Google Maps: Global but Not Always Best
Google Maps works almost everywhere and is the default choice for most travellers. It offers turn-by-turn navigation, traffic data, and points of interest in nearly every country. For general use in North America, Europe, Australia, and most of Asia, it is reliable.
Weaknesses: In some regions, map data is outdated or incomplete. Traffic information depends on local usage: in countries where few people use Google Maps, traffic data is sparse. Offline maps require advance download and have limited functionality. In China, Google services are blocked. In South Korea, Google Maps cannot provide driving directions due to government restrictions.
Waze: Great for Speed Camera Alerts
Waze is owned by Google but operates separately. Its strength is crowdsourced data: users report accidents, hazards, police, and speed cameras in real time. If you care about avoiding speed traps, Waze is often better than Google Maps in countries where it has an active user base (US, Europe, Israel, Brazil, parts of Asia).
Caveats: Waze requires data connectivity. It can suggest aggressive shortcuts through residential areas. In regions with few Waze users, reports are scarce and the app offers little advantage over Google Maps.
Apple Maps: Improved but Limited
Apple Maps has improved significantly and now rivals Google in many regions. It offers clean design, good integration with Apple devices, and offline maps (download in advance). In the US, UK, and Australia, it is a solid choice.
Limitations: Coverage and accuracy vary by country. In less-developed regions, Apple Maps may have gaps. It lacks the crowdsourced police and camera alerts that Waze provides. If you are an iPhone user, it is worth trying; if routing seems off, switch to Google or a local app.
Choose by route, not by a world ranking
The useful question is whether the app has the road, address system, restrictions and traffic information for the exact route. A global app can be excellent in one city and weak after the last motorway exit. A local app may have better place names but require a local script, phone number or account. Install two different providers, then compare the first and last kilometres before departure.
Treat country examples as checks, not promises
South Korea: Naver Maps and Kakao Maps
Google’s driving coverage and local address handling in South Korea can differ from the service you use at home. Test Naver Maps and Kakao Maps with the rental branch, hotel and first fuel stop. Check the language of