By Admin 
Traveling to a foreign country can be exciting, but navigating unfamiliar streets, finding the right train, or trying to locate your hotel can also be overwhelming. That’s where Google Maps becomes your ultimate travel companion. With the right know-how, this app can do much more than just help you get from point A to B. Whether you’re exploring a historic city or trying to find the nearest ATM, using Google Maps abroad can make your trip smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to use Google Maps like a pro while abroad covering everything from offline maps to augmented reality walking directions.
Why Google Maps Is Essential for Travelers
Whether you’re backpacking across Europe, taking a business trip to Asia, or road-tripping through South America, Google Maps is a must-have for international travel. It helps you:
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Navigate foreign cities with confidence
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Find local restaurants, landmarks, and hidden gems
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Understand transit systems
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Save on roaming data with offline features
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Stay safe and on track in unfamiliar areas
Using Google Maps while traveling gives you the freedom to explore without constantly asking for directions or carrying bulky paper maps.
Download Offline Maps Before You Go
One of the best travel navigation tips is to download offline maps before you leave home or whenever you’re connected to Wi-Fi. Offline maps allow you to view maps and navigate without using mobile data ideal for areas with spotty coverage or when you’re trying to avoid international data charges.
How to download offline maps:
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Open Google Maps
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Tap your profile icon and select Offline maps
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Choose Select your own map
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Zoom in on the area you want to save
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Tap Download
Offline maps work with GPS, so you’ll still see your real-time location even without an internet connection. This is especially helpful for hiking, driving in remote areas, or navigating new cities.
Use Saved Lists and Custom Maps
Another smart way to use Google Maps abroad is by organizing your itinerary using Saved Lists. You can save restaurants, tourist attractions, shopping spots, or hotels into themed lists like “Paris Must Eats” or “Tokyo Sights to See.”
To save a place:
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Search for the location in Google Maps
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Tap Save
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Add it to an existing list or create a new one
You can also build custom maps using Google My Maps before your trip. This lets you plan your route, add notes, color-code locations, and access everything from your phone.
Sharing these lists with your travel companions makes group travel easier and helps everyone stay on the same page.
Navigate Local Languages with Ease
When traveling abroad, dealing with foreign languages can be a challenge especially when street names or signage aren’t in your native tongue. Luckily, Google Maps has some built-in tools to help.
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Translate place names: Google Maps shows translated names and transliterations so you can match them with street signs.
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Use Google Lens: Point your camera at signs, menus, or directions, and get instant translations.
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Switch language settings: Go to Settings > Language to set your preferred language for more accurate navigation and suggestions.
These tools make using Google Maps while traveling far more accessible, even in countries where English isn’t widely spoken.
Use Public Transit, Walking, and Biking Directions
Google Maps isn’t just for driving it also provides detailed directions for public transit, walking, and biking. This is perfect for urban travel where buses, subways, or cycling are more practical than driving.
Transit features include:
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Real-time departure and arrival times
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Route suggestions (e.g., “fastest,” “least walking”)
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Transfer points and platform numbers (where available)
Understanding these features helps you navigate like a local. It also reduces confusion at busy transport hubs, especially when signs aren’t in your language.
Discover Places Like a Local
The Explore tab in Google Maps lets you find nearby restaurants, coffee shops, attractions, and services. It’s a great way to uncover local favorites rather than just tourist traps.
Use filters like:
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Open now
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Highly rated
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Cuisine type or price range
Features like Popular Times and user reviews help you decide when and where to go, avoiding long waits and crowded spots. This is especially handy when you’re hungry, tired, or just need a nearby pharmacy or ATM.
Try Live View and Augmented Reality
If you’ve ever exited a subway station and had no idea which way to walk, you’ll love Live View. This Google Maps feature uses your phone’s camera and augmented reality (AR) to show arrows and directions directly on your screen.
To use Live View:
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Enter a destination
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Tap Directions and choose Walking
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Tap Live View when available
This is perfect for pedestrian navigation in dense cities or when GPS struggles to orient you. It’s accurate, intuitive, and a real lifesaver in confusing areas.
Conserve Data and Battery While Traveling
Even if you’re using offline maps, GPS can still drain your battery quickly. To make your phone last longer during travel:
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Turn on Wi-Fi only mode in Google Maps settings
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Keep your screen brightness low
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Use battery saver mode on your device
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Carry a power bank for longer days out
By planning ahead, you can use Google Maps for international travel without running out of power or data mid-journey.
Stay Safe with Location Sharing
When exploring unfamiliar areas, safety is key. Google Maps allows you to share your real-time location with friends or family for peace of mind.
How to share location:
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Open Google Maps
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Tap your profile icon > Location Sharing
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Choose who to share with and for how long
This is especially useful for solo travelers or anyone meeting friends in a crowded city. You can also disable or limit location history if you’re concerned about privacy.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to use Google Maps abroad isn’t just about finding directions it’s about navigating new places confidently, discovering hidden gems, staying safe, and making the most of your trip. From offline maps to augmented reality, Google Maps offers powerful tools that every traveler should master.