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How to use Google Flights to find cheap flights and maximize your next travel booking

Google Flights is constantly evolving, and it's the one tool I always mention when people ask me how to find better flight prices.

This easy-to-use website can help you find the best possible price on airfare (and even hotels). It's one of the biggest weapons in our arsenal at TPG to help save money on travel. While TPG does offer deal alerts , if you are looking for a particular flight, destination, airline or routing, Google Flights is the way to find personalized deals.

Google Flights is where I almost always begin my search for new bookings. I come back to it again and again to book trips, see if prices have dropped and check if I can get a better deal.

Here's everything you need to know to use and master Google Flights.

What is Google Flights?

Google Flights is one of our favorite tools for finding deals on flights. It's an amazingly powerful flight search engine, and the best part is that it's easy to use. Google shows you nearly all available flights for a given search but doesn't force you to book with it.

Unlike Expedia, Orbitz, Tripadvisor or Kayak, it's not an online travel agency. Google is simply showing you what's available. Once you find the flights you like, you "click through" to actually book. You can choose to book directly with the airline or via a third-party OTA, but not Google itself.

One frustrating note is that Google Flights does not show Southwest Airlines flights, so keep that in mind as you search.

What's new at Google Flights?

Google has introduced new features that suggest when prices are historically lowest and when you should book for maximum savings. Google has always shown whether the price for a suggested flight itinerary is typical, low or high, but now it gives you even more data to consider.

The tool will "let travelers know when airfares are expected to be lowest for booking their chosen dates and destination," according to Craig Ewer, who works in communications at Google.

For example, when I searched last year, Google showed me that a flight from New York to San Francisco in October was $93 cheaper than usual, and the typical range is between $245 and $415. In other words, it was a good time to book.

It gets even better: In some situations, Google will suggest alternate dates you should actually book the flight to save a few bucks. The example below shows that a December flight to Miami would have been much cheaper if I had waited to book it until Sept. 13.

Here's a final example. I apparently waited too long to book my flight home for Christmas a few months ago.

Basics of Google Flights

How to perform a basic flight search.

First, you'll want to navigate to Google Flights .

The toolbar has additional features for trips, including things to do, hotels, vacation rentals and a shortcut to a cool tool called "Explore." However, we'll focus on using the tool to book flights for now.

All of the fields and drop-down menus on this page are relatively easy to decipher:

• Departure (where you want to fly from)
• Destination (where you want to fly to)
• Date(s) of travel
• Round-trip flights, one-way flights or multicity trips
• The number of passengers (but here's why you should search for a single ticket , even if you're traveling in a group)
• Ticket class: economy, premium economy, business class or first class

If you know where you're going and when you want to be there, all you have to do is plug in that information and hit the blue search button.

For example, here are all the options I see when I search for flights from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). You can search by destination or by airport code.

Note that Google automatically displays what it considers the best departing flights based on a combination of factors, such as price, the convenience of routing, the number of stops and the travel time. Of course, these may or may not be the best flights for you.

In this case, there are hundreds of options to choose from.

For this example, I chose to book an American Airlines flight on my outbound trip.

The cheapest option is sometimes to fly the return on a different carrier. However, Google Flights clearly indicates there will be two tickets purchased separately.

Often, Google will suggest remaining on the same carrier for both legs. In this instance, one of the flights was on JetBlue.

There are all kinds of ways to filter your searches. We'll get a bit more into that below.

Once you've found the flight you want, you have the option to book directly with American Airlines. Google will give you several options for the type of ticket you want to purchase, including basic economy, refundable and other types of fares.

Clicking that link would take me to American's website , with these flights and prices already selected. There, I could enter my passenger details and loyalty number, select a seat and pay for the ticket.

All elite perks and other loyalty benefits are honored on flights booked directly on the airline website via Google Flights. However, if you are booking via a third-party site, that may not be the case. It pays to make sure you book directly with the airline if possible.

In this example, the cheapest option is for mixed tickets with multiple stops. Most people are not going to want to take that option. It involves booking through a third-party website with tickets on different airlines and multiple flights and layovers. No thanks.

Related: 9 things to consider when choosing to book via a portal vs. booking directly

Below is an example of Google Flights' handy historical price guide, which shows whether the fare you found is low, high or near the average price for flights on this route.

I can see the flights were more than $600 a few months ago, and my $442 fare was considered low. Given how expensive airfare generally is these days , I was happy enough with that.

The bottom of this screenshot also shows the options available at the bottom of each Google Flights page, where you can select your preferred language from a drop-down menu. You can also customize your location and preferred currency for easy conversion.

Search by specific times of day

Say you want to take a weekend trip away. You need both flights to be outside business hours but not too late in the evening, as you don't want to land in the middle of the night.

Google Flights has a handy filter we use to make sure the flights are exactly when we want them. No matter how inexpensive that 6 a.m. flight may be, a 3:30 a.m. wake-up call rarely feels worth it.

So, you can set the search results to only show flights departing and arriving within your chosen specific time range.

See how many bags you can bring on board

In the same series of buttons below your Google Flight search, click on the "Bags" button to specify how many pieces of luggage you want to bring on board with you.

This selection may greatly limit your search results — or drive up your price options — so be prepared to change it if necessary.

Nonstop, one-stop or any flight will do?

Similarly, you can filter flights by the number of stops along the way. You might be the glutton for punishment who longs for a 50-plus-hour flight with multiple layovers. You can do that if you so desire.

However, if you want to minimize the chance of delays or disruptions, have a family to rush back to or just want a shorter flight, nonstop is your friend. Headed overseas? The usual sweet spot between price and comfort will be a one-stop flight.

Search for flights from your preferred airline or alliance

If you don't fly often, the operating airline may not matter to you as much as the price does.

However, if you've begun accumulating miles and status with a specific carrier, it can be addictive to stick with that carrier and program. The exclusive benefits of elite status can be exhilarating, and there's nothing more exciting than booking your first award flight — especially if you know you got an amazing deal.

Related: What are airline alliances, and who's in them?

With filtered airline search results, Google can help you keep that momentum going. Use the button under the search results to filter out unwanted airlines or select specific airline alliances you want to patronize. Or, turn off the "Select all airlines" option and manually select the carriers you want to choose from.

Whether booking with cash or points, you may want to stick with one program to maximize mileage earning or status. For example, if I were trying to hit Diamond on Delta Air Lines, I would search only for Delta flights.

You can also pick airline alliances like Oneworld and SkyTeam to ensure you travel on your preferred airline or its partners. In my case, I would select SkyTeam.

Connecting flights

You can also decide if you want to fly nonstop or choose how many stops you are willing to make. You can even choose the connecting airport.

Especially with international flights, some airports are better to connect in than others. Helsinki Airport (HEL) is lovely. Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) can be challenging , even if you are an experienced traveler.

Related: What are the best European airports to connect in?

If you have a range of options to travel from New York to Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) with a choice of connecting airports, you can filter the results to only show the airports you want to connect through.

You can also choose how long you would like your layover to extend. You might want to keep it short to reach your destination as quickly as possible. Or, you may prefer a long layover to allow for some buffer time in the event of delays.

Related: How to plan a free stopover on your next trip abroad

Score the best legroom and other seat amenities

Don't you hate boarding a flight to find your knees touching the back of the seat in front of you? Fortunately, Google Flights has a feature that will show you the legroom you can expect on your next flight before you have purchased the seat.

Legroom can differ noticeably from carrier to carrier, aircraft type to aircraft type. From the search results below, you can see that Spirit Airlines' is below the industry average at 28 inches, while JetBlue's is above average at 32 inches.

If you value legroom, this means the JetBlue option will have 4 inches more legroom than Spirit.

In coach seating terms, that's a lot.

Along with legroom, Google Flights will also indicate if Wi-Fi is scheduled to be available on your flight (and if it is free or available at a cost), if the plane has in-seat charging options, and if the flight offers entertainment like live TV or options to stream to your personal device.

