How to Use AI for Travel Planning: Smart Tools for Custom Trip Itineraries

By Jeff Lowe • February 27, 2026

Travel planning has changed dramatically in recent years. What once required hours of guidebooks, dozens of browser tabs, and countless review sites can now be streamlined into a much more efficient process.

Artificial intelligence tools are quickly becoming one of the most powerful resources for travelers who want customized itineraries without hiring a professional planner.

Over the years, I’ve always appreciated the opportunity to join a group trip where someone else handled the logistics. Before departure, we would receive a thoughtfully curated itinerary outlining the attractions, dining plans, and overnight stays. That kind of structure made travel feel simple, organized, and largely stress-free.

More recently, I’ve started using AI (artificial intelligence) tools to help research and shape some of my own travel plans. I’ll share the region and some specific attractions I want to see, describe the type of trip—whether it’s a family vacation or a romantic couples getaway—and then provide a timeframe and budget.

The result? A surprisingly detailed, personalized guide that saves me hours of research and gives me a strong, flexible starting point for the trip. And while I don’t always follow it to the letter, it has become one of my favorite travel planning tools.

Let’s talk about how you can use AI as your own travel planner — and actually make it work for you.

Start with Inspiration: Let AI Spark Destination Ideas

Sometimes the hardest part of planning a trip is deciding where to go.

AI tools are excellent brainstorming partners. Instead of typing “best places to travel in September” into a search engine and sorting through endless blog posts, you can ask:

“Where are warm destinations in October with fewer crowds?”
“What are underrated U.S. cities for a long weekend?”
“Suggest European destinations with good public transportation and historic architecture.”

Because AI responds conversationally, you can refine your request. Want something more budget-friendly? Say so. Prefer mountains over beaches? Clarify. It adjusts in real time.

It feels a bit like sitting down with a knowledgeable travel agent — except you’re directing the conversation.

Build a Custom Itinerary in Minutes

This is where AI really shines.

On my organized group trips, I always appreciated how the itinerary was thoughtfully structured. The days flowed well. Travel time made sense. Major highlights were balanced with downtime.

Now, when planning independently, I’ll tell AI something like:

“Create a 4-day itinerary for Savannah, Georgia focused on history, food, and walkability.”
“Plan a relaxed 5-day road trip through northern Michigan with scenic stops and short hikes.”

Within seconds, it generates a day-by-day outline. Attractions. Restaurant suggestions. Estimated timing. Sometimes even insider tips.

I don’t blindly follow every suggestion. But instead of spending hours building a framework from scratch, I now start with a structured draft that I can refine. It’s an enormous time saver.

Think of it as having an assistant draft your travel plan — and you’re the editor-in-chief.

Customize Based on Travel Style

One of the best features of AI trip planning is how easily it adapts to different travel styles.

You can specify:

“We’re active but not extreme hikers.”
“Traveling with teenagers who get bored easily.”
“Prefer boutique hotels over large chains.”
“Want good food but not fine dining every night.”

AI adjusts the recommendations accordingly.

Unlike generic “Top 10 Things To Do” lists, this feels tailored. You’re not just getting the most famous attractions — you’re getting suggestions aligned with how you actually travel.

Use AI for Budget Planning

Trip budgeting is another area where AI tools can be surprisingly helpful.

You can ask:

“Estimate a mid-range daily budget for 5 days in Boston.”
“Compare the average cost of visiting Costa Rica vs. Belize.”
“What’s a realistic food budget per day in Chicago?”

While you should always verify major expenses like airfare and hotel prices separately, AI can provide useful ballpark estimates and help you think through categories you might forget — transportation, attraction tickets, tips, etc.

It’s especially helpful when comparing destinations before committing.

Make Flight and Hotel Research Smarter

AI won’t replace booking platforms, but it can make you more strategic.

For example:

“What neighborhoods are best for first-time visitors to Barcelona?”
“Is it better to stay near the French Quarter or Garden District in New Orleans?”
“Pros and cons of staying inside vs. outside Yellowstone National Park.”

