How to Book the Cheapest Flights Using Google Flights & Aviasales

Finding cheap flights doesn't require insider connections or travel agent secrets. With the right tools and strategies, anyone can consistently find flights at the lowest prices. This guide walks you through using Google Flights and Aviasales — two of the most powerful flight search engines — to save hundreds on every trip.

Why Use Multiple Search Engines?

No single search engine shows every available fare. Google Flights excels at flexible date searches and price tracking, while Aviasales aggregates prices from 100+ airlines and agencies (often finding deals Google misses). Using both gives you the most complete picture of available fares.

Step 1: Start with Google Flights

Go to google.com/flights and enter your origin and destination
Click "Date grid" or "Price graph" to see the cheapest days to fly
Use the "Flexible dates" option if your travel dates aren't fixed
Click "Explore" to see cheapest destinations from your city (great for inspiration)
Toggle "1 stop" vs "Nonstop" to compare savings (1-stop flights are often 30-50% cheaper)

Step 2: Set Price Alerts

Both Google Flights and Aviasales let you track prices:

Google Flights: Toggle "Track prices" on any search — you'll get email alerts when prices change
Aviasales: Use the price alert feature to monitor specific routes
Set alerts 2-6 months before travel for the best chance of catching a price drop
Prices typically drop 1-3 months before domestic flights and 2-5 months before international

Step 3: Cross-Check on Aviasales

After finding good dates on Google Flights, search the same route on Aviasales:

Aviasales often shows lower prices from regional agencies and low-cost carriers
Use the calendar view to compare prices across the month
Check "Direct flights only" and "With transfers" separately
Sort results by price, duration, or best (a balance of both)

Step 4: Use Flexible Date Strategies

Fly mid-week: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are typically cheapest
Avoid peak times: Friday evening departures and Sunday returns are most expensive
Red-eye flights: Late night or early morning flights are often 20-40% cheaper
Shoulder season: Fly just before or after peak season for major savings
+/- 3 days flexibility: Being flexible by just a few days can save 30% or more

Step 5: Advanced Booking Tricks

Book separate legs: Sometimes booking outbound and return separately (even on different airlines) is cheaper
Hidden city ticketing: Book a flight with a layover in your actual destination (use cautiously — airlines don't love this)
Nearby airports: Check alternative airports within 100km of your destination
Use incognito mode: While debated, browsing in private mode ensures you see fresh prices
Book in the right currency: Sometimes switching the currency to the airline's home country currency saves money

When to Book: The Sweet Spot

Domestic flights: 1-3 months before departure
International (short-haul): 2-4 months before
International (long-haul): 3-6 months before
Holiday travel: 4-8 months before (Thanksgiving, Christmas, summer)
Last-minute: Rarely cheaper (except premium/business class)

Bonus: Error Fares & Flash Sales

Follow flight deal accounts on social media and subscribe to deal newsletters. Airlines occasionally publish mistake fares (typos) that can save you 50-80%. Act fast — these disappear within hours. Aviasales often catches these deals in their "Special Offers" section.

Summary

The combination of Google Flights (for flexible search and tracking) and Aviasales (for comprehensive price comparison) gives you the best of both worlds. Start your search early, be flexible with dates, set alerts, and compare across both platforms. Most travelers overpay for flights simply because they only check one site. Don't be one of them.

How to Book the Cheapest Flights Using Google Flights & Aviasales