How to Find Cheap Flights During Peak Season with Google Flights

Summer vacation is just around the corner, and with it comes the peak travel season. While the prices for flights and accommodations soar, there are still ways to travel affordably. One powerful tool that can help you is Google Flights. In this post, we'll show you step-by-step how to find the best deals while staying flexible and spontaneous.

Why Google Flights?

Google Flights is a user-friendly and powerful tool that offers a variety of features to help you find cheap flights. It searches hundreds of airlines and online travel agencies to show you the best prices and routes. However, the real advantage lies in its flexible search options and smart algorithms that help you snag deals even during peak season.

Step 1: Use Flexible Dates

One of the biggest advantages of Google Flights is the ability to enter flexible dates. Here’s how:

1. Google Flights Homepage: Open Google Flights.

2. Airport and Destination: Enter your departure airport and destination. If you’re flexible, you can also just enter the departure country and the destination country.

3. Date Selection: Click on the date field. Instead of selecting a fixed date, choose the "Flexible dates" option. Here you can select "Any month" or "Next month."

4. Calendar View: Google Flights will now show you the prices for each day within the selected timeframe. This allows you to see at a glance when the cheapest flights are available.
   

Step 2: Explore Flexible Destinations

Sometimes it’s not just the date that makes a difference, but also the destination. Here are a few tips to utilize flexible destinations:

1. Leave the Destination Open: Enter your departure airport and leave the destination field empty, or enter a region like "Europe" or "Southeast Asia."

2. Explore Map: After the initial search, you can click on "Explore map." Google Flights will show you various destinations with their corresponding flight prices.

3. Set Filters: You can set filters for maximum flight duration, stopovers, and even activities like "beach," "nature," or "city breaks." This helps you find destinations that are not only cheap but also exciting.

Step 3: Set Up Price Alerts

Sometimes the best deals pop up unexpectedly. To make sure you don’t miss out on these deals, you can set up price alerts:

1. Save Your Flight Search: After setting up your search, click on "Track prices."

2. Email Notifications: Google Flights will send you an email whenever the prices for your selected route change. This way, you stay informed and can act quickly when the price drops.

Step 4: Consider Alternative Airports

Major cities often have multiple airports, and sometimes flights to a less busy airport are cheaper:

1. Show Nearby Airports: When entering your departure and destination cities, Google Flights often suggests including nearby airports.

2. Compare Prices: Check the price differences and decide if it’s worth choosing a different airport. Sometimes a short train ride to another airport can lead to significant savings.

Step 5: Use Incognito Mode

There’s a rumor that flight prices increase if you repeatedly search for the same flights. While this isn’t definitively proven, it doesn’t hurt to play it safe:

1. Open Incognito Window: Open your browser in incognito mode (Ctrl+Shift+N in Chrome, Ctrl+Shift+P in Firefox).

2. Start Your Search: Conduct your flight search as usual. This prevents cookies from affecting your search results.

Bonus Tip: Flexibility and Spontaneity

You’ll often find the best deals when you are flexible and spontaneous. Consider if you can fly a day earlier or later, or if there’s another equally interesting destination. With this mindset and the practical features of Google Flights, you can travel affordably even during peak season.

Conclusion

With the right tools and strategies, you can find cheap flights even during peak season. Google Flights offers a variety of features to utilize flexible dates and destinations, set up price alerts, and consider alternative airports. Try our tips and plan your next trip efficiently and affordably!

Happy traveling and discovering!