You’ve just arrived in an unfamiliar city. The train station has several exits, your hotel is somewhere beyond the square, and the map on your phone refuses to load. You know the address. You simply can’t work out which direction to walk.
It’s a familiar travel frustration, and one that’s surprisingly easy to prepare for. Downloading an offline map before leaving home means you can still find streets, locate saved places and, depending on the app, follow directions without mobile data.
Offline maps are useful well beyond places with unreliable reception. They can help when you’re avoiding roaming charges, travelling through rural areas or simply trying to understand a new city without repeatedly searching for Wi-Fi.
The important thing is knowing what your map can do without an internet connection, because not every navigation app works the same way.
What is an offline map?
An offline map is a downloaded copy of geographical information that your phone can access without a mobile data or Wi-Fi connection.
Instead of loading streets and place names from the internet as you move around, the app uses information stored on your device.
Depending on the application, you may be able to search for addresses, view nearby streets, identify landmarks and receive turn-by-turn directions.
Your phone can also determine its position using satellite navigation without mobile data, although location accuracy can be affected by buildings, terrain and the surrounding environment.
There is an important distinction: downloading a map doesn’t mean every feature of the app will continue working. Live traffic, current public transport information and some search functions may still require an internet connection.
How to download offline maps in Google Maps
Google Maps is a convenient starting point if it’s already the navigation app you use at home.
Before travelling, connect to Wi-Fi and download the area surrounding your destination.
- Open Google Maps on your phone.
- Tap your profile picture or initial.
- Select Offline maps.
- Choose Select your own map.
- Move and resize the selection to cover the area you’ll be visiting.
- Tap Download and wait until the download finishes.
Make sure the downloaded area includes more than your hotel. Add the arrival station, neighbourhoods you plan to explore and any roads you’ll need if you’re driving.
Google Maps can provide offline driving directions when the route falls within the downloaded area. However, walking, cycling and public transport directions aren’t available offline in Google Maps. Live traffic information and alternative driving routes are also unavailable without a connection.
Offline downloads are restricted in some countries and regions, so check availability before your trip.
Google also recommends updating downloaded maps before they expire. You can manage updates through the Offline maps settings.
For the current instructions, see Google’s official offline maps guide.
How to download offline maps on an iPhone
Apple Maps supports offline map downloads on compatible iPhones running iOS 17 or later.
In supported areas, downloaded Apple Maps can provide driving, walking, cycling and public transport directions without an internet connection. Available information can also include estimated arrival times and details about places.
To download a map:
- Open the Maps app on your iPhone.
- Tap your picture or initials beside the search field.
- Select Offline Maps.
- Tap Add Offline Map.
- Search for your destination and adjust the selected area.
- Tap Download.
You can also search for a location and download its surrounding map when the option is available.
Apple Maps shows the estimated storage required before downloading. You can later resize or delete saved areas through the Offline Maps menu.
Not every region supports offline maps, and features vary by location. Check Apple’s official instructions before relying on the feature abroad.
An alternative worth knowing: Organic Maps
For travellers who want an app designed around offline navigation, Organic Maps is another option.
It uses OpenStreetMap data and supports downloadable maps, offline search and navigation for walking, cycling and driving.
It can be particularly useful for exploring smaller roads, footpaths and cycling routes that you want available without a mobile connection.
The app is free and available for Android and iPhone. You can find details at Organic Maps.
As with any map, the quality of information varies by location. A route appearing on the screen doesn’t guarantee that a path is open, accessible or suitable for current conditions.
Which offline map app should you choose?
For most city breaks, there’s no need to install several navigation apps. Start with the one that meets your needs.
| App | Best suited to | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | Familiar city navigation and offline driving | No offline walking, cycling or public transport directions |
| Apple Maps | iPhone users who want several offline navigation modes | Available only in supported areas |
| Organic Maps | Offline walking, cycling and exploring smaller routes | Map detail and route information depend on available data |
If you’re travelling somewhere remote, consider keeping a second source of navigation available. That might be another downloaded map, a paper map or specialist navigation equipment appropriate to the terrain.
