12 Google Maps Tips Every Traveler Must Discover

I'm a map enthusiast. As a child, maps fueled my wanderlust, and as an adult, they provide me with comfort. My colleagues at Dinogo even allowed me to create a podcast episode about maps. Out of all the maps I cherish (including those of Middle-earth), the one I find myself using the most is Google Maps. I suspect many of you are in the same boat. I rely on this app daily: for work (conducting research as an editor and writer), for leisure (spending hours exploring distant islands virtually), and, most importantly, for planning trips. If you're only using Google Maps for navigation, you're missing out. Here are twelve innovative ways I utilize Google Maps for more efficient travel.

Coordinate a travel itinerary with friends

I create Google Maps lists for everything: one for vegetarian eateries, another for ice cream shops, and I even have a trail dedicated to cocktails and cookies (which I put together with my cousin to celebrate her 21st birthday). More often than not, I use these lists as a tool for trip planning. While researching activities for my recent trips to destinations like Argentina, Nairobi, and Manchester, I compile a list of points of interest (museums, restaurants, shops, libraries, etc.) and share it with my travel companions so they can provide feedback and add their own suggestions. While this is useful, it’s just the basics.

In the last year, the functionality of lists has improved: now, for each location on the list, your friends can react with emojis (heart, smile, fire, thumbs down, or flying money) and add their suggestions in a comments section (for example, “I hear dulce de leche is a must-try!” or “Let’s stop here after our street-art tour on Monday.”). I particularly enjoy the ability to rearrange the items on the list; for instance, I can organize them according to the cookie trail I plan to follow, or I can arrange our collective Argentina picks chronologically, making the list serve as our itinerary. A fun bonus is that you can assign any emoji to the entire list, allowing all the locations to appear on the map with that themed icon—like the Argentina flag or an ice cream cone.

Navigate confidently as if you know the way

Turn-by-turn navigation isn't exclusive to drivers; Google Maps provides it for pedestrians and cyclists as well. After entering your destination, just select 'directions,' choose 'walking,' and hit 'start navigation.' The app will give you verbal directions just like it does for car travel. When I'm exploring a new city, I use this feature with one earbud in so I can avoid constantly checking my phone (which can lead to accidents).

If you prefer viewing your route on your phone, you can track your journey in either 2D (with the little blue arrow moving along the map) or in 3D Live View. In this mode, you direct your camera at the real world to calibrate the app, then follow the arrows and directions superimposed on the actual streets visible through your phone. (There’s also an option in settings that lets you tilt your phone to activate Live View instead of tapping.) Additionally, the new Glanceable Directions feature displays a minimap and navigation info on your lock screen, allowing you to access benefits without opening the app or engaging full navigation mode (be sure to toggle this feature on in settings). It will also automatically reroute if you stray from your intended path.

Utilize the augmented-reality Lens to discover nearby shops, restaurants, ATMs, and more

Alongside navigation with augmented-reality Live View, you can also leverage an augmented-reality (AR) feature called Lens in Maps to identify what’s around you, including restaurants, public transport stops, and points of interest. To use it, tap the camera icon in the search bar of Maps, point your phone at the street, and you’ll begin to see icons appear on the buildings. Keep in mind that this feature is available only in select locations, but new cities are being added regularly. In the meantime, you can still find this information easily in the app: right below the search bar, you'll see popular categories such as gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores—don't forget to scroll to the “More” button to explore additional specific categories, including ATMs, libraries, live music venues, hospitals, pharmacies, and even EV charging stations.

Design your route for EV charging

In terms of EV charging stations, Maps has improved the information it offers about electric charging points. To find them on your EV road trip, simply enter or voice “charging stations” into the search bar or click the “More” category button located just beneath it. You’ll quickly see red pins with a lightning bolt icon appearing on the map. The info card will detail the type of chargers available at each station (fast, medium, slow), the number of chargers on-site, and their compatibility with your vehicle.

