Driving directions

Mobile coverage is very good in the most parts of Germany.

Sygic app provides navigation and direction without need of mobile connection.

Here.com has the best map quality for Germany, also used by most car manufacturers.
Google Maps is not recommended for Germany.

Important: If you want to drive a car in Germany ensure the validity of your driving license in Germany and also the likely need for an IDP to have valid driving permission [not license only] in Germany. Violations are expensive and in case of accident a driver without valid permission loses the insurance coverage.

Do not forget to winter tyres in months when temperatures can get close to 0 °C - mandatory by law.

You should have no problem using GPS and getting cell reception. I've rented cars all over Europe, including Germany, and have never had a problem with directions using Google Maps. Keep in mind that Germans use GPS apps like Google maps all the time. :-) The woman who owned the Ferienwohnung I stayed at used it.

I also like the ease and convenience of using an app I am familiar with. My rental car in Germany came with a portable GPS, and after about 10 minutes of trying to figure it out (and I speak German), I gave up and used Google maps the rest of the trip.

Google Maps is not recommended for Germany.

I don't know why someone would say that, but I can tell you I used Google maps in Germany when I was there in 2022, and didn't have the slightest problem.

Been using TomTom for years. I'm familiar with it and it's accurate. Some faults as the updates have not caught up, and it can take you on adventure tours sometimes. I also buy the safety camera updates. I have never had a signal or GPS problem these last years.

Download the Waze app to your phone and use that. It is the most up to date app available (that I've found) and even tracks the portable speed cameras. It also shows the construction zones, accidents, etc. much better than Google maps. You should have consistent service anywhere in Germany, and most of the rest of the EU.

It is the most up to date app available (that I've found) and even tracks the portable speed cameras. It also shows the construction zones, accidents, etc. much better than Google maps.

KGC, Google Maps is doing that now as well (FWIW, it owns Waze). My last couple of trips using Google maps has given me notice of speed cameras, construction sites, accidents, cars pulled over—basically the same stuff Waze is showing. I like Waze but I think you could use either without worry.

Google maps has worked well for me in Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium, all in the past couple years. With GM you can also download maps for offline use when there is no cell service.

Mardee - I use Waze, in Germany and France, daily. I see a marked difference between that and Google maps.

I always ask the rental car agency to change the car's the GPS to English before leaving the lot. That way I don't have to depend on my phone.

Thank you all for the feedback!!!