Can AI Plan My Trip?

“Please suggest a peaceful, family resort near Tan Son Nhat International Airport with lush grounds, a swimming pool, and within walking distance to vegetarian restaurants.” I entered this prompt into an AI assistant and it suggested the perfect place for my family to unwind after two exciting, hectic weeks in Vietnam. 

Beyond the eight million scooters–-so dense they move as one-–lies a beautiful tropical paradise as if plucked from a rainforest and nestled into the middle of nine million people. We were the only Western-looking family during our two night stay. The hotel appeared to market to Vietnamese clientele for special events like weddings and business conferences, and did not reveal itself in my usual accommodation search methods. I never would have found this reprieve from the city, away from the hordes of tourists, had I not asked AI for help. However, it’s not always so easy…

Problems

After spending hours meticulously planning an itinerary for Greece by reading books, blogs, maps and travel websites, I asked AI for an itinerary so I could compare it to what I put together. I entered a few prompts, and it produced many excellent suggestions that I hadn’t come across on my own. But it also had us driving and flying far too much. 

Some days began with early drives lasting several hours, visiting a national park, driving more, exploring a town, having a meal, and driving again before reaching that night’s hotel. Other days involved a morning at a historical site followed by an afternoon flight, which I am way too anxious to manage unless it’s a very late flight. It didn’t account for traffic, lines, reservations, the need to arrive at airports early, or even time to eat, rest, or regroup. Additionally, some recommended accommodations and activities were already fully booked months in advance, making them impossible for our travel dates.

Travel groups on social media often post AI-generated itineraries seeking human feedback. Here’s an example of a Portuguese itinerary for a family with kids aged nine and seven, highlighting potential issues with AI-generated travel plans:

Day 1

AI:

• Sintra & Coast Adventure

• Stop in Cascais for beach time

Human Reality:

• “You need a whole day for Sintra. Make sure you buy timed tickets before you arrive. Be prepared for a slow bus ride through traffic.”

• “Cascais is not a stop back on the way from Sintra. It does have very small beaches but if you’re doing other water… skip it.”

• “We took a private tour to Sintra…but you could spend hours at the gardens, I cannot imagine adding the beach on to that day.”

Day 2

AI:

• Ride Tram 28 through historic districts

Human Reality:

• “Tram 28 gets REALLY crowded. Expect to stand the entire time and/or not be able to squeeze onto the first tram and have to wait for the next…”

Day 3

AI:

• Visit Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and MAAT museum

Human Reality:

• “Belem Tower was closed and under construction.”

• “Our boys loved Belem Tower but be prepared for a long queue in direct sun.”

• “The MAAT exhibits were mainly closed when we were there recently.”

Opportunities

While these examples outline issues with AI-generated itineraries, it can be highly beneficial when you give it the right prompts and follow up with your own research. Here are things to consider so you get a useful response:

• Where do you want to go? Do you want to stay in one location or cover some distance?
• What is your daily budget? Include accommodations, food, transportation, tours, tips, souvenirs, and add extra to that. 
• What are your traveler’s interests? 
• Are you active? Low key? Both? 
• What are the ages of your travelers?
• Do you have dietary considerations?
• Do you have any travelers with physical limitations?
• What time of day are you arriving and departing?
• Will you deal with jet lag? Do you need a day or two to rest? I would never book a timed entry for the Eiffel Tower at 9 a.m. the day after arriving from the United States. But I WOULD do that in Thailand, as jet lag would have us up before the sun.
• What’s the maximum amount of time you want to travel between sights in a day?
• Are you taking public transportation or renting a car? 
• Do you want to stay in the heart of the action or in a quiet place?
• Do you want to stay in a walkable neighborhood or are you OK with taking taxis or renting a car?
• Do you like staying in one hotel the entire trip or move locations? How often? For example, my family tries to stay in each hotel at least two nights so we can explore for a full day in each place without our luggage. 
• What are your “must-sees?” Prioritize them.
• Do you want a pool at every hotel? 
• Will you eat out for every meal or do you want a kitchen in your room? 
• Do any of your travelers get seasick?
• Are you traveling with pets?

Turn your answers to these questions into prompts for AI and you should get a thorough, customized itinerary. Follow up with your own research to verify that activities are open, travel routes and times are accurate, accommodations suit your needs, and tweak until you have your dream vacation. You can always go back to AI for more suggestions.

When I plan trips, I start with a map and ask AI for suggestions based on a rough itinerary. I refine my questions based on its responses, research accommodations and explore street views (nothing is worse than arriving at your hotel to discover it’s next to a highway), research activities online and in books, and leave room in the itinerary for delays and time to relax. 

And after learning the hard way, I never, ever schedule international trips to arrive home on a Sunday!