On a flight longer than five hours, your devices may run out of juice. So, again, you may want to choose the product that best suits your needs rather than selecting a flight based entirely on price or carrier.

Know your emissions

With sustainability becoming an increasingly important topic in travel , Google Flights will let you know the approximate carbon emissions for your flight based on the route, aircraft type and seating classes.

Below are the search results for a flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT). United Airlines operates a fuel-efficient Boeing 787 on this route, which would produce a lower-than-average 734 kilograms of carbon dioxide.

However, the Singapore Airlines flight uses a less fuel-efficient (and larger) Boeing 777 aircraft that produces a higher-than-average 1,163 kilograms of carbon dioxide.

You can even filter your search results only to show lower-emissions flight options.

How to search by cheapest dates

Let's say I want to get from JFK to LAX in September, but I'm not tied to any specific dates. Google Flights can help me find the best possible prices for that trip.

On the search page, I can see the lowest price for that particular day if I click on the calendar icon. Prices listed in green represent the lowest price available across all current dates, while the days highlighted in blue show which dates I've selected.

Another way to view the cheapest dates is to click the date grid option. This will again show the cheapest dates in green, and you can easily line up different outbound and inbound options to see if the cheapest dates work for you.

You'll often find that the cheapest flight isn't necessarily the best or most convenient route. Google will show you those lowest prices but prioritize better routes before it.

In this example, Google Flights prioritizes slightly higher fares as the "best flights" search results because they include a full-size carry-on bag.

How to set a pricing alert for yourself

After all that diligent work, give yourself a pat on the back. You've likely found the best option for you.

Some people are ready to book immediately, but most of us might need a day or two to solidify our plans with our fellow travelers or with work. Never fear: Google will help you track your flight and even tell you when the price goes up or down.

Immediately above your search results, a little toggle reads "Track prices" (boxed in green in the screenshot above).

Click on that — and log in to your Google account if necessary — and Google Flights will send updated pricing alerts directly into your inbox.

If you have booked a refundable or changeable fare, you may want to switch this on even after you've booked. You will be alerted if the price goes up or down, so you can feel comfortable knowing you are getting the best deal. You can see part of my list of flights I'm currently tracking in the screenshot below.

Related: How to avoid airline change and cancellation fees

How to search multiple airports at once

Sometimes, you're willing to land or depart a bit farther away in order to find a better flight deal. Google Flights can help reward that flexibility. In fact, you can enter as many as five departure or arrival airports on Google Flights.

Let's say you live in New York City, where you have three major airports from which to choose. You want to fly to Southern California, which is easily accessible from multiple airports as well.

There are two ways to run this search:

• Type in your city name and let Google offer suggestions: This works for many major metro areas. As soon as I type in New York, I see several of the major airports: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and JFK. Sometimes, you'll even see New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) in Newburgh, about 60 miles north of Manhattan, as an option.
• Manually type in your airport codes or names : Some cities won't show you all the logical potential airports. For Southern California, you will have to manually type in the names or codes of each airport in the area for some searches. (Don't forget San Diego International Airport [SAN] as a potential option.)

You can open a separate browser tab and look up local airports by name. Or, if you're a pro and know the codes, you can type them directly into the destination airport search field (i.e., LAX, SNA, BUR, ONT). Then, hit the blue check to run the search.

Voila: The cheapest option for March 18-25 is taking a nonstop, round-trip flight from EWR to LAX for $258 in United basic economy.

How to check for carry-on bag policies

I don't care what anyone says: Low-cost carriers can be fantastic for finding great deals.

However, if you're a heavy packer, you'll need to plan ahead. Many airlines cut costs by charging extra for bags. You're used to this with major airlines, but some ultra-low-cost airlines will even charge you for carry-ons larger than a backpack or a purse .

It can be difficult to track which airlines charge what, but Google Flights can also help with that.

Basic economy flights will show on the search results page, with the little "no luggage" icon next to the $247 price tag in green.

When I click through to the final booking page, Google will remind me again that I'm booking a basic economy flight; it'll show my current price and its limitations while also displaying economy and first-class booking options next to it.

Remember: Google Flights doesn't work with Southwest Airlines

One important caveat: You might wonder why you don't see any Southwest flights on Google Flights.

Well, you might see them, like with this search result for Austin to Las Vegas:

However, Southwest doesn't allow other travel platforms to book flights with the airline — it wants to control its passengers' booking process completely. So, if you're a Southwest fan, check the airline's website or app for price comparison before you book with another carrier through Google Flights.

Organize your travel

There's a "Travel" button on the toolbar of Google Flights.

It will display the travel you have already booked. When you click on the trip, it neatly shows travel booked through your Google account, such as those reservation emails sent to a Gmail account.

It will also show "potential trips." This is where you may have been searching Google Flights for a particular destination but have not yet bought the ticket. Additionally, it will provide suggestions based on what destinations you've Googled in general.

Perhaps you have searched for " When is the best time to visit Hawaii ?" Google Flights may show you suggestions to help you continue planning that trip.

Finally, the "Travel" button will suggest trips you might consider taking based on upcoming trips you have booked or trips you've taken in the past.

For example, if you've been to Melbourne, Australia, it may show options to visit Sydney.

Related: The best ways to use points and miles to fly from the US to Australia

How to find the best getaway deal

This function is similar to the previous tip but focuses on another aspect of your search. Start by clicking the "Explore" button on the toolbar.

If you know you want to get away on specific dates — let's say the second week of October — but don't have a specific destination in mind, use Google's open-ended search functionality to find good flight deals within your window of availability.

In the example below, I picked a long weekend in October and set my hometown of New York as my departure airport. Instead of specifying a destination, I just left it open-ended. You can give Google a hint by typing "Europe" or "Caribbean" to narrow your search results to a specific region.

Related: 9 awesome features you didn't know about in Google Flights

If I zoom in closer on the map, the system recalibrates and shows me more destinations and price points within the updated map view.

If I zoom way out for a world view, I'll see the best-priced destinations of note across the globe.

I can also force the algorithm to show me price points for a specific region.

For example, the world map above doesn't show me many deals for Australia, South America or Africa. However, if I zoom in on Africa, I see more than half a dozen options on the continent and more than a dozen in "surrounding" areas.

Related: Safaris, cities and lots of elephants: How I returned to South Africa using points, miles and cash

Bottom line

Google Flights is an incredibly powerful tool the TPG team uses daily to price airfare . It can help you quickly find the best flights for your travel, but it can also track prices and let you know if you are getting a good deal. It can also help you plan trips and find hotels and activities.

It's one of my favorite tools to find deals and new places to visit. Add it to your travel toolbox. I promise it will become one of your favorites, too.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• The 18 best places to travel in 2023
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

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Cheap flights to New York

Popular airports near new york.

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) New York 38 min 20 km
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA) New York 26 min 13 km
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) Newark 27 min 13 km
• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) Boston 3 hr 41 min 309 km

When to visit

About new york, frequently asked questions about flying to new york, search more flights, more places to fly.

See more, plan less – try Google Trips

Sep 19, 2016

[[read-time]] min read

We wanted to reduce the hassle and help travelers enjoy their hard-earned vacations. So today, we’re introducing a new mobile app to help you instantly plan each day of your trip with just a few taps of your finger:  Google Trips .

Google Trips is a personalized tour guide in your pocket. Each trip contains key categories of information, including day plans, reservations, things to do, food & drink, and more, so you have everything you need at your fingertips. The entire app is available offline — simply tap the “Download” button under each trip to save it to your phone.

Choose your own adventure

For the top 200 cities in the world, Google Trips shows you a variety of day plans featuring the most popular daily itineraries. We’ve automatically assembled the most popular sights, attractions, and local gems into a full day’s tour — all based on historic visits by other travelers. Say you’re visiting Barcelona. You can choose from multiple day plans, like “Eixample District,” which maps out the can’t-miss buildings by Antoni Gaudi, the famous Spanish architect.

