If you’re planning a trip and feeling overwhelmed by flight prices, you’re not alone. Flights can take up a huge chunk of your travel budget—but what if I told you there are smart ways to find cheaper options using just two tools: Google Flights and Skyscanner?
These two platforms are not only free but also super powerful if you know how to use them right. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how I use Google Flights and Skyscanner to consistently find deals, hidden routes, and flexible dates—sometimes saving hundreds of dollars on just one ticket.
Let’s get started with the basics, then dive into the hacks.
What Makes Google Flights So Useful?
Google Flights isn’t just a price comparison tool—it’s a data-driven flight search engine that shows real-time prices across dozens of airlines and booking platforms. What I love most is how fast and flexible it is.
Key features include:
Interactive calendar with lowest fares
Price graph to compare days and months
Airport swap and region-wide searches
Filters for bags, airlines, stopovers, and more
It doesn’t always show the absolute cheapest fare (especially budget airlines), but it gives you the best starting point.
Try it here: Google Flights
Google Flights Hack #1: Use the Explore Map to Discover Destinations
If you’re flexible about where you want to go, click on the “Explore” tab in Google Flights. Set your departure city and dates (or just choose “Flexible Dates”), then zoom out on the map. You’ll instantly see flight prices to cities around the world.
I once found a $210 round-trip ticket from New York to Lisbon in spring—just because I looked around the Explore map.
You can filter by duration, interests (beach, nature, city breaks), and price caps. This tool is ideal for spontaneous travelers or digital nomads who just want to go somewhere affordable.
Google Flights Hack #2: Mix and Match Airlines
Unlike traditional booking sites, Google Flights lets you piece together multi-airline itineraries. For example, you might fly to London with Air France and return with United Airlines. Booking these separately can often be cheaper than round-trip tickets.
Use the “2 one-way tickets” option and compare the results. This works especially well for trips with long durations, open-jaw itineraries, or when flying to/from different cities.
Google Flights Hack #3: Set Price Alerts and Track Trends
Once you find a route you’re interested in, click the “Track Prices” toggle. Google will email you if the price drops or rises significantly. This gives you time to plan and grab deals without checking every day.
If you’re planning far in advance, the price history and forecast feature (usually shows as “Typical prices”) gives you insight into whether you’re getting a good deal or not.
Why Use Skyscanner Alongside Google Flights?
While Google Flights is great for speed and flexibility, Skyscanner is better at finding cheaper, lesser-known options, especially on budget airlines or foreign carriers that don’t always show up on Google Flights.
Skyscanner searches third-party travel agents and airline websites, often showing prices you wouldn’t find elsewhere.
Try it here: Skyscanner
Skyscanner Hack #1: Use the “Everywhere” Destination Search
Don’t know where to go but want a cheap adventure? Choose your departure airport and type “Everywhere” in the destination box. You’ll get a list of the cheapest destinations by price, country, and season.
This is a great way to plan a trip based on your budget, not just a specific location. You might discover a destination you never considered.
Skyscanner Hack #2: Search Whole Month or Cheapest Month
Instead of picking fixed dates, choose “Whole Month” or “Cheapest Month” in the date picker. This instantly shows you which dates offer the best prices.
It’s perfect if your travel dates are flexible. I saved over $300 once just by flying out two days earlier thanks to this trick.
Skyscanner Hack #3: Use the Multi-City Tool
Planning a Eurotrip or hopping around Southeast Asia? Use the “Multi-city” option to book multiple legs in one go. This saves you time—and often money—compared to booking each flight separately.
Pair this with low-cost regional carriers like Ryanair, AirAsia, or Volotea to build affordable custom routes.
Extra Tips for Getting the Best Deals
Even with the right tools, a few smart habits can help you save even more on flights.
Search in Incognito Mode: Sometimes flight prices increase the more you search a route. Open a private browsing window to avoid this.
Clear Cookies and Switch Devices: Airlines and OTAs may track your searches. Try searching from a different browser or device.
Book Flights on Tuesdays or Wednesdays: Some studies suggest flight prices tend to be lower mid-week, although this varies.
Be Open to Nearby Airports: Flying into or out of alternate airports (like Newark instead of JFK, or Bologna instead of Florence) can reduce costs.
Book Directly When You Can: If the price is the same, book through the airline’s site for better customer service and cancellation flexibility.
Tools That Work Well With Google Flights and Skyscanner
Here are a few bonus tools that can complement your flight searches:
Hopper: Predicts future flight price drops
ITA Matrix: More advanced tool from Google for flight nerds
Kiwi.com: Great for complex routes and hidden city fares
FlightConnections: Visual map of nonstop and connecting flights between airports
And once you’ve found a flight and destination, don’t forget to check our guide on 10 Must-Have Travel Apps That Make Life Easier Abroad for everything you need on the ground.
What to Do After You Find a Good Flight Deal
Once you spot a good price using Google Flights or Skyscanner, don’t wait too long—cheap fares can disappear fast. Before booking:
Confirm baggage allowance (especially on low-cost carriers)
Check refund/cancellation policies
Verify the booking site is secure and trustworthy
Take a screenshot of all important details
It’s also a good time to use flight price cashback extensions or travel booking credit cards to get points, miles, or rebates on your purchase.
Need a place to stay after booking that cheap flight? Explore options on Booking.com or compare with Airbnb for longer trips or local stays.