Key Takeaways

  • You can now plan trips with Google AI, from ideas to bookings.
  • Canvas in AI Mode helps you build and tweak full travel plans in one place.
  • Flight Deals in Google Flights finds cheap routes based on simple requests.
  • Agent-style AI can help you turn plans into real bookings for dinners and events.
  • Clear prompts and a few details from you make trip planning much faster.

Google now offers smart AI tools to help you plan trips. You can go from “I want a beach break” to a full plan with flights, hotels, and things to do.

These tools live inside Google Search as AI Mode, plus Canvas, and in Google Flights through Flight Deals. Together, they act like a Google AI travel planner that works with real-time prices and reviews.

In this guide, you will learn how to use Google AI for travel planning step by step. You will use Canvas for your plan, Flight Deals for cheap tickets, and AI-powered booking tools to lock things in.

What You’ll Learn

  • How to turn on and open AI Mode in Google Search.
  • How to build a travel plan in Canvas with AI help.
  • How to use Flight Deals to find low-cost flights.
  • How to compare hotels, sights, and food spots in one view.
  • How to turn your plan into restaurant and event bookings.

What You’ll Need

Tools

  • A Google account.
  • A desktop or laptop with a modern web browser.
  • Access to AI Mode in Google Search (and Canvas, if available in your region).
  • Access to Google Flights and Flight Deals.
  • A stable internet connection.

Materials

  • Your trip idea (where you want to go).
  • Travel dates or at least a rough time frame.
  • Budget range for flights and hotels.
  • Any must-see places, food types, or activities.
  • Payment method ready for bookings (when you reach that step).

Before You Start

Some AI features only work in certain places right now. For example:

  • Travel planning with Canvas in AI Mode is on desktop and currently rolling out in the U.S. for people who joined the AI Mode experiment in Search Labs.
  • Flight Deals is expanding to more than 200 countries and territories and supports over 60 languages.
  • Agent-style AI booking for restaurants is rolling out in the U.S. in AI Mode. Booking for event tickets and local appointments may still require Labs access and is available only in some regions.

Also keep these points in mind:

  • You may need to opt into Search Labs or turn on AI Mode in your Google account.
  • AI can make mistakes. Always double-check dates, prices, names, and locations before you pay.
  • Have a backup plan in case a flight or hotel sells out while you are deciding.

Once you are set, you can start using Google AI to plan your trip.

Step-by-Step Instructions

First, you need to use AI Mode, which is Google’s more powerful search mode.

  • Go to Google in your browser and sign in with your Google account.
  • Look for an “AI Mode” tab or button in Search. In some places, this may appear as a dedicated AI tab in the Google app or on desktop.
  • If you do not see AI Mode, visit Search Labs and check if you can join the AI Mode experiment.
  • Turn on AI Mode if needed by following the on-screen steps.

Once AI Mode is on, you can ask it complex travel questions, not just simple searches.

Step 2: Start a new travel plan with Canvas

Canvas is a space inside AI Mode where you can build and save plans over time.

  • In AI Mode, type a prompt like:
    • “Help me plan a 5-day family trip to London in April.”
    • “Plan a solo beach trip to Bali for one week under $1200.”
  • Describe:
    • Where you want to go.
    • When you want to travel.
    • Your budget and style (budget, mid-range, luxury).
    • Any key interests (museums, hiking, food, nightlife).
  • When the AI responds, look for an option like “Create Canvas” or “Create with Canvas.”
  • Click it to open the side panel. This will hold your evolving travel plan.

Canvas now becomes your main planning board.

Step 3: Explore the AI-made itinerary in Canvas

AI Mode will build a draft plan inside Canvas.

You will likely see:

  • Suggested days and activities, grouped by time of day.
  • Flight and hotel options pulled from real-time Search data.
  • Details from Google Maps, such as:
    • Photos of places.
    • Ratings and reviews.
    • Travel times between spots.

Take a few minutes to read through the plan:

  • Check if the number of days matches your trip.
  • See if the activities fit your group (kids, seniors, solo).
  • Notice how the plan tries to keep travel times short between stops.

This is only a starting point. You can now shape it to match your needs.

Step 4: Refine your plan with follow-up questions

The real power of AI Mode comes from follow-up prompts.

Type simple questions directly in the Canvas panel, for example:

  • “Make this trip more kid-friendly with fewer late-night activities.”
  • “Add more free or low-cost activities to stay under my budget.”
  • “Suggest hotels closer to this museum but still near good food.”
  • “Swap day 3 and day 4 so I can rest earlier.”

You can also ask about trade-offs:

  • “Compare these two hotels on price, location, and reviews.”
  • “Should I stay closer to the airport or the city center?”

Each time you ask, Canvas will update the plan. You can stop and come back later through your AI Mode history.

Step 5: Use Flight Deals to find cheap flights

Next, you can find flights that match your dates and budget using Flight Deals in Google Flights.

  • Open Google and search for “Google Flights” or go to the Google Flights page.
  • Look for the Flight Deals option.
  • Type a natural request, such as:
    • “Find cheap flights from New York to Paris in March, one-week stay.”
    • “Show me affordable ski trip flights in January from Toronto.”
  • Flight Deals will:
    • Understand your request in plain language.
    • Use AI and real-time flight data to show cheap routes.
    • Highlight different airports and dates that can save money.

From here:

  • Adjust filters for:
    • Number of stops.
    • Airlines.
    • Times of day.
  • When you see a good option, save or select it. You can reflect it back into your Canvas plan by updating your dates and flights in your notes.

