5 ChatGPT Prompts To Save You Money on Your Next Vacation

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Affordable travel is all the rage these days, so finding more ways to satisfy your wanderlust in the most economical way only makes sense. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) engines like ChatGPT, Gemini and similar platforms is now helping many world travelers plan epic adventures while saving money in the process.

If you want to learn how to use AI to plan your next vacation without breaking the bank, here are some prompt ideas to get you started.

1. Plan a Trip For a Large Group

If you’re traveling with a large group, you’ll want plans that include getting everyone around in the least expensive way possible. When using this prompt, you should be specific about how much you want each person to spend per day and the kind of accommodations your group will consider, such as hostels or transportation modes like tour buses or public transport.

Sample prompt: Plan a trip to Florence, Italy, for a group of students who don’t want to spend more than $85 a day for a 10-day excursion. Include inexpensive lodging options like hostels or a large BnB mansion everyone can share.

2. Create an Economical Restaurant and Dining Guide

If you’re a traveling foodie, planning your food stops is a must. You can ask ChatGPT to compare food costs between locations in a given country or find affordable options for your must-have dishes. For instance, enjoying afternoon tea in London at the Four Seasons will be much pricier than at a local cafe off the beaten path.

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Sample prompt: Provide a list of France’s best, most affordable bistros in Paris, along with top-rated restaurants within a 50-mile radius of Paris. Include cities where the cost of lodging in general is lower as well.

3. Get the Best Flight Deals

Different destinations will have varying high and low seasons. Plus, pricing may depend on your departure city. If you’ve some flexibility, you can ask ChatGPT to help you choose a location based on your budget availability, and departing city.

Sample prompt: What is the best time to leave Florida’s International Airport for a 14-day trip to Southeast Asia? Include ideal countries to fly into along with neighboring countries to visit via inexpensive flights. Include options for the off-season, too.

4. Find Affordable Yet Walkable Cities

For many travelers, the intersection of affordable and walkable travel destinations is ideal, as it allows them to save money on getting around while paying lower prices for accommodations. This means that getting to dining, shopping, nightlife, and other attractions is easier and less expensive.

Sample prompt: Name the top walkable, affordable cities in Germany for a 7-day vacation for a family of 4. Include family-friendly locations with amenities like parks, pools, etc.

5. Draft an Itinerary for Free (or Inexpensive) Activities

Cities around the world offer plenty of budget-friendly experiences, from free museums and guided tours to outdoor adventures and cultural festivals. When creating an itinerary, ask ChatGPT for a mix of activities that cater to different interests and age groups to ensure everyone enjoys the trip.

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Sample prompt: Create a 5-day itinerary for a trip to Tokyo, Japan, focusing on free or low-cost activities. Include visits to parks, markets, and cultural sites like temples or traditional craft demonstrations.

The Bottom Line

There are plenty of other capabilities to explore when planning a trip to AI. You can cal create queries surrounding travel topics like:

  • Discount passes and coupons.
  • Packing tips.
  • Travel insurance comparisons.
  • Local currency tips.
  • Bespoke experiences and excursions for specific groups like architects, the elderly, missionaries, etc.

The key is knowing what you want from your experience and adding as much detail as possible. Since some AI engines use data that can be 1-2 years behind, fact-check all outputs to ensure that all recommendations are still valid and up-to-date. From here, you should be able to create great, wallet-friendly travel plans for plenty of locations, interests and budgets.

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