Layla AI is a next-generation AI trip planner that doesn’t just generate text — it builds a complete travel package: flights, hotels, activities, and budget in one place. Sounds like the future. But how well does it actually work?
After my Wanderlog review, I decided to test Layla on the same route — a 4-day family trip to Istanbul. Same prompt, same questions, honest comparison. Same format: real screenshots, real data verification, no sponsored content.
For this Layla AI review, I used: 2 adults, a 7-year-old child, March 2026, moderate budget.
→ Wanderlog Review: I Tested This Free AI Trip Planner on a Real Istanbul Itinerary
→ AI Travel Planner Test: I Tested 3 Tools on a Real Dubrovnik Trip
What Is Layla AI?
Layla AI is an AI travel agent, not just a planner. The difference matters: Wanderlog gives you tools for DIY planning, Layla takes over the planning and delivers a ready product.
Key features:
- AI assistant with personalization (remembers name, location, preferences)
- Live flight search — real flights with real-time prices
- Hotel booking — integration with Vio.com, Skyscanner
- Web search — current data from the internet, no outdated cutoff
- Bookable activities — tours and excursions with prices
- Weather forecast — weather for each day of your trip
Pricing:
- Free: trip overview, map, total price
- Trial (3 days): day-by-day details, but no PDF
- Premium ($49.99/year): everything + PDF export
First Difference: Layla Asks Questions
My prompt:
Plan a 4-day family trip to Istanbul, Turkey. 2 adults and a 7-year-old child. We’re interested in: authentic Turkish food (street food + restaurants), shopping for clothes and souvenirs (Grand Bazaar, local markets), key sights but without rushing, and kid-friendly activities. Budget: moderate. March 2026.
Wanderlog: immediately generated a 4-day plan.
Layla: stopped and asked:
“Are you flying out from Budva (Podgorica or Tivat airport)? Do you have specific dates, or should I pick a nice long weekend?”
This is a fundamentally different approach. Wanderlog assumes for you, Layla clarifies. Yes, this uses “messages,” but with Layla there’s no limit (in Premium), and the result is more accurate.
My response:
Yes, flying from Podgorica. Dates: March 12-15, 2026. That plan sounds perfect — let’s go!
First Plan: What Layla Initially Generated
After clarification, Layla delivered not just text, but an interactive trip card:
- 3-Day Family Istanbul Discovery
- 3 days · 1 city · 20 experiences · 1 hotel · 2 transports
- Hotel: Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamış Marina (5-star)
- Flight: Turkish Airlines, overnight
- TGD Mar 12, 8:15 PM → IST Mar 13, 12:05 AM
- Price: ~$1,548 (Flights & Hotels incl.)
- Flights: $816
And immediately offered improvement options:
- Foodie Focus: add Ismail (wet burgers), street food tour
- Kid-Friendly Tweaks: Istanbul Aquarium, Miniatürk
- Hotel Location: move closer to Blue Mosque
⚠️ Date Logic Bug: Layla showed Day 1 as Mar 12 with “Evening Stroll in Sultanahmet,” but the flight arrives Mar 13 at 12:05 AM. Technically on the evening of March 12, I’m still in Podgorica. The AI didn’t account for the overnight flight arriving the next calendar day.
Paywall: What’s Available for Free
As soon as I tried to view day-by-day details — paywall:
“Unlock Your Full Trip. Continue with Premium for unlimited planning and exclusive savings.”
Layla’s payment tiers:
| Tier | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Trip overview, map, total price |
| Trial | $0 (3 days) | Day-by-day details, but no PDF |
| Premium | $49.99/year | Everything + PDF download + unlimited trips |
For this Layla AI review, I activated the trial to show the complete picture.
⚠️ Important: The trial looks like “try everything free,” but PDF export is Premium-only. Even during the trial, attempting to download a PDF triggers a $49.99 payment prompt.
Live Flights: Real Flights in Real Time
I clicked “Get Live Prices” — and Layla pulled real Turkish Airlines flights:
- TGD (Podgorica) Mar 12, 8:15 PM → IST Mar 13, 12:05 AM
- IST Mar 15, 1:50 PM → TGD Mar 15, 1:40 PM
- $816 total (all flights, 3 people)
Plus filters: Direct / 1 stop / 2+ stops, airline selection (Air Montenegro, Air Serbia, Turkish Airlines, etc.), departure time slider.
What impressed me most — AI commentary on the flight:
“These direct Turkish Airlines flights offer maximum efficiency, though the late-night arrival on the first day may be tiring for a 7-year-old. The afternoon return provides a smooth transition home.”
Layla proactively warned that the late arrival might be tough for a child. Wanderlog didn’t even ask about timing.
Day-by-Day Plan: Initial Version
Here’s how Layla structured the 4 days in the first plan:
Day 1 · Mar 12 — Arrival and Evening Stroll in Historic Sultanahmet
- 4 Experiences
- Note: “Arrive at Istanbul Airport and take a private transfer to your hotel”
- Restaurant: Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta (4.1★, 9348 reviews)
- Place: Sultanahmet Square
- Note: “Enjoy a gentle evening stroll to see the illuminated Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia from the square”
Day 2 · Mar 13 — Imperial Landmarks and Flavors of the Old City
- 6 Experiences
- Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Tour ($31/person, 2.5 hours)
- Topkapi Palace
- Pandeli Restaurant (4.2★)
- Egyptian Bazaar
- Galata Bridge
Day 3 · Mar 14 — Bazaars Shopping and Kid Friendly Discoveries
- 5 Experiences
- Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı)
- Deraliye (4.7★)
- Miniatürk
- Istanbul Toy Museum — directly matching the “kid-friendly” request
- Çiya Sofrası (4.0★, 12529 reviews)
Day 4 · Mar 15 — Relaxed Morning at Gulhane Park and Departure
- 3 Experiences
- Note: “Enjoy a final traditional Turkish breakfast at your hotel”
- Gülhane Park (4.7★)
- Note: “Check out and transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight back to Podgorica”
Accuracy Test: Hagia Sophia
This is the key test. Wanderlog failed it — called Hagia Sophia a museum (wrong since 2020) and said entry was free (wrong since 2024).
My prompt:
Is Hagia Sophia a museum or a mosque now? What’s the entry fee?
Layla’s response:
“Getting latest information from the web…”
Then:
- Status: Active Mosque
- Entry Fee: €25 per person
- Child Policy: Children under 8 enter free
- Access: Tourists go to upper gallery, ground floor for prayer
- Dress Code: Modest dress, headscarf for women
All correct. Layla performs live web search — this is a fundamental difference from Wanderlog (2023 cutoff).
I especially appreciated the dress code tip: Layla warned that you can’t enter in a short skirt or bare shoulders. Tourists can plan their outfit accordingly before leaving the hotel in the morning.
| Wanderlog | Layla AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia status | ❌ “Museum” | ✅ “Active Mosque” |
| Entry fee | ❌ “Free” | ✅ “€25 per person” |
| Dress code tip | ❌ None | ✅ Practical advice |
| Data source | Cutoff 2023 | ✅ Live web search |
Budget Breakdown: Initial Estimate
My prompt:
Can you break down the estimated budget for this trip? Include accommodation, food, transport, activities, and shopping separately.
Layla’s response:
| Category | Estimated Cost (USD) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | $1,300–1,500 | Round-trip, 3 people |
| Accommodation | $600–900 | 3 nights, 4-5 star hotel |
| Food & Drink | $400–600 | Street food + restaurants |
| Activities | $250–400 | Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, cruise |
| Transport | $150–200 | Transfers, Istanbulkart, taxis |
| Shopping | $300–500+ | Grand Bazaar wildcard |
| TOTAL | $3,000–4,100 | Full family trip |
Plus money-saving tips:
- Istanbul Museum Pass for 3+ sites
- Street food: Lachmacun, Balık Ekmek for a few dollars
- Haggling: at Grand Bazaar, negotiate 30-40% off starting price
Family-Friendly Neighborhoods: Deeper and More Practical
My prompt:
Which areas of Istanbul are best for families with kids? And which should we avoid?
Layla’s response (summarized):
🏆 Best for families:
- Sultanahmet: walking distance to Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, flat terrain, easy hotel naps
- Karaköy/Galataport: modern, car-free promenade, “very stroller/kid-friendly”
- Moda (Kadıköy): local vibe, parks, ice cream, nostalgic tram
⚠️ Caution:
- Taksim/Istiklal: crowded, loud, “easy to lose sight of a child”
- Beşiktaş: heavy traffic, steep sidewalks
🚫 Avoid:
- Tarlabaşı: run-down, less safe at night
- Aksaray/Laleli: wholesale districts, chaotic, trucks
And immediate follow-up: “Would you like me to move our hotel search to Sultanahmet or Karaköy?”