Step 6: Compare hotels, food, and activities with Maps info

Now, fine-tune where you will stay and what you will do.

Inside Canvas and AI Mode:

  • Ask for hotel options that match your budget and style:
    • “Find 3 mid-range hotels in central Rome near public transport.”
    • “Show hotels with free breakfast and family rooms near this park.”
  • AI Mode will:
    • Pull hotel information, prices, and amenities.
    • Show photos and reviews from Google Maps.
    • Suggest areas with easy access to sights or food.

For food and activities:

  • Ask:
    • “Add two brunch spots near my hotel with great reviews.”
    • “Find a scenic hike within one hour of my hotel.”
    • “Plan an evening food walk with highly rated local spots.”

Use this step to balance your days:

  • Avoid too many long trips across the city in one day.
  • Mix busy days with lighter days.

Step 7: Turn your plan into bookings with AI

Once you like your plan, you can start booking some parts right from AI Mode.

For restaurants and events:

  • In AI Mode, type:
    • “Book a dinner for four near my hotel on Friday at 7pm, budget mid-range.”
    • “Find concert tickets for Saturday evening under $80 per person.”
  • AI Mode will:
    • Search across partner sites such as OpenTable, Resy, Ticketmaster, StubHub, and others.
    • Show a short list of options that match your needs.
    • Provide direct links so you can complete the booking on the partner’s site.

Before you confirm anything:

  • Double-check:
    • Dates and times.
    • Number of guests.
    • Cancellation rules.
  • Repeat this for other bookings, like spa appointments or local tours (where supported).

For flights and hotels:

  • Today, you still finish booking on partner websites, even when AI Mode helps you compare options.
  • Google is working with major travel brands so that, in the future, you can fully book flights and hotels from within AI Mode as well.

Keep your Canvas plan updated with what you’ve booked, so you always see a clear picture of your trip.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Being too vague in your first prompt
    If you only say “Plan a trip,” AI will guess a lot.
    Instead, include dates, budget, group size, and interests.

  2. Not checking if AI Mode and Canvas are available where you live
    Some features may not appear in your country yet.
    Check availability in Search Labs or AI Mode support pages before relying on them.

  3. Trusting the first option without comparing
    The first flight or hotel shown may not be the best for you.
    Use filters and ask AI to compare several options.

  4. Skipping review details
    Star ratings alone do not tell the full story.
    Read a few Google Maps review highlights, especially about noise, safety, and cleanliness.

  5. Forgetting to verify times and time zones
    Red-eye flights or long layovers can ruin a day.
    Always confirm local times, airports, and dates before you book.

  6. Assuming AI books everything for you automatically
    AI Mode often sends you to partner sites for payment.
    You still need to complete the final steps and confirm bookings yourself.

  7. Not saving your plan or coming back to it
    If you plan in a rush and never revisit, you may miss better deals.
    Return to your Canvas plan to refine it as prices or ideas change.

Tips and Best Practices

  • Talk to AI like you talk to a friend: clear but natural language works best.
  • Share must-haves and “nice-to-haves” so AI can weigh trade-offs.
  • Be flexible with dates if you want the lowest flight prices.
  • Use Canvas to keep your whole plan in one place instead of many tabs.
  • Update your plan as you book; mark what is “booked” and what is still “idea.”
  • Use Maps views in Canvas to see how far places are from each other.
  • Before big bookings, cross-check key details (names, dates, passport info).
  • If traveling with others, share your plan so everyone can give input.

Did You Know?

  • Flight Deals is rolling out to more than 200 countries and offers support for over 60 languages, so many travelers worldwide can use it.
  • Canvas in AI Mode can pull live flight and hotel data plus Google Maps reviews into one screen, helping you see both price and experience at once.
  • AI Mode’s booking features already work with large partners like major hotel groups and booking sites, with more partners being added over time.
  • You can leave a plan in Canvas, close your browser, and come back later through your AI Mode history to keep working on it.

Conclusion

You now know how to use Google AI for travel planning, from early ideas to final bookings. With AI Mode, Canvas, and Flight Deals, you can turn a simple trip wish into a clear plan.

By following these steps, you will spend less time jumping between many sites. Instead, you can see flights, hotels, sights, and food in one place, guided by real-time data and reviews.

Most of all, this process helps you plan smarter trips that fit your budget and style. Try setting up one trip with these tools today and see how much planning stress you can remove.

FAQs

Is using Google AI for travel planning free?

Yes. Using AI Mode, Canvas, and Flight Deals is free.
You may pay only when you book flights, hotels, or tickets through partner sites.

How long does it take to plan a trip with AI Mode?

Simple trips can take under 30 minutes to plan.
More complex trips with many cities may take longer as you compare options and refine your Canvas plan.

Do I need a special device to use Canvas and AI Mode?

No. You mainly need a desktop or laptop with a modern browser and a Google account.
Some features may also work in the Google app on mobile, depending on your region.

Is it safe to let AI help with bookings?

AI can help you find options and send you to trusted partner sites.
Still, you must review details and pay on secure checkout pages, just as with any online booking.

What if AI Mode or Canvas is not available in my country?

If you don’t see AI Mode orCanvas, you may need to wait until it rolls out to your region.
You can still use regular Google Flights and Maps to plan trips in the meantime.

Can Google AI plan trips for groups or families?

Yes. Just say who is coming, such as “family with two kids” or “group of six friends.”
The AI will try to suggest family-friendly activities or options that work better for groups.

References