Google AI Mode auto‑creates Canvas itineraries with flights, hotels and activities
When I tried Google’s newest AI Mode update, the assistant stopped acting like a chat bot and turned into a sort of visual planner. Instead of opening a dozen tabs, the tool drops everything onto a single Canvas: flight times, a handful of hotels and a few activity ideas all lined up. It seems aimed at anyone who wants a quick snapshot of a trip without juggling apps.
The tech looks slick, but I can’t help wondering how much control you really have when the AI drafts the whole itinerary. Can you tweak the suggestions on the spot, or are you stuck with the first version? The rollout promises a smoother experience, yet it also leans on the AI to read vague prompts and spit out concrete options.
That tug-of-war between automation and user input feels worth a closer look.
Your AI Mode trip plan shows up as a Canvas itinerary with flight and hotel choices plus suggested activities. You can shape the plan with follow-up questions, ask for hotels filtered by price and amenities, or request activities based on your interests.
Your AI Mode trip plan is auto-generated in a Canvas itinerary with flight and hotel options as well as suggested activities. You can refine the plan it develops with follow-up questions or additional requests, like requesting hotel suggestions based on pricing and amenities, or activities based on travel time. Users in the US will now have access to travel planning with Canvas on desktop if they've opted into AI Mode in Labs, with the drafted plans stored in the AI Mode's history.
The Canvas feature launched in March as a dynamic workspace for Gemini that could display real-time coding output or other information, like continuously-updating study plans, and has since expanded to become a part of AI Mode in Search. Google announced trip planning features for Gemini last year, but this pulls them closer to all of the people who use its search engine, which probably isn't good news for other travel companies like Kayak and Expedia, which are also building their own AI-powered features. Google is also expanding the types of activities that can be agentically booked with AI Mode.
Google’s new AI Mode lets you type a place, click “Create with Canvas,” and a side-panel pops up with flight times, a handful of hotels and some activity ideas. The suggestions come with photos and reviews straight from Maps, so you get a quick visual feel. You can then ask for cheaper rooms, specific amenities or activities that match a hobby - the chat keeps the conversation going.
It looks like the system pulls everything together on its own, but the article skips over how it decides which options to show or how it juggles competing preferences. I’m not sure whether the prices and availability are up to the minute, or how much back-and-forth you’ll need before the plan feels solid. Because it leans on Google’s own data, it could shave a lot of early research time, yet some people might question how truly personalized the results are.
In reality, you’ll probably still double-check flight times and hotel rates before you hit “book”; for now the tool feels more like a helpful sketch than a finished travel itinerary.
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Common Questions Answered
How does Google’s AI Mode use Canvas to present flight, hotel, and activity options in a single view?
AI Mode automatically generates a Canvas itinerary that consolidates flight schedules, hotel choices, and activity suggestions into one visual panel. The layout pulls photos and reviews from Maps, giving users an at-a-glance snapshot without needing to open multiple tabs or apps.
What customization options does the AI Mode itinerary offer after the initial auto‑generated plan?
Users can refine the auto‑generated plan by asking follow‑up questions, such as requesting cheaper hotels, filtering by specific amenities, or tailoring activities to match travel time or personal interests. Each request updates the Canvas in real time, allowing iterative adjustments.
Who can currently access the AI Mode travel planning feature on desktop, and what prerequisite must they meet?
The feature is available to users in the United States who have opted into AI Mode through the Labs settings. Once enabled, the drafted itineraries are stored in the AI Mode history for later reference.
What sources does the AI Mode Canvas itinerary pull data from to populate flight, hotel, and activity recommendations?
The Canvas pulls flight information, hotel listings, and activity ideas directly from Google’s own services, including Maps for photos and user reviews. This integration ensures that the suggestions are up‑to‑date and visually rich.