How to Use ChatGPT as a Travel Planner
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Ever wish you had a travel buddy who knows everything there is to know about travel? Like, a friend who's always up for helping plan your trips, knows all the best spots, and never gets tired?
Say hello to ChatGPT.
You've probably heard about AI being used for stuff like increasing your productivity, brainstorming, helping you write your resume, finding a job, and even getting a Tinder date. But hey, it's also your new best friend for travel planning.
ChatGPT can be your round-the-clock travel buddy. The AI chatbot can help you plan your trips, tell you about interesting spots to visit, give you local tips, and answer pretty much any travel question you can think of whenever and wherever you need it.
Buckle up as we dive into how you can use ChatGPT as your very own travel planner. Doesn't matter if you're an experienced globe-trotter or just starting to catch the travel bug - this guide will show you how AI can make your travel adventures even more awesome.
Let's hit the road!
Provide you with destination suggestions
ChatGPT can act as an AI travel agent in every step of your travel planning, including suggesting possible destinations based on your preferences. You only need to describe what kind of place you’d like to travel and ChatGPT will whip out a list of destinations that meet the criteria.
I asked ChatGPT to provide suggestions for places with nice beaches, great nightlife, and nearby hiking trails.
Prompt:
I'd like to go on a trip to a place with nice beaches, great nightlife and nearby hiking trails. Could you please suggest 5 destinations in Western Europe that I can travel to?
If you are thinking between two options and can’t make up your mind, you can ask ChatGPT to compare the destinations to help you narrow down your choice.
Prompt:
I'm considering Ibiza and Sardinia, but I can't make up my mind. Could you compare both destinations and highlight their advantages?
I’ve picked Sardinia as my next trip destination based on ChatGPT’s comparison.
Suggest activities and plan itinerary
After choosing your destination, it’s time to plan your activities. ChatGPT can create your itinerary based on the number of days you’ll be staying, your desired activity level and your preferred activities.
Prompt:
Please suggest activities for a 5-day trip to Sardinia. Include a balanced mix of stunning beaches, hiking activities and cultural sightseeing. Please make the itinerary moderate with periods of rest between activities.
Find hotel recommendations
ChatGPT can also provide hotel recommendations within your budget, preferred location and star ratings.
Prompt:
Please suggest 4-star hotels near Cagliari Cathedral and within walking distance of the city center. Also, include a rough estimate for a 5-night stay in each hotel.
Find flights and transportation options
Apart from accommodations, you can ask ChatGPT to suggest affordable flights to your destination. If you are switching between several transportation methods, the chatbot can suggest the best and quickest option to reach your destination.
Prompt:
Please suggest affordable flights from Skopje to Sardinia and include the airlines. If there are no direct flights, please suggest connecting flights to alternative routes by bus.
Note: If you are using the Default ChatGPT mode, and ask ChatGPT for flight and transportation suggestions, it will respond with a disclaimer that “as an AI model, it doesn't have real-time access to flight databases and travel agencies to provide current flight prices and schedules.” Instead, ChatGPT can provide starting points on how to plan your trip, such as major airlines that might provide direct or connecting flights and provide alternative bus lines.
However, OpenAI released 70+ plugins for ChatGPT in May that enhance the chatbot’s capabilities and provide real-time access to the information you need. There are several travel and booking plugins you can use to get accurate and real-time information on flights and accommodation.
For example, you can use Kayak and Kakaku plugins to search for flights and accommodations and Expedia or Experiences to find activity suggestions and things to do in your destination. Make sure you have selected the Plugins mode in ChatGPT, and that you’ve installed and enabled the plugins. Then simply enter a prompt for flight or hotel recommendations.
Manage your travel expenses
Naturally, you’d have a set budget for the entire trip. But if you have no idea how much the trip would cost or if you are traveling on your own for the first time, ChatGPT can help you plan out your budget.
The suggestions provided by ChatGPT won’t be completely accurate to the cents, but it would give you a rough estimate of your trip expenses.
Prompt:
Please provide the total expenses for the 5-day itinerary for Sardinia based on your hiking activities and cultural sightseeing suggestions. Exclude the hotels and flights.
ChatGPT will provide a breakdown of the entry feels, transportation, and meals. The prices are not fixed, but provided in a price range to account for changes. However, this is a rough estimate of the expenses, so you should always double-check the entrance fees and leave a budget wiggle room.
Learn local customs and culture
If you are traveling to a destination whose culture you are unfamiliar with, you can also ask ChatGPT to give you a few pointers on the local customs and culture. For example, if you don’t know if it’s customary to tip in cafes and restaurants, you can ask ChatGPT for that.
Alternatively, you can ask ChatGPT to provide a list of activities to get to know the culture firsthand.
Prompt:
I’m traveling for the first time to Sardinia. Could you please suggest how best I can get familiar with the local culture and experience local customs? Please also give me instructions if there are specific rules of behavior that I should follow.
ChatGPT gave me some helpful pointers to get to know the Sardinian culture up close. It’s really convenient to also know the tipping custom, some basic greetings, and their siesta time when business generally closes down so I can plan my trip accordingly.
🛩 Besides CHatGPT, there’s a multitude of specialized AI trip planners you can use to plan your next trip.
Time to pick your destination and plan your trip!
So, there you have it, folks!
Your next trip could be a breeze to plan, thanks to your new buddy, ChatGPT.
Whether you're looking for the perfect beach vacation, a vibrant nightlife, or hiking trails with breathtaking views, ChatGPT can act as your personal travel planner and provide on-the-spot recommendations tailored just for you.
From helping you choose your ideal destination, planning a kick-ass itinerary, finding the best hotels, figuring out travel logistics, managing your budget, or even getting to know the local culture, ChatGPT has got your back.
Remember, whether you're an experienced traveler or someone taking their first solo trip, having ChatGPT by your side can make your travel planning so much smoother and more enjoyable.
So, why not give it a shot?
After all, the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page. Let's turn those pages together with AI. Safe travels, and see you on the road!
