Navigating new destinations can be a breeze with the right tools and know-how, so we’ve gathered insights from five seasoned travelers, including Founders and Heads of Marketing. They share their top tips, from preloading maps for offline navigation to the importance of planning ahead and utilizing offline maps, ensuring you’re well-equipped for your next adventure.
- Preload Maps for Offline Navigation
- Combine Offline Maps with Local Insights
- Enhance Safety with Voice Commands
- Incorporate User Reviews and Traffic Alerts
- Pre-Trip Preparation and Real-Time Updates
Preload Maps for Offline Navigation
Navigation apps are essential during travels. Preloading maps for offline use ensures I stay on track even without internet access.
Customizing routes based on real-time traffic updates and using the “Explore” feature to find nearby amenities and attractions enhances the travel experience. A helpful tip is to save frequent destinations and utilize voice commands for a hands-free and safer navigation experience.
David Wilfong
Founder and CEO, DavidWilfong
Combine Offline Maps with Local Insights
As a busy financial digital marketing agency owner, travel is essential for conferences and client meetings. Even seasoned travelers can get turned around! I download offline maps for my destinations to navigate without data connectivity. I identify key locations like my hotel, conference venues, and must-see attractions, and save them in the app for quick access. Researching public transportation options helps me plan efficient travel within the city.
On the go, I use the app’s walking routes to explore new areas and discover hidden gems. Real-time traffic updates help me avoid congestion and reroute if necessary, saving precious travel time. Knowing the estimated travel time to my destination helps me manage my schedule and avoid last-minute scrambles.
Bonus tip: Don’t hesitate to ask for help! While navigation apps are great, getting lost can lead to unexpected adventures. Embrace the chance to interact with locals and ask for directions. Combining pre-trip planning with smart navigation strategies ensures efficient, enjoyable travels and a few happy detours!
Shane McEvoy
MD, Flycast Media
Enhance Safety with Voice Commands
Navigation apps are essential during my travels. Preloading maps for offline use ensures I stay on track even in areas with poor reception. Customizing routes based on traffic updates and using the “Explore” feature helps find local amenities and attractions.
One tip is to save frequent destinations and use voice commands to stay hands-free, enhancing both safety and convenience while on the road.
Bart Waldon
Co-Founder, Land Boss
Incorporate User Reviews and Traffic Alerts
Using navigation apps effectively during travels involves more than just getting from point A to point B. Before trips, downloading offline maps is crucial, especially in areas with unreliable internet.
Additionally, exploring user reviews within these apps helps find hidden gems and local favorites. Setting up notifications for real-time traffic updates can also save a lot of time. Combining these practices ensures a smoother, more enjoyable journey, enhancing the overall travel experience.
Robin Luo
Founder, ICRFQ
Pre-Trip Preparation and Real-Time Updates
The quality use of navigation apps has significantly improved my overall traveling experience. Elaborate pre-trip preparation has been one of the mantras for success. I punch in all the important places I plan to visit into the app and save them either as favorite places or include them as destinations on a tailor-made travel route before I set off. As such, I have pretty good accessibility to the directions to the place without the hassle of typing in addresses on the go, which saves me time as well as hassle.
Another aspect is downloading offline maps. This has come in handy, especially when I have traveled to areas with bad or no coverage. Most mapping applications, like Google Maps, have the ability to enable you to download maps of particular areas. Consequently, I have been able to navigate just as well without having to be concerned about faint signals or outrageously expensive roaming charges.
I also utilize, to the fullest, the real-time traffic updates and alternate routes of the application. Every time I am on the move, I always pre-measure all the time I have to travel in anticipation of traffic jams, road closures, or accidents that might happen on the way that could cause significant delays on my road trip. By acquiring up-to-date road awareness, I am able to use quicker and more efficient routes, and by chance, probably save more time and avoid potential frustrations in the first place.
Also, I use the points of interest (POI) feature in mapping applications. This feature guides me in finding points of interest such as attractions, restaurants, fuel stations, and other important service points in the region. By searching for these points of interest, I end up discovering less popular attractions that add more value to my visit. For example, I found a small local coffee shop that was unlisted in any guide, thanks to the POI feature.
Kwame McGill
Founder & Owner, Chimney And Stone Masonry LLC.
