Here are five simple “codes” you can type into ChatGPT to make travel planning easier.

/layover — make the most of a short stop

Got several hours between flights? Type /layover, followed by your flight number and the amount of time you have. ChatGPT can help build a mini-itinerary around the available window, including what you can realistically see, how much time to allow for getting into the city and when you should leave to return to the airport. For current flight or airport information, ask it to search the web rather than relying only on general information. ChatGPT can search for up-to-date information and cite its sources.

/hidden-gems — move beyond the usual tourist spots

Type /hidden-gems followed by a city name and ask ChatGPT to skip the standard tourist attractions. It can suggest neighbourhoods, smaller restaurants, local markets, independent cafés, walks and other less obvious places that may give you a different feel for the destination. You can make the prompt more specific by adding what you enjoy, such as food, photography, history or nightlife.

/packing — build a trip-specific packing list

Instead of asking for a generic holiday packing list, type /packing and give ChatGPT your destination, travel dates, trip length and plans. If current web information is available, it can check the latest weather forecast and use that alongside your activities to suggest what to pack. This can help avoid carrying a heavy jacket for a warm trip or forgetting rain gear during a wet-weather holiday. ChatGPT can use web search for current information and image/file inputs when needed.

/translate-menu — decode an unfamiliar menu

Have no idea what a restaurant menu says? Upload a photo and use /translate-menu. ChatGPT can analyse an uploaded image and translate the items, explain unfamiliar ingredients and help you understand what each dish is likely to contain. You can also ask it to point out vegetarian, spicy, seafood or other options according to your preferences. ChatGPT supports image analysis and translation between languages.

/seat-hack — find a better seat

Type /seat-hack along with your airline and flight number and ask ChatGPT to help identify the better seats on that particular aircraft. It can look at the aircraft layout and explain which available seats may offer advantages such as extra legroom, a better location or fewer drawbacks. However, seat availability changes constantly, so travellers should provide the latest seat map or ask ChatGPT to check current information where available. It is also worth remembering that ChatGPT cannot guarantee that a particular seat will remain open when you check in.

These are just a few examples. There are plenty of other ways to turn ChatGPT into a travel assistant, from researching local transport and comparing neighbourhoods to translating signs and checking the latest travel information. The key is to give it specific details about your trip and, where information can change, ask it to search the web and show its sources.