Plan each day of your trip like magic

Say your friends told you that you have to see the Sagrada Familia — and you’re looking for suggestions on things to do around that spot. Press the “+” button in the day plans tile to jump into a map view containing all the top attractions in your destination. If you’re time constrained, you can specify above the map whether you have just the morning or afternoon, versus a full day. Then simply tap and pin the Sagrada Familia to build your itinerary around it. Google Trips automatically fills in the day for you. If you want more options, tap the “magic wand” button for more nearby sights. You can pin any new spots you like, and if you want even more, each tap of the “magic wand” instantly gives you a new itinerary with updated nearby attractions like Palau Macaya or Parc del Guinardo, so you can build your own custom itinerary in minutes while munching on your morning churro.

All your travel info, all in one place

Keeping track of all your flight, hotel, car and restaurant reservations when you travel can be tough. With Google Trips, all your travel reservations are automatically gathered from Gmail and organized for you into individual trips, so you don’t have to search and dig up those emails. They’re waiting for you within the reservations tile, even without WiFi.

Vacations are a chance to recharge and experience new places and cultures. For your next trip, let us help you see all the sights you want to see, without all the work. Google Trips, available now on  Android  and  iOS , has you covered from departure to return.

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9 simple google flights tips and tricks to try on your next trip.

Snag sweet travel deals with Google's flight search platform

Google Flights is among the best apps for cheap travel . It's the one-stop search engine for airplane trips and consolidates hundreds of top online travel agencies (OTAs). You can search for the best ones in a central hub from your mobile phone or personal computer . You won't have to visit multiple websites, and you can find anything based on round or multi-city trip entries and other criteria. Flights also has tools for cost comparison, so you can see whether current prices are high compared to historical data. Here's how to save money and reach your desired locations quickly.

1 Use the price comparison tool

Google Flights has a date grid that displays departure and return dates around your selected travel dates. Dates with the lowest prices indicate the figures in green. Those in red indicate higher-than-usual prices. Use the grid to make comparisons and find the best rates for your budget.

The price graph shows a visual representation of flight patterns. You'll identify optimal times to fly based on pricing trends. You can even view the full price history for a route up to 60 days before the current date. Here's how to use these features:

1. On your browser, visit google.com/travel/flights .

2. Enter your location and destination. Then click Search .

3. Click Date grid to make price comparisons.

4. Select Price graph to view fare trends by month or week.

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2 explore affordable travel options.

The Google Flights search tools help you find available and affordable airlines. Typically, you'll enter your location and destination in the search fields. This function only brings flight results along the route you selected. If you leave the destination field blank, Flights shows a map in the Explore tab . You can pan it for airlines with the best fares.

If your travel plans are flexible, you could save on flights by considering alternative travel dates. Flights automatically sets a sample trip duration lasting for a week and within the next six months. This default date range might not give you the best deals. Click the sample date, or use the search fields on the left sidebar to adjust dates according to your preferences.

3 Get inspiration on what to do

The Explore tab is where Google Flights shows airlines, prices, and available flights. You can also use it for inspiration when planning your schedule. Clicking a destination on the map shows places to see in the left sidebar. You can also find hotels and vacation rentals if you don't have accommodation.

The sidebar also shows peak and off seasons to help you determine the best time to visit a place. This way, you avoid travel disasters when there's too much population, bad weather, and other factors. People often ask questions about locations on Google Search. Explore pulls the ones related to a place, allowing you to expand them quickly without running a separate search.

4 Search and book multi-city trips

Searching for destinations and booking repeatedly on Google Flights is stressful. The platform allows you to perform multi-city searches simultaneously. Plus, you can make broader comparisons between fares and save money on international trips.

Instead of booking separate one-way flights, you'll book multi-city flights as a single unit with supported airlines or separately. Here's how to use the feature:

1. Go to the Google Flights website .

2. Click Round trip . Then, select Multi-city .

3. Click Add flight to insert more fields. Then, enter where you're flying from and where to in each of them.

4. Enter the departure dates. Then, click Search . The platform provides results for all available flights in your selected regions.

5 Automatic price guarantee

Price guarantee helps you secure the best prices for your flights. The feature is available for flights with charges that Google has assurance of before it takes off. If you turn on the feature for a booked flight, Google monitors the rates until you board and gives you a refund if it turns out cheaper than originally displayed.

However, the price difference must exceed $5 to qualify for a payout. Also, you can only receive a maximum payout of $500 per Google account within a year. The feature works for trips you book on Google Flights, as well as those you discover on the platform but eventually book on the airline's website.

Price Guarantee is a pilot program and is still under testing. Not all flights are eligible for it until Google expands it. Eligible flights have a colored badge near them. Click a checkbox when booking to activate the feature.

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6 set fare alerts.

While Google Flights does its best to save your money, airline fares can change at any time. Price surges usually happen closer to departure dates because fewer seats are available. Airlines try to capitalize on travelers' willingness to pay for the remaining ones. Other times, pricing drops or remains stable when fewer travelers book flights.

You can set alerts to monitor these changes for specific routes on Flights. You'll receive automatic notifications via email. It saves you from constantly checking the prices yourself. Here's how to do it:

1. On the Google Flights website, enter your departure point and destination.

2. Set your departure and return dates.

3. Click Search .

4. Turn on the toggle switch beside Track prices . Flights sends you email notifications when travel fares change for your route within the specified dates.

7 Confirm ghosting prices

Ghosting prices refer to situations where you spot attractive flight fares. When you try to book them, the price jumps or becomes unavailable. There's an explanation for it. Google Flights is a flight search engine, not a booking platform. Even though it provides booking buttons and options, all links lead you to book with airlines or online travel agencies.

When you experience ghosting dates, airlines have updated their prices. However, there's a slight delay before Google Flights receives the information. Double-check the airline's website or contact them. You may still be able to access the ghosting prices.

8 Book layover flights

Layover flights are connecting air trips that include one or more stops between your starting point and destination. They are often cheaper than nonstop flights for the same route. Airlines usually have hubs or stop points for travelers going to various destinations.

If you're flexible with your travel plans, booking two separate flights – one from Point A to the layover city and another from the layover city to Point B – can be cheaper than booking a direct flight. However, it will take longer to reach your destination.

Google Flights has a handy layover duration feature. It tells you how long you'll wait at the airport before boarding your next flight to your final destination. Use this tool to filter the shortest route for you. Follow the steps below to start:

1. On the Flights page, click the Connecting airports search filter.

2. Use the slider to adjust your preferred layover duration.

3. Select your preferred airports. The platform shows the results.

9 Change your currency, language, or location on Google Flights

Google Flights typically sets the search currency, location, and language to match your IP address. If you're in the United States, you'll see prices in dollars. But it may be wrong. There are buttons beneath the menus and web pages for changing your language, country, and currency. You can also access the buttons on the platform's menu. Here's how to use both methods:

1. On the Google Flights website, scroll down to the bottom of the web page.

2. Click the Language , Country , and Currency options to adjust the settings to your preferences.

3. Alternatively, click the menu icon in the upper-left corner. Then, use the corresponding options.

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Use google flights to save on your next trip.

Google Flights finds flights well, but that's where its efforts stop. You'll need trip-planning features to enhance your experience. You'll find them in other dedicated travel apps , like itinerary building, budgeting, activity recommendations, and offline access. Some apps help you find accomodations and help you pack. Download them for free on the Google Play Store.

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Book hotels on Google

When you search for hotels on Google and select a hotel to book, you may have the option to stay on Google to complete your booking with a hotel or online travel agency. Google acts only as an intermediary to securely pass your info to the airline or travel agency and isn’t a party to the transaction. If you’re signed in to your Google Account, you can complete the reservation quickly with the contact and payment info stored in your Google Account.