Comparison with Wanderlog:
| Wanderlog | Layla AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendations | 4 areas | 3 areas + details |
| “Avoid” list | 2 areas | 4 areas with explanations |
| Kid-specific reasoning | Basic | “stroller-friendly”, “lose a child” |
| Follow-up action | ❌ No | ✅ “Move hotel search?” |
Extra Questions: Where Layla Shined
Since Layla has no message limit (in Premium), I asked several more questions:
Airport Transfer
What’s the best way to get from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet with a 7-year-old?
Layla provided 4 options with prices:
- Private Transfer ($45-55) — “Sanity Saver”, door-to-door
- Havaist Shuttle (~$6/person) — budget option, HVIST-12 line
- Taxi — wildcard, ensure they use meter
- Metro — “Avoid for this route”, too many transfers with a child
Rain Plan
What if it rains on Day 2?
Indoor alternatives:
- Basilica Cistern — “feels like a movie set”
- Istanbul Archaeology Museums — children’s section
- Grand Bazaar — “60+ covered streets”
- Rahmi M. Koç Museum — “climb into vintage cars, explore a submarine”
Vegetarian Child
Our child is vegetarian. Can you adjust?
Layla updated restaurants in the trip card:
- Çiya Sofrası — “half the menu is naturally vegetarian”
- Kumpir — baked potatoes with veggie toppings
- Çiğ Köfte — spicy bulgur wrap, no meat
Hamam with a Kid
Is a Turkish bath appropriate for a 7-year-old?
“Getting latest information from the web…”
- Most historical hamams allow 6+ ✅
- Gender segregation — important for family logistics
- Recommendation: Hürrem Sultan Hamamı (between Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia)
Current Events
Are there any special events in Istanbul in March 2026?
“Getting latest information from the web…”
- Ramadan (mid-Feb to mid-Mar 2026) — special Iftar menus, festive evenings
- TangoTOistanbul (Mar 10-17) — tango festival
- Early tulips in Gülhane Park
Exchange Rate
What’s the current exchange rate USD to Turkish Lira?
“Getting latest information from the web…”
“As of today, February 21, 2026: 1 USD = 43.8 TRY“
I verified on Google: 43.83 TRY. Difference of 0.07% — this is live data.
How Layla Re-Optimized the Plan During Dialogue
After the question about vegetarian food for our child, something interesting happened — Layla silently rebuilt the entire plan. I noticed this when the trip card changed:
Before (first plan):
- Flight: Turkish Airlines, overnight (TGD 8:15 PM → IST 12:05 AM)
- Flights: $816
- Hotel: Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamış Marina (far from center, 30 min by car)
- Total price: ~$1,548
- ❌ Date logic bug on Day 1
After (following dialogue):
- Flight: Air Montenegro, daytime (TGD 3:25 PM → IST 7:05 PM)
- Flights: $604 ($212 cheaper!)
- Hotel: CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel (central location, family rooms, babysitting)
- Total price: ~$1,320
- ✅ Day 1 Evening Stroll now makes sense — arrival at 7:05 PM
This isn’t a bug — it’s a feature. Layla doesn’t just answer questions, it rethinks the entire plan as it receives additional context. The initial flight estimate ($1,300–1,500) was conservative — actual Air Montenegro tickets cost $604.
Real Tickets: This Isn’t a Simulation
Important point: Layla doesn’t generate fake flight data. Clicking “Book Flights” opens BudgetAir.com with real bookable tickets:
- Outbound: Thu Mar 12, 2026 — Podgorica 3:25 PM → Istanbul 7:05 PM (Interjet, 1h 40m, Direct)
- Inbound: Sun Mar 15, 2026 — Istanbul 7:45 PM → Podgorica 7:35 PM (Interjet, 1h 50m, Direct)
- Total: US$599.40 (2 Adults + 1 Child, all bags included)
The price on BudgetAir was actually slightly lower than what Layla showed ($604). The tickets are real and purchasable.
