How to Use AI for Travel Planning: My Secret to Stress-Free Trips
- Nath
- Apr 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 8
Updated: June 2025 - Fresh AI tools and tips just added!
The Moment I Ditched 27 Browser Tabs Forever
Last year, I almost gave up planning a trip to Scotland for some friends before it began. I’d spent three evenings lost in a vortex of hotel reviews, conflicting packing lists, and a particularly unhelpful thread titled “Is Edinburgh walkable?” (Spoiler: Not when you’re lugging 50 lbs of “just-in-case” sweaters.)
Then I tried something radical.
I opened ChatGPT and typed:
Plan a 5-day Scotland trip for four adults, including whisky tastings, cosy restaurants, unusual and charming things to see and no hikes over 2 miles. Budget £2,200.
45 seconds later, I had:
Itinerary overview
A Detailed Plan and Budget
Hotel, restaurant and pub suggestions
A budget summary
And even a “Hidden Gems & Cosy Ideas!
My friends were thrilled and really impressed with my detailed planning and suggestions! That trip made me realise the power of planning a trip with AI, how easy and stress-free it was… And amazed at the door that opened for travel!
Why 2025 is the Year to Let AI Plan Your Adventures
AI travel tools aren’t about replacing your wanderlust—they’re about removing the 50 tiny headaches that make planning feel like a second job.
Here’s What Changed for Me (And What Could Change for You) with AI for Travel Planning
From Overwhelm to “Oh, Is That It?”
Before: 8 hours comparing flights, 3 Excel sheets, 1 existential crisis.
After: “Find cheapest flights to Lisbon in September with layovers under 2 hours.” → Done in 60 seconds.
From Tourist Traps to Local Magic
AI found me:
Hidden Gems finding with ChatGPT A hidden beauty only 45 minutes away from home
Experienced a genuine Turkish bath at a family-owned facility in Turkey, away from touristy areas
From “Did I Forget Something?!” to “I’m Ready.”
My new favourite prompt:
“Create a packing list for Iceland in April, include hiking gear, a hot springs swimsuit, and a reminder to buy waterproof phone case.”
Your Turn: How to Get Started (Without the Learning Curve)
Step 1: Start Small—But Start Today
Try this “gateway prompt” right now:
“Suggest 3 hidden-gem cafes in Paris with strong WiFi and vegan options.”
See how fast it works? That’s the dopamine hit that got me hooked.
Step 2: Borrow My Tried-and-Tested Prompts
Here are the exact prompts that saved smart traveller $1,000's + last year:
For Budget Travellers
“Find affordable ryokans in Kyoto with private onsens—under $80/night and walkable to train stations.”(This scored her a $29/night steal!)
For Foodies
“List authentic food markets in Barcelona with vegetarian options and less than 30% tourists.”
For Nervous First-Timers
“Write a step-by-step guide for taking the Tokyo subway from Narita Airport to Shinjuku with luggage.”
Step 3: Avoid These 3 Rookie Mistakes
Assuming AI Knows Terrain
Always check Google Street View for stairs/hills.
Forgetting Seasonal Changes
“Is this hike feasible in November?” → Saves you from closed trails.
Skipping Human Backups
Bookmark a local guide’s contact just in case.
“But Is AI Really Better Than Google?”
Let me show you the difference with a real example:
Let’s find the Best restaurant in Lisbon, the place where locals go and not the highly touristic one. To be fair, let’s use the same prompt for Google Search and ChatGPT for Travel
AI Prompt: “Where do Lisbon chefs eat on their days off? Prioritise places with no English menu.”
Google Search: A list of websites with the top 50 best restaurants in Lisbon from TripAdvisor, to Reddit and many others
ChatGPT : A list of 10 recommended restaurants with a brief description.
"So who wins? Honestly, you do!Think of it like having the ultimate travel dream team:
That little Lisbon family restaurant with the life-changing seafood rice? AI helps you discover it. Google makes sure you don't show up on their weekly closing day. The best trips happen when you let them work together - but my money's on AI for that first magical 'Where should I eat?' moment every time" |
Ready to Transform Your Travels?
If you’re:
Tired of decision fatigue...
Done with generic “Top 10” lists...
Ready to actually enjoy planning...
Let AI & Google Be Your Dream Team
"The real winner? Your future self—sipping espresso at that tiny Lisbon café you never would’ve found alone."
Here’s the magic formula we swear by:
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Try This Today: Ask ChatGPT for 3 hidden-gem restaurants in your next destination, then verify on Google Maps. Tag us @AISmartTraveler with your finds! |
Want more… Grab my free “5 AI Prompts That Saved Traveller $1,000's * cheat sheet and start planning your first (or next) AI-powered trip today.
[👉 Get Your Free Prompts Here]
P.S. The best part? AI never judges your 3-pastry-a-day agenda. 🥐🇫🇷
The “AI Travel Challenge” – Join the Fun! |
How it works:
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Why join?
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Recent Winner: “Used the flight hacker prompt—found $400 business class seats to Costa Rica! 🎉” – @WanderlustJen |
So go on, give it a scroll. AI won’t replace your love of travel, it’ll just make it easier to love every part of the journey.
Safe travels,
👋 About Nathalie - Travel lover. AI experimenter. Hidden gem seeker.Co-creator of AI SmartTraveller and firm believer that planning your next trip should be part of the adventure. Join me as I test AI tools, dig up unusual destinations, and share smart ways to travel better.💛 Learn more about me →
Got more questions? Check our FAQ page for tips and answers.
Thanks for the tips. Tried a few of your prompts and got great suggestion for my future trip to Manchester. Thanks
Will for sure buy your full guide. I am positive it will improve my travel planning. I expect it to be a big help with the trip I am planning to take to Zanzibar.