Find & book a hotel

• Search for hotels on Google .
• Links to partners that let you book on Google say “Easy booking on Google.” If you select a partner that lets you book on Google, continue to step 3.
• Check your dates and number of guests.
• Select a room.
• If you’re signed in, the contact info stored in your Google Account is automatically entered.
• If you're not signed in, at the top of the page, click Sign in .
• Or you can manually enter your contact info.
• Click Continue .
• To select a stored payment method, click the Down arrow or enter a new payment method, and click Continue .
• Review your booking details to make sure they’re correct.
• Review and accept the applicable terms and conditions, and click Book this room .

All bookings are made directly wi th the relevant hotel or online travel agency: 

• Google doesn’t sell hotel rooms, and isn’t a party to your booking transaction.
• Google securely passes your reservation and payment details to the hotel or online travel agency that is selling the room. 
• The hotel or travel agency processes your booking and charges your card, and is responsible for the booking and all subsequent customer service. 

After your booking is processed, you get a confirmation email from the booking partner. You may also get a summary email from Google.

Payment methods & transaction details

Depending on the hotel or travel agency partner, your card may be charged when you book the reservation, at check in, or at check out. Some partners may place a hold on your card for the full cost of your stay, either at the time of booking or later.

You can pay with supported credit and debit cards, which are shown during the booking process.

Your statement shows a charge from the hotel or travel agency partner, not from Google. Google acts only as an intermediary and isn’t a party to your booking transaction.

Get info about your reservation

In the confirmation and summary emails you receive after booking a hotel, you can find:

• Details about your reservation
• The hotel or travel agency’s contact information

Tip : If you don’t find these emails within 24 hours, check your spam folder.

If you want to change or cancel your reservation, contact the hotel or booking partner directly for help. Google isn’t a party to your booking transaction and can’t change your booking.

It can take up to 24 hours for a hotel to find your reservation in their system. If the hotel can’t find your reservation after 24 hours from the time of booking, contact the booking partner or  let us know .

Ask questions or send feedback

First, try contacting the hotel or travel agency directly for help. If you already contacted the hotel or travel agency and still need help, contact us .

Terms & conditions apply to your booking

Reservations are subject to the Google privacy policy and any terms and conditions associated with the booking partner.

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A Guide to Google Flights

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Table of Contents

How to use Google Flights

Why are google flights cheaper, save money by booking flights with points and miles, final thoughts on using google flights.

Are you looking for cheap flights? Happily, for travelers, there are lots of ways to find discounted airfares. One way is with Google Flights, a powerful tool for searching out the best deals on flights. Let’s take a look at how it works, how to save money with Google Flights and the different ways to maximize it. 

On the surface, Google Flights seems pretty simple to use — and it is. Anyone can navigate to the site, input their search information and receive results. For example, we used Google Flights to search for a round-trip ticket in economy class from Orlando to New York. But you can also search for one-way or multi-city itineraries on Google Flights, as well as business class tickets. 

When you do this, Google will show the flights it thinks are best, whether that means they’re the fastest, the cheapest or some other combination of factors. 

You can stop there if you’d like. Once you’ve selected the flights you prefer, Google will either take you to a booking site or allow you to book directly within its platform.

But there’s so much more to customize, including departure times, luggage policy and airlines. 

Filtering by price

Perhaps the most useful feature of Google Flights is the ability to set your price point. 

If you’re especially price-sensitive, filtering out expensive flights can show you exactly what’s available within your budget.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Searching for nonstops

Are you the type of flyer who simply wants to get there? Are connections the bane of your existence? 

The stops filter on Google Flights allows you to set how many layovers you’re willing to tolerate, whether that’s one stop, two stops or no stops at all.

Selecting departure times

If you have an early-morning meeting or you’re looking to leave a little later, you’ll want to filter out the flights that don’t fit your needs. To do so, hit the “times” button on the search page. 

From here, you can edit and search for the time your flights will take off and land for both legs of your journey. 

Choosing your airlines

Are you a Star Alliance loyalist? How about a fan of SkyTeam ? If you’re trying to stick with an airline alliance — or even a specific airline — Google has that covered. 

You can use the "airlines" filter to show different airlines on the route that you’re searching. Depending on your needs, you can opt to show results from different alliances or by individual airlines. 

This can be especially helpful if you have a travel voucher to spend or you’re looking to earn elite status on an airline.

» Learn more: The best airline elite status for 2022

Include your luggage in your search

Whether you’re an overpacker or a light traveler, Google Flights gives you the option to choose how much luggage you’d like to bring. 

The "bags" filter can show you flights that include luggage — so you don’t have to worry about additional fees. 

» Learn more: 7 tips to avoid paying checked baggage fees

Setting your layovers

Some savvy flyers enjoy the ability to take a few stopovers en route to their destination. Others, well, not so much. 

If you have to stop over, the "connecting airports" filter allows you to select where your layover will be. Have you been wanting to check out the SkyDeck at the Delta Sky Club in New York-JFK ? Well, you can filter out other airports and choose how long you’d like your layover to be with this option. 

Limiting the length 

Combined with the ability to pick your layovers, limiting the duration of your flight allows you to pick the fastest routes. This is especially useful when Google presents options that can take 30 hours or more.

Conversely, you can also choose to keep this toggle unused, thus letting you build in some free city-break layovers on the longest flights. 

Saving the environment

It’s no secret that air travel produces some serious carbon emissions. If that's a concern, Google has a filter to show you which flights have a lower impact on the environment.

Although the filter isn’t robust, you are able to see the emissions in your search results. 

» Learn more: 4 cheap ways to be an eco-conscious traveler

So we’ve explored all the different filters available during a standard search with Google Flights. These give you the ultimate in customization, so if you’d like a flight from New York to Paris featuring two stops, a layover in Frankfurt and two checked bags — that’s an option. 

However, there are also ways to maximize Google Flights to save money. Here's how. 

Check out the fare calendar 

When you start out your search, you’ll notice that you pick your dates from a calendar. However, if you hover over the calendar long enough, you’ll start to see prices appear. 

Google Flights displays ticket prices for a two-month window. If you have flexibility on your travel dates, it’s worth taking a look around to see when flights are the least expensive. Google even helps you out by highlighting the cheapest fares in green.

Search multiple airports

Google Flights doesn’t limit you to searching from a single airport. This handy feature allows you to check out flights from neighboring airports, as well as those which you’re willing to depart from. 

To search for multiple airports, start typing in the search bar. 

In this case, adding multiple airports allowed us to find a flight for $176 rather than the $228 in the original search.

Allow separate tickets

This is actually a type of filter, but it’s a bit more advanced than your usual options. When searching, you have the option whether to allow separate tickets or not. It’s found at the very bottom of the little “all filters” tab on your search results page. 

Allowing for separate tickets means that you may need to book two one-way flights rather than a round-trip flight, though Google will only highlight these results if they’re cheaper than a single-ticket itinerary. 

Set a flight alert

Did you know that Google Flights can send you emails? If a flight you’re looking for is too expensive, you can sign-up for alerts that’ll let you know when the price drops. 

Along with this, Google will also let you know whether the price for your flights is appropriate. This little graph won’t show up on all searches, but if Google has data for the flight you’ll see this pop up when you’re scrolling through the search results. 

Use the Google Flights Explorer

Do you have flexibility on your travel? Are you just trying to figure out somewhere to go? Perhaps the most underrated part of Google Flights is the Explorer option, which can be found on the left-hand side when on the Google Flights page.

This incredibly useful tool allows you to set extra flexible parameters for a trip. Say, for instance, you’d like to take a week-long vacation within the next six months. You only want to fly business class, however, and you don’t want to pay more than $2,700 round-trip. 

Input all this information and a Google Flights map will pop up, showing you all your available options. 

Like standard Google Flights, the Explorer tool also has a variety of filters. This includes the ability to sort by airlines and airline alliances, making this a powerful instrument for those looking to earn elite status with airlines. 

