Although planning a trip brings excitement and makes you feel giddy, it can also cause unnecessary stress. Long list of things to tick off, from booking a comfortable accommodation to making sure you’re seeing everything in one trip. Luckily, AI brings fresh air to travelers who hate planning. Whether you are a solo traveler or thinking about traveling in a group, using AI prompts for travel planning can be life-changing.
Our JoinMyTrip community, or even I, is no stranger to travel planning. But when AI took the world by storm, we seized the opportunity to make travel planning hassle-free. So, here are some of our favorite prompts that will make planning more fun.
1. Decide on a Travel Destination that Fits Your Preferences
At the top of our minds, choosing a destination seems like the easiest thing to do. We have a list of dream destinations, even mapping them out into calendars. However, feeling torn with choosing which destination fits us is a thing. Our preferences, travel goals, experiences we seek, to vibes we’re looking for matter.
Here are some things you can consider to put into the prompt:
- Budget
- Continent or area (e.g. Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia)
- Travel type (e.g. backpacking, luxury travel)
- Period of travel
- Desired activities
I entered this prompt to ChatGPT to plan my birthday trip, and it gave some destinations based on my desired output.
Prompt for Solo Travel:
I am a [your age] year-old traveler from [ country of origin] looking for a [time period] trip to [specific area or continent]. My budget is EUR [your maximum travel budget]. Also, I am looking to [desired activities or experiences] during my trip. Give me 5-10 destinations I can travel to
Example:
I am a 25-year-old traveler from Germany looking for a two-week trip to Southeast Asia. My budget is EUR 3,000. I'm looking to experiencing local culture, explore jungles, and go wildlife watching during my trip. Give me 5-10 destinations I can travel to.
Prompt for Group Travel:
We are a group of [number of people] from [country of origin] looking to travel together for [time period] to [specific area or continent]. We are thinking of doing a [travel type] style with a budget of [travel budget] per person. Some activities we’re looking for are [desired activities/experiences]. Give us a few destinations we can travel to.
Example:
We are a group of 6 people from France looking to travel together for a weekend trip around Europe. We are thinking of doing a mid-range style with a budget of EUR 2,000/person. Some activities we’re looking for are partying, bar-hopping, and city tours. Give us a few destinations we can travel to.
2. Find Out the Best Seasonal Destinations
Seasonality pushes us to travel more. The idea of ‘Euro Summer’ or spending early December exploring Austria’s Christmas markets sets the tone for better travel. Here are the prompts you can use to choose the best seasonal destination.
Prompt:
I am planning to travel for [events/holiday/occasion] in [month] [year]. Give me 10 destinations that are best to visit during that time. You can choose countries or travel attractions worldwide.
3. Compare Two Destinations Thoroughly
You and your buddies have religiously scrolled through TikTok’s travel niche and are now torn between two destinations. The two destinations share a lot in common and don’t have that big a difference in the budget. Then, you started to browse travel forums and websites to find real advice on choosing between those two destinations. When you reach a dead end, this AI travel prompt can help you in a minute.
Prompt for Comparing Destinations:
I am planning to travel to one of these two countries: [country 1] and [country 2]. Which destination should I travel to, and break down the details of the two countries (travel time from [your city of departure], places to visit, cost, food and drinks (including safety), transportation, and weather). Here are my travel preferences:
- Will travel in [month - year]
- I’m traveling with [number of people] people/alone. We are a group of [age range] from [country/city/continent of your group]
- Preferred activities: [Activities, e.g. hiking, culinary tour, beaches, party]
- Budget: [number/range]
4. Ask for Destination-Specific Travel Tips
Navigating through a destination you haven’t been to can be nerve-racking, especially if it’s your first time traveling. Asking a local guide about the destination or a friend who’s been there is an ideal thing to do. But if you need it quickly, AI can be a reliable buddy to tell you the information.