See what’s currently open

Last year in Manchester, after attending a late concert, my friends and I decided to grab a drink and a snack instead of heading straight to bed. I opened Maps to find out what nearby places were still open. Just look for the “open now” option, which is conveniently located right below the search bar in the app.

Preview a location with photos before you visit

Most listings on Google Maps now feature photos sourced from both public reviews and the businesses themselves. While this may not be a hidden gem, it certainly acts as a valuable tool. You can use these images to assess hotels, determine if a coffee shop is conducive to working on your laptop, see if a restaurant can accommodate your large group or fit your mood, and view images of menus. An AI-powered update recently enhances travel inspiration by utilizing these photos. Try searching for terms like “cherry blossoms,” “public art,” or “swimming holes,” and you’ll find a carousel of photos and videos from public uploads, presented under the section titled “Discover through photos.”

Envision the future and prepare for it

Google Maps’ Immersive View is like photos on steroids—powered by AI. For over 500 famous landmarks worldwide (including the London Eye, Empire State Building, and Tokyo Tower), search results feature what appears to be a video labeled “Immersive view.” What you’re actually witnessing is a compilation of numerous photos that the app has merged to create not just a single image but an entire overview of a specific location. Curious about tomorrow morning’s traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge? Want to catch the sunset view from the Eiffel Tower tonight? You can now do that with Immersive View. A small icon at the bottom right displays the weather and the time—tap it to shift the time of day, showing up to four or five days into the future, along with changes in the number of cars on the bridge and cloud coverage over Paris.

Share your live location to enhance safety

Whenever I travel alone, I make sure to keep my location services activated for safety (and to ensure my 7,000 snapshots of street art, grocery store discoveries, and random architectural details are geotagged for future reference). Even when I'm with friends or family, I use real-time location sharing when I venture out on my own so that others know my whereabouts. This is especially useful if I'm running late, as they can see my estimated arrival time and decide whether to order appetizers without me. To access sharing options, tap your blue dot on the map, or go to your account icon in Maps to open location sharing and select who you want to share with. Bonus tip: tapping the blue dot also lets you save your parking location.

Save a map for offline use

If you're worried about using too much mobile data—or if you'll be in an area with spotty internet service, Google Maps has your back. Just tap your circular account icon at the top right of the app and navigate to Offline Maps to choose the area you want to download; it will function just like the live version. Whenever I travel, I download a large portion of the region I'm visiting, even if I anticipate having good internet access. You never know when you'll find yourself in a dead zone.

Utilize overlays for additional map insights

Maps have layers like ogres and onions. To uncover these layers, open the app on your phone or desktop and click the icon that resembles a stack of tiny squares. You might already be familiar with the satellite view, terrain view, and the standard cartoonish view. (The local weather forecast is always accessible too—look for the small icon on the left side of the screen just beneath the search bar.) But did you know that you can also overlay public transit routes, traffic conditions, bike paths, wildfires, and air quality? The public transit overlay is one of my favorites, whether I'm traveling or at home in NYC—the subway lines are accurately color-coded.

Uncover the hidden gems in Google Maps

You’re familiar with Google Maps’ little orange Pegman, right? He’s that icon situated at the bottom right of your screen in the desktop version. If you drag him onto the map, you’ll access a street view of nearly any location. However, in certain parts of the globe, he conceals some Easter eggs. For instance, if you navigate to Loch Ness in Scotland, he appears dressed as Nessie. At Area 51, he transforms into a UFO. And in the Galapagos Islands, he sports a mermaid tail. Can you uncover any more surprises?

Keep an eye out for more AI-driven features coming soon

Google is currently integrating generative AI into its maps, with one exciting project aimed at enabling users to pose questions like “What indoor activities can I do with kids on a rainy day?” Once this feature launches (expected later this year), the map will highlight indoor options like bowling alleys and cinemas. Google’s network of over 300 million “local guides” is actively testing this feature, and I’m already preparing my queries: Hey Google, what are some must-visit spots for map enthusiasts?