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Creating Travel Plans with ChatGPT

11/25/20247 min read

Planning a trip can feel overwhelming—so many details, so little time! But here's the good news: ChatGPT can be your virtual travel assistant, helping you with everything from crafting the perfect itinerary to finding budget-friendly hacks and local gems. To get the most out of it, share as much detail as possible about your trip. Mention your travel dates, destination, interests, budget, and who you're traveling with (solo, family, friends, or a partner). The more you share, the better ChatGPT can tailor its advice.

Ready to level up your travel planning? Create detailed travel prompts for your trip or ask questions on specific topics. We have broken down prompts and questions to help you get the most out of ChatGPT.

For a detailed travel planning prompt based on your destination, dates and preferences use the template below.

Planning Template

Act as an expert travel agent. I am planning a trip and need your help to organize it. Here are the details:

Destination: [Enter Destination]

Travel Dates: From [Start Date] to [End Date]

Budget: Total budget is [Enter Budget in domestic currency]

Travelers: [Number of Travelers] traveling, including [any children/special needs if applicable]

Interests: We are interested in [List Interests e.g., hiking, museums, dining, shopping]

Accommodation Preferences: [Type of accommodation e.g., hotel, hostel, apartment] with [specific requirements e.g., WiFi, breakfast included, family friendly]

Transportation Needs: [Preferred mode of transport locally e.g., rental car, public transportation, walking]

Dietary Restrictions: [Any specific dietary needs]

Special Requests: [Any other special requests or considerations, like wheelchair accessibility or celebrating a special occasion]

Based on this information, please assist with the following:

Suggest a detailed day by day itinerary that includes activities aligned with our interests. Give 2 options for each day.
Recommend accommodations that meet our preferences and budget.
Advise on transportation options both for reaching the destination and for local travel.
Provide options for dining that cater to our dietary restrictions.
Offer any tips on special events or cultural etiquette we should be aware of during our visit.

Another great way to use Chat GPT to find information about your destination is to create a prompt around a specific location or adapt to include distances from main areas or accommodation. Creating a table is a great way to visualize the information provided.

We used the following prompt to find out more information about an area we are unfamiliar with in Indonesia.

“Make a table breaking down activities and tourist destinations within 100kms of Malang, Java. Every row should be a new activity or attraction and the columns should be Name of the activity, a brief description of the activity, a cost per person of the activity, the category type of the activity (like dining, tourist attraction etc) and the distance of the activity from Malang, Java by car (in kilometers).

Or from accommodation;

“Make a table breaking down activities and tourist destinations within [ kms] of where I am staying at [accommodation name/address]. Every row should be a new activity or attraction and the columns should be Name of the activity, the category type of the activity (like dining, tourist attraction etc), a cost per person of the activity and the distance of the activity from my [accommodation name/ address] by car (in kilometers). I am interested in [cultural activities, family friendly activities, nature].”

Itinerary Planning

Craft the perfect travel plan with these prompts:

“I’m traveling to [destination] for [X days]. Can you create a detailed itinerary with activities, meals, and travel times included?”
“What are the must-visit landmarks and hidden gems in [destination] for a first-time visitor?”
“Can you plan a day in [city] that includes historical sites, local food, and a sunset view?”
“I have [X hours] for a layover in [city]. What’s the best way to spend my time nearby?”
“What’s a great mix of relaxing and adventurous activities for a [beach/mountain/city] trip to [destination]?”
“Can you help me create a [3/5/7-day] itinerary for [destination] that includes a mix of popular landmarks, local experiences, and downtime for relaxation?"
“Create a detailed road trip itinerary for [region] for a period of [hours/ days]. Include stops focusing on [historical site, tourist attractions, beaches, local shopping markets].”
“Suggest destinations for a week-long vacation in [month/season] within [hours, kilometers or flight time] of [Origin].”

Travel Budget and Cost-Saving Tips

Save money without missing out:

“What is a realistic budget for a [X-day] trip to [destination] for [number of people]?”
“Provide cost-saving tips for traveling in [destination] on a budget.”
“Recommend budget-friendly activities for tourists in [City/Country] for under [Budget Amount]."
“What are the best free or low-cost activities to do in [destination]?”
“How can I save money on food, transportation, and accommodation in [destination]?”
“What’s the best way to exchange currency or avoid extra fees when traveling to [country]?”
“What are the top international destinations for a solo traveler on a budget?”
“Act as my financial advisor and create a comprehensive budget for a [duration] trip to [destination]. Include estimated costs for [accommodations, e.g., hotels, hostels], [daily meal budget], and [activities or tours], taking into consideration my budget range of [specific budget amount].”

Local Recommendations

Discover the heart of your destination:

“What’s the best local dish to try in [destination] and where can I find it?”
“Can you recommend a quiet coffee shop or co-working space in [city]?”
“What are some off-the-beaten-path attractions in [destination]?”
“Where do locals go to shop, eat, or relax in [city]?”
“What’s the best neighborhood to explore for unique culture or nightlife in [destination]?”
“Create a list of the top street foods in [destination] with must-try dishes.Recommend cultural experiences for [specific interest, like art or history] in [Destination].”
“Generate a list of the top 10 must-visit [beaches, attractions] in [Destination], including a brief description of each location and the best time to visit.”
“I will be visiting [Destination] next month and am excited to try local cuisines. I’m looking for dining options that are [vegetarian-friendly,vegan] and within [X minute] travel time from my accommodation at [name]. Please suggest [five] must-try local dishes and where to enjoy them. I’m particularly interested in [Pho] and [Banh Mi].”