» Learn more: 6 ways to save money on flights

Airline miles, also called frequent flyer miles or points, are an airline’s currency that you can use for flight redemptions, hotel stays and sometimes other rewards. These work a little differently at every airline. According to NerdWallet analysis, they're generally worth 0.8 to 2 cents each .

But before you start using airline miles, you have to earn them. Beyond flying, another way to amass a large number of travel rewards is to earn a sign-up bonus from a travel credit card.

Google Flights is a robust search tool for those looking to book flights.

Although it’s easy to use, don’t be fooled by its simple appearance. It contains a wide variety of filter options allowing you to design your perfect itinerary and save money while doing it. 

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

What Is Google Travel and How Does It Work?

If you've ever searched for a trip on Google, you've probably come across Google Travel. Here's everything you need to know about it and how it works.

Over the 21st century, the number of online services helping people book trips has grown significantly. And in a bid to help users manage and book their adventures more efficiently, Google created Google Travel. Google Travel is relatively underused but has a lot to offer. The web app lets you book flights, search for inspiration, and much more.

So, what exactly is Google Travel? How does it work, and what can you do with the platform? Let’s take a closer look and answer all of these questions.

What Is Google Travel?

Google Travel is an app that lets users book trips and manage itineraries . The Silicon Valley giant introduced the service in 2016, and you might have previously heard of it when it was known as Google Trips.

Unlike several other Google apps, including Drive and Docs, you can’t download Google Travel as a standalone mobile app for your smartphone. Instead, you’ll need to use it in your web browser; you can do this from either your phone, desktop, or tablet. Google Travel is free to use, but you will need a Google account.

What Can You Do With Google Travel?

Okay, so you’ve now got a better idea of what Google Travel is and how you can sign up for the platform. So, what can you do with it? Below, you’ll discover seven uses for the service—along with a walkthrough to help you find these features.

Search for Flights

Whether you’re casually browsing or know where you want to go, searching for flights is easy with Google Travel. You can tweak the dates you want to travel easily, along with setting how long you want the trips in your search to last for.

When looking for flights, you can customize your search using several parameters. These include:

• Connecting airports you’d like to use
• The time of day you want to travel for all legs of the journey
• The airlines you want to fly with

You can also look for flights based on baggage allowance and more.

To look for flights on Google Travel, you’ll need to go to the Flights tab. This is the third one from the bottom. Once you’re there, you can customize your search to fit your needs.

Keep Track of Prices

Getting the best deal when traveling has become trickier for several reasons. Countless comparison sites exist, while it’s also hard to know whether the prices you see are too high for that time of year or not.

Fortunately, Google Travel helps you get better value for money with a couple of neat tools. The first is a small tab you’ll find under “Best departing flights”, which shows you whether or not your flight ticket fare cost is typical for the time you want to travel.

Related: The Best Airline Hacks to Get Insanely Cheap Flight Tickets

You can also use the Date grid and Price graph closer to the top of your screen. Both will show you how much flight tickets cost for the period you’re traveling compared to days close by.

In addition to the above features, you can also toggle the Track prices option on. When you do this, you’ll receive email updates whenever prices go up or down. You can access all of these tools from the Flights tab.

Alongside flights, you can also check the prices of hotels. To do this, go to the Hotels tab and tap on the What you’ll pay button.

Browse for Inspiration and Set Trip Search Parameters

For many people, booking every part of their trip helps to customize it better for their needs. If you’re one of these individuals, you’ll be pleased to know that Google Travel lets you change several options to ensure that your search results are more tailored to your demands.

You can create better trips by using the Interests feature, which allows you to choose destinations based on what type of holiday you want—such as skiing or outdoors. You can access this tab by selecting Explore on the left.

Another way you can customize your trip is by deciding how you want to travel. Google Travel lets you pick either plane or car, and you can make this choice by going to the Travel mode tab—which is also in Explore.

Add Itineraries

Once you’re ready to plan your trip, you can use Google Travel to create the ultimate itinerary. When you start a new adventure on the platform, you can add pretty much everything to it—ranging from your flights to places you wish to eat.

If you book your flights and accommodation through Google Travel, your confirmations will get added to your itinerary.

Besides adding your plans, you can also use this section to inform yourself about your destination. Google shows you frequently asked questions, along with the average temperatures for the time of year that you plan to visit.

Once you’ve created a new trip, you can also find articles that you’ve looked at relating to the destination online. If you think these will be useful, you can hit the bookmark tab to save them. And if you haven’t yet begun your research, Google will pull popular resources to help you gain both insights and inspiration.

To add a new trip, go to the Travel tab and select Create trip .

Book Hotels

Of course, you can’t plan a trip somewhere and not have a place to stay. Like flights, you can book hotels through the Google Travel interface.

When looking for hotels, you can filter your search based on price and how many people will be on the trip. If you’d prefer certain hotel brands over others, you can choose for only your preferred options to show.

Other ways you can filter your hotel search include:

• Offers included
• Amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and kid-friendly
• The hotel’s class/star rating

You can use this feature to book hostels and guesthouses too. To start booking your accommodation, you’ll need to head to the Hotels tab. When you’re there, you can customize as you feel necessary.

Rent Properties

If you’re not interested in staying at a hotel, you can find private vacation rentals through Google Travel. You’ll see several options, such as:

• Guesthouses

Like hotels, you can also browse depending on the amenities you want, your price range, and more.

To rent properties instead of hotels, click on the Vacation rentals section. After that, you can make the changes you feel are necessary.

Use Google Travel to Plan Your Trip More Efficiently

If you don’t want to use a travel agent, Google Travel offers an excellent option for you to pay for and plan your trip without needing to visit several websites. You can check to see when you’ll get the best prices, along with seeking inspiration and more.

Since Google Travel is free to use, why not sign up and give it a try for yourself?

12 Hidden Tips and Tricks to Save Money with Google Flights

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As the UK is about to start coming out of national restrictions and flights and holidays are again on the horizon, there has been a surge in demand for searches on travel and flight sites – such as Google Flights.

  Google Flights is an amazing feature-rich flight search tool giving you access to so much information to not only help you find the best prices but also answer a lot of questions you’re likely to have too. Google Flights is so feature-rich that many people miss some of the hidden tricks and tips.

Here in summary are the features and tips when using Google Flights:

• Use the Explore feature for trip suggestions
• Find the best prices before you even search
• Never overpay – the Price Graph can reveal the really cheap prices
• Fare Alerts for all those secret airline sales
• Filters are your friends – Narrow down your choices to save time
• Look for separate tickets and reduce the overall price of your flight
• The Date Grid can help you extend your trip for less
• Cheap hotel prices as well as travel guides
• Travel Guide and Things to Do
• Find out what’s onboard on your flight
• Flights to earn your air miles and points
• A full trip itinerary

Let’s take a look at these tips and tricks in a little more detail with some examples and screenshots from the Google Flights search tool.

#1 The Explore Feature on Google Flights Can Help with Trip Inspiration at a Great Price

Courtesy: Google Flights – Explore FeatureIf you have an exact destination in mind, and exact date, then the standard Google Flights screen will do just fine. If you are flexible and looking for some travel inspiration, then the Google Flights Explore section is an amazing tool on its own – and has some really helpful features.

In the screenshot above we have narrowed down a search for a weekend break to Europe in August flying in Economy class. The results are pretty impressive. Google Flights is recommending top weekend break destinations and shows the cheapest weekend flight prices available.

How awesome is that? I can see that if I fly between the 6 th and 9 th of August, you could get a weekend trip to Madrid for just £32 with Ryanair.

Courtesy: Google Flights – Flights to Madrid for £32Not only does it show you the cheapest flights, but it also shows you prices for available hotels too – as well as advice on the best times to travel, a selection of travel guides for the destination as well as questions regular travelers have asked.

#2 View Flight Prices Before You Search to Find the Best Rates

Courtesy: Google Flights – See prices before you searchUnlike many flight searches, the Google Flight search tool shows you the cheapest available prices before you even hit the Search button. To use this feature, choose your departure and destination locations and then click on the search date – after a second or so the cheapest prices for the months on view appear on the screen (see screenshot above).

