Google Maps is an indispensable tool for travelers, offering a plethora of features designed to simplify the travel experience. From navigating airport terminals to securing last-minute reservations, Google Maps is always by your side, no matter where you are in the world. Key Features

* Directory Tab: For airports, malls, and transit stations, the Directory tab provides essential information, including business hours, floor location, and a list of options such as restaurants, stores, lounges, and parking areas. * Busyness Tool: This feature allows users to check how crowded a location is before arriving, helping to prevent wasting time driving to a busy spot. * Restaurant Reservations: Users can make reservations without having to call, using the Restaurants button and selecting a spot to reserve a table or join a waitlist. * Offline Navigation: Google Maps can provide directions even when the device is offline, using a downloaded map to guide users. * Location Sharing: Users can share their location with friends and family, making it easier to stay connected during travel. * Curated Lists: Users can create, share, and view curated lists of destinations, making it easier to plan travel itineraries. * Gemini AI Feature: This feature allows users to seek itinerary inspiration and make recommendations for activities and dining options.

1. Navigating Airports and Train Stations

As a traveler, I’m not great in chaotic environments. I get overwhelmed quickly and feel panicked in huge crowds. That means navigating busy airports and train stations can be a nightmare.

To access the Directory tab, simply search for an airport, for instance, and tap the Directory tab at the bottom. This will show you business hours, the floor location, and a list of options such as restaurants, stores, lounges, and parking areas.

1. Use the Directory tab to find a specific store or restaurant
2. Check business hours and floor location
3. View a list of options, including restaurants, stores, lounges, and parking areas

2. Checking Busyness

Did I mention I don’t like crowds? If I think a certain road, restaurant or area of the city will be too busy, I’ll simply stay home.

To use the busyness tool, open the Google Maps app and explore the map. Focus on areas like downtown, a riverwalk, or a nearby town. The busyness info will automatically appear on the map, showing how crowded a location is at different times.

1. Open Google Maps and explore the map
2. Focus on areas like downtown, a riverwalk, or a nearby town
3. View the busyness info, which will show how crowded a location is at different times

3. Making Restaurant Reservations

As a traveler, I like to balance scheduled plans or excursions with open time to shuffle around at my own pace. That means some days, I’ll be diligent about making reservations ahead of time, and others, I wait and go with the flow.

To make a reservation, open Google Maps and tap the Restaurants button at the top of the screen. Pick a restaurant you want to try, and in the pop-up window, you’ll have the option to reserve a table or join a waitlist if available.

1. Open Google Maps and tap the Restaurants button
2. Pick a restaurant you want to try
3. Reserve a table or join a waitlist if available

4. Using Google Maps Without an Internet Connection

Last May, my family and I took a hike around the Scottish countryside. It was stunning, gorgeous, green, lush and very wet and rainy. Being that remote and deep in the forest meant there was truly no cellular service. Luckily, I thought ahead.

To use Google Maps without an internet connection, search for your destination in Google Maps before you leave. Open the menu and swipe until you see the “More” tab at the bottom. Tap “Download offline map,” then confirm the area you want to download and tap “Download” again. Google Maps will save a map of the selected area to your phone.

1. Search for your destination in Google Maps before you leave
2. Open the menu and swipe until you see the “More” tab at the bottom
3. Tap “Download offline map” and confirm the area you want to download
4. Tap “Download” again to save the map to your phone

5. Sharing Your Location

My sister and I get along well when we travel, but we have very different interests, making touring a new city difficult. For instance, I really enjoy poking around museums, especially art museums, and can lose hours looking at artifacts and artwork. My sister can spend a solid 45 minutes in a museum before complaining.

To share your location, open Google Maps and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Location sharing, choose who you want to share it with, and select how long you want to share your location.

1. Open Google Maps and tap your profile icon in the top right corner
2. Select Location sharing
3. Choose who you want to share it with and select how long you want to share your location

6. Creating, Sharing, and Viewing Curated Lists

When it comes to trip planning, boy oh boy, do I love a list. After I’ve booked my flight, I immediately turn to TikTok, saving video after video of travel tips and itinerary recommendations. From there, I make a flexible plan in my notes app, with restaurants, stores, and monuments that are must-see spots during a vacation.

To create a curated list, go to the You tab and tap the + New list button. Give your list a name and description, and choose an icon. Then, when you come across a place on the map you’d like to visit, simply scroll through the tabs and tap the Save button to add it to your list.

1. Go to the You tab and tap the + New list button
2. Give your list a name and description, and choose an icon
3. Scroll through the tabs and tap the Save button to add a place to your list

7. Letting Gemini Take the Reins

Sometimes travel planning or deciding what to do next in a busy, new city is simply overwhelming. When this happens, I defer to Gemini, an AI chatbot developed by Google.

To use Gemini, simply ask it to suggest things to do on a rainy day or recommend the best restaurant for a family dinner. Based on Google reviews, Gemini will curate personalized suggestions, displaying them as pins on the map for you to explore.

1. Ask Gemini to suggest things to do on a rainy day
2. Ask Gemini to recommend the best restaurant for a family dinner
3. Gemini will curate personalized suggestions, displaying them as pins on the map

Bonus Feature

The Gemini-powered feature will also organize screenshots of travel ideas, helping you to keep track of your plans.

If you’re like me, you have thousands of photos saved to your Photos app.