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The transit planner helps you map point-to-point routes using public transportation and save them to your trip.

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Features

Google Maps integration

Fetch real transit options with times and transfers

Manual entry

Add routes without API lookup

Day-linked routing

Associate routes with specific trip days

Visual preview

Embedded or static map for each route

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How transit routing works

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Step 1: Enter route details

Specify:
  • Day: Which day of your trip (e.g. Day 3)
  • From: Origin (autocomplete via Google Places)
  • To: Destination (autocomplete via Google Places)
  • Time filter: “Leave at” or “Arrive by”
  • Time: Specific departure or arrival time (optional)
If no time is set, the search defaults to 9:00 AM on the selected trip day.
Transit searches use the trip start date + day index to calculate the exact date and weekday. This ensures route suggestions reflect real schedules.

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Step 2: View suggestions

The platform calls Google Directions API and returns up to 3 transit options, sorted by duration. API request: 
{
  "origin": "Berlin Hauptbahnhof",
  "destination": "Dresden Hauptbahnhof",
  "day_index": 2,
  "departure_time": "2026-06-16T09:00"
}
Response: 
{
  "ok": true,
  "data": [
    {
      "summaryLabel": "ICE 1556 + S-Bahn",
      "durationMinutes": 132,
      "estimatedCost": 45.5,
      "currency": "EUR",
      "transfers": 1,
      "walkingMinutes": 8,
      "departureTimeLocal": "2026-06-16T09:00:00",
      "arrivalTimeLocal": "2026-06-16T11:12:00",
      "providerRouteRef": "encoded_polyline_string",
      "mode": "rail"
    }
  ]
}
Cost estimates may be unavailable for some routes. When estimatedCost is null, the UI shows “Fare unavailable”.

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Step 3: Save or edit

You can:
  • Save selected route: One-click save with all details auto-filled
  • Use manual entry: Switch to manual mode to adjust duration, cost, mode, or notes

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Transit modes

  • Subway: Metro and underground systems
  • Bus: Local and long-distance buses
  • Tram: Streetcars and light rail
  • Rail: Trains (regional, intercity, high-speed)
  • Ferry: Water transport
  • Walk + Transit: Mixed walking and public transport
  • Other: Any other mode
The mode is auto-detected from Google’s response or manually selected.

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Manual entry fields

  • Day: Trip day (1 to totalDays)
  • From / To: Origin and destination labels
  • Mode: Transit type
  • Duration: Travel time in minutes
  • Estimated cost: Fare (0 or higher)
  • Currency: ISO code (e.g. USD, EUR)
  • Departure time: Local datetime
  • Arrival time: Local datetime
  • Transfers: Number of connections
  • Walking minutes: Time spent walking
  • Reference link: URL to route info
  • Notes: Stop details, platform numbers, payment info
Use manual entry when you have confirmed transit tickets or need to save a route not available via Google Maps (e.g. private shuttle).

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Saved routes display

Routes are grouped by day and sorted by departure time. Each saved route shows:
  • From → To with departure and arrival times
  • Badge indicating source (Google Maps or Manual)
  • Mode, duration, cost, and transfers
  • Reference link (if provided)
  • Actions: Preview, Edit, Delete
Example: 
Day 2 (Thursday)

Berlin Hauptbahnhof → Dresden Hauptbahnhof
9:00 AM → 11:12 AM
[Google Maps]

Rail • 132 min • EUR 45.50 • Transfers: 1

[Preview] [Edit] [Delete]

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Route map preview

Click “Preview” on any saved route to load the map. The platform shows:
  1. Static map (if providerRouteRef polyline is available): Rendered route line on Google Static Maps
  2. Embedded directions (fallback): Google Maps Embed with transit mode
Static map URL: 
https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?size=900x520&key=YOUR_KEY&path=weight:5|color:0x1e88e5|enc:POLYLINE_STRING
Embed URL: 
https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/directions?key=YOUR_KEY&origin=Berlin+Hauptbahnhof&destination=Dresden+Hauptbahnhof&mode=transit
Map preview requires NEXT_PUBLIC_GOOGLE_MAPS_EMBED_API_KEY in your environment. Without it, the platform shows a “Map key missing” alert.

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Bulk import from notes

Paste route pairs in the bulk text area to quickly import multiple routes: Format: 
Berlin - Dresden
Dresden - Prague
Prague - Vienna
The parser detects lines matching LOCATION - LOCATION and creates manual routes with:
  • Mode: Other
  • Duration: 60 minutes (default)
  • Cost: 0 (default)
  • Day: Currently selected day
You can edit each imported route afterward.
Include URLs in your bulk text. The parser associates the nearest URL with each route as a reference link.

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API configuration

Transit routing requires:
  • GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY (or NEXT_PUBLIC_GOOGLE_MAPS_EMBED_API_KEY) for route suggestions
  • NEXT_PUBLIC_GOOGLE_MAPS_EMBED_API_KEY for map preview
Without these keys:
  • Route suggestions return a 503 error
  • Map preview shows a configuration alert
  • Manual entry still works

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Example saved route object

{
  "id": "uuid-1234",
  "tripId": "trip-uuid",
  "dayIndex": 2,
  "fromLabel": "Berlin Hauptbahnhof",
  "toLabel": "Dresden Hauptbahnhof",
  "mode": "rail",
  "durationMinutes": 132,
  "departureTimeLocal": "2026-06-16T09:00:00",
  "arrivalTimeLocal": "2026-06-16T11:12:00",
  "estimatedCost": 45.5,
  "currency": "EUR",
  "provider": "google_maps",
  "providerRouteRef": "encoded_polyline_here",
  "transfers": 1,
  "walkingMinutes": 8,
  "notes": "Platform 12. Buy ticket at DB counter.",
  "referenceUrl": "https://www.bahn.com/en/booking",
  "createdAt": "2026-05-01T10:00:00Z",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-01T10:00:00Z"
}

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Validation

The platform validates:
  • From and To must be different locations
  • Day must be between 1 and trip total days
  • Duration must be greater than 0
  • Cost must be 0 or higher
  • Arrival time cannot be earlier than departure time
Invalid routes cannot be saved.

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