8 do’s and don’ts of using AI to plan your trip

AI is quickly becoming part of how travelers plan. Big travel players and startups are integrating generative AI into trip planning, from suggesting itineraries to help book hotels and flights. These tools promise speed, convenience, and personalization. According to The Scientific Research and Community, they can analyze your preferences, propose optimal routes, and tailor recommendations.

But that doesn’t mean AI is foolproof or should replace human agents entirely. Some limitations are structural. AI tools can recommend only what’s in their datasets, may miss changes like temporary closures or local nuances, and lack the empathy and big picture experience a human travel agent offers.

For my own trip to Bordeaux, I asked an AI to build an itinerary. It gave me charming wine-region stops and restaurant suggestions but forgot to check opening hours for a marquee chateau, which is a classic gap. AI is creative but not always updated.

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Related: I asked ChatGPT to plan a ‘romantic’ weekend in Bordeaux and it was a genuinely surprising experience

8 do’s and don’ts for using AI in trip planning

1. Do use AI to brainstorm and explore

• Do feed it your broad travel vision. Tell AI where you’d like to go, what you enjoy (wine, history, food), and your travel style. It can generate multiple itinerary ideas in seconds.

• Do “prompt” smartly. The more precise your input (days, budget, interests), the more relevant the suggestions you’ll get. I was traveling with my boyfriend who just underwent ACL reconstruction surgery. Due to my thorough prompt, AI gave us helpful tips on comfortable public transportation, stops with less walking, and less strenuous activities.

2. Don’t trust it blindly for bookings

• Don’t rely solely on AI to make flight or hotel reservations. Many AI tools don’t have real-time booking integration or availability data. As AgentiveAIQ explains, ChatGPT or generic LLMs often lack access to live systems for bookings.

• Don’t assume pricing is fixed. AI–powered platforms may not account for dynamic pricing (which changes based on demand, time, or other factors).

3. Do double-check and validate itineraries

• Do run AI-generated suggestions through trusted sources. Cross-check dates, opening hours, and reviews.

• Do add a human touch. Refine the plan based on your gut, local tips, or personal quirks (like wanting more downtime versus packed sightseeing).

4. Don’t over-rely on AI for hidden gems

• Don’t expect AI to uncover secret or very local spots reliably. It tends to lean on well-documented (and often very touristy) places.

• Don’t skip a travel agent or local guide just because AI “did it for you.” Agents can bring cultural insight, recent changes, and empathy where AI can’t. We went to a few of the AI-suggested hidden gems but found more luck asking locals the best places to go; a tale as old as time.

5. Do protect your data and privacy

• Do choose AI platforms you trust, especially those that explain how they use your data. Generative AI travel tools often require personal preferences and trip info, so make sure the provider has transparent data policies.

• Do limit sensitive information shared with AI. You don’t need to give everything, just enough for good suggestions.

6. Don’t expect flawless real-time updates

• Don’t assume AI reflects live changes like weather, events, or COVID-style restrictions. While some tools are getting better, not all systems are fully connected to real-time information.

• Don’t skip monitoring travel yourself. Re-check critical parts of your trip closer to departure.

7. Do use AI for sustainable and efficient travel

• Do ask it to prioritize green travel. AI can suggest eco-friendly routes, recommend public transport, or highlight sustainable accommodations.

• Do experiment with “what-if” versions of your trip, like less flying, longer stays in one place, or alternative transport options. Because we asked specifically for public-transportation options, every itinerary the AI generated came back with detailed transit routes woven right in. When I tried prompting it earlier without mentioning public transport, it still offered a few ideas, but nothing nearly as thorough or useful.

Related: Google rolls out AI tool to find the cheapest flights

8. Don’t lose the magic of spontaneity

• Don’t let AI steal all the surprises. Some travel agents warn that a rigid, AI-generated schedule can rob you of serendipitous moments.

• Don’t forget to leave buffer time for detours, local recommendations, or just being lost in a charming place. I’m the kind of traveler who doesn’t crave a strict itinerary and I’d rather follow the rhythm of a place. Honestly, the moments that stayed with me most weren’t tied to any plan at all. They happened at a sun-splashed café we stumbled into by chance, or in a boutique a local insisted we visit. Those unscripted experiences are where a city’s real personality reveals itself.

When (and why) to bring in a human agent

While AI is a powerful tool, pairing it with a travel agent can give you the best of both worlds. Agents can zoom in on special needs, offer emotional intelligence, and manage complex logistics — plus, they bring in local, real-world experience that AI may lack.

In my Bordeaux trip example, after AI created the initial itinerary, I showed it to a local travel agent who suggested small wineries and booked a lunch in a family-run château. That combination turned a neat AI plan into a truly unforgettable experience.

Using AI to plan your trip is less about replacing travel agents and more about enhancing how you explore. Done right, AI helps you brainstorm boldly, save time, and discover new routes. But you’ll want to sharpen its suggestions with your own judgment (or a human expert), especially for bookings, hidden gems, and safety-critical decisions. For modern travelers, AI is not just a tool; it’s a co-pilot. Just make sure you’re still steering.

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This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.