Instead of scanning dozens of forum threads, you get a summary that helps narrow your focus before diving deeper.

You can also ask it to decode hotel reviews:

“What are common complaints about beachfront resorts?”
“What should I look for when booking a hotel in Rome’s historic center?”

It speeds up the filtering process.

Plan Restaurants Without the Overwhelm

Scrolling restaurant reviews can feel endless.

Instead, try:

“Suggest 5 casual seafood restaurants in Charleston popular with locals.”
“Best family-friendly restaurants near Navy Pier in Chicago.”
“Hidden gem breakfast spots in Sedona.”

It won’t always be perfect — and you’ll still want to double-check hours and recent reviews — but it gives you a starting shortlist.

On organized tours, restaurant choices were curated for us. Now, I feel like I can recreate that curated experience without hours of browsing.

Use AI for Road Trips

Road trip planning can be especially time-consuming.

AI can help with:

Route optimization
Scenic detours
Timing drive segments
Finding small-town stops between major cities

For example:

“Best scenic stops between Denver and Moab.”
“Quirky roadside attractions on Route 66.”
“Break up a 7-hour drive into two manageable days with interesting stops.”

It’s like having a co-pilot that knows the highlights.

Adjust Plans in Real Time

One underrated benefit of AI travel tools is flexibility.

Let’s say:

Rain changes your outdoor plans.
A museum is unexpectedly closed.
You suddenly have an extra free afternoon.

You can quickly ask:

“Indoor alternatives in San Diego for a rainy afternoon.”
“Free things to do near downtown Nashville.”
“How to adjust a 3-day Paris itinerary if I skip the Louvre.”

That kind of real-time adaptability used to require more research. Now it takes seconds.

Learn Context While You Travel

AI is also great for bite-sized learning.

While standing outside a historic landmark, you can ask:

“Explain the history of this cathedral in simple terms.”
“Why is this neighborhood architecturally significant?”
“What is this regional dish traditionally made from?”

It turns sightseeing into a deeper experience without needing a formal tour.

Know the Limits of AI Travel Planning

AI is powerful — but it isn’t perfect.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

Information can occasionally be outdated.
Restaurant closures or attraction hours may change.
It may miss hyper-local events or brand-new openings.
It doesn’t replace human reviews entirely.

I treat AI-generated itineraries as a strong starting point, not the final authority. I still verify key details and check recent reviews.

The magic isn’t in blindly trusting it — it’s in using it to eliminate 80% of the heavy lifting.

Practical Prompts You Can Try

If you’re new to using AI for travel planning, here are some prompts you can copy and customize:

“Create a 3-day weekend itinerary for [City] focused on food and history.”
“Plan a budget-friendly 5-day trip to [Destination] for two adults.”
“What are the top 10 attractions in [City] and how should I group them by location?”
“Suggest a scenic 4-hour drive near [City].”
“What’s a realistic daily schedule for visiting [National Park] without rushing?”

The more specific you are, the better the results.

From Group Tours to DIY Planning — With Help

For me, the transition from organized group travel to AI-assisted planning has been surprisingly smooth.

I used to love having someone else handle every detail — the attractions, meals, pacing, logistics. And in many ways, AI now recreates that curated experience. I give it direction. It builds a structured draft. I adjust it to fit my style.

I don’t follow every suggestion exactly. But instead of spending hours digging through blogs and forums, I now start with a personalized guide in minutes.

That alone makes it worth it.

A Smarter Way to Plan Your Next Trip

AI travel planning tools aren’t about replacing travel agents or eliminating spontaneity. They’re about saving time and increasing confidence.

You still make the final decisions. You still explore. You still wander.

But instead of staring at a dozen open tabs wondering where to begin, you start with a customized roadmap tailored to your interests.

And honestly? That makes planning almost as enjoyable as the trip itself.