With regard to my original question... with data turned off will google maps still work as a satnav?

Last time I did this (which admittedly was a few years ago), first think I did was to go to the local Halfords and buy a cheap garmin or some such -- and sold it to one of you lot when I returned.  Cost a few quid all up, but it was absolutely essential for our holiday.

kiwifidget:

 

With regard to my original question... with data turned off will google maps still work as a satnav?

 

Yeah, as long as you have an 'Offline Maps' download of the area you will be travelling in.

Do all removable satnavs work off a ciggie lighter type socket in the car?

My car is 12 years old, do modern cars all have that socket still?

stick:

 

kiwifidget:

 

With regard to my original question... with data turned off will google maps still work as a satnav?

 

 

Yeah, as long as you have an 'Offline Maps' download of the area you will be travelling in.

 

👍

rscole86: @kiwifidget, yes as per my original reply 'satnav' or navigation works offline, the link explains it all.
I suggest you give it a go before you depart, it really is very easy to do.
No harm in having a back up in case your paid for option does not work well.

All modern cars I've been in still have 12v sockets, without the cigarette lighter of course.

and the ash trays! 

Why would you not just get a local sim and just use google maps/insert maps here? cheper than buying maps for the garmins and you can do ever else on the phone as well

kiwifidget:

 

With regard to my original question... with data turned off will google maps still work as a satnav?

 

This was answered in the affirmative by several posts early in the thread.

Google Support  says:

“Use offline maps

After you download an area, use the Google Maps app just like you normally would. If your internet connection is slow or absent, your offline maps will guide you to your destination as long as the entire route is within the offline map.

• Get directions & show routes
• Use navigation
• Search for locations

Tip: Transit, bicycling, or walking directions are unavailable offline. In your offline driving directions, you can’t get traffic info, alternate routes, or lane guidance.”

Torque:

 

firefuze: One thing to keep in mind when using Google Maps with offline maps, it only provides driving turn by turn directions. It won’t provide you with walking directions/guidance. Found out the hard way on my last overseas trip.

Suffice just panning around the map but walking directions would have been much more convenient.

 

I did this a few days ago and walking worked fine for me having downloaded the local area in the app (Google Maps, iOS) on hotel wifi before heading out, so YMMV.

 

Maybe you were walking the driving instructions because walking directions do not work in offline maps.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to try and do all the things suggested here to see what works best for us.

eracode:

 

Maybe you were walking the driving instructions because walking directions do not work in offline maps.

 

Can confirm this. Even Google's own documentation says it's not possible. I'm on Android though as a data point, maybe it's different on iOS?

KiwiSurfer:

 

eracode:

 

Maybe you were walking the driving instructions because walking directions do not work in offline maps.

 

 

Can confirm this. Even Google's own documentation says it's not possible. I'm on Android though as a data point, maybe it's different on iOS?

 

No, there’s no difference between iOS and Android. Walking instructions (and a few other online features) are not available in downloaded offline maps on either platform. Again, see Google Maps support. There’s two tabs there - Android and iOS - and they’re identical in this regard.

I'd advise the OP not to get too hung up on using Google maps, as others have mentioned there are plenty of others.

I've recently had 2 months in Europe and mainly used OSMAnd (off-line maps) supplemented by Google Maps. I bought the Maps+ add-in a few years back as the free version is limited to 7 downloads (maps and updates).

OSMAnd does take a bit of getting used to, but will give walking guidance, and I find the maps a lot clearer layout than Google's. It's guidance is a bit flakey, but if walking, it's pretty easy to pick that up. I tend to look at the route put the phone away and follow the nose and memory. It's fun getting a bit lost anyway 😁.

As we were using data eSims, it wasn't an issue using Google maps, and the occasional Streetview page was useful.

Jase2985:

 

Why would you not just get a local sim and just use google maps/insert maps here? cheper than buying maps for the garmins and you can do ever else on the phone as well

 

Because you can download Google/Navigate/whatever maps for free using WiFi?