This means if your dates are flexible you can see across at least two full months not only the cheapest prices but also see whether it’s always cheaper to fly out or fly back on a certain day of the week. Weekend travel can often be cheaper than weekday travel especially, to places popular for business travelers.

If the date for your next trip is flexible this can be an invaluable little feature to help you save money.

#3 Never Overpay! – Take Advantage of the Price Graph on Google Flights to Help Uncover Those Cheap Flights

Courtesy: Google Flights – Price GraphThe flight prices appearing as the dates appear is useful, but once you’ve hit search you get access to a little hidden icon, which is the Price Graph Although the Price Graph shows you the same flight prices as the search facility did, the visual graph just looks easier to read.

You can see in the above image, which shows a search for New York flights in Premium Economy class during August are higher than in September and October. Although this isn’t too unexpected what is really interesting is that the same flight just two weeks later is 32% cheaper!

#4 Use the Fare Alerts on Google Flights and Be Told of All the Secret Sales

Courtesy: Google Flights – Track Flight Prices

I told you Google Flights was a feature rich – but The Fare Alerts tool can be a real little goldmine! You need to be logged in to Google but once you are you can carry out a search to a destination and then make sure the Track Prices toggle switch is set to on. Google now will keep a monitor of the flight you want to take and will email you the moment the price for that flight changes.

Some airlines’ sales are not exactly public. Some you only find out about by visiting the airline’s website or by logging in to your airline’s air miles or points program. This way you get to find out directly from Google themselves of all sales and price reductions.

Let Google Flights tell you when flight prices reduce, and you could save quite a bit of money!

#5 Use Google Flights Extensive Filters to Save Time

Courtesy: Google Flights – Flight FiltersOnly interested in direct flights, just need a morning or overnight flight or perhaps you need more than one carry-on case – all of these options, and more, are available through the extensive Google Flight filters.

Rather than looking through flight option after flight option to choose the best flight time or just those flights flying direct or no more than one stopover – simply select your filters and Google Flights will just show you the flights you could actually take. This can save so much time than traditional flight searching and scrolling.

#6 Look for Separate Tickets in the Hidden Filter to Look For Cheaper Return Flights

Courtesy: Google Flights – Separate Flight Tickets to SaveBy default, Google Flights will show you return flights from the same airline, and often to the same departure and arrival terminals. You can though search for separate tickets and look for flight options where you may fly outbound on one airline but fly back on a second airline.

You could find much cheaper flight prices using this method.

This can come with risks if your separate tickets include a stopover on one leg of your flight, and the continuing journey is with a different airline. As these are separate tickets if your first leg is delayed you may miss your second leg of the journey – and have to pay for a separate second-leg flight.

This is different from a stopover flight with the same airline where they will ensure you reach your end destination if your first leg is delayed. If your outbound and inbound flights are direct, you should be absolutely fine, and using this hidden feature you could save on your flight.

#7 The Date Grid Can Help You Extend Your Trip for Less

Courtesy: Google Flights – Date GridThere are many ways to show the same flight data, and so far we’ve looked at a few, but this method allows you to see whether you could extend your trip and actually save money.

Let me explain how this works.

The Date Grid option gives you an at-a-glance view of the flight prices for your chosen trip as well as the flight prices around your dates too for departing and arriving on different days.

The flight search in the screenshot above is a trip to New York in August in Premium Economy. We searched for a mini break departing Sunday 8 th August and returning Thursday 12 th August – but look, if you instead fly back on Friday 13 th August (for all you non-superstitious people!) you save £462!

Not only can you extend your trip by another day, but this saving would more than cover the cost of a hotel room for another night, meaning not only do you get to enjoy the Big Apple for less but longer too.

#8 Cheap Hotel Prices

Courtesy: Google Flights – Hotel SearchDon’t let the name Google Flights confuse you. Google has access to more data than any other company which means they can help you find cheap hotel prices too. As well as a separate Hotel section, you may notice that for each flight search Google will show not only the cheapest flight price but also the cheapest hotel prices.

Depending on special events, festivals, etc… hotel prices for a particular day may be expensive but flying the day or the day after may mean a slightly more expensive flight, but a much lower price hotel room.

#9 Travel Guide and Things to Do

Courtesy: Google Flights – Travel Guide and things To DoWe’ve all done it. Become excited about a trip and spent hours on Google researching away. Google Flights brings this to you too. You may have noticed, when searching for your flight, the Things to Do section. This really is the most comprehensive travel guide we’ve seen.

In fact, it’s so well designed to help you make you’re the most of your trip, it’s the webpage I visit most often when planning any up-and-coming trip.

#10 What’s Onboard Your Flight

Courtesy: Google Flights – On Board Your FlightOften you may see different cabin names from different airlines. For example, the Virgin Delight offering from Virgin Atlantic. Unless you fly every airline often it can be confusing to know what this means, and what you’re likely to expect on board. Beside each flight suggestion, you’ll see a drop-down icon. Click this and Google will show you more information about the flight, such as flight number, aircraft type, and stop-over details – as we as what to expect in the cabin.

#11 Look for Flights to Earn You Air Miles and Points

Courtesy: Google Flights – Search by Airlines or ProgramsIt isn’t really feasible to earn air miles and points on every airline’s air miles program. Well, it is possible but if you build up a small number of air miles with different airlines you will never be able to concentrate on one enough to make those rewards valuable enough.

Use the Flights filter to just choose the airline or airlines you are actively collecting air miles for. This means whatever flights are returned you will have a chance of increasing your points balance. Just note though this could filter out a much cheaper price with an alternative airline.

You can even search for all fourteen airlines now part of the OneWorld alliance (now that Alaska Airlines have joined the program) and continue to boost your OneWorld tier to earn benefits across the 14 airlines.

Gain Emerald or Sapphire status and you can enjoy lounge access for free regardless of your cabin class across all 14 airlines. This means if you build up enough tier points for Emerald or Ruby with Qatar airlines, you could use the BA Business Lounge at Heathrow for free.

#12 Full Trip Itinerary

Courtesy: Google Flights – Trip ItinerarySearch through Google Flights quickly and you may quite easily miss the Travel section.

The Travel section is where you can create a full itinerary for your next trip. Personally, I think this section could be improved on a little, but equally, if your next trip is multi-location based and you need to fly between your destinations, it could be a handy tool to not only plan out where to go and what to do, but also whether by adjusting your trip you could save money on flights.

The Travel Articles are useful for people’s first-hand experiences too.

Google Flights in Summary

So much more than just a flight search tool, Google Flights is a really indispensable tool – available across multiple devices – to help you save money and time on your next trip. The flight options enough are worth a visit but when you add together the features and vast knowledge Google has on your destination, it really is one of the most useful tools on the internet to find your next trip.

About The Author

The Points Insider Team

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The Google Maps Features All Travelers Should Know About

I 'm a nerd for maps. As a kid, they inspired me to want to travel, and as an adult they're my comfort reading. My colleagues at AFAR even let me make a podcast episode about them . But of all the maps I love (Middle-earth included), the one I spend the most time with these days is Google Maps. I'm betting most of you can say the same thing. I'm on that app every single day. I use it for work (for the research I need to do in my job here as an editor and writer), I use it for fun (I can spend hours armchair exploring remote islands in the middle of oceans), and I use it, most invaluably, for trip planning. If you're only using Google Maps for directions, you're missing out. Here are a dozen ways I use Google Maps for smarter travel.

Collaborate an itinerary with friends

I make Google Maps lists of everything: I have one for vegetarian restaurants, another for ice cream shops-I even have one that's a cocktails and cookies trail. (I created that last one with my cousin when we celebrated her 21st birthday.) More often, I use lists as a trip-planning tool. As I'm researching things to do in whatever destination I'm headed to (recently Argentina, Nairobi, and Manchester ), I create a list, add places of interest (museums, restaurants, shops, libraries, etc.) and share it with my travel crew so that they can weigh in on my picks and add their recommendations. While that's useful, it's only 101.

