AI Travel Index / October 2026
Who AI recommends in Istanbul
What ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews told travellers asking about Istanbul, asked from Turkey. The squares show which assistants named each business.
CChatGPTGGeminiPPerplexityAGoogle AI Overviews
Hotels
- Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at SultanahmetCGPA
- 10 Karaköy IstanbulCGPA
- The Peninsula IstanbulCGPA
- AJWA SultanahmetCGPA
- Centro WestSide by Rotana HotelCGPA
- Ciragan Palace Kempinski IstanbulCGPA
- Conrad Istanbul BosphorusCGPA
- Crowne Plaza Istanbul Florya by IHGCGPA
Sources cited: google.com, expedia.com, hotels.com, tripadvisor.com
Asked: “What are the best hotels in Istanbul?” and “Where should I stay in Istanbul for a first visit?”
Restaurants
- Çiya SofrasıCGPA
- Karaköy LokantasıCGPA
- MiklaCGPA
- NeolokalCGPA
- TURK Fatih TutakCGPA
- PandeliCGPA
- Balıkçı SabahattinCGPA
- Kanaat LokantasıCGPA
Sources cited: istanbul.com, goatsontheroad.com, tripadvisor.com, lepetitchef.com
Asked: “What are the best restaurants in Istanbul?” and “Where should I eat in Istanbul for local food?”
Things to do
- Basilica CisternCGPA
- Blue MosqueCGPA
- Cağaloğlu HamamıCGPA
- Classic Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing CruiseCGPA
- Fener & Balat Cultural Walking ToursCGPA
- Galata BridgeCGPA
- Galata TowerCGPA
- GetYourGuideCGPA
Sources cited: youtube.com, my-travelmonkey.com, topkapipalace-tours.com, bloggeratlarge.com
Asked: “What are the best things to do in Istanbul?” and “Which tours in Istanbul are worth booking?”
Tours and day trips
- GetYourGuideCGPA
- ViatorCGPA
- Guided Istanbul ToursCGPA
- Intrepid TravelCGPA
- WithlocalsCGPA
- Şehir HatlarıCGPA
- TripAdvisorCGPA
- Abercrombie & KentCGPA
Sources cited: tripadvisor.com, myturkeyadventure.com, viator.com, goatsontheroad.com
Asked: “Best day trips from Istanbul and who to book with?” and “Which tour companies are best for a trip to Istanbul?”
Airport transfers
- HavaistCGPA
- HAVABUSCGPA
- M11 metroCGPA
- M4 metroCGPA
- BiTaksiCGPA
- HavabüsCGPA
- Rento TransferCGPA
- Cab IstanbulCGPA
Sources cited: rentotransfer.com, istanbul.com, viator.com, tripadvisor.com
Asked: “What is the best way to get from the airport to central Istanbul?” and “Which airport transfer service should I use in Istanbul?”
eSIMs and mobile data
- AiraloCGPA
- TurkcellCGPA
- HolaflyCGPA
- Türk TelekomCGPA
- SailyCGPA
- SooviaCGPA
- VodafoneCGPA
- eSIM4CGPA
Sources cited: simbye.com, soovia.com, traveltomtom.net, cybernews.com
Asked: “What is the best way to get mobile data as a tourist in Istanbul?” and “Which eSIM should I buy for a trip to Istanbul?”
Travel insurance
- Allianz TravelCGPA
- World NomadsCGPA
- IMGCGPA
- SafetyWingCGPA
- Squaremouth Travel InsuranceCGPA
- WorldTripsCGPA
- AcıbademCGPA
- Allianz SigortaCGPA
Sources cited: squaremouth.com, max-haase.com, payingtoomuch.com, allianztravelinsurance.com
Asked: “Best travel insurance for visiting Istanbul?” and “Which travel insurance should I get for a trip to Istanbul?”
Airlines
- Pegasus AirlinesCGPA
- Turkish AirlinesCGPA
- LufthansaCGPA
- British AirwaysCGPA
- Qatar AirwaysCGPA
- KLMCGPA
- EmiratesCGPA
- FlightConnectionsCGPA
Sources cited: travelseason.com, expedia.com, kayak.com, momondo.com
Asked: “What is the best airline to fly into Istanbul?” and “Which airline is best for flying to Istanbul?”
Other cities
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.
Is your business in the answer?
The free AI check shows whether ChatGPT names your business when customers ask, who it names instead, and three things to fix first. No card needed.