AI trip planners

[Drakecula]

I recall seeing a sponsored ad somewhere (probably Facebook) about AI trip planners. Essentially, I assume, you plot in your destination and dates and it generates a suggested itinerary. I am tempted to have a play to see what suggestions I get. I'm the kind of person who likes to research and plan, but I'm open to seeing what AI can do for me.

Has anyone used a tool like this? Do you have suggestions on which tool to use? Any tips/tricks you've learned?

 

[Guvner]

I recall seeing a sponsored ad somewhere (probably Facebook) about AI trip planners. Essentially, I assume, you plot in your destination and dates and it generates a suggested itinerary. I am tempted to have a play to see what suggestions I get. I'm the kind of person who likes to research and plan, but I'm open to seeing what AI can do for me.

Has anyone used a tool like this? Do you have suggestions on which tool to use? Any tips/tricks you've learned?

Haven’t tried any but surely it takes away most of the frustration fun out of doing it all yourself? Have you asked any AI tools the same question as you are asking here? If they are that “intelligent”, shouldn’t they know the answer.

 

[tdimdad]

I've tested some for fun and am generally impressed by them. They would give you a great starting point for crafting your itinerary. In general, if there is plenty of tourism info online, the AI bots will produce meaningful results, but for a less frequented destinations they might be less useful.

Mid-last year I tested ChatGPT 3.5 and Bing, asking for a 3-day itinerary for Taipei. ChatGPT was a little skinny but what it suggested woudl have filled three days quite OK. Bing produced a jam-packed itinerary with attractions I had had no idea of (after having just visited all key sights over there). I felt compelled to go there again just to check out the extra sights.

A couple of weeks ago I tested Gemini (former Google Bard) for 5 days during midsummer in Iceland. The first suggestion was heavily skewed towards natural attractions (waterfalls, rock formations, etc) but when I asked it to add history & culture, the itinerary became a lot more balanced. What I like about the suggested itinerary is that it focused on two destinations only, Reykjavik and Vik, and sights in between instead of running through several locations like a Japanese tourist on a minute-by-minute schedule.

I also tested Gemini for a week-long trip during midsummer in Finland, departing from Stockholm and wanting to continue to Estonia. Gemini struggled with this one and - knowing the places there well enough - that itinerary was quite poor. The thought was good (enjoy the amazing lakes and calmness of Finland combined with some time in Turku and Helsinki) but place names, distances, transport options, etc were not really usable.

--> For more frequented destinations, I will certainly use these tools expecting to do only minor adjusting and fact checking to confirm them. For "off the beaten path", prepare to do more legwork to fix and complete the suggested itineraries.

 

[yachty]

I've tested some for fun and am generally impressed by them. They would give you a great starting point for crafting your itinerary. In general, if there is plenty of tourism info online, the AI bots will produce meaningful results, but for a less frequented destinations they might be less useful.

That is really helpful insight, thank you. I tried ChatGPT early last year for KL and was disappointed - the suggested itinerary was equivalent to one of those "top 15 things to do" clickbait articles.

Based on that I didn't bother again but it sounds like things have improved quite a bit!

 

[justinbrett]

The new oneworld RTW tool does this to an extent (flights only obviously). It's a bit frustrating to start with but in some aspects it's better than the old tool - and would suit people who don't know much about existing route networks (just select the destinations and let AI work out the optimal sequence and dates).

I'm sure they'll improve it in time before it completely replaces the old tool. Main complaint is it's really slow.

 

[Drakecula]

@Mattg I sense a story here. "I booked my trip to X based on an AI generated itinerary and this happened..."
I volunteer as travel companion for the ensuing hilarious shenanigans

 

[DejaBrew]

I used ChatGPT 3.5 last year to draft up an itinerary for my Korea trip. The trick to getting the best out of it was to be more instructive in terms of what I wanted it to give me. For example...

