It is one of the most powerful free travel planning tools available, but most travellers only scratch the surface. Three tips that can save you time, money, and a bad hotel choice.
Check the Heat Zones Before Booking Accommodation
Open Google Maps and look for the yellow and orange shaded areas around your destination. These indicate higher foot traffic, which typically means restaurants, shops, transport links, and things to do are concentrated there.
If the hotel you are considering sits outside those zones, factor in that you will be walking further or paying for extra transport every single day of your trip. Location on a map and location in practice are very different things.
Tap Transit Stops to Understand Connectivity
Before assuming public transport will work for your trip, tap any train, tram, or metro stop near your accommodation. Google Maps will show you the lines, where they go, and how connected that area actually is.
This is the easiest way to confirm whether you can get from the airport to your hotel on public transport without guessing or finding out the hard way on arrival.
Download Offline Maps Before You Fly
Zoom into the area you are visiting, type “OK maps” into the search bar, and download the map. It will work without signal, without roaming, and without Wi-Fi.
This one takes about thirty seconds and has saved countless travellers from being completely lost in an unfamiliar city with no data connection.
Have a Google Maps tip of your own? Comment below.