Ever found yourself hopelessly lost while on holiday? It can be a real dampener, especially if you've got plans. While stumbling upon hidden gems in a new city can be exciting, it's not ideal when you're racing against time to meet reservations.
This is why travel expert Neil Atkinson, the brains behind Luxury Group Stay, has revealed his number one trick for never losing your way – and it involves a bit of a throwback approach. Neil said: "Downloading an offline map of the area you're travelling to is one of the most important travel hacks I always recommend. It's completely free and can save you hours of stress, whether you're exploring the Lake District or wandering through Barcelona."
Having an offline map means even without data, you're sorted. Just don't forget to download the map while connected to the internet. Neil said: "I always tell people to do it before leaving home, or at least while still on hotel Wi-Fi."
There are some drawbacks, although they're small fry. Neil said: "You'll only get driving directions when offline, not public transport routes, and you won't see real-time traffic updates."
The great news is offline maps are light on storage, so even for sprawling cities, you won't need to fret over space, reports the Express.
Neil's parting wisdom focuses on preparation: "Make sure to download a wider area than you think you'll need. Better to have too much map than too little when you're in the middle of nowhere!".
Fire up your Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android
Hit your profile snap in the top right nook.
Choose "Offline maps" then "Select your own map".
Tweak the blue square to blanket your intended spot.
Tap "Download" and you're done.
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