HoldMyTwistFind cheaper flights with Google Flights
Compare flexible travel dates, include baggage costs and check booking arrangements before choosing a flight.
The lowest fare in a search can come with extra fees or an awkward connection, so check what the price includes before you book.
1. Search for your trip
Open Google Flights (opens in a new tab). Choose Round trip, passenger count and cabin class. Enter the departure and arrival airports, select your dates and click Search.
The search above uses Melbourne Airport, MEL, to Sydney, SYD, for one adult in economy, 12 to 18 November 2026. A city-wide Melbourne search can also include Avalon, AVV. Choose the airport code deliberately.
You should see departing flights with return-trip prices. Fares and availability will change.
2. Compare nearby dates
On the results page, click Date grid. Read departure dates across the top and return dates down the right. Click a price cell for dates you can use, then click OK to update the search.
Keep the trip length in mind. A cheaper return date may add nights of accommodation or another day off work. Use Price graph if you can travel in a different week.
The grid shows the lowest displayed fare for each date pair. Open that pair to inspect the actual flights.
Quick takeaway
Compare flights with the same baggage needs, then check airport codes, dates and the final total. A cheaper itinerary may cost more once you add accommodation and transfers. Check whether its flights are booked on separate tickets. Read the seller's change and cancellation rules before paying.
3. Check the cheapest fare for compromises
Click Cheapest beside Best and let the prices finish loading. Compare departure times, journey length and airport codes.
Google says Cheapest can include self-transfers and different airports. On a connecting trip, a self-transfer can mean collecting and rechecking bags. A delayed first flight can leave you with a missed second flight.
Use Stops and Times to remove options you would not take. Recheck the price after filtering.
Check labels such as Separate tickets booked together before choosing an itinerary.
4. Include the bags you need
Click Bags, then use the plus button to select the number of carry-on bags. Close the selector and wait for updated prices.
Our example shows a carry-on filter only. Check any checked-bag charges on the airline website. Google uses baggage information supplied by its partners; confirm weight and size limits for the fare you choose.
Compare the updated fares with the same baggage needs.
5. Check the seller and final total
Select an outbound flight, then a return flight. Review both in the itinerary summary. Under Booking options, compare the airline with the other sellers and read any separate-ticket notices.
In this example, Google displayed A$223 for booking with Jetstar, including an A$5 credit card fee, and A$213 through Jettzy with a separate-ticket label.
Click Continue for your chosen seller. Before paying, confirm the final total, baggage allowance, airport codes and both dates. Read the change and cancellation rules. Add seat-selection and transfer costs when comparing your options. Google Flights does not include every airline or every offer. Check airlines missing from your search separately.
Sources
Use Google's search and booking instructions (opens in a new tab), fare comparison guidance (opens in a new tab) and baggage guidance (opens in a new tab) for the underlying rules. The screenshots show the desktop interface; mobile controls may be arranged differently.
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From holdmytwist.com/guides/google-flights-cheaper-flights/
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