Has anyone rented a car with the Wifi rental option and used it for navigation purposes...i.e. like Google Maps or getting directions? Not sure if the signal will stay strong enough while driving or if we would be better off with the Navigation system in the car? Suggestions?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23307 posts
We have always used our own portable, GPS system. Works fine. And sometimes use it in the walk mode in the city.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
You can use a smart phone and Google Maps "offline" as a GPS without any internet or mobile phone service. GPS itself works without it - though you need to download the actual maps ("offline") ahead of time. Try it at home: go into Google Maps on your phone, find the "offline" setting, download your home-area map, put the phone in airplane mode...and then use Google Maps to navigate somewhere by car. It works! I drove in Slovenia with my phone this way, last year.
If you get the hang of that, then download the offline map you need for Italy (or maybe choose different offline areas as you move around Italy, download on WiFi). The more storage space your phone has, the larger the offline map you can download to your phone.
(Google Maps offline works only for driving directions at the moment, though, not walking or public transit directions.)
If you really need "WiFi" for other purposes (e.g. your tablet or laptop), you can always use your smart phone as a WiFi hotspot, if it has mobile service - that is, use your home cell phone's international roaming plan or buy a local SIM card for your unlocked phone.
Posted by
Boston, MA
1829 posts
Are rental cars being offered with Wifi inside the cabin now?
I have not heard of that before.
Assuming they use a cell signal it will be fine but really matters exactly where you plan on driving if you will ever drop the signal. In populated areas of Italy that wouldn't happen but in more remote areas it could.
Google Maps and the like's GPS will still function regardless so unless you turn off route and need to recalculate if it drops really should not affect it's ability to guide you.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Google Maps and the like's GPS will still function regardless so unless you turn off route and need to recalculate if it drops really should not affect it's ability to guide you.
Or if you download the Google Maps "offline" map ahead of time, you can recalculate to your heart's content...without WiFi or an internet connection.