55+ Helpful ChatGPT Prompts for Travel Planning
One of the hardest parts of travel planning for me has always been figuring out the logistics of traveling around a country I’ve never been to before.
If it’s your first time visiting a new city or country, how are you supposed to know which towns deserve multiple days of your time vs. just a quick stop? How do you find the perfect little village that matches your vibe when you have no idea what the vibes even are? This used to be my biggest struggle with travel planning…until ChatGPT came along.
Now, it’s worth noting that using AI for travel planning comes with both pros and cons. Many AI models, like ChatGPT, don’t have access to real-time information, so some of the restaurants or activities it recommends may not be open during your trip or be in business anymore. It’s always important to double-check key details like addresses, opening hours, and prices rather than relying on AI alone.
That said, the benefits are huge—especially when it comes to simplifying travel planning. Because ChatGPT has access to a massive database of information, that means it also has a ton of knowledge about the area you’re traveling to and it has the processing power to quickly organize through anything you need to plan. This includes sorting through an overwhelming number of travel blogs to find hyper-specific recommendations you’ll actually enjoy and mapping out travel logistics, itineraries, and transportation details without ever breaking a sweat (or forgetting something important!)
That’s how I love to use ChatGPT for travel planning: as a well-organized travel assistant that can help me go from a vague idea of a vacation to a meticulously planned trip. So, without further ado, here are the ChatGPT prompts that help me do just that!
Background Information
Before you get into feeding ChatGPT specific prompts like “what should I do” or “where should I go,” you first need to give it some background information about your trip, your interests, and your travel priorities. This will help make sure you’re getting answers that are actually helpful and relevant to you.
For example, if you prefer off-the-beaten-path villages over big cities, that’s something you’ll want to specify to ChatGPT before you begin asking for itinerary recommendations or lodging suggestions.
As a general rule of thumb, ChatGPT’s responses are only as good and specific as the prompts you give it. The more details you provide up front, the more tailored and useful recommendations you’ll get. Here’s a template to get you started:
I'm planning a trip to Austria for 10 days. My priorities are:
1.
2.
3.
I will be getting around via Rental Car. I’ll be going on this trip with my husband. It will be OUR first time visiting Austria. OUR BUDGET IS $5,000.
*Note: when you see a word or phrase underlined in a prompt, that means you should swap it out with information that is specific to your trip.
Brainstorming the Trip 🧭
Alright, now that ChatGPT knows the basics, it’s time to start shaping the vibe of your trip. What cities are calling your name? Which towns match your energy and travel priorities? What tourist spots are actually worth the hype and which ones are skippable?
The goal here isn’t to plan every activity or make reservations just yet. Right now, we just want to sketch out the big picture details so we have a clearer idea of where you want to go and what you want to do before locking in logistics.
Here are some prompts to help you get started:
BASED ON MY PRIORITIES, What time of the year would you recommend I visit?
BASED ON MY PRIORITIES, what towns/cities would you recommend I visit?
if you already have a couple places in mind you want to visit:
I want to make sure I visit THE FOLLOWING places DURING my trip. Given my priorities, what other towns would you recommend I ADD ON TO MY TRIP?
Place 1
Place 2
Place 3I noticed you didn’t recommend town/city, why not?
Based on my priorities, can you TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK the pros/cons of visiting THE FOLLOWING places WOULD BE FOR ME?
Place 1
Place 2
Place 3If you were me and only had 5 days to visit, which places would you prioritize?
Are there any towns that are popular to visit that I'm missing out on? Why didn't you recommend them for me?
Are there any lesser-known but incredible day trips I should consider?
Are there any towns or cities that fit my priorities but are less touristy than the ones you recommended?
Are there any seasonal events or festivals happening during my trip that I should factor in?
Are there any common tourist traps or overrated attractions I should skip?
If you had to cut out 2 stops from my trip, which would you recommend based on my PRIORITIES?
If I want a mix of both bigger cities and smaller villages, how would you suggest balancing my itinerary?
I’VE DECIDED TO VISIT THE FOLLOWING TOWNS/CITIES. BASED ON MY PRIORITIES, PLEASE MAP OUT HOW LONG I SHOULD EXPECT TO SPEND IN EACH PLACE (MULTIPLE DAYS, A HALF DAY, JUST A STOP THROUGH, ETC.) AND TELL ME WHY?
place 1
place 2
place 3Based on my priorities, what’s a realistic budget range for this trip (hotels, transportation, food, activities)?
IF I HAD A BIGGER/SMALLER BUDGET, HOW WOULD YOU ADJUST THE ITINERARY?
Creating the Rough Itinerary 🗓️
Now that you’ve sketched out the rough shape of your trip, it’s time to bring it to life with a daily itinerary. This is where we take all those dreamy destinations from the brainstorming phase and start slotting them into actual day-to-day plans for your trip.
The key to getting your itinerary just right is to be specific. If you’re envisioning slow mornings in cafés and an afternoon of downtime at the beach, let ChatGPT know so you don’t get an itinerary crammed full of every museum and must-see landmark in town. The more details you give, the better ChatGPT can tailor its suggestions to match your travel style. Keep tweaking and refining until it feels just right.
Here are some prompts to help you get there:
based on the towns/cities we decided on, create a rough itinerary for a 10 day trip, factoring in travel time
Can you suggest a balanced itinerary that includes sightseeing, relaxation, and unique experiences?
I WANT TO SPEND 2 MORE DAYS IN CITY/TOWN, HOW WOULD YOU ADJUST THE ITINERARY?
