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AI Travel Index / October 2026

Who AI recommends in Cape Town

What ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews told travellers asking about Cape Town, asked from South Africa. The squares show which assistants named each business.

CChatGPTGGeminiPPerplexityAGoogle AI Overviews

Hotels

31 businesses named; 68% by only one assistant

  1. One&Only Cape TownCGPA
  2. Cape GraceCGPA
  3. Mount Nelson, A Belmond HotelCGPA
  4. The Silo HotelCGPA
  5. The Bay HotelCGPA
  6. Ellerman HouseCGPA
  7. Gorgeous GeorgeCGPA
  8. South Beach Camps Bay Boutique HotelCGPA

Sources cited: google.com, cntraveler.com, tripadvisor.com, hotels.com

Asked: “What are the best hotels in Cape Town?” and “Where should I stay in Cape Town for a first visit?”

Restaurants

32 businesses named; 69% by only one assistant

  1. Kloof Street HouseCGPA
  2. Bo-Kaap KombuisCGPA
  3. Salsify at the RoundhouseCGPA
  4. BiesmiellahCGPA
  5. FYN RestaurantCGPA
  6. GOLD RestaurantCGPA
  7. Karibu RestaurantCGPA
  8. La ColombeCGPA

Sources cited: google.com, yoco.com, insideguide.co.za, midnightblueelephant.com

Asked: “What are the best restaurants in Cape Town?” and “Where should I eat in Cape Town for local food?”

Things to do

45 businesses named; 87% by only one assistant

  1. Boulders BeachCGPA
  2. Chapman's Peak DriveCGPA
  3. Kirstenbosch National Botanical GardenCGPA
  4. Two Oceans AquariumCGPA
  5. V&A WaterfrontCGPA
  6. Zeitz MOCAACGPA
  7. Atlantic Outlook Kayak TourCGPA
  8. Bo-KaapCGPA

Sources cited: google.com, tripadvisor.com, viator.com, tripadvisor.co.za

Asked: “What are the best things to do in Cape Town?” and “Which tours in Cape Town are worth booking?”

Tours and day trips

39 businesses named; 77% by only one assistant

  1. GetYourGuideCGPA
  2. ViatorCGPA
  3. Cape Town Day ToursCGPA
  4. Discover Africa SafarisCGPA
  5. Franschhoek Wine TramCGPA
  6. Hylton Ross Exclusive TouringCGPA
  7. SafariLifeCGPA
  8. The Cape Town Tour Guide CoCGPA

Sources cited: tripadvisor.com, wanderer.capetown, safaribookings.com, hyltonross.co.za

Asked: “Best day trips from Cape Town and who to book with?” and “Which tour companies are best for a trip to Cape Town?”

Airport transfers

17 businesses named; 65% by only one assistant

  1. BoltCGPA
  2. UberCGPA
  3. MyCiTiCGPA
  4. BlacklaneCGPA
  5. SIXT rideCGPA
  6. Citi ShuttlesCGPA
  7. ACSVCGPA
  8. Airport ShuttleCGPA

Sources cited: thecapetownblog.com, viator.com, airports.co.za, capetowninternationalairport.co.za

Asked: “What is the best way to get from the airport to central Cape Town?” and “Which airport transfer service should I use in Cape Town?”

eSIMs and mobile data

22 businesses named; 59% by only one assistant

  1. AiraloCGPA
  2. MTNCGPA
  3. VodacomCGPA
  4. HolaflyCGPA
  5. UberCGPA
  6. SailyCGPA
  7. UbigiCGPA
  8. NomadCGPA

Sources cited: traveltomtom.net, safariesim.com, nomadwise.io, yesim.app

Asked: “What is the best way to get mobile data as a tourist in Cape Town?” and “Which eSIM should I buy for a trip to Cape Town?”

Travel insurance

26 businesses named; 65% by only one assistant

  1. Allianz Travel InsuranceCGPA
  2. World NomadsCGPA
  3. HollardCGPA
  4. MediclinicCGPA
  5. NetcareCGPA
  6. SafetyWingCGPA
  7. SantamCGPA
  8. Allianz Global AssistanceCGPA

Sources cited: alpacabag.app, allianztravelinsurance.com, wise.com, holidayextras.com

Asked: “Best travel insurance for visiting Cape Town?” and “Which travel insurance should I get for a trip to Cape Town?”

Airlines

21 businesses named; 24% by only one assistant

  1. AirlinkCGPA
  2. FlySafairCGPA
  3. EmiratesCGPA
  4. Qatar AirwaysCGPA
  5. British AirwaysCGPA
  6. LIFTCGPA
  7. South African AirwaysCGPA
  8. Virgin AtlanticCGPA

Sources cited: vistavoyage.co.za, capetourism.com, expedia.com, skyscanner.com

Asked: “What is the best airline to fly into Cape Town?” and “Which airline is best for flying to Cape Town?”

Other cities

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How we ran it

On 10 October 2026 we asked ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews the same 320 travel questions: two for each of 8 topics in each of 20 cities, worded the way travellers ask.

Each question was asked from the city’s own country, through the assistant itself where possible (Perplexity through its API with web search). Google does not show an AI Overview for every search, so a few questions have three answers instead of four.

We recorded every answer in full and listed the businesses each one named. Landmarks, neighbourhoods and public places are not counted. Different spellings of the same business are merged.

This shows what the assistants said that day, not our own ranking. Answers change, so we ask the same questions again every month and keep every answer.

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