Best ChatGPT Prompts To Use for Travel
Planning a Trip Just Got Easier
Increasingly, ChatGPT is becoming a travel agent.
AI technology is reshaping how we plan trips — saving time, surfacing hidden gems, and customizing recommendations to your exact preferences.
I was recently planning a trip to the Caribbean but wasn’t sure exactly where to go. I asked ChatGPT for the best beaches in the region, and it mentioned one in Puerto Rico I had never heard of.
So I booked the trip.
And as I’ve talked with friends and family, they are doing the same things. But to get the best results, you must know how to prompt chatGPT properly.
Here are the exact types of prompts I’ve found most helpful, organized by travel needs.
Copy, paste, and tweak these for your next adventure:
📝 Classic Top 10 Lists
This is a perfect way to start your research. Get a list of 10 and then refine down from there.
- What are the top 10 beaches in the Caribbean for clear water and white sand?
- Top 10 things to do in Kyoto in April
- Top 10 underrated places in Germany for solo travel
🥇 Forced Best Option
One of my favorite prompts! Ask it to give you the absolute best of a certain category.
- What’s the absolute best place to get coffee in Seattle?
- I’m going to Calgary. What’s the number 1 food that I should try?
- What’s the best hotel in Tokyo? I want it to be within 30 minutes from the airport.
📍Filter by Time and Place
Narrow things down based on when or where you’ll be traveling.
- Best hotels in Lisbon for under $150/night, near a train station
- Fun things to do in Oregon in mid-October
- Good weekend trips from NYC in March
⭐ Ask for Iconic Spots
Sometimes touristy is still totally worth it. Places are “iconic” for a reason. You’re not going to visit the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower and be disappointed. However, I have heard the Leaning Tower is a bit of a letdown.
- What are the most iconic things to do in Rome?
- What’s the number one thing I should see in Minnesota?
- I’m going to Mexico City. What are three things it’s known for?
🗿 Unique and Offbeat Stops
Tailor your trip to your personality or interests.
- I love quirky history spots like the first McDonald’s. Any cool stops like that in Oregon?
- Are there any strange roadside attractions near Nashville? List 5.
- What’s the most unusual thing I could visit in New Mexico? List 3.
🎄 Holidays and Seasonal Planning
Build your trip around specific holidays or times of year.
- Best places in Iowa to spend 4th of July?
- Where should I go in Europe for New Year’s that isn’t too cold?
- Best spring break spots for adults who hate crowds
👨👩👦 Kid-Friendly and Budget-Conscious
AI does great with constraints. Use it.
- What are 5 affordable and kid-friendly things to do in San Diego?
- Where can I take a family of four on a weekend trip from Raleigh for under $500?
- Budget-friendly vacation spots in the western US for a family with kids under 10? (Our overall budget is $1500)
🎭 Give Your Preferences
This is key. Let ChatGPT know what you like and don’t like to get the best recommendations.
- I hate museums. Knowing that, what are 5 must-do things in Paris?
- I love indie coffee shops, what are 4 options in Portland?
- I love to stay in hostels where you meet new people, give me 5 options in Quito
🚗 Trip Planner and Itinerary Builder
Have ChatGPT be your travel assistant and create your day-by-day plan.
- Create a 3-day itinerary for Barcelona for someone who loves art, coffee, and markets
- Plan a relaxing weekend in Charleston with good food, nature, and no museums
- I have 4 days in Japan and want to see Tokyo and Kyoto — help me plan each day
☕ Food and Coffee Hunt
Find great spots that aren’t tourist traps.
- Best local coffee shops in Tokyo that aren’t touristy
- Where should I eat dinner in Rome if I want traditional carbonara, not touristy pasta?
- Hidden gem restaurants in Miami recommended by locals
😔 Travel by Mood or Theme
Let your emotions shape your trip.
- What’s a peaceful, nature-heavy destination in South America for solo reflection?
- I want a trip that feels like Eat Pray Love — what’s my itinerary?
- I’m burnt out and need a restful place with good food, books, and nature
🛣️ Day Trips and Detours
Perfect for when you’re staying in one place but want more adventure.
- What are easy day trips from Madrid by train?
- I’ll be in Chicago for work. Are there any cool half-day escapes nearby?
- Best half-day adventures from Austin without needing a car
🌳 Outdoor and Nature Focus
For hikers, road trippers, and anyone who wants fresh air.
- What are the best waterfall hikes within 2 hours of Asheville?
- Suggest a scenic road trip through New England in October with stops for small towns
- Best national parks to visit in spring that aren’t too crowded
⛩️ Cultural Immersion
Get beyond the surface of a place.
- Where can I take a cooking class with locals in Thailand?
- Are there any traditional festivals or ceremonies in Peru in July?
- What’s the best way to learn about native culture in New Zealand?
📍Best Routes and Stop Combinations
Figure out your path when visiting multiple cities.
- What’s the best route from Seattle to San Francisco with scenic stops?
- If I fly into Zurich and out of Rome, what’s the best itinerary between?
- I want to see Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia in one trip — how would you plan that?
📚 History and Fun Facts Nerd Mode
Great for enriching your travel experience with meaning.
- Tell me 5 surprising facts about the Colosseum that most tourists miss
- What’s the hidden history behind the French Quarter in New Orleans
- What are the most historic buildings still standing in Edinburgh and their stories?
🎒 Create a Packing List
ChatGPT can be very helpful so you don’t forget socks or sunscreen.
- Create a packing list for a 7-day beach vacation in Puerto Rico in June
- Packing list for hiking in the Swiss Alps in fall — include gear for rain
- I’m going to Iceland in January. What do I pack to stay warm but not overpack?
In the end, AI isn’t replacing the thrill of travel, it’s enhancing it.
With the right prompts, ChatGPT becomes your personal researcher, planner, and idea machine. Try a few of these, mix in your preferences, and let it surprise you.
