Planning a big trip can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to squeeze the most out of every moment. With an Italian adventure on the horizon, I decided to test out something new: using ChatGPT to help me plan the details. From organizing routes and sightseeing to recommending local eats and hidden gems, I was curious to see if this AI assistant could really hold its own as a digital travel buddy. Here’s how it went.

My first prompt was for our upcoming trip to Italy:

“I am going to Italy for 10 days, starting in Rome on a Monday and leaving on a Thursday. I want to see Cascate del Mulino, Colosseum, Azienda Agricola Ercolani, Babae Wine Window, The Mouth of Truth, Vicus Caprarius, Uffizi Galleries, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Santa Maria della Concezione Crypts, Limonoro, Isola di Spargi, Pompeii, Spiaggia della Grotta Verde, Roman Baths of Sliema, Ghost town of Craco in Basilicata, and Via Port’Alba. I plan to see the sights at a leisurely pace and explore lesser-known areas. I will rely on walking and public transportation.“

And this is what ChatGPT generated:

Here’s the prompt I gave for a fictional trip to France:

“Prepare a schedule for an 8-day journey to France. My arrival will be in Marseille on a Monday. I plan to utilize public transportation and a bicycle for transportation. My main areas of interest are food, nightlife, and architecture.“

ChatGPT came up with this:

And finally, the prompt I gave for a hiking trip in Utah:

“Organize a hiking expedition in Utah for a group of four, beginning on August 29th and concluding on September 1st. One individual is not experienced in hiking, but is willing to tackle the challenge. We will be staying in tents for our lodging.“

Finally, ChatGPT created this detailed agenda:

I have to admit—I was genuinely surprised by how detailed and well-thought-out the itinerary was. ChatGPT didn’t just throw together a list of popular sights; it created a day-by-day agenda that matched my interests and left room for spontaneity. From timing out travel between cities to recommending specific spots for food, architecture, and even wine windows, it felt like having a knowledgeable (and very organized) travel companion in my pocket.

I’m now seriously considering sticking to the agenda it generated with only a few tweaks. It made the entire planning process feel less overwhelming and a lot more fun. Would you ever trust ChatGPT to plan your next trip? I’d love to know if you’d give it a shot, or if you already have.