Prompt for Destination-Specific Travel Tips:
You are a local who has been living for more than 10 years in Bali and are familiar with guiding people around your area. Give 15 practical travel tips on visiting Bali for someone who has never been there before and does not speak the language. You need to cover information about:
- Safety, including for female travelers
- Best area to stay
- Places to visit
- Local customs and culture
- Logistics
- Money
Add other points you think are essential for travelers to know
5. Put Together a Packing List
One of my favorite AI prompts for travel planning (yes, which means I use it in every minor inconvenience) is telling Chat to create a packing list.
Prompt for Packing List:
Create a travel packing list for a [number of days]-day trip to [destination] in [month-year]. We are planning to do [activity] and visit [attraction or specific place]. Organize them by category and include packing tips so we can pack as effectively as possible.
6. Help Choose the Best Flight Route
Destination picked, the group said yes, now it is time to book the flight. You would find different types of flights, from direct to two connecting, and airlines in one app. Use this prompt to help you choose the most suitable, convenient, and economical flight.
Prompt for Flight Route:
Find the best flight route from [city of departure] to [destination] with a maximum budget of [currency + number] and ideally the shortest travel time. Give me details about the airport I’ll land on, transit location and procedure (if there’s any), and the reason you choose that flight.
7. Design a Personalized Itinerary
Itineraries can be found everywhere on Google, but the one specifically suits you? Questionable. Therefore, AI has made it easy for us to create a tailor-made itinerary for a trip. We can provide information about the group’s demographic and preferences, travel time, and even red flags or icks. Our travelers love discussing with ChatGPT for their itinerary.
Prompt for Personalized Itinerary:
You are a travel specialist with five years of experience, specializing in itinerary planning. Design a [number of days]-day itinerary for a [destination/country] trip based on our preferences and liking. Here are the details:
- A group of [number of people] from [country]
- Age [your group’s age range]
- [Have/haven’t traveled to the destination]. Visited [name of places]
- We love [activities type, e.g. hiking, adventure, wildlife watching, beer tasting]
- [Public transportation / rental car / private transportation] to go around
- Looking forward to [any destination-specific activities or places you want to visit]
You can include expert insights and recommendations.
8. Design Activity-Based Itinerary
You have decided where to go, clear as the day. But, your travel preferences are quite unique and no itinerary out on Google is tailored for that specific need. You might want to go hiking a few mountains in Bali, but most itineraries you found tell you to party in Canggu or see rice fields in Ubud. Or, you are eager to go on a culinary galore in Mexico but the itinerary consists of beaches and islands. With that being said, AI will be your best friend to manage the itinerary.
Prompt:
9. Find Out Local Events and Festivals
Prompt:
I am a [age] [man/woman] solo traveling to [destination] on [trip dates]. Find me local festivals, social events, and, communities to join the area. Provide information on the age group, the activity, and the requirements to join those events. I prefer [your preferred type of activity, e.g. drinks, board games, dance classes, etc]
10. Discover the Best Areas to Stay In
Prompt:
Recommend the best areas to stay in [destination] as a [tourist/backpacker/solo traveler/couple/group] in [trip date] with the budget of [your budget for hotel]. Rate the areas based on proximity to tourist centers, safety, accessibility to public transportation, and proximity to restaurants, convenience stores, and ATM.
11. Select the Best Accommodation
Prompt:
Find 10 accommodation, preferably [hotel/hostel/apartment/bed&breakfast], in a [centrally-located / outskirt] area of [city/destination] for a [trip duration] stay. I am / we are a [group of ... / solo traveler / couple] who prioritizes [proximity to tourist areas / safety / cleanliness / facilities / budget] and will spend a budget of [accommodation budget]
12. Ask for Tips to Maintain Your Health and Safety during Traveling
When you visit a new country you know nothing about,
Prompt:
These AI prompts for travel planning can help you save hundreds of euros and have a smooth-sailing trip. Alternatively, if the planning part stresses you out, you can always book a pre-planned group trip. And yes, if you are looking for group trips that are unique, out-of-the-ordinary, and fun, you can always check out JoinMyTrip. Our group trips are conveniently sized, accommodating 3-12 people per group and allowing you to explore the hidden gems of a destination.