Google is stepping up its travel planning game with a suite of new features aimed at making the process easier and more efficient for users. As of March 28, 2025, the tech giant has integrated its Gemini AI capabilities into various services, including Google Maps and Search, enhancing how travelers can organize their trips.
One of the standout features is the AI-powered screenshot tool in Google Maps. This innovative addition allows users to save and organize locations directly from their screenshots. Many travelers often take screenshots of places, itineraries, or recommendations but may forget them later. With this new feature, Gemini AI scans users’ screenshots to identify locations, enabling them to compile a list of potential destinations. Once the locations are organized, they can easily be accessed and highlighted on Google Maps, making it simpler for users to plan their journeys.
The screenshot feature is currently rolling out first to iOS users in the United States, with Android support expected to follow soon. Users must enable the feature in the app to take advantage of this functionality, which promises to streamline travel planning significantly.
In addition to the screenshot tool, Google is enhancing its AI Overviews in Search. This allows users to plan trips not just to specific cities but also to entire districts or countries. For instance, if a user searches for "create an itinerary for Costa Rica with a focus on nature," the AI will generate a comprehensive itinerary complete with sightseeing and dining options. This feature is designed to eliminate the hassle of manually creating travel schedules, allowing users to focus more on enjoying their trips.
Moreover, the search results will now include rich visual content such as photos and videos, offering a more immersive experience compared to the previous text-heavy formats. This enhancement aims to inspire users and provide them with a better sense of what to expect from their destinations.
Google is also expanding the AI Overviews feature in Lens to support more languages, including Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. This will allow a broader audience to benefit from the insights provided by the AI, making it easier to understand places or objects by simply scanning them with the Lens camera.
Another exciting addition is the hotel price tracking feature, which is now available globally. Users can receive email alerts for price drops on hotels based on their searched locations and travel dates. This feature mirrors the flight tracking capabilities introduced in previous years, making it easier for travelers to find the best deals on accommodations.
To utilize this feature, users simply need to visit google.com/hotels, where they can toggle the price tracking option below the search filters. Once set up, Google will notify them via email if prices drop, ensuring they never miss out on a good deal.
Furthermore, Google has made its Gems feature available to all users, even those without paid subscriptions. This allows Gemini to function as a personal trip planner, offering tailored travel advice and tips. Users can create their own personal trip planners, using AI to help them navigate their travel plans effectively.
As travel planning can often be overwhelming, especially for those venturing to new destinations, these new features from Google aim to simplify the process. By integrating AI into the travel planning experience, Google is not only enhancing user convenience but also encouraging more people to explore the world.
In summary, Google’s latest updates reflect a significant step forward in travel technology. With tools designed to streamline itinerary creation, enhance visual content, and track hotel prices, the tech giant is positioning itself as a key player in the travel planning space. As these features roll out, users can look forward to a more organized and enjoyable travel experience.
Are you planning to use any of these new Google and Gemini travel features for your upcoming trips? Let us know in the comments!
