the heavy lifting, then confirm with airlines before paying. It saves me time, and I don’t feel like I’m missing out on hidden deals.

Common Myths About Google Flights

Wooden blocks spelling “Myths” and “Facts” in front of the Google Flights logo, symbolizing common misconceptions about using Google Flights.

Like any tool that gets popular, Google Flights comes with its fair share of misconceptions. Here are a few I hear often as well as the truth behind them:

“Google Flights sells tickets”

Not true. Google Flights is a search engine, not a booking platform. It simply shows you the options and redirects you to the airline or travel site to finish the booking.

“Google manipulates prices”

This one comes up a lot. But the truth is, the prices you see are pulled straight from airlines and booking partners. Google isn’t secretly raising or lowering fares. Prices simply change often because airlines use dynamic pricing based on demand.

The bottom line? Google Flights is a powerful tool. However, we need to know that it’s not magic. You’ll still get the best results if you use it wisely and combine it with a bit of your own research.

Pro Tips to Save Money Using Google Flights

Over time, I’ve picked up a few tricks on Google Flights that almost always shave off some cash from my ticket. Here are the ones I rely on:

Be Flexible with Dates

Always use the calendar view. Prices can drop dramatically if you’re willing to leave a day earlier or later. I’ve saved hundreds just by shifting my trip by 24 hours.

Check Nearby Airports

If you’re in a region like Europe or Southeast Asia, nearby airports can mean cheaper fares. For example, instead of flying straight into London, I once found a better deal into Paris and then took a budget hop across.

Set Up Price Alerts Early

Turn on “Track Prices” weeks before your trip. Google will email you the moment fares rise or drop. I usually set alerts for at least 2 to 3 different date combinations.

Fly Midweek if You Can

Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often cheaper than weekends. It doesn’t always work, but it’s worth checking the calendar to spot patterns.

Use It as a Starting Point

Google Flights is where I begin, but I never stop there. Once I find a good fare, I compare it with the airline’s own site. Sometimes, booking direct gets you a better deal or more flexible change policies.

These small steps don’t take much time, but they can make the difference between overpaying and snagging a real bargain.
Kojo Enoch

Traveler. Storyteller. Curious about how people live around the world. I created Explore With Kojo to share real stories from the places I visit and to inspire smart, honest travel.

View all posts by this author