How to Find Crazy Cheap Flights Using Google Flights Explore

I used to think I couldn’t afford international flights for our family (especially since I have 3 kids!) but over the years, I’ve discovered these tools and tips that really make finding affordable flights to international destinations like Europe and the Caribbean SO much easier!

Whether you are a frequent traveler or ready to take your first family vacation in years, we all know that being able to afford a trip starts with finding cheap flights.

Google Flights has a fantastic feature called "Explore" that can help you uncover flight deals you might not have considered, and it’s incredibly easy to use. Let’s dive into how you can maximize this tool to find the best flight deals for your next adventure.

What is Google Flights Explore?

Google Flights Explore is a feature within Google Flights that lets you search for flights to various destinations based on your budget, travel dates, and interests.

Rather than choosing your destination and then starting to look for flights, you do the revise order! You choose your flight FIRST (based on the amazing deal you find) - THEN start planning the trip around the destination you found the great flight deal to.

If you can be flexible with dates and destination, you can find some AMAZING flight deals.

Photo: To use Google Flights Explore feature - just put in your departure airport, then put “anywhere” as your destination!

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Google Flights Explore

Follow these simple steps to get started with Google Flights Explore and find your next great flight deal.

1. Go to Google Flights Explore

You can do this on your phone or desktop, but the desktop does make it a bit easier to see all the options and filters. Once you’re on the website, you’ll see the main search bar at the top, where you would normally enter your departure and destination airports.

2. Add Your Departure City and Choose “Anywhere”

Since we are trying to find the best travel deals, we are ONLY going to put in our departure airport, and choose “anywhere” for the destination. Once you do that, you’ll see the tool immediately start to populate great deals/results.

3. Choose Your Dates (Be Flexible for Best Deals!)

If you have fixed travel dates in mind, you can enter those dates, and Google Flights will show you the best prices for that period. However, if you're flexible with your travel dates, you can leave the dates open, and Google Flights will show you a range of prices for different months or even weeks. This is the most surefire way to find the greatest deals -being flexible about when you travel means BIG savings!

4. Set Your Budget

One of the most powerful aspects of the Explore feature is its ability to filter destinations based on your budget.

Right under the date field, go to “All Filters”

Next, select “Price” and use the slider to select the MAXIMUM price you would be willing to pay.

Google Flights will show you a list of destinations within that price range. This is helpful if you have a set budget and want to know where you can afford to go.

6. Explore Different Filters

Once you’ve selected your budget and travel dates, you can also refine your search by applying different filters. These filters allow you to choose:

• Trip type: Round-trip, one-way, or multi-city.

• Airlines: If you have a specific airline you prefer, you can filter for flights with that airline.

• Stops: Choose to fly with or without layovers, depending on your preferences. (I will do 1 stop if we have to, but with kids, Nonstop is ALWAYS preferred!)

• Flight duration: If you want to avoid long flights, set the maximum flight duration.

7. Use the Map View to Zoom In and Out

One of my favorite features of the Explore tool is the interactive map. The map shows flight prices from your departure city to various destinations around the world, and you can click on the map and zoom in and out to explore different areas anywhere in the world! Prices appear as dots on the map, and you can click on each dot to see details on flight times and prices. The map will update in real-time, so you can easily see if prices change as you zoom in or out, helping you find better deals.

TIP: use this feature to find cheap flights NEARBY your ultimate destination. For instance, maybe you want to go to the Almafi Coast of Italy, so you were planning to fly into Naples. But you see that if you fly into Rome, it is $173 cheaper PER PERSON (which, for a family of 5 - adds up to $865!)

8. Find Top Destinations and Deals

Google Flights Explore also gives you the option to view top destinations or "Trending Flights." This feature highlights popular destinations that are offering great flight deals at the moment. For example, if you’re in the mood for a tropical getaway or want to explore Europe, the Explore tool can help you spot where you can travel for a reasonable price.

9. Track Flight Prices with Alerts

Once you’ve found a destination or flight deal that catches your eye, you can track its price by setting up a price alert. Simply click on the “Track prices” button, and Google Flights will notify you via email or the mobile app when prices change for that specific route. This feature is especially handy when you’re monitoring flight prices over time and want to snag a deal before the price goes back up.

10. Finalize Your Booking

When you’re ready to book, Google Flights will redirect you to the airline's website or an online travel agency to finalize your reservation. While Google Flights doesn’t allow you to book directly through their platform, it provides links to book your tickets securely and easily.

Tips for Finding Even Better Flight Deals with Google Flights Explore

• Use the "Flexible Dates" feature: Sometimes even shifting your trip by a few days can save you a lot of money. Google Flights lets you adjust the dates to see if traveling earlier or later will get you a better deal.

• Check for nearby airports: If you’re open to traveling from or to nearby airports, you might find cheaper flights. Google Flights will show options for other airports within a region.

• Be flexible with your destination: If you’re unsure where to go, you can leave your destination open, and Google Flights will show you a map of potential destinations with the best prices.

• Monitor deals: Set up price alerts on destinations that interest you, so you can be notified when the price drops.