Language Assistance

Break the language barrier with ease:

“Can you teach me 10 basic phrases in [language] for traveling in [country]?”
“How do I politely ask for directions in [language]?”
“What’s the local slang or etiquette for greeting people in [country]?”
“How can I explain dietary restrictions like [vegetarian/allergy] in [language]?”
“What’s the best way to say thank you or show appreciation in [culture/language]?”
“Act as my language guide and provide basic translations in [language] for [specific phrases or questions] that I will use in [destination], along with common phrases for [specific situations, e.g., ordering food, asking for directions]. Provide the phrases and questions and the translations in a table format.
“Translate the following phrases to [language]: [add list of phrases or words]. Provide the list in a table and the columns should have the common phrase in English in the first column, the translated [language] phrase in the second column and in the third column provide a guide to pronounce the phrase in English. Every row should be a new common phrase."

Cultural Insights

Travel like a local by understanding the culture:

“What are the key cultural dos and don’ts in [country]?”
“Can you identify and explain any unique traditions or festivals happening in [destination] during [dates]?”
“What is the tipping etiquette in [country] for restaurants, taxis, and guides?”
“How can I dress respectfully for cultural or religious sites in [destination]?”
“What’s the history behind [famous site/landmark] in [destination]?”
“Describe the local customs and etiquette I should be aware of in [destination].”
“Explain the cultural significance of [local custom or festival] in [destination] and etiquette tips for visitors.”

Travel Tips and Advice

Stay safe and prepared:

“What are the must-pack items for a trip to [destination] during [season]?”
“Can you suggest safety tips for solo travelers in [destination]?”
“What are the top travel tips for someone visiting [destination] for the first time?”
“What’s the best way to avoid common travel scams in [destination]?”
“What are the visa and travel requirements for traveling to [destination]? Provide the authorized websites to apply for each visa and travel requirement.”
“Guide me through the visa requirements, conditions and application process for [destination] for a citizen of [country].”
“What are the essential travel tips for [destination] during [season or time of year], especially for [specific type of traveler, e.g., solo travelers, families]?”
"My flight to [Destination] has been delayed. Can you suggest what I can do near the [Airport Name] airport for a few hours?”
"My luggage has been lost. What steps should I take at the [Airport Name] airport to find it?"
“List any current health advisories and precautions to take when traveling to [destination]. Include any vaccinations I should be aware of and what they are for/ to protect against.”
“Advise of any safety travel advice currently in place for [Destination].”
“What are the best reputable sources for travel safety information and updates for traveling to [destination]?”
“How do I deal with jet lag effectively when traveling to/from [Destination, time zones]."

Accommodation Suggestions

Find the perfect place to stay:

“What are some highly-rated but budget-friendly accommodations in [city]?”
“Can you suggest boutique hotels or unique stays in [destination]?”
“Which neighborhoods are best for staying close to attractions in [city]?”
“Are there any family-friendly accommodations in [destination]?”
“What’s the best way to find last-minute hotel deals in [destination]?”
“What are the best rated accommodation options within [distance] of [attraction, beach, town center] between [$- $] per night?

Entertainment and Activities

Never have a dull moment on your trip:

“What are the best live music venues or theaters in [city]?” Provide the cost per person for each venue or theater.”
“Can you recommend outdoor activities like hikes or parks in [destination]?”
“What’s the best way to spend an evening in [city] for a [solo traveler, couple, family]?”
“What are the must-visit museums or galleries in [destination]?”
“Can you suggest family-friendly activities or attractions in [destination]?”
“Create a list of [types of books, music, podcasts] suitable for long journeys to [destination], particularly those that are themed around [specific interests, e.g., local culture, history, music genre].

Transport

Make getting around easy and stress-free;

“Create a list of public transport options available in [destination] for tourists.”
“Create a list of the best transport options for traveling from [origin city] to [destination] considering [specific preferences, e.g., shortest duration, least layovers].”
“Advise on the best transportation options in [destination] for getting around and the best websites or apps to use to book transportation in [Destination].”
“Create a detailed explanation of the public transportation system in [destination] and include information for visitors with [specific needs, e.g.,wheelchair access, traveling with children].”
“What are the best options for traveling between [origin] and [destination] on a budget?”

Research and Validate

Always verify information provided by ChatGPT. Use ChatGPT as a guide for ideas and information and then make sure to do your research. Search attractions and suggestions for more information, latest reviews and recent updates that may impact your plans. Check social media and use YouTube to further explore destinations and recommendations.

With the right prompts, ChatGPT can make your travel planning stress-free and exciting. Just think of it as your pocket-sized travel buddy, ready to help at a moment’s notice. Save this list, and don’t forget to experiment with your own prompts—your dream trip is just a question away!

Happy travels! 🌍✈️