These days, the most commonly used flight search sites among people preparing for trips that require flying are Google Flights and KAYAK.

Both are not sites that sell tickets directly, but rather meta search engines that compare prices from various airlines and travel sites. In other words, you don't buy tickets directly here; the actual booking is done through the airline or another travel site.

So, where can you find cheaper prices when you actually search for flights?

To put it simply, it's hard to say that one is always cheaper than the other. However, due to the structure and features of the two services, KAYAK may appear cheaper in some situations, while Google Flights may feel more convenient in others.

The biggest advantage of Google Flights is its speed and accuracy in searching.

It quickly analyzes airfare data and shows prices almost in real-time. In fact, Google's system analyzes over billions of price data to predict airfare trends.

Another good point is the date comparison feature. It displays prices in a calendar format, making it easy to see when the cheapest departure is. This is very convenient for people with flexible travel dates.

Additionally, the price alert feature is quite useful. If you register a specific route, you can receive notifications when prices drop.

However, there are also downsides. Google Flights sometimes intentionally excludes prices from very small travel agencies or low-cost OTAs. So, there are times when cheaper prices actually exist but are not displayed. In other words, Google Flights tends to prioritize reliable prices and good schedules over "the cheapest price."

KAYAK is an established flight search service with many features.

It compares prices not only from various airlines but also from different travel agencies. Because of this, you may occasionally find cheaper prices from smaller online travel agencies (OTAs). In actual comparison tests, KAYAK often shows lower prices for the same routes.

Another feature is the filter function. You can set detailed conditions such as layover airports, aircraft types, airlines, and seats.

There is also a price prediction feature. It analyzes whether prices will rise or fall over a certain period, showing about 80% accuracy for short-term predictions. However, since it aggregates prices from various travel agencies, there are times when prices that have already disappeared are still displayed. Clicking on them can lead to the "ghost rate" issue, where prices suddenly increase. I have often been frustrated by this.

A method frequently used by actual travelers! The surprisingly simple method often recommended by travel experts is as follows.

First, check the dates and routes on Google Flights >  then verify the same search on KAYAK > finally, check the prices on the airline's official website. By going through these three steps, you can usually find the most reasonable price.

In particular, Google Flights is strong in finding out when it is cheapest to travel, while KAYAK is better at uncovering hidden prices.

Ultimately, the most realistic way to find truly cheap airfares is one: do not look at just one site, but compare at least two.

Airfare prices constantly change based on demand and seat availability, so it's hard to say that one site is always the cheapest.

That's why seasoned travelers always say, "You shouldn't search for flights just once. You should check at least two places."