Hotel Check: CVK Park Bosphorus
After optimization, Layla suggested CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul:
- 5-star, rating 8.8 (6,502 reviews)
- $716 total for 3 nights (~$239/night)
- Central location
- Family rooms + babysitting services
Comparison with initial Wyndham:
- Wyndham: €518 (~$560), but 30 min from center
- CVK Park: $716, but central + family-oriented
For a family with a child, the $156 premium for central location makes sense — you save on taxis and stress.
What’s Missing: View Details → Google Maps
All “View Details” links for places just redirect to Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:...
Comparison with Wanderlog:
| Wanderlog | Layla AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Place details | Own database + travel blog mentions | Google Maps redirect |
| Curated content | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Bookable prices | ❌ No | ✅ $31/person shown |
Wanderlog = research tool with its own content.
Layla = booking tool with Google integration.
Layla AI Pros and Cons
Based on my Layla AI review testing, here’s what stands out:
Pros:
- Live web search — current data as of today (Hagia Sophia, exchange rates, events). This is a game-changer.
- Full trip package — flights + hotel + activities + price in one place
- Real bookable tickets — not a simulation, actual flights via BudgetAir/Skyscanner
- Auto-optimization — plan improves during dialogue
- Personalization — remembers name, adapts restaurants to vegetarian, offers alternatives
- Proactive advice — “late-night arrival may be tiring for a 7-year-old”, mosque dress code
- No message limit (Premium) — endless follow-up questions
Cons:
- $49.99/year — more expensive than Wanderlog ($39.99) with no real free tier
- Paywall on details — day-by-day plan only in trial/premium
- PDF only in Premium — can’t download even during trial
- Date bug in first plan — didn’t account for overnight flight (fixed after optimization)
- No original content — View Details → Google Maps, no travel blog mentions
- First hotel far from center — required dialogue for optimal result
Layla vs Wanderlog: Final Comparison
| Criteria | Wanderlog | Layla AI |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (5 msg) / $39.99 Pro | Trial 3 days / $49.99 Premium |
| Approach | Organizer (framework) | Agent (ready product) |
| Data freshness | Cutoff 2023 | ✅ Live web search |
| Hagia Sophia test | ❌ Failed | ✅ Passed |
| Flight booking | ❌ No | ✅ Real bookable tickets |
| Hotel booking | Aggregator view | ✅ Integrated booking |
| Map quality | ✅ Best in class + travel blog mentions | Basic Google Maps |
| Day 1 logic | ❌ Plans from morning | ✅ Adapts after optimization |
| Personalization | Basic | ✅ Name, preferences, follow-ups |
| Auto-optimization | ❌ No | ✅ Improves during dialogue |
| Message limit | 5 free | Unlimited (Premium) |
Who Is Layla AI For?
Ideal for:
- Those who want “press button, get ready package”
- Travelers who value data accuracy
- Families with kids — AI genuinely adapts plans for kid-friendly activities
Works well for:
- Complex itineraries with flights
- Quick estimation of total trip cost
- Those willing to engage in dialogue with AI for better results
Not suitable for:
- Those who want a free tool (3-day trial isn’t enough)
- DIY planners who love research (Wanderlog Explore is better)
- Those not ready to pay $50/year
Layla AI Review Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
After completing this Layla AI review, I can say: this is the best AI trip planner for data accuracy and product readiness.
Live web search is a fundamental advantage. When I asked about Hagia Sophia, Layla showed “Getting latest information from the web…” and returned correct, current data. Wanderlog failed the same question with outdated 2023 data.
I was especially impressed by the auto-optimization: the initial plan had a date bug and an inconvenient hotel, but after a few questions Layla silently rebuilt everything — found a daytime flight $212 cheaper and a central hotel with family services.
But these advantages come at a price — $49.99/year with no real free tier. If you travel 2-3 times a year and value your time more than $50 — Layla pays for itself. If you’re a DIY planner who loves researching — Wanderlog + ChatGPT will be cheaper and more flexible.
My approach: use Layla for quick cost estimation and current data, Wanderlog for visual planning and research, ChatGPT for deep questions.
Related Articles
- Wanderlog Review: I Tested This Free AI Trip Planner on a Real Istanbul Itinerary
- AI Travel Planner Test: I Tested 3 Tools on a Real Dubrovnik Trip
- Best AI Trip Planners 2026 → coming soon
This Layla AI review was personally tested: February 2026. All screenshots from real testing on layla.ai.
