GPS in Germany

We’ve been using Google maps our last couple trips and it has worked fine. We’ve used it live and also used the offline downloaded maps. I bookmark hotels, parking lots, and places we want to visit on maps. Then it’s just click on the bookmark, click directions, then click start.

I always use Google maps GPS in Europe, including Germany, and it’s been very accurate. There’s no need for another device if you have a smartphone. Just remember to bring a charger for the rental car.

No chance to update the map material on the Tom-Tom?

Most precise navigation tools in Germany base on Here.com maps.
Google Maps contains too much mistakes for my understanding of quality. wrong entries, double entries, missing streets, etc.

Mark, maybe as a local, you found it difficult, but I’ve used it throughout Europe, and I’ve very rarely had a problem. It used to be more inaccurate years ago, but has gotten much better over the years and now it’s my go to-for walking, driving and public transportation.

I also use google maps, and think it works quite well.

Also, just as a side note: Google maps for many many years had very limited street view abilities in Germany (because we are very privacy concerned here, mostly), but that changed this summer, so people can use it to explore areas here again.

Tony, I wonder if you mean "with zero data available on my cell phone plan?"

Although Points of Interest are much less available, it is possible to download (I mean where you have free WiFI, like at home just before leaving) "local" map data of any area you select, on Google Maps (I think it stays for 30 days or so) and then navigate. But you might have to manually find the town you're going to, rather than typing in the name.

You certainly should be able to do this while at home, either on Google Maps or Waze, for example. It might be a little tedious, but you should be able to copy and paste some details of the trip to paper, if you're afraid of doing in after arrival in Europe. Of course, any traffic or daily closures will be missing on the actual day of the drive.

It sounds like you will have a list of the towns in which you will have hotel reservations (?) well in advance. I used to use Garmin, but some of the (included) map upgrade data is now too big for the memory in the Garmins I have. Planned obsolescence! Luckily my T-Mobile plan has free data in Europe, slightly limited speed. But I'm not watching football games. It works great for navigation with Waze.

Thanks for your comments. I'll probable use my Verizon Daily Plan which is $10 per day for international service. This way I can get real time traffic info in addition to mapping.

TomTom takes me eveywhere. They have a phone app too, but I have never used it. Real time update for Stau und stockender Verkehr really comes in handy. I like to use alternate routes and avoid Autobahns, Maut/toll roads etc.

It nice to know that street view is now allowed in Germany. That must have happened shortly after our May/June trip.