How to Use AI to Plan a Trip- Part 2

Week 2: The Secret to Getting Great Results: Better Prompts

The difference between “AI isn’t helpful” and “wait… this is amazing” usually comes down to one thing: the prompt.

AI can’t read your mind. It works best when you tell it exactly what you want—your travel style, your constraints, and what you care about most. The more specific you are, the more useful the output becomes.

Here’s the simple prompt formula I use:

1. Basics: where, when, how long

2. Traveler profile: solo/couple/family + energy level

3. Priorities: top 3 things you want from the trip

4. Constraints: budget, mobility, must-dos, must-avoids

5. Preferences: neighborhoods, lodging style, food style

6. Format: itinerary table, bullets, options A/B, etc.

And here’s the part people skip: Tell AI what you don’t want.

• “I don’t want to be rushed.”

• “I don’t want 3 museums a day.”

• “I don’t want to rent a car.”

These details change everything.

Our next post will be about how to use AI to build a realistic itinerary.

This week, try this prompt:

Copy/paste prompt: “I’m planning a [length of trip] trip to [destination] in [month]. I’m traveling [solo/with my partner/with my young children]. I want a [relaxed/moderate] pace. My top priorities are [A, B, C]. My budget is [$]. I’d love to stay in a [vibe] area and avoid [things you dislike]. Please create a day-by-day itinerary grouped by neighborhood, plus a short list of ‘must book ahead’ items.”