I began by asking it "What's a good 21 day itinerary for South Korea that takes in Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island?" This provided a good daily itinerary broken out by my 3 key locations. I then asked it to adjust the number of days in a couple of locations and it modified the itinerary accordingly. Given I was traveling in December and one of the goals for the trip was to experience the Korean Christmas festivities, so I asked it to "...optimise the trip for December, taking in Christmas attractions." I then fed it my specific travel dates and amended it to a 22 day itinerary (including travel time) and ended up with my final "draft" itinerary -:

Here's a revised 22-day itinerary that starts with a few days in Seoul, followed by exploring Busan and Jeju Island, and then concludes with the remaining days back in Seoul:

Day 1-3: Seoul (December 2nd - December 4th)

• Day 1 (December 2nd - Evening): Arrival in Seoul, check into your accommodation, and get acclimated to the city.
• Day 2 (December 3rd): Explore the historic district of Bukchon Hanok Village, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Insadong.
• Day 3 (December 4th): Visit Changdeokgung Palace, the Secret Garden, and the National Museum of Korea.

Day 4-8: Busan (December 5th - December 9th)

• Day 4 (December 5th): Travel to Busan by KTX (high-speed train). Check into your accommodation and enjoy Christmas lights and decorations in the city.
• Day 5 (December 6th): Explore Haeundae Beach, Dongbaek Island, and APEC Naru Park with Christmas-themed attractions.
• Day 6 (December 7th): Explore Gamcheon Culture Village, Jagalchi Fish Market, and the historic Yongdusan Park, which may have Christmas events.
• Day 7 (December 8th): Visit Beomeosa Temple and relax at Songjeong Beach, taking in the festive atmosphere.
• Day 8 (December 9th): Explore more of Busan, including Taejongdae Park and Ulsan during the day, returning to Busan in the evening.

Day 9-12: Jeju Island (December 10th - December 13th)

• Day 9 (December 10th): Return to Seoul and then fly to Jeju Island. Check into your accommodation and experience Jeju's Christmas events.
• Day 10 (December 11th): Explore Hallasan National Park, Manjanggul Cave, and Jeju City's Christmas celebrations.
• Day 11 (December 12th): Explore the southern coast, including Cheonjeyeon Waterfall and Jusangjeolli Cliffs, and enjoy holiday-themed activities.
• Day 12 (December 13th): Take a boat tour to Udo Island and explore its attractions, which may have Christmas events.

Day 13-16: Jeju Island (December 14th - December 17th)

• Day 13 (December 14th): Explore more of Jeju Island's attractions, such as Jeju Folk Village, O'Sulloc Tea Museum, and the Teddy Bear Museum, with a focus on Christmas-themed exhibits.
• Day 14 (December 15th): Enjoy the beaches and relax in the festive ambiance of the island.
• Day 15 (December 16th): Explore further or revisit favorite spots on Jeju Island.
• Day 16 (December 17th): Fly back to Seoul and check into your accommodation.

Day 17-22: Seoul (December 18th - December 23rd)

• Day 17-22 (December 18th - December 23rd): Spend the remaining days in Seoul enjoying Christmas events, shopping, and revisiting favorite places. Participate in Christmas festivals, visit markets, and enjoy festive activities throughout Seoul.

This revised itinerary allows for a well-rounded experience, starting and ending in Seoul with breaks to explore Busan and Jeju Island in between, ensuring you capture the Christmas spirit across various locations in South Korea. Adjust and tailor your activities based on specific events or attractions that interest you.

Now, full disclosure is that I whilst I didn't use this as my "final" itinerary, it nonetheless provided some great ideas and was a massive help in determining the ultimate plans for the trip.

 

[tdimdad]

This is where I think the current public Gen AI providers are at their best from itinerary viewpoint: building a good suggestion for you to refine, as you please.

This is what Gemini offered for Iceland at midsummer. It also embedded photos of nearly all attractions, I got maps, accommodation suggestions, and all. Certainly beats browsing through dozens of miscellaneous travel sites and building a draft from there.

