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How to Use Google Flights to Find Cheap Flights (2026)
September 27, 2026
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
To find a cheap flight on Google Flights, search your route, open Dates or Price graph to see which days cost less, check the Cheapest tab and the Airports insight for lower fares, then turn on price tracking. Google Flights is free to use, and you complete the booking with the airline or an online travel agency.
What Is Google Flights?
Google Flights is Google's flight search tool. It compares fares from more than 300 airline and online travel agency partners, so you can see prices from many sellers in one place.
Google Flights is not a travel agency itself. When you click Select on a fare, you're usually sent to the airline's or travel agency's site to finish the purchase, and that company handles your ticket.
How to Search for Flights on Google Flights
- Pick your trip type. Choose round trip, one-way or multi-city, then set the number of passengers and cabin class.
- Enter your airports and dates. Type your departure and arrival airports, then pick dates on the calendar.
- Compare the Best and Cheapest tabs. Best balances price, convenience and ease of booking. Cheapest puts the lowest fares first and may include self-transfers or flights through different airports in the same city.
- Filter the results. Use Stops, Airlines and Times, or open More for other options. You can also sort by price, duration or departure time.
Before you book the fare you found on Google Flights, open Kudos at checkout to see which of your cards earns the most on that airline or travel site.
How to Find the Cheapest Dates to Fly
If your dates can move, the date tools are where the biggest savings usually show up. Fares can change by day of the week.
Dates
Click Dates to see a calendar of fares for different travel days. Lower prices are highlighted, so you can spot cheaper departure and return combinations at a glance.
Price Graph
Click Price graph to see how fares for your trip length change by week or month. It's the fastest way to find a cheaper week when you only know roughly when you want to travel.
Explore
If your destination is flexible, Google Flights also lets you browse destinations on a world map or a list of popular places.
How to Track Prices on Google Flights
Price tracking lets you stop checking fares every day. Sign in to your Google account, run a search and turn on tracking for the route or for a specific flight.
- Specific dates: You'll get an email when the price changes significantly.
- Any dates: If you're flexible, choose Any dates and Google emails you when the route's lowest price over the coming months drops significantly.
- Tracked flights page: Review everything you're tracking, turn emails on or off, or stop tracking a route.
How to Read Price Tips
The Tips section on your results may say prices are less than usual, unlikely to drop before you book, or likely to increase by a certain amount. Google may also email you when a tracked fare is likely to go up. Fares shown in green are the most affordable options in your results.
More Ways to Save on Google Flights
- Check other airports. The Airports section can show when flying into or out of a different airport is cheaper.
- Factor in bag fees. A low base fare can cost more once bags are added. Google Flights lets you filter prices by bag fees, so compare the total you'll actually pay.
- Be careful with separate tickets. Some of the cheapest results combine separate tickets from different sellers. You buy each one on its own, so leave extra time between flights in case the first one runs late.
- Look at the whole trip. A connection can cost less than a nonstop. If you'll have a long layover, a card with lounge access can make the wait easier.
How to Pay for Your Flight With the Right Card
Once you've found the fare, the card you pay with decides how much you earn back. Airline and travel purchases often earn bonus points or miles, and our guide to how credit card miles work explains what they're worth.
Kudos is free and recommends which of your cards earns the most when you check out online. If you're shopping for a new travel card, Card Explorer and Dream Wallet show which cards fit how you spend. Kudos Premium members also get a Benefits Tracker that shows travel credits and perks still waiting to be used.
Google Flights FAQs
Is Google Flights free to use?
Yes. Searching, comparing and tracking prices costs nothing. You pay only for the ticket, which you buy from the airline or travel agency you choose.
Can you book directly on Google Flights?
Usually you click Select and finish the booking on the airline's or travel agency's site. For some itineraries made of separate tickets, you open each ticket link and buy them one by one.
Does Google Flights show the cheapest fares?
It shows fares from more than 300 partners and has a Cheapest tab that sorts for the lowest prices. It's still worth comparing the price on the airline's own site before you book.
How do I get alerts when a price drops?
Turn on price tracking from your search results while signed in to Google. Choose your exact dates, or Any dates if you're flexible, and Google will email you when prices change significantly.
Is Southwest on Google Flights?
Yes. Southwest fares started appearing on Google Flights in May 2024. Choosing a Southwest flight sends you to Southwest's site to book.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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