What to save before you leave
Downloading the map is only the beginning. A little preparation can make it considerably more useful when you arrive.
- Your accommodation: Save the address and check that you can find it on the downloaded map.
- Arrival and departure points: Include airports, railway stations, ferry terminals and bus stations where relevant.
- Important places: Identify any museums, restaurants or attractions you already plan to visit.
- The surrounding neighbourhood: Download enough streets to allow for changes of plan and unexpected detours.
- Booking information: Keep tickets, reservation details and important addresses accessible without internet access.
- Emergency information: Save local emergency numbers and any essential contact details separately from your map.
Don’t assume every saved place, list or note will behave identically offline. Test the information you’ll need before departure.
Test your map before travelling
The easiest way to find out whether your offline map works is to disconnect your phone from the internet while you’re still at home.
After downloading, enable airplane mode and make sure Wi-Fi is switched off. Open the map and try locating your accommodation.
Zoom in on nearby streets. Search for a saved location if your app supports offline search. Try the navigation feature you intend to use.
If you’re planning to drive, confirm that the downloaded area covers the entire route, not just the destination.
This simple test can reveal missing downloads, incomplete coverage or features that still require a connection.
What offline maps cannot tell you
A downloaded map is useful, but it is not a live record of everything happening around you.
A road may be closed for construction. A walking path may be temporarily inaccessible. A bus timetable may have changed since the information was downloaded.
Restaurants and shops can change their opening hours, and the details stored in an offline map may not reflect recent updates.
For public transport, important appointments or journeys involving several connections, check current information whenever a connection is available.
In remote or mountainous areas, offline maps should be treated as one part of a wider navigation plan. Battery life, weather, terrain and the reliability of the available mapping data all matter.
An offline map can make exploring more enjoyable
There is another benefit to having a map stored on your phone: you can afford to be a little less concerned about getting lost.
On the first morning in an unfamiliar city, you might follow directions closely. You turn where the screen tells you to turn and concentrate on reaching the correct address.
Later, once you understand the main streets, you may begin to notice the places between your planned stops.
A market appears along a side road. A park offers a quieter route back to the hotel. A neighbourhood that seemed distant on the map turns out to be within comfortable walking distance.
Instead of checking directions at every junction, you can look at the larger area, choose a general direction and explore.
That doesn’t mean abandoning navigation. It means knowing you have it available when you need it.
Don’t forget the paper map
For all the convenience of digital navigation, a paper map still has its advantages.
It doesn’t need charging, can be shared easily with someone travelling alongside you and offers a broad view of a city without scrolling across a screen.
Visitor centres and hotels sometimes provide printed maps of central neighbourhoods. These can be particularly useful for planning a day’s walking route over breakfast.
A paper map won’t tell you where you are automatically, and it may also contain outdated information. But as a backup, or simply a different way of seeing a place, it remains useful.
Frequently asked questions
Do offline maps work without mobile data?
Yes. Once the relevant map has been downloaded, supported features can work without mobile data or Wi-Fi. The available navigation functions depend on the app.
Does GPS work without an internet connection?
Yes. A phone can use satellite navigation to determine its position without mobile data, although obtaining a position may take longer and accuracy can vary. You still need downloaded map information to see your location in context.
Can Google Maps give walking directions offline?
No. Google Maps currently supports offline driving directions within downloaded areas, but walking, cycling and public transport directions require an internet connection.
How much storage do offline maps need?
Storage requirements depend on the size of the downloaded area and the application. Check the estimated download size and available storage before saving large regions.
Should you download maps before every trip?
It’s a useful precaution, particularly when travelling abroad or visiting somewhere with uncertain mobile coverage. Check whether an existing downloaded map needs updating before departure.
A small preparation that makes travel easier
An offline map won’t make every journey effortless. Trains will still be delayed, streets will still be confusing, and occasionally you’ll walk in the wrong direction before realising your mistake.
But having the map ready means a lost connection doesn’t have to become a lost afternoon.
Download the area, save the places that matter and check everything works before leaving. Then, when you arrive, you can spend a little less time worrying about finding your way and a little more time discovering where you are.