"Should I sit on the right or the left on this bus?" 9 things I ask AI when traveling abroad

Traveling abroad is full of mysteries. No matter how many times I travel, I'm always left wondering about something.

"Should I sit on the right or left side of this bus for the best view?"
"How much should I exchange?"
"Is there a mistake in the itinerary I put together?"
"Will I stand out if I use an umbrella in this country?"
"Should I sleep now or stay awake to prevent jet lag?"

Looking things up in guidebooks, maps, and translation apps can be part of the fun of traveling, but I don't always have the energy for that. Besides, there are some minor questions where you wonder, "Is this really worth searching for?"

Lately, I've started asking generative AI about these things. Whether it's asking for advice on a problem, confirming a worry, or asking about a "What is this?" I found while walking around town. It's less about getting the perfect answer and more like having someone I can bounce questions off of at any time.

In this note, I'll summarize the things I often ask AI, divided into two categories: "When preparing for a trip abroad" and "When walking around the destination."

Preparation Edition

Itinerary Planning

Once I have a candidate country or city in mind, I start by consulting on the itinerary.

As an office worker, I often travel abroad for short periods, so I'm particularly concerned about "how many days I need to go."

If a model plan in a guidebook is 5 nights and 7 days, I usually travel for 2 nights and 3 days. I just don't have the time. So, it's also okay to ask specifically, like, "I want to leave Tokyo on Friday and be at work by Tuesday morning. Create a realistic itinerary under these conditions."

Of course, I don't expect a perfect answer from the start.

By repeating this exchange, I expand my image of the trip.

I don't necessarily adopt it as is, but it's much easier than starting from scratch.

Getting from the airport to the city

Getting from the airport to the city (hotel) is still the biggest hurdle. When I think, "I want to visit this city," before opening a guidebook, I use AI to gather some light information.

I start choosing the city and flights after confirming these points. Especially for a woman traveling alone, the travel budget and schedule change depending on the safety and travel time of the transportation.

For example, if I find out that the only safe way to get around is by taxi, I might decide, "This is a bit over budget, so I'll go to this city when I have someone to split the costs with."

If the bus from the airport runs 24 hours a day, flights arriving or departing early in the morning or late at night become options. Choosing a hotel might prioritize "proximity to the bus stop."

Double-checking and organizing the itinerary

I'm the type who wants to see as many new sights as possible while minimizing the use of paid leave, so I don't stay in one city for very long. People might find it intense, but this level of movement is standard for my trips.

With an itinerary like this, a single mistake in booking a flight or hotel can be a disaster. I use AI to do a quick check like this.

Next, I give the following instructions to have it organized into a format that is easy for me to check myself.

The more travel involved, the more tedious the organizing and checking process becomes. To lighten that burden, I proceed with arrangements using the following steps.

▼ Click here for the "Travel Guide"

Local money and payment situations

I often ask AI about local money and payment situations because they are constantly being updated.

It's a different story for countries that use dollars or euros, but for countries with other currencies, you need to be especially careful. After all, it's a problem if you don't have enough cash, but it's also a problem if you have too much left over.

The idea is to gather information first, then think, "Okay, how much cash should I carry?"

Choosing clothes and belongings

Choosing clothes is also something that works well with AI.

AI knows my wardrobe and also knows information like, "I'm a backpacker traveling with only carry-on luggage. I want to reduce my luggage, but I get cold easily and sweat easily, so I need extra cold-weather gear and changes of clothes."

With that in mind, I ask questions like this.

Sometimes I ask quite specific questions like this.

Communication

When abroad, my personal rule is to greet people in the local language.

I have AI teach me these four phrases and their pronunciation. I make a note of them, set it as my smartphone lock screen, and cheat when necessary.

Overseas, actions that are taken for granted in Japan might be interpreted in unexpected ways. Asking things like "Tell me what gestures I should avoid" or "What should I be careful about when riding trains or buses?" helps prevent trouble.

Local Edition

Dining, restaurants, and choosing souvenirs

AI is also reliable when it comes to understanding the local dining scene.

In countries where I can't read the script at all, such as Russian-speaking or Arabic-speaking regions, I also use photos. I have the AI look at a photo of an entire supermarket shelf and ask, "Which products are locally produced?" or "Which one is yogurt and which one is milk?" and I get an answer in an instant.

How to spend time to prevent jet lag

On long-haul flights, I sometimes ask, "Given this flight schedule, when should I sleep to minimize jet lag?"

If I provide the departure and arrival locations, as well as the departure and arrival times, it will give me advice based on the time difference. This kind of calculation is a hassle, so it's quietly helpful.

Ask about everything you see in front of you, like "What is this?"

When I'm there, I just ask about everything.

It's not just for when I'm in trouble. If I'm walking around town and think, "What is this?", I ask right then and there, partly to keep a record.

[Trouble]

[Curiosities]

Two reasons to keep "one thread per trip"

When traveling, I create a thread dedicated to that trip and keep using the same one for all interactions.

There are two reasons for this.

1. You get the answers you want immediately

Since it understands my movements, I don't need to explain the premise, like "I'm in Ulaanbaatar right now, and my hotel is here..."

Time is precious when traveling, and I don't want to be standing on the side of the road with my phone in my hand. In that respect, an AI that understands everything makes things faster.

2. A travel log is created automatically

Reading this thread back after returning home is quite interesting.

I take photos and write a diary while traveling. However, interactions with AI record smaller events and thoughts that don't end up in those. It's funny to look back and think, "I was worried about things like that while traveling?"

Things to ask AI, things not to ask

Of course, I don't trust AI's answers completely.

For information where mistakes could be problematic, such as entry requirements or airport bus timetables, I check multiple sources. My criteria are fairly simple: 'If I get this wrong, can I laugh about it later?' If I can laugh about it, I trust the AI's answer.

When traveling alone, there is no one to consult by saying, 'I'm in this situation right now, what do you think?' That's why, even today, I find myself asking AI things that seem trivial but are actually quite important to me, like, 'Should I sit on the right or left side of this bus for the best view?'