ViaMichelin vs. Google Maps?

I use both at different times. My first choice for European routing is Michelin, but mainly because they are known for their European maps. I don't see any reason not to use both since they are both free and convenient!

They're pretty similar. One slight advantage of Google Maps is the ability to toggle back and forth between a map and a satelite image, so that you can get a better idea of what the area looks like. Google Earth offers an even better feature that allows you to click on pictures of landmarks along the route.

I use both. Each has features the other doesn't have. Viamichelin has a slick way of searching for good restaurants, good accommodations, and tourism sights--all on one website. But it's a little less user friendly for directions from point A to point B--for example, it will ask you if you mean 10 different destinations that are similar to the one you input and it's sometimes difficult to figure out which one to specify, whereas Google Map seems to intuitively figure out the one you want without subjecting you to a geography quiz.

I've also used both. I always start with the viamichelin website because I'm used to using them for Europe. I use them for getting a general idea of travel time between cities & ease of changing various travel scenarios. If I have an actual place I am going to (i.e. hotel address) I will look at google maps too and pick the direction set that seems clearest.

I use them both. I started using Michelin before (I think) there was Google Map, and I think I still like it for directions, particularly since it estimates fuel costs.

However, I really like Google Maps when it comes to looking at the satellite views of a place to which I am going.

The Bahn website also has a feature that is useful for Germany. If you put in your hotels address as a destination, it will show you the walking directions to/from the nearest transit stop.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm finding Viamichelin harder to use. The map screen is smaller; the zooming functions are clumsy. Google is faster and easier to manipulate. Curious if Kent or others have similar impressions.

Doug: That is exactly what I've found using Viamichelin. That is why I have started imbedding the link for Google Maps instead of Viamichelin and comparing it to Google Map. And what I've recently learned from Norm (of Ottawa) is the mini-Apps you can add to Google Map--pretty slick, once it's open, click My Map (you might have to be signed in) and then Browse the Directory! Try Position Finder and Distance Measurement Tool. And the Street Views of Google Map are superior to those of Google Earth.

In case you missed it in Kent's post, Sharon; don't forget Google EARTH versus Google Maps. Both have great functions but for some stuff GEarth does it better IMO.

Hi Sharon. We drive alot in Europe for months at a time. First we just used maps from the bookstores here in the US. That was OK for a while . Then we learned from our friends who own a gite in France that the best maps are bought in Europe. This is true. You can get regional maps at tobacco shops, bookstores, stationary stores. They are much more detailed and have the forests, little villages, etc. We are photographers and we love to go to out of the way villages. Now we are much more sophisticated and have a GPS and regional maps. GPS's are great.If we have a place we want to photograph ,but it is raining or the light is not right we stop, put down a marker, name it, and drive on. Then we can press a button and revisit the site.If you put a marker on your hotel or gite, you can just wander and ignore the GPS, get good and lost and then click on your marker and go back to the hotel.

Thank you all for the excellent info! It's great to have these resources--your replies help me understand the benefits and drawbacks of each.