Vasukai

AI Travel Index / October 2026

Who AI recommends in Sydney

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

CChatGPTGGeminiPPerplexityAGoogle AI Overviews

Hotels

23 businesses named; 70% by only one assistant

  1. Four Seasons Hotel SydneyCGPA
  2. Capella SydneyCGPA
  3. The Langham, SydneyCGPA
  4. Park Hyatt SydneyCGPA
  5. Shangri-La SydneyCGPA
  6. QT SydneyCGPA
  7. W SydneyCGPA
  8. Google HotelsCGPA

Sources cited: google.com, cathaypacific.com, forbes.com, cntraveler.com

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

Restaurants

42 businesses named; 86% by only one assistant

  1. BennelongCGPA
  2. BillsCGPA
  3. Bourke Street BakeryCGPA
  4. Saint PeterCGPA
  5. Fish at The RocksCGPA
  6. Midden by Mark OliveCGPA
  7. FiredoorCGPA
  8. Aria Restaurant SydneyCGPA

Sources cited: google.com, sydney.com, wakeup.com.au, asklocals.com

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

Things to do

49 businesses named; 88% by only one assistant

  1. Sydney Opera HouseCGPA
  2. Scenic WorldCGPA
  3. Taronga ZooCGPA
  4. BridgeClimb SydneyCGPA
  5. Art Gallery of NSWCGPA
  6. SEA LIFE Sydney AquariumCGPA
  7. Opera BarCGPA
  8. Art Gallery of New South WalesCGPA

Sources cited: sydney.com, timeout.com, klook.com, tripadvisor.com.au

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

Tours and day trips

55 businesses named; 84% by only one assistant

  1. Anderson's ToursCGPA
  2. ViatorCGPA
  3. TripadvisorCGPA
  4. Bonza Bike ToursCGPA
  5. AAT KingsCGPA
  6. FJ ToursCGPA
  7. GetYourGuideCGPA
  8. Jervis Bay WildCGPA

Sources cited: brightontours.com.au, viator.com, snaphappytravel.com, trip.com

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

Airport transfers

23 businesses named; 78% by only one assistant

  1. Airport LinkCGPA
  2. UberCGPA
  3. OpalCGPA
  4. DiDiCGPA
  5. KlookCGPA
  6. Sydney AirportCGPA
  7. 13cabs SydneyCGPA
  8. Airport Link TrainCGPA

Sources cited: sydneyairport.com.au, hughes.com.au, klook.com, bark.com

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

eSIMs and mobile data

22 businesses named; 41% by only one assistant

  1. OptusCGPA
  2. TelstraCGPA
  3. HolaflyCGPA
  4. AiraloCGPA
  5. Sim LocalCGPA
  6. 7-ElevenCGPA
  7. amaysimCGPA
  8. ColesCGPA

Sources cited: traveltomtom.net, simcorner.com, jetpacglobal.com, helloroam.com

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

Travel insurance

31 businesses named; 81% by only one assistant

  1. Cover-MoreCGPA
  2. AllianzCGPA
  3. FinderCGPA
  4. World NomadsCGPA
  5. 1CoverCGPA
  6. Travel Insurance SaverCGPA
  7. Allianz Global AssistanceCGPA
  8. CHOICECGPA

Sources cited: mozo.com.au, finder.com.au, 1cover.com.au, squaremouth.com

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

Airlines

17 businesses named; 53% by only one assistant

  1. QantasCGPA
  2. EmiratesCGPA
  3. Singapore AirlinesCGPA
  4. Virgin AustraliaCGPA
  5. JetstarCGPA
  6. Air New ZealandCGPA
  7. Cathay PacificCGPA
  8. Qatar AirwaysCGPA

Sources cited: kayak.com, traveloka.com, flightconnections.com, momondo.com

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

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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