Can you optimize my itinerary so I avoid backtracking?
Which locations would you recommend as a home base to minimize moving around while still seeing a lot?
How can I consolidate MY SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS so I’m staying in as few cities as possible? (The less unpacking and repacking, the better!)
How would you adjust the trip if I…
…wanted more down time?
…wanted more shopping?
…wanted to see more museums?
…wanted to visit top rated restaurants?
…wanted to use public transportation only?Are there any must-visit stops along the way between these destinations that I should factor into MY ITINERARY?
What unique experiences should I prioritize in TOWN/CITY?
Which locations on my itinerary have the best markets, seasonal events, or cultural festivals during my trip?
Are there any sunrise or sunset spots I should prioritize in TOWN/CITY?
Which days of the week are best for visiting certain attractions (to avoid closures or crowds)?
Travel Logistics 🗺️
Now that you’ve nailed down your daily plans, it’s time to figure out how you’re getting from place to place and in what order.
Is there a specific event happening on a certain day that you need to plan around? Do you want to minimize hotel swaps so you’re not constantly unpacking and repacking? Are you flying in and out of the same city, meaning your route needs to form a perfect little loop?
These logistics might not be the most exciting part of trip planning, but they will make or break how smooth your travels feel. ChatGPT can help you think through the best flow, so you’re not doubling back unnecessarily or staying in a part of town that is far away from all of your plans. Here are the prompts to help you map it out:
What’s the best airport to fly into and out of or this trip?
If I want to start in city and fly out of city at the end of my trip, can you create a SMART driving route based on how long I decided to spend in each town?
What are the visa, entry requirements, or local travel restrictions I should be aware of?
Which locations would you recommend as a home base to minimize moving around while still seeing a lot?
Which areas or neighborhoods of town/city should I stay in for the best experience based on my priorities?
What are some unique accommodations IN TOWN/CITY (boutique hotels, historic stays, or scenic Airbnbs) that fit my vibe?
For Airbnbs or vacation rentals, what neighborhoods should I avoid IN TOWN/CITY for safety, noise, or inconvenience?
What’s a realistic budget for accommodations in these cities?
What’s the most efficient way to get between these locations (driving vs. train vs. flying)?
Are there any scenic drives or routes worth taking between my stops?
What are the best local transportation apps I should download before my trip?
Are there any toll roads, vignettes, or special driving permits I should be aware of for this country/region?
What’s the best way to book train tickets/car rentals in this destination?
Are there train passes or travel cards that would save me money on transportation?
Activities & Experiences 🍽️
Now that your trip is mapped out and you know where you’ll be each day, it’s time to fill in the gaps with activities, eats, and experiences (AKA the fun part!!) The best way to get personalized recommendations from ChatGPT is to give it some insights into your interests. This includes the types of food you and your travel partners love, the kind of activities you’re into (and the ones you’d rather skip), plus anything specific you’re hoping to experience on your trip. As usual, the more details you provide, the better ChatGPT results you’ll get.
I recommended filling in this quick template and sending it to ChatGPT before diving into the specific prompts below:
I'd love your help finding some local suggestions based on OUR interests. Here's a bit about us:
Favorite cuisines:
1.
2.
3.Favorite types of activities while traveling:
1.
2.
3.Things WE’RE interested in:
1.
2.
3.
BASED ON WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT ME, WHAT ARE SOME EXPERIENCES AND ACTIVITIES YOU THINK I SHOULD PRIORITIZE at EACH stop of my trip?
💡Important Note: Always follow-up and fact check any specific activities, restaurants, or experiences ChatGPT suggests to ensure they’ll actually be open and operating during your trip. Since ChatGPT doesn’t have real-time access to business hours or closures, don’t assume every recommendation will be 100% accurate—do a quick verification before adding it to your plans.
What food specialties or regional dishes should I try in TOWN/CITY?
Can you recommend a mix of casual, mid-range, and high-end dining spots for each destination?
Are there any great food markets, bakeries, or cafés I should visit IN CITY/TOWN?
Are there any hole-in-the-wall or hidden gem restaurants locals love that aren’t touristy?
Can you recommend any scenic or unique dining experiences (rooftop restaurants, meals with a view, farm-to-table spots, etc.) IN CITY/TOWN?
What’s the best local breakfast spot or bakery in CITY/TOWN?
Are there any unique cultural experiences, workshops, or hands-on activities in this area?
Are there any must-see photography spots or scenic overlooks in this area?
Are there any unique ways to explore CITY/town? (Bike tours, canal boats, horseback riding, etc.)
What are some scenic walks, hikes, or nature experiences in or near CITY/TOWN?
Are there any must-visit lakes, beaches, or scenic waterways in this region?
What are some must-know cultural norms or customs in these areas that would help me blend in and be respectful as a traveler?
Are there any locations on my list that require advance reservations or booking far in advance?
What’s one experience most tourists overlook but is totally worth it?
IS THERE ANYTHING I’M FORGETTING TO ASK THAT WOULD MAKE THIS TRIP AN UNFORGETTABLE, STRESS-FREE ONE?
And that’s how I use ChatGPT to help take the overwhelm out of travel planning and logistics, and create a trip that actually feels like me.
Whether you’re building the perfect itinerary from scratch, fine-tuning logistics, or finding hidden gem experiences, the key to getting great responses and tips out of AI is giving it enough details to work with. Just remember: the better the prompt, the better the plan.
Now, go plan something amazing. ✈️🌍
Want even more travel planning tips? Check out the blogs below:
