Start With What You Actually Want

Before you type anything, it helps to think about the basics. You don't need a detailed plan — just a rough idea. Where might you like to go? When are you thinking of travelling? How many people are going? What's your budget?

Once you've got that in mind, you can ask AI something like:

"I want to plan a week's holiday for a family of four in August. Our budget is around £2,000 including flights and accommodation. We'd like somewhere warm with a beach, but not too far from interesting towns or activities for kids. Can you suggest a few destinations and explain why each one would suit us?"

What you'll get back is a helpful shortlist — often with places you hadn't even considered — along with reasons why each one fits your brief. It's like having a knowledgeable friend who's been everywhere.

Find Affordable Flights and Accommodation

AI can't book flights for you directly, but it's brilliant at helping you figure out the smartest way to search. You can ask things like:

"What are the cheapest months to fly to Portugal from Manchester?"

or

"Which budget airlines fly from the UK to Croatia?"

You can also ask for tips on how to find the best deals — such as booking on certain days of the week, using flexible date searches, or comparing package deals versus booking separately. AI pulls together advice that would normally take you ages to gather from different blogs and forums.

For accommodation, try asking:

"What are some affordable family-friendly places to stay near Albufeira, Portugal? I'd prefer self-catering so we can save money on meals."

You'll often get a mix of options — apartments, guesthouses, apart-hotels — with pros and cons explained in plain language.

Build a Day-by-Day Itinerary

This is where AI really shines. Once you've picked your destination, you can ask it to build a full itinerary tailored to your interests and budget.

Try something like:

"Can you plan a 7-day itinerary for a family staying in Albufeira, Portugal? Include a mix of beach days, sightseeing, and activities for children aged 6 and 10. Keep costs low where possible and suggest free or cheap things to do."

The AI will come back with a detailed day-by-day plan — often including estimated costs, travel times between places, and even restaurant suggestions. If something doesn't suit you, just say so. You can ask it to swap out activities, add rest days, or focus more on a particular interest like history or nature.

It's a bit like working with a travel agent, except it's free, available at midnight, and never judges you for wanting three beach days in a row.

Get Help With the Fiddly Bits

There are loads of smaller holiday tasks where AI can quietly save you time. For example:

"What documents do I need to travel to Turkey with two children under 12?"

or

"Can you write a packing list for a week-long beach holiday in Greece in July, for a family with young kids?"

You can also ask it to help you work out a daily spending budget, convert currencies, check visa requirements, or even translate useful phrases into the local language.

One particularly handy trick: ask AI to summarise the cancellation and refund policies from a hotel or airline's terms and conditions. Just paste in the text and say, "Can you explain this in plain English?" It'll cut through the jargon and tell you what actually matters.

Compare Options Side by Side

Struggling to choose between two destinations or hotels? Ask AI to compare them for you. You might say:

"Can you compare Crete and the Algarve for a budget family holiday in August? Look at average costs, weather, things to do with kids, and ease of travel from the UK."

You'll get a clear, balanced comparison that helps you weigh up the pros and cons without opening fifteen browser tabs.

Stay Safe and Realistic

A quick word of caution: AI is a fantastic planning assistant, but it's not perfect. It might occasionally suggest a restaurant that's closed down or get a minor detail wrong about visa rules. Always double-check the important stuff — especially anything to do with travel documents, health requirements, or booking terms — on official websites.

Think of AI as a very helpful starting point, not the final word.

Give It a Try

If you've never used AI before, holiday planning is a brilliant place to start. The questions are natural, the results are immediately useful, and there's no risk — you're just gathering ideas.

Start with one simple question:

"Help me plan a holiday for [number of people] in [month] with a budget of [amount]. We'd like [your preferences]."

Then see where the conversation takes you. You might be surprised how much easier — and cheaper — your next trip turns out to be.

Possible Prompt:

I want to plan a [length of trip] holiday for [number of people] in [month/time of year]. Our budget is around [£ amount] including flights and accommodation. We'd like somewhere [warm/cold/cultural/adventurous] with [your preferences — e.g. beaches, kid-friendly activities, good food, easy travel from the UK]. Can you suggest a few destinations, compare them, and then build a day-by-day itinerary for the best option — including estimated costs and free or cheap things to do?