Going out for summer vacation? Knowing the ins and outs of Google Maps can mean getting to a hotel on time or losing valuable time after taking the wrong exit somewhere.
While Google Maps can’t avoid traffic jams, it can help you get around in a variety of ways, from a quick tour of the airport to using map apps offline. Check out some of the app’s best features for travelers below.
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1. Easily navigate airports and train stations
Use the map to navigate the airport.
If you need to quickly find a store in a large mall or transit center, Google Maps has Table of contents Tabs for all airports, shopping malls and transit stations. This can be helpful when you’re running around the airport trying to find a place to eat or buy a last-minute souvenir before catching your flight.
This tab will tell you your destination’s opening hours and what floor it’s on. You can check out restaurants, shops, lounges and parking lots.
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2. Find out how busy the attraction is before you go
To find out how busy a location is, check out Google Maps Business Tools. You can already search for a location, such as a business, to see a graph that instantly shows how crowded it is. However, a feature called Area Busyness lets you see when an entire map area is packed with people.
To use this feature, open the Google Maps app on Android or iPhone (or a computer browser) and move around the map to find general areas, such as downtown, a riverwalk, or a quaint nearby town. Busyness information now automatically appears on the map, so you don’t need to specifically search for a place to see how crowded it is. Google Maps might say something like “Busy Areas,” and when you click to see more details, it might say “As Busy as Possible” or “Not Too Busy.”
However, you can also search for the location you’re looking for and scroll down to see busy versus off-peak times.
3. View all your reservations in Google Maps
Google Maps can map your travels and quickly show you your flights, hotels, rental cars and restaurant reservations, saving you the hassle of searching through emails for check-in times and confirmation numbers.
To view your upcoming reservations, just search for ‘my reservations’ in the Google Maps search box to see a list of your existing reservations. Maps pulls this information from emails in Gmail. You can also select an item to see more information about your reservation, including dates and locations.
4. Make restaurant reservations without calling
Planning to go out to dinner with a large group of people can be a hassle, especially if you go during a busy time. Google Maps can help you book lunch or dinner. That’s it.
1. In the map, tap Dining room Buttons at the top of the map view a list of dining options.
2. Choose a restaurant that looks good and book a table in the pop-up window or join the waitlist if it gives you that option (not all restaurants do this).
Remember, you can use the busyness feature mentioned above to choose the least crowded places. Also note that some restaurants that are closed to dine-in may still allow delivery, curbside pickup, or outdoor seating.
5. Use Google Maps when there is no mobile phone signal
Traveling to a remote area where you may not have a mobile connection? Google Maps can still provide you with directions when you’re offline.
1. Search before you go map Find the location you need directions to.
2. In the window at that location, Pull out menu at the bottom.
3. Scroll the tab right and click Download offline mapsthen click in the next window download again. Maps will download a map of the area you selected to your phone.
Now, when you use Google Maps to get directions in an area where you downloaded a map, Maps will switch to an offline map to guide you when you lose your cellular connection. Please note that since you are offline, Maps will not provide real-time traffic information.
6. Find nearby electric vehicle charging stations
If you’re shopping, dining, or on vacation in your electric car, Google Maps can help you find it Electric vehicle charging station Your route, and estimated wait time at the charging port. You can also filter your search by connector type such as J1772, CCS (combination 1 or 2), and Tesla to see only charging stations that are compatible with your electric vehicle. Note that you can also follow these same instructions to search for gas stations. (Here’s how you can save money at the pump.)
1. In the map, scroll the tabs at the top of the screen, then tap more.
2. Scroll down to the Services section and select Electric vehicle charging.
3. The map will show nearby charging stations and how many are available.
4. click on one charging station On the map, let Maps add it as a stop on your itinerary.
You can also use this technique to search for other places along your route, such as coffee shops.
7. Share your location with friends and family
Is there anything more frustrating during a group activity than being dispersed and no one able to find each other? Google Maps can help bring everyone back together.
1. In Google Maps, click your profile icon in the upper right corner, then click location sharing.
2. tap location sharing, And choose who you want to share your location with and for how long.
3. tap shareGoogle Maps will send your location to everyone you choose.
4. If you want to see someone else’s location, click that person’s icon at the top of the window, then click Require.
8. Create, share and view curated lists
How to ensure you visit all the attractions during your vacation? If you create a list in Google Maps, you’ll be able to save future destinations and keep them at a glance.
Just go to saved tab and click + new list button. You can give the list a name and description. Then, when you see a place on the map that you want to view later, you can do so by scrolling the tab right and clicking save button. You can share this list with your travel companions or even invite them to collaborate.
For more information, check out these airports that no longer require ID for TSA PreCheck passengers, as well as some of the new self-service pods coming soon.
