Can AI Really Plan the Perfect Bali Itinerary?
Planning a trip should be exciting, not an endless rabbit hole of hotel reviews and conflicting travel advice. AI travel planning apps like Mindtrip, Vacay, and GuideGeek promise to simplify itinerary creation, generating tailored schedules in seconds. But do they actually deliver?
With a trip to Seminyak, Bali on the horizon, I put these AI tools to the test. Jamie and I usually lean towards the Seminyak Beach area since it has Seminyak Square and lots of cool little shops. Still I was curious, could AI recommend anything we hadn’t already discovered? The goal? To craft a customised travel itinerary (4 days) that reflects the spirit of Seminyak: laid-back beach mornings, indulgent Indonesian cuisine, boutique stays, and nights soaking in the local scene.
Here’s how each one performed.
Mindtrip: A Sleek AI Travel Planner, But Is It Too Rigid?
Mindtrip is a high-end AI travel planner built for efficiency. It creates structured, polished itineraries perfect for travellers who prefer a well-organised trip with minimal effort. While the AI plans are well-researched and visually cool, the framework can feel rigid and leave little room for personalisation
When it came to accommodation recommendations, Mindtrip stuck to boutique luxury, suggesting options like Katamama Suites, with it’s modern design, and connection to Bali’s creative scene, and The Legian, an elegant beachfront retreat for travellers looking for a refined experience.
What worked
Mindtrip’s clean design and well-structured custom itineraries made it feel like I had a personal assistant handling my plans, with no second-guessing required. It recommended a beachfront breakfast at Sea Circus (perfect) before easing into a private yoga session at Desa Seni. The AI also understood that Seminyak is as much about lounging as it is about exploring, recommending a leisurely afternoon at KU DE TA with a sunset cocktail in hand.
Mindtrip excelled at integrating accommodations into the plan. When I asked for boutique stays, it recommended Katamama Suites, which aligned with my preference for stylish, locally inspired hotels. It also factored in travel time, ensuring I wasn’t spending half my trip in transit – something many AI planners overlook.
Where it fell flat
Mindtrip got the basics right as an AI trip planner but fell short when it came to flexibility and personalisation. If I wanted to swap out a dinner spot to tweak the pace, the AI pushed back with rigid alternatives rather than adapting. It also struggled with more detailed requests like recommending a warung (local eatery) instead of high-end restaurants. Despite prompting, it defaulted to popular, Instagram-friendly spots rather than local gems known for authentic Indonesian food.
Overall, AI travel planning apps like Mindtrip work best for structured travellers, but they may not be ideal for those who want more flexibility. If you’re looking for a tool that feels more like getting advice from a well-travelled friend, Vacay might be a better fit.
Vacay: The AI That Thinks Like a Travel Blogger
Vacay operates with a more human-like approach, offering recommendations that feel like they’re coming from a well-travelled friend. It’s great for travellers who prefer flexibility, as it tailors customised travel itineraries based on mood and interests. While its recommendations are thoughtful and creative, the app sometimes struggles with logistics.
When I asked for a mix of stylish boutique stays and laid-back villas, Vacay suggested The Colony Hotel, a charming adults-only boutique stay near Seminyak Beach and Blue Karma Dijiwa, which combines Balinese design with a tranquil, wellness-focused atmosphere.
What worked
Vacay took a more personal approach, giving me custom itineraries that felt like an experienced traveller was giving me tailored advice. Instead of a rigid schedule, it gave me flexible options based on mood and interest. Looking for a chill beach day? It mapped out a Seminyak Beach morning with the option to visit Potato Head or the quieter La Plancha, depending on my vibe.
It did a better job of finding cultural experiences. When I asked for something beyond the usual temples, it recommended a batik-making workshop at Threads of Life and a Balinese cooking class at Nia Ubud – activities that went beyond the tourist trail. It even suggested a jamu (herbal drink) tasting, a detail that added a layer of authenticity to the experience.
Where it fell flat
Where Vacay stumbled was logistics as an AI travel planner. It suggested an afternoon spa treatment at Prana Spa, followed by sunset drinks at The Legian—without accounting for the peak-hour traffic between the two. It also recommended a day trip to Ubud within a four-day itinerary that was supposed to focus on Seminyak, which felt out of sync with the original request.
Vacay worked best as an idea generator rather than a strict itinerary builder. If you prefer a loose framework with room to adjust, it’s an excellent tool. But if you need a tightly coordinated schedule, its occasional oversights in timing and location might cause frustration.
GuideGeek: The AI Chatbot That Missed the Mark
GuideGeek takes a different approach from the others. It’s a chatbot rather than a structured AI travel planner. Instead of a day-by-day plan, it lets you ask real-time questions and get recommendations on the go. This works well for travellers who prefer flexibility, but it lacks the cohesion needed for trip planning.
GuideGeek didn’t offer a pre-defined itinerary but it quickly recommended hotels when prompted. It recommended The Oberoi Beach Resort for a luxury stay and Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach for a contemporary luxury and Balinese design.
How to Use AI Travel Planning Apps for Customised Itineraries
Here are some best practices for using AI travel planner apps to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip:
- Be Specific: The more details you provide, the better your itinerary. Instead of just saying “a beachside hotel,” tell the AI you want a “boutique hotel with an infinity pool near Seminyak Beach”. This helps avoid generic suggestions and gives you better results.
- Mix and Match AI Tools: No single AI gets it 100% correct. Try using different apps for different needs. One is for finding unique experiences (like Vacay), another is for structured itineraries (Mindtrip), and Google Maps is for double-checking logistics.
- Fact Check: AI-generated travel plans aren’t perfect. They might suggest a restaurant that closed six months ago or a fully booked attraction. Before locking in plans, cross-check recommendations on Google, Instagram, or local forums.
- Add Your Own Knowledge: AI is great for inspiration, but your best experiences will come from blending AI insights with your own research. Talk to locals, read recent reviews, and leave space for spontaneity—after all, some of the best moments in travel aren’t planned at all.
AI travel planning apps are fun to experiment with but aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. While they saved me time sifting through endless Google searches, I still questioned their choices. Do I really need another ‘trendy’ café, or should I find a warung packed with locals? Ultimately, AI is a great starting point, but I’ll always trust my instincts (and my taste buds) first.
Have you used an AI travel planner before? Share your experience in the comments! Which AI tool worked best for your trip, and would you use it again? After all, some of the best travel moments happen when you leave space for the unexpected.
AI Travel Planning Apps FAQs
Are AI travel planners free to use? Many AI travel apps have free versions with limited features and premium versions with more customisation options.
Is AI better than a human travel agent? Not entirely. AI is fast, but it still lacks the local knowledge and human touch to make a trip truly special.
Can AI apps customise trips based on specific preferences? Some apps like Vacay can, but others like Mindtrip may not.
Do AI-generated itineraries account for local events and seasonal changes? AI apps pull from existing databases but don’t update for events, closures or seasonal factors in real time.
Which AI app is best for spontaneous travelers? GuideGeek is great for those who prefer last-minute recommendations over a structured itinerary.
Can AI travel planners handle transportation logistics? Some apps struggle with local transport details and travel times, so cross check with Google Maps or local sources.