In the past year, lists have leveled up: Now, for each place listing, your friends can react with an emoji (heart, smile, fire, thumbs down, or flying money) and add their tips and suggestions into a comments field (e.g., "I read that dulce de leche is the flavor to get!" or "Let's go here after our street-art tour on Monday."). I especially like that I can customize the order of the items on the list; for example, I could make them match the path of cookies I plan to follow, or I could arrange our collective Argentina picks chronologically so that the list doubles as our itinerary. A fun bonus is that you can assign any emoji to the whole list so that all of the places show up in map view with that themed icon-say, the Argentina flag or an ice cream cone.

Walk like you know where you're going with navigation

Turn-by-turn navigation isn't just for drivers. Google Maps offers it for walkers and bikers too. Once you type in your destination, select "directions," then "walking," then "start navigation," and the app will speak out loud to guide you, the same as if you were in a car. When I'm in a new city, I use this with one earbud in so I don't have to keep looking at my phone (because I will inevitably trip and fall over).

If you prefer to look at your phone, you can follow your route in both 2D (that little blue arrow moving on the map) or in 3D Live View. In this mode, you point your camera at the real world to get the app situated and then follow arrows and directions overlaid on the IRL view of the streets that you see through your phone. (Another settings option allows you to tilt your phone to enter Live View rather than tap.) Even more helpful, the recently released Glanceable Directions feature shows a minimap and navigation on your lock screen, so you don't have to open the app and turn on comprehensive navigation mode to get the benefits (toggle this feature on in settings). Conveniently, it'll automatically reroute if you take a different path.

Use augmented-reality Lens to find what's nearby: shops, restaurants, ATMs, and more

In addition to navigating with augmented-reality Live View, you can also use an augmented-reality (AR) function called Lens in Maps to see what's around you, including restaurants, public transportation stops, and landmarks. When in Maps, tap the little camera icon in the search bar, then point your phone at the street, and you'll start to see icons on the buildings. Note that this feature works only for select locations, but new cities are consistently rolling out. In the meantime, all of this information is still easily available in the app: Right under the search bar, you'll see popular search categories, including gas, restaurants, hotels, and groceries-and be sure to scroll all the way over to the "More" button. Tap that to see a couple dozen additional, and very specific, categories, including ATMs, libraries, live music, hospitals, pharmacies, and even EV charging stations.

Plan your EV charging route

Speaking of EV charging stations, Maps has expanded the info it provides on electricity pumps. To find them while you're on an EV road trip , type or speak "charging stations" into the search field or tap the "More" category button directly under the search bar. You'll immediately see red pins with a little lightning bolt inside them populate the map. In the information card below, the app will tell you which kind of chargers a station has (fast, medium, slow), how many are available, and whether they're compatible with your car.

Check what's open right now

When I was in Manchester last year, my friends and I went to a concert that let out late, and instead of heading directly to bed, we wanted to go out for a drink and a bite to eat. That's when I pulled out Maps to check what places were still open around us. In the app, look for "open now"-it's one of the options right under the search bar.

Use photos to get a sense of a place before you go

Nearly every listing in Google Maps has photos now, culled from public reviews and the establishments' owners. Admittedly, this isn't so much of a secret-but it is a secret weapon. You can use those photos to evaluate hotels, to check if a coffee shop is comfortable for laptop working, to see if a restaurant is likely to fit your big group or your mood, and to view images of menus. A recent AI-powered update uses those photos to give more travel inspiration. Try typing something like "cherry blossoms," "public art," or "swimming holes" into the search bar, and the results will include a carousel of photos and videos culled from public uploads, under the headline "Discover through photos."

See the future, and plan for it

Google Maps' Immersive View is photos on steroids. Well, on AI. For more than 500 landmarks around the world (including the London Eye, the Empire State Building, and Tokyo Tower), the search results include what looks like a video labeled "Immersive view." What you're seeing is actually a ton of photos that the app stitched together to create not just an image but a whole knowledge roundup of a particular destination. Want to see what traffic will be like on the Brooklyn Bridge tomorrow morning? Want to see the view from the Eiffel Tower as the sun sets tonight? You can do it now, through Immersive View. A small icon in the bottom right corner shows the weather and a clock-tap it to change the time of day, up to four or five days into the future, and the view will change too: the number of cars on the bridge, the clouds over Paris.

Share your real-time location to stay safe

When I am traveling solo , I always keep my location services turned on for safety (and also to ensure that my 7,000 photos of street art, grocery-store finds, and random architectural details are geotagged for later reference). But even if I'm traveling with friends or family, I use real-time location sharing when I head off on my own so that people know where I am. This is especially helpful if I'm running late, because they can see my arrival time and use that to make important decisions, like whether to order appetizers without me. On the map, you can tap your blue dot to see sharing options or go to your account icon in Maps and open location sharing to choose who and what you want to share. Bonus hint: Tapping the blue dot is also how you get to the option to save your parking location.

Download an offline map

If you're concerned about eating up mobile data-or if you're going to be in a location where you won't have good internet service, Google Maps has you covered. Tap your circular account icon at the top right of the app and go to Offline Maps to select the region you want to download; it will work the same as the live version. Whenever I travel, I download a big swath of the area I'm going to, even if I think I'll have plenty of internet access. You never know when you'll be in a dead spot.

Use overlays to get more information out of your map

Maps are like ogres and onions-they have layers. To find those layers, go into the app on your phone or desktop and click the icon that looks like a stack of tiny squares. You may already know that Maps can show you a satellite view layer, a terrain view layer, and the default cartoonish view layer. (The local weather forecast is always available too-look for the small icon on the left side of the screen just under the search bar.) But did you know that it can also overlay public transit routes, traffic statuses, bike paths, wildfires, and air quality? The public transit overlay is one of my favorites, whether I'm traveling or at home in NYC-the subway lines are even correctly color-coded.

Discover the Easter eggs

You've seen Google Maps' little orange Pegman, right? He's the icon that lives at the bottom right of the screen in the desktop app. Drag him into the map and you'll see a street view of almost any location. But in some spots around the world, he hides an Easter egg. Navigate to Loch Ness in Scotland, and when you pick him up, he's wearing a Nessie costume. At Area 51, he turns into a UFO. And in the Galapagos Islands, he has a mermaid tail. Can you find any others?

Stay tuned for more AI-powered features in the future

Google is working on bringing generative AI into its maps , and one project that's underway is a feature that will allow users to ask questions like "What are rainy-day activities I can do with kids?" When the feature is available (expected later this year), the map will show indoor suggestions such as bowling alleys and movie theaters. Google's community of more than 300 million "local guides," as they call their contributors, are working to test this now, and I'm already lining up my questions: Hey Google, what are some places that cartography nerds would like?

Google unveils new updates to make trip planning easier for travelers

Google Maps is launching new updates that are intended to make finding travel inspiration and local recommendations in your destination easier. Users will start seeing these lists of suggestions popping up in Google Maps in more than 40 cities across the U.S. and Canada this week. These updates will also be rolled out globally on Android and iOS mobile platforms later this month.

With this trio of updates, users can discover curated lists of local recommendations from other users and esteemed websites, customize their own lists and access key insights, making vacation planning a breeze and ensuring a seamless on-the-go experience. To access the new features, simply search for a city in Google Maps and and swipe up to see curated lists of places from people who know the city inside and out. You’ll also see lists from such reputable sources as Lonely Planet, the New York Times and OpenTable.

And, when away from home, the question of where to eat is always top of mind. Now, whether you’re a traveler or just want to find a trendy spot in town, you can use new restaurant lists created by Google Maps. These lists will spotlight the eateries people are showing interest in or rating highly on Maps at the time. Google has sorted restaurants into three separate lists based on various criteria, creating indices for trending, top-rated, and hidden gem locations.

