How I Test AI Travel Planners
Most AI travel tool reviews are written by people who never actually went anywhere. They sign up, take a few screenshots, and write “Top 10 Best AI Travel Planners.” My approach is different.
The Principle: Same Route — Multiple AIs — Real Trip
For every comparison, I:
- Send the same prompt to each AI planner. No hints, no retries. Whatever it produces on the first attempt is what I evaluate.
- Document the output — screenshots of the interface, suggested route, restaurants, hotels, budget. Everything is saved before the trip.
- Travel the route myself — I check every recommendation on the ground. Does the restaurant exist? Is it open in winter? Does the drive really take 2 hours? How much does dinner actually cost?
- Compare plan vs. reality — I record everything the AI got right and where it failed. I photograph real places, prices, and road conditions.
- Give my honest verdict — no sponsorships, no bias. If a tool is bad, I’ll say so.
What I Evaluate
- Speed and ease of use — how quickly the AI creates an itinerary
- Accuracy of recommendations — do the places exist, are prices current
- Real-world awareness — weather, seasonality, road conditions
- Practical usefulness — can you actually travel using this plan
- Pricing — free vs. paid, and whether the paid version is worth it
A Note on Affiliate Links
This site contains affiliate links — if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. This never affects my ratings. I only recommend what I’ve tested myself.