How do I use multiple destinations on Google flights?

Unlock Hidden Travel Deals: Mastering Multiple Destinations on Google Flights

Google Flights is a powerful tool for finding the best deals on air travel. But are you truly harnessing its full potential? Many travelers overlook a key feature that can unlock significant savings and reveal unexpected itinerary possibilities: the ability to use multiple destinations.

Forget rigidly searching for flights between two specific cities. By embracing the power of multiple destinations, you can drastically expand your search parameters and unearth hidden gems in your flight search. Here’s how to leverage this technique to become a true flight-finding ninja.

The Comma Trick: Direct Input for Maximum Flexibility

The simplest method is direct input. Let’s say you’re flexible about your arrival city. Maybe you’re heading to the general region of Southern California, but San Diego, Los Angeles, and Long Beach are all viable options. Instead of running separate searches for each city, simply type them into the “To” field on Google Flights, separated by commas:

SAN, LAX, LGB

Google Flights will then search for the cheapest flights to any of those three airports, significantly broadening your search net. This works equally well for departure airports. Perhaps you live equidistant from Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia. Enter them all:

EWR, JFK, LGA

The results will display the lowest fare to your desired destination from any of those airports, saving you time and potentially a significant amount of money.

Beyond the Obvious: Why This Method Works

This technique thrives because of airline pricing strategies. Different airports often have varying demand, meaning the same flight itinerary could be significantly cheaper if you depart from or arrive at a nearby airport.

Think about seasonal fluctuations. Flights to popular tourist destinations might be significantly cheaper if you fly into a nearby airport during peak season, even if it requires a short train or bus ride.

The Location Icon Advantage: Discovering Hidden Gems

Not sure which nearby airports to consider? Google Flights has you covered. Instead of manually entering comma-separated codes, you can use the location icon.

1. Enter a specific airport code (e.g., BOS for Boston).
2. Click the location icon next to the airport code in the search field.
3. Google Flights will display a list of nearby airports.
4. Select the airports you’re willing to fly to or from.

This method is incredibly useful for identifying smaller, less-known airports that you might not have otherwise considered. Often, flying into a smaller airport can be considerably cheaper than flying into a major hub.

Practical Examples and Considerations

• Europe Exploration: Want to explore Europe but not tied to a specific city? Try entering CDG, AMS, FRA, LHR in the arrival field to find the cheapest entry point.
• Ski Trip Savings: Looking for a ski trip deal? Search DEN, ASE, EGE, HDN to explore various Colorado ski resort airports.
• Consider Transportation Costs: While flying into a cheaper, less convenient airport can save money, don’t forget to factor in the cost of ground transportation (trains, buses, taxis) to your final destination.
• Flexibility is Key: This technique works best when you’re flexible with your travel dates and destinations.

Conclusion: Unlock a World of Travel Possibilities

By mastering the art of multiple destinations on Google Flights, you empower yourself to find significantly cheaper flights and unlock a wider range of travel possibilities. Don’t be limited by rigid searches. Embrace the flexibility, explore the options, and start saving money on your next adventure! So, ditch the single-airport search and embrace the comma – your wallet will thank you.