**Day 1: Arrival & Reykjavik Revelry**

* Arrive in Keflavík International Airport and pick up your rental car.
* Drive to Reykjavík, the capital city, and check into your hotel.
* **Immerse yourself in history and culture:**
* Visit the National Museum of Iceland, showcasing artifacts from the Viking Age to present day.
* Explore the Reykjavík Maritime Museum, delving into Iceland's seafaring history.
* Stroll down Laugavegur shopping street, lined with colorful houses and charming stores.
* Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere in the city center, adorned with colorful flags and flowers.
* Join a Midsummer bonfire (brenna) in the evening, a cherished Icelandic tradition symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.

**Day 2: Golden Circle, History & Geothermal Delights**

* Start your day exploring the Golden Circle, a classic Iceland route packed with geological wonders and historical sites:
* **Þingvellir National Park:** Walk between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, and learn about the Althing, the world's oldest parliament established in 930 AD.
* **Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Village:** Relax in the geothermal pools surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains.
* **Geysir geothermal area:** Witness the powerful Strokkur geyser erupt and explore geothermal wonders.
* **Gullfoss waterfall:** Marvel at the majestic "Golden Falls" plunging into a deep canyon.
* **Optional:** Visit Skálholt, a former cultural and religious center in Iceland, with its reconstructed turf church and archaeological remains.

**Day 3: South Coast, Black Sand Beaches & Viking History**

* Drive along the scenic South Coast, witnessing waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches:
* **Seljalandsfoss waterfall:** Walk behind the cascading water for a unique perspective.
* **Gljúfrabúi:** Explore the hidden gem of this powerful waterfall tucked away in a narrow canyon.
* **Skógafoss waterfall:** Be mesmerized by the immense waterfall, a popular spot for photographers.
* **Reynisdrangar sea stacks:** See the dramatic basalt rock formations jutting out of the black sand beach.
* **Immerse yourself in Viking history:**
* Visit the Sölheimasandur Plane Wreck, a US Navy DC-3 plane that crashed on the black sand beach in 1973.

* Explore the Þjóðveldisbær Museum, an open-air museum showcasing reconstructions of Viking Age longhouses and farm buildings.
* Enjoy a bonfire night under the midnight sun, a surreal experience during the Midsummer celebrations.

**Day 4: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach & Folklore**

* Journey further east to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, a breathtaking sight with icebergs floating on a glacial lake.
* Take a boat tour among the icebergs for a closer look at these majestic giants.
* Stroll along the adjacent Diamond Beach, where the icebergs wash ashore, resembling scattered diamonds.
* **Experience Icelandic folklore:**
* Visit Vík í Mýrdal, a charming village known for its myths and legends, including the story of the mischievous Huldufolk hidden people.
* Attend a performance of Icelandic sagas, traditional stories passed down through generations.

**Day 5: Farewell & Reykjavik's Cultural Gems**

* Drive back to Reykjavík, soaking in the final Icelandic landscapes.
* **Do some cultural immersion:**
* Visit the Hallgrímskirkja church, a stunning Lutheran church with panoramic views of the city.
* Explore

 

[Pushka]

I used ChatGPT 3.5 last year to draft up an itinerary for my Korea trip. The trick to getting the best out of it was to be more instructive in terms of what I wanted it to give me. For example...

I began by asking it "What's a good 21 day itinerary for South Korea that takes in Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island?" This provided a good daily itinerary broken out by my 3 key locations. I then asked it to adjust the number of days in a couple of locations and it modified the itinerary accordingly. Given I was traveling in December and one of the goals for the trip was to experience the Korean Christmas festivities, so I asked it to "...optimise the trip for December, taking in Christmas attractions." I then fed it my specific travel dates and amended it to a 22 day itinerary (including travel time) and ended up with my final "draft" itinerary -:


Now, full disclosure is that I whilst I didn't use this as my "final" itinerary, it nonetheless provided some great ideas and was a massive help in determining the ultimate plans for the trip.

My husband would love that idea. Uses it all the time. But I do the planning and would not use it. I use TripIt pro to keep everything tidy.

 

[DejaBrew]

My husband would love that idea. Uses it all the time. But I do the planning and would not use it. I use TripIt pro to keep everything tidy.

Same here re: TripIt Pro. My main use case for ChatGPT with the Korea trip was to build a baseline/framework itinerary for the trip, which I could then flesh out and refine. I figured it might also provide some good ideas/suggestions that I might not otherwise have considered.

