How to Use Google Maps Offline: Save Data While Traveling
The most useful travel trick nobody uses
Google Maps lets you download entire cities for offline navigation, and it is shockingly underutilised. Most travelers only discover this feature when they are already lost in a city with no signal. Do yourself a favour and set it up before you leave home.
How to download
Search for your destination city in Google Maps. Tap the city name, then the three-dot menu, then Download offline map. Drag the blue rectangle to cover the area you need, and tap Download. A city-centre area is usually 50 to 150 MB.
What works without data
Navigation, turn-by-turn directions for driving, and address searches all work offline. You can find restaurants, hotels, and landmarks on the map. What you lose is real-time traffic data, transit directions, and business reviews.
The smart combination
Download offline maps for every destination on your itinerary. Then use your eSIM data for the things that need live connectivity: transit directions, restaurant reviews, real-time traffic rerouting. This approach extends your data plan significantly because the heaviest map data is already cached locally.
Other apps worth caching
Google Translate language packs for offline translation. Maps.me for hiking trails. Your airline app with boarding passes downloaded. Hotel booking confirmations screenshotted. Build an offline safety net, then use your live data for everything else.