The Trending list is updated weekly to spotlight places that experienced a recent spike in popularity on Maps, making it ideal for discovering the latest hot spots.

The Top list showcases the places that the Maps community has consistently shown love for. Use this list to find a neighborhood’s longstanding favorites.

The Gems list is for places that are considered an area's best-kept secrets, highlighting great restaurants that still fly under the radar.

Creating Maps lists allows you to organize places you’d like to visit and places you’ve already been that you might wish to revisit. With the new lists format, users will also be able to more easily arrange their selections for easy reference, as they can now choose the order in which places appear. Simply move them up or down in whatever order you prefer to have them displayed. Users can also link in content from their social media streams, such as their own reviews of a certain venue.

Similarly, to give users a good sense of each place at a glance, Google’s AI pulls key insights to display from the Maps community. When you search a spot, you’ll see select photos and reviews that encapsulate what patrons love about it. The AI function can even help you identify the name of a particular dish and display helpful information based on a restaurant’s menu.

New design updates are also set to give Google Maps a fresh look, including a simplified home screen and new pin colors that make places on the map easier to find.

Trip-planning AI

Google has also just announced an update that’s coming to its Search Generative Experience (SGE), which will enable users to create travel itineraries and compile trip ideas using AI. This means that Google will be taking on other companies that are already applying the generative AI’s capabilities to help travelers plan their trips, such as Mindtrip and Layla.

To come up with its travel recommendations, Google’s AI engine relies upon information from sites across the internet, as well as photos, reviews and other specifics users have submitted about any given place. Conversationally, users can ask the AI something like “plan me a five-day trip to New York City that focuses on entertainment” and receive a sample itinerary that includes local restaurants, attractions and points of interest. Once you’ve constructed your ideal itinerary, you can export it to Gmail, or Google Docs or Maps.

This new capability is currently available only in the U.S. (in English) to those who are signed up for Google’s Search Labs program, which invites users to experiment with early-phase Google Search functions. The company has not stated if or when this function will become more widely available. According to TechCrunch, Google is not only testing out new realms for using generative AI, it’s also gathering data about consumers’ travel purchasing intent, which would support its wider ad business.

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Google Search & Maps Get Upgrades For Greener Travel

Google updates Search and Maps to show greener travel options and highlight emissions data.

• Google Maps will suggest eco-friendly transit and walking options alongside driving routes.
• Google Search and Flights will prominently display train routes as alternatives to some flights.
• Google is making estimated flight emissions data more widely accessible across its products.

Google announced updates to its Maps and Search products on Monday aimed at helping users find and choose more sustainable transportation options over gas-powered vehicles.

James Byers, Google Search’s Group Product Manager, states:

“When it comes to traveling and commuting, we want people to have the right information to make more sustainable choices.”

Eco-Friendly Route Suggestions

If travel times are comparable, one of Google Maps’ key new features will be the provision of transit and walking route suggestions alongside driving routes.

This update will be rolled out in over 15 major cities worldwide in the coming weeks, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris, Rome, and Sydney.

Train & Bus Route Information

Google is expanding its ability to find long-distance train and bus routes through search.

Users searching queries like “Boston to Philadelphia train” will see schedules, prices, and direct links to book tickets on the results page.

Train route information will now be available for 38 countries, while long-distance bus routes will initially be added for 15 countries.

When users search for flights on Google’s dedicated Flight tool, they will see train route suggestions as an alternative for applicable routes.

“So it’s easy to find the more sustainable option no matter where you begin your search,” Byers stated.

Highlighting Lower-Emission Flights

In cases where flying remains the best option, Google will show you the environmental impact.

Byers explains:

“These estimates are powered by the Travel Impact Model (TIM), a methodology we published in 2022 for predicting per-passenger flight emissions. To make this information even more accessible, TIM estimates are now also available through a developer API that allows any app or website to display flight emissions.”

Google is also releasing a Google Sheets add-on and online calculator to make the emissions estimates more widely available.

Looking Ahead

While Byers acknowledged “there’s still a long road ahead when it comes to sustainable travel,” he expressed hope that “today’s updates will give more people the information they need to choose lower-carbon alternatives.”

The new features come as consumers increasingly seek ways to make sustainable choices. By integrating these metrics into its flagship maps and travel tools, Google is nudging users towards greener options.

Featured Image: Screenshot from blog.google/products/search/, April 2024. 

Matt G. Southern, Senior News Writer, has been with Search Engine Journal since 2013. With a bachelor’s degree in communications, ...

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• Key Street: Michigan Ave. Leads to 7 Key Hotels in Chicago

A brief guide to all the MICHELIN Key hotels in Chicago.

Travel Hotels Chicago MICHELIN Keys

On April 24, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide announced its very first Key hotels in the United States — a brand new distinction recognizing the most outstanding hotels in the country. We're thrilled to report that in Chicago, eight hotels earned at least One Key. Of those, half make their home in the kinds of historic buildings that give this city its well-earned reputation as one of the most architecturally distinguished cities in the country. Follow Michigan Avenue north from the heart of the Loop to the Gold Coast and you’ll pass within two blocks of all but one of them. The Chicago Athletic Association sits within a Venetian Gothic landmark. The Gwen makes its home in a storied 1929 Art Deco skyscraper. The Pendry sets up shop in the masterpiece that is the 1929 Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building. And the lower floors of the Viceroy make use of the meticulously-preserved, 1920s-vintage Cedar Hotel. There are Key hotels too in newer builds, among them the Peninsula (with uniformed bellboys and staffers who seem to know the name of each individual guest) and the Waldorf Astoria , its lobby a marble marvel. Below, explore the map and scroll down for more about each of the MICHELIN Guide’s eight hotels in Chicago.

The Eight KEY Hotels in Chicago:

Chicago Athletic Association — One Key

Pendry Chicago — Two Keys

The Langham Chicago — Two Keys

The Gwen — One Key

The Peninsula Chicago — Two Keys

Waldorf Astoria Chicago — One Key

Viceroy Chicago — One Key

Nobu Hotel Chicago — One Key

Top image: Pendry Chicago

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Shortest flight out of Toronto is so pointless that Google actually suggests a train

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The shortest regularly scheduled flight departing out of Toronto Pearson International Airport is so pointless that anyone searching Google for departures will be informed by the search platform that taking a train makes far more sense.

Unlike the longest route departing Toronto — Philippine Airlines flight PR119 to Manila, which travels a staggering 13,232 km — the shortest route leaving the city is a direct flight to London, Ontario.

The route covers a mere 141 km, with a flight time of just 46 minutes, though even searching tickets for this ultra-short-haul flight will have Google suggesting alternatives.

Searching for flights between the two Ontario cities triggers a Google message suggesting travellers "consider taking the train," adding that rail travel is "more climate friendly than flying."

Instead of flying, Google suggests travellers consider VIA Rail, which is a bit longer of a trip, but at a fraction of the price and carbon emissions.

Compared to the 46-minute flight time of an Air Canada trip between the two cities (plus the added headaches and time allowances of air travel), it takes two hours and eight minutes for a direct VIA Rail trip where you're essentially walking on and off the train with comparatively light screening.

One-way fares for Toronto-London flights start at $268, while the train fare for the same trip is priced at as little as $41.

Discount bus services like FlixBus can get you there even cheaper in a still-reasonable amount of time, with fares starting at $28.99

And yet, this air route is inexplicably in hot demand, as Air Canada has a staggering 31 flights per week between Pearson and London International Airport, operating as flights 8251, 8257 and 8265.

One reader explains to blogTO that "this route, for about 95 per cent of the passengers, is just a connecting flight to get to the YYZ hub before flying on to other destinations."

"When I lived in London, I used it multiple times," he explains, noting how "it saved me driving to Toronto, parking was way cheaper, there was no train service at the time, it was extremely convenient."

Elena Berd / Shutterstock.com

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .