7 ways to travel smarter this summer, with help from Google
1. Build a custom trip plan with AI Mode in Search
AI Mode in Search can transform your research into a cohesive travel plan. Just head to AI Mode and select the Canvas tool from the plus (+) menu. Describe your ideal trip, and AI Mode will craft a custom itinerary in the Canvas side panel, including options for flights and hotels, as well as local attractions laid out on a map.
To refine your plan further, ask follow-up questions until it has exactly what you need. If you want to take a break from planning, AI Mode saves your progress automatically — just open your AI Mode history to pick up where you left off. Travel planning with Canvas in AI Mode is available for everyone in the U.S.
2. Save money with hotel price tracking on Search
You can already track hotel prices at the city level, and now you can track individual hotels as well. To get started on desktop, head to Search, look up a specific hotel by name, then tap the new price tracking toggle. On mobile, find the price tracking option under the Prices tab after searching. You’ll receive an email alert if rates change significantly during your chosen dates, so you can take advantage of those price drops.
Price tracking for individual hotels is now available globally for signed-in users in English and Spanish.
3. Let Google take the hassle out of booking restaurants
Trying local cuisine? With agentic capabilities in AI Mode and Ask Maps, you can focus on the food instead. Just describe your needs and preferences—like a table for five next Saturday at a place with Cuban food and live music—and we’ll search across multiple reservation platforms to find real-time availability for options that meet your criteria.
You’ll see a curated list of choices, including direct links to finalize your booking through partners like OpenTable and Resy. Agentic booking for restaurants is available on AI Mode in the U.S., and recently expanded to several more countries, including the U.K., India, Canada, and Australia.
4. Ask Google to call nearby stores for last-minute shopping
Need something but don’t have time to order online? Google can call local stores on your behalf to see who carries what you need, including relevant deals. This tool was launched directly on Search in November and is rolling out to AI Mode in the U.S. soon.
To use this feature, describe what you’re looking for “near me”—for example, “I forgot to pack my prescription sunglasses; I’m trying to find a pair of clip-on polarized ones that fit over my current glasses. Where can I get some nearby?” Our Gemini models and Duplex technology will make the calls and send you details shortly after.
5. Translate and communicate with confidence
The Google Translate app and our latest update for live translation now make it easy to connect with the world around you by providing real-time translations through any pair of headphones. With 70+ languages supported, this makes navigating new places a breeze.
6. Ask Maps for the best stops on your summer trips
Summertime exploration is easier than ever with Ask Maps, a new conversational experience powered by Gemini models that gives you answers to questions a map could never answer before. For example, if you want to go camping over the Fourth of July but still need access to amenities like clean bathrooms and food, you can ask for a list of campsites with those features.
Ask Maps analyzes fresh information from Maps to give you all the details you need, including insider tips from our community of 500 million contributors. You’ll see lists of campsites along with their amenities on site, like hot showers and parking. The tool is available for everyone in the U.S. and India on Android, iOS, and desktop.
7. Make airport travel easier with Google Wallet
To make your airport trip smoother, save your boarding pass to Google Wallet on Android to get live flight updates—like delays or gate changes—right on your lock screen. Plus, skip frantically searching for a physical ID by securely creating a digital one at supported TSA checkpoints.
Key Takeaways
- AI Mode in Search can craft custom itineraries and save your progress automatically.
- Price tracking for individual hotels is now available globally, including the U.K., India, Canada, and Australia.
- The Google Translate app makes real-time translations through any pair of headphones easy.
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