 

[p--and--t]

Wow. AFF comes through again

Just noticed this thread today. Despite being in IT field from the 70’s this “new fangled” AI stuff had not piqued my interest until above posts. (I don’t even use Siri)

I down loaded the ChatGPT and first screen is wanting me to register and ask for details and thought - Nah!

Then down loaded the GeminiAI app and got straight in without any registration nonsense.

Im flying to Japan next week on a whim spurred on by a free return airfare of $503 from JQ - stop shaking your head

Don't want to move around with luggage so intended to just book one hotel near a railway station in Tokyo and do a few leisurely touristy day trips. I don't speak Japanese, find some of their websites a bit clunky m and not a lot of idea what to see and what not to bother seeing.

I started with a generic “suggest day trips from Tokyo” and got quite a big list.

Then I picked one of the suggestions a day trip to Hakone and buy a Hakone pass.

Then I asked for a schedule to make a day trip to Hakone and wow!

Detailed Schedule for a One-Day Hakone Trip from Shinjuku Station using the Hakone Free Pass:

7:00 AM: Depart from Shinjuku Station on the Odakyu Romancecar Limited Express (direct to Hakone-Yumoto Station).

8:20 AM: Arrive at Hakone-Yumoto Station and transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway.

8:50 AM: Arrive at Gora Station and switch to the Hakone Ropeway.

9:00 AM: Ascend to Sounzan Station via the Hakone Ropeway.

9:10 AM - 12:00 PM: Explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum and enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants with panoramic views.

12:00 PM: Take the boat cruise from Togendai Port to Hakone-machi Port.

12:30 PM: Transfer to the Hakone Tozan Cablecar and descend to Gora Station.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Visit the Hakone Museum of Art.

2:30 PM: Return to Hakone-Yumoto Station by the Hakone Tozan Railway.

3:00 PM: Depart from Hakone-Yumoto Station on the Odakyu Romancecar Limited Express (direct to Shinjuku Station).

4:20 PM: Arrive at Shinjuku Station.

tips:

To avoid crowds, consider taking an earlier train from Shinjuku Station.

Make sure to check the Hakone Tozan Railway and Hakone Ropeway timetables to plan your transfers efficiently.

Allow for some flexibility in your schedule, as weather conditions or unexpected delays may occur.

Take advantage of the Hakone Free Pass to fully explore the area and save on transportation costs.

 

[albatross710]

I took a different approach to building the prompt for our itineraries.

Write a travel bog describing a three day trip for 60 year olds who are experienced travellers visiting [insert city/country] include information on museums, art galleries, and mid range restaurants. Provide a summary of using the public transport network including ticketing.

or

Write a travel blog aimed at 20 year old hipsters visiting [insert city/country] include information on music clubs, university precincts, and budget accommodations. Provide a summary of using the public transport from airport to city..


as you can see in this example by adding a few modifiers and guiding the prompt with your interests you may uncover some hidden gems directed at your demographic.

 

[Pushka]

I'm loving chatGPT for organising our Japan trip.

 

[Drakecula]

While I've got a list of places I want to see while in Vegas in June (and have booked certain experiences already) - I think I'll experiment with coming up with an itinerary for a day. Because MrD will be busy with his expo, so I'll be free to do whatever.

Could be a good experience of 'I let AI plan my day and here's what happened'. It would amuse me if nothing else

 

[tdimdad]

I've now mostly prepared our itinerary for Iceland. Used Google Gemini as the starting point and placed pins on the map & activities in the calendar. I'm excited to see how this plays out in reality.

 

[Pushka]

While I've got a list of places I want to see while in Vegas in June (and have booked certain experiences already) - I think I'll experiment with coming up with an itinerary for a day. Because MrD will be busy with his expo, so I'll be free to do whatever.

Could be a good experience of 'I let AI plan my day and here's what happened'. It would amuse me if nothing else

Feed into an AI programme things you want to see. Interests etc etc. Then ask it best way to get there, they often come up with a better structure of the day. Then ask them costs and specific transport routes if needed.