A while ago I read an article on the RS website that compared several Map Apps and their use for walking. I remember it saying Google maps could be used but it would only give driving directions when used off line. There was one app that was recommended but I do not remember the name. I have not been able to find this article again. Should have book marked it.
Can anyone help either with the link or a recommended app for walking while off line?
Not sure if this offers everything you want, but we used Ulmon CityMaps2Go. I could select our hotel and it would stay marked, and then it showed where we were. Perfect for what we needed.
You can use Google Maps "offline" to "show where you are" too on a map, but no walking directions. Having a SIM additionally benefits you with public transit directions - and now Google Maps has real-time delay/arrival info for some cities' public transit systems, so it can even give you bus/tram/subway directions based on a bus/train being on time or not. SIM cards are so cheap and well worth the cost if you would use them like this - invaluable to me.
Give maps.me a try for offline use when walking. I had better luck with that than Google maps offline.
A second vote here for Ulmon CityMaps2Go. I've used this app on multiple trips.
How about a paper map for walking? (I guess I really am a dinosaur!)
I have used paper maps for a long time. The only trouble is I have found many cities where the street names are not well posted and/or change name every block. I am finally coming out of the dark ages and have just gotten a smart phone and was going to try something different.
CityMaps2Go. It doesn’t provide directions offline but the map and GPS is - so you can follow your progress in real time. You can see if you turned south out of the subway exit instead of north and are headed away from your destination
REALLY helpful with tiny, unmarked alleys in old pedestrian quarters.
You can mark places of interest - so you can see that you are only a block from that highly recommend cafe you read about.
And phone maps have another advantage - you can stop and look at it without marking yourself as a lost tourist. Everyone checks their phone on the street!
Bob, I seem to recall we discussed your smart phone before? I don't recall the details, but I highly encourage you to get a SIM in Europe if you don't have Sprint or T-Mobile.
I am planning on getting a SIM (the phone is unlocked) as soon as I get to England. I just am not going to sign up for a plan with much data. I want it mostly to call for reservations. My wife will also be getting a SIM for her phone and we will be able to call each other if we get separated.
Good. You don't need much data anyway, but these SIMs are super cheap now with plenty of data. Last May, I had 3GB of data to use for a month, but over 17 days, I used barely 2GB (I tried to use it up near the end when I realized I would have plenty). And I used my phone constantly for Google Maps, etc. Just connect your phone to WiFi whenever it is available to save data and use it otherwise whenever you need it.
The one thing that really eats up data on a phone is video streaming. If you avoid that, you should have plenty of data for a cheap price.
Thank you everyone. I will check out the suggested apps.
