The 6 Google AI and Lens Tricks I Rely on for Smooth, Hassle-Free Holiday Trips

Even though traveling is truly one of my favorite things to do (and my favorite thing to spend money on), planning a dream trip can still be overwhelming. I have dozens and dozens of trips under my belt – domestic and international – and yet the planning and booking process still causes me stress.

Millions of Americans will travel during the 2025 holiday season. This means millions of people are collecting their passports, planning routes, creating itineraries and preparing to travel over the next few weeks. If you are one of these people, you may need help planning your trip.

This is where AI can help. You can use numerous artificial intelligence tools to plan your trips, from universal chatbot such as ChatGPT, which can answer all your travel related questions on AI trip planner Booking.comwho can become your AI travel agent. However, I usually use Google tools. In particular, there are key features of Google AI and Google Lens that can help you prepare for your vacation.

I have used these tools carefully during my many travels. Here's my portfolio of Google apps and services that help me book and navigate my vacation.

Additional tips for touristscm. best time to buy airline tickets And how to find cheap flights. I also explain how I use Google Maps for stress-free travel.

Let AI create personalized travel itineraries

Google's AI search reviews can make planning your next trip easier. This tool was originally announced in March 2024and I've been using it for over a year to create personalized travel itineraries for the cities I visit. For example, I asked Google to plan a bookshop-themed tour of Edinburgh when I was there for three days in May.

This function is currently being expanded. Last week, Google said it plans to expand AI reviews in search so you can now create daily directions not just for cities, but also for individual regions or entire countries. Just enter a quick command like “create a history-focused itinerary in England” or “create a nature-focused itinerary in New Zealand.”

The AI ​​uses data from various sources such as reviews, photos and business profiles submitted to Google by people over time. From there, you can export your route to Gmail, Docs, or Maps.

It is always important to remember not to take AI-generated answers at face value, as they make mistakes and even make things up. You should carefully verify information with expert sources in case the AI ​​tool turns out to be invalid. hallucinationsobtaining results from dubious sources or creating false information. If you want a practical example, check out this article by CNET's Katie Collins: which tested the accuracy of several artificial intelligence tools regarding the city, which she knows inside and out.

Get travel inspiration from Gemini

Planning a trip can be overwhelming, especially in a new city. When this happens, I turn to Gemini, Google's AI chatbot. With Google Maps updated in fall 2024, Gemini can provide you with entertainment and dining options while you travel.

You can also ask him to find inexpensive things to do in the city or things to do in the country you're visiting when it rains. Gemini uses Google reviews to provide personalized suggestions and displays them as pins on a map. This feature simplifies planning, helps you find personalized options, and reduces stress.

For comparison, I sometimes ask other chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude the same travel-related queries and get comparable responses. Did I mention that you should always check what your AI chatbot is telling you?

Create a travel agent with artificial intelligence

You can also try the Gemini feature in Gemini, which allows you to customize Gemini to create your own personal AI expert. Gems are personalized versions of Gemini that can help you solve repetitive tasks or gain valuable insights while researching. This means you can customize Gem's travel planner to help you choose your destination, find restaurants in a new city, or what to pack for your vacation.

Google now offers Gems without a subscription. To use this feature, you need to be logged into Gemini Apps and then you can create your own Gem through the “Gemini Manager” on your desktop.

When I was experimenting with this feature, I created a “travel agent” Gem and wrote down instructions on the Gem's main goals and capabilities, as well as the style and tone of the response I wanted from it.

I asked my Gem to create a 10-day Caribbean island hopping itinerary by asking, “I've always wanted to island hop in the Caribbean. Please create an itinerary (about 10 days) visiting the main islands and biggest attractions.” My Gem responded by asking me what time of year I wanted to travel, what my budget was, and my ideal travel pace. Based on my responses, travel agent Jem had planned a 10-day trip to Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, and Barbados that combined my interests in beaches, nature, and history.

You can use Gem for free to plan your dream vacation without having to deal with an expensive travel agent. While these AI tools can be useful, they cannot replace the advice and knowledge of a true expert.

Let AI organize screenshots of travel ideas

If you're anything like me, your Photos app is filled with thousands of images from social media, Pinterest, TikTok, and travel blogs. When planning a trip, I like to take pictures of restaurants, museums, parks, and other attractions that I'm excited to visit. After all, I have seemingly endless screenshots to look through.

In March Google announced The Maps app is rolling out a feature that can identify locations in your screenshots and save them to a list, making it easier to organize your travel plans. This feature scans screenshots for text mentioning specific places, displays those places on a map, and lets you view, save, or share them.

This screenshot list feature is now available for iOS users in the US. Android support coming soon.

Find the cheapest hotels available

I have no problem booking flights, really. It doesn't matter what the sticker price is. But booking hotels? Ugh, that's a painful expense. Moreover, accommodation is usually the biggest cost for any trip.

I use Google Flights every day to find the cheapest flights. (No, I literally check it daily and set up email alerts for 15+ destinations when prices drop.) And now Google is bringing that magic to hotel booking.

IN google.com/hotelsyou'll see a new option to track prices for your selected dates and destination. As with Google Flights, you can simply toggle the price tracking option under your search filters and you'll receive an email alert if the prices of any hotels in your search results drop significantly. You can even set filters such as star rating or beach access, as well as the area you're viewing on the map.

Choose an AI guide

Okay, this isn't a new travel feature coming to Google, but it's still a good one and can make traveling a lot easier. One of my biggest challenges when traveling to a foreign country is the language barrier. The thought of being lost in a strange city and not being able to ask for help is my nightmare. The Google Lens feature can ease these fears.

Lens makes it easy to learn more about the city you're visiting, its surroundings and the local language. It can quickly and accurately translate street signs, maps and menus, helping you navigate in a foreign language. Just point your camera, tap the translation filter, and watch the words translate on the screen.

The lens can decipher more than just text—it can also quickly identify objects or buildings. Suppose you see a crowd of people crowding around a statue or doors. In this case, you can simply point the camera and ask something like, “What is this for?” and Lens will create an overview of the AI ​​with information and links to additional resources.

Lens AI Reviews (and Circle to search) are now available in more than 200 countries and territories and in more than 40 languages.

For moresee our Traveler Preparation Checklist and how increase your chances of not having your flight canceled or delayed.