From itineraries to the best flight deals, travel planning can be stressful. But with a few Google hacks in your arsenal, it doesn’t have to be. Discover the search engine’s many travel tools (old and new) that can make vacation planning easier.
Compare prices
On Google Flights, you can track flight prices to any place for any date. Type in the destination, and Google will pull up the best deals. Don’t have a specific date in mind yet? Select ‘Any dates’ instead. Google will monitor prices and send you an email if there are better deals within three to six months.
Stay on top of itineraries
Holiday planning involves a ton of emails. From various confirmation numbers and reservations to car rentals – keeping track of it all can become a task. Avoid the hassle of scouring through inboxes and use Google Maps instead! That’s right. Google Maps shows you an overview of flight, hotel, and car rental details in one place.
Airport, transit station, and mall directory
Need to grab a quick bite before catching your flight? Google’s expanded Directory tab includes navigation at airports, transit stations, and malls. The tab provides information on outlet location and business hours. It’s easier than ever before for you to find stores and airport lounges or navigate unfamiliar parking lots.
Avoid crowded areas
Before heading out on the town, use the Busyness tool on Google Maps to check how crowded an area is. Open Google Maps and find a general area – perhaps a landmark, a market area, or a boulevard. The Busyness tool will tell you how busy a geographical area is in real time. This one can help you beat the crowds and enjoy some destinations in relative peace.
Make restaurant reservations directly on Google Maps
Planning a nice meal with a large group? Make restaurant reservations directly on Google Maps’ Restaurants button. The tab will give you a list of restaurants in the area. Once you select the place, reserve a table through the window that pops up. Some restaurants may also give you the option to join a waitlist.
Never get lost again
Are you trekking or heading somewhere without a mobile network? Download maps for your location beforehand. Search for the place, pull up the menu (usually at the bottom of the window), and scroll until you find the Download tab. Google Maps will download the map to your phone. Maps will switch to offline mode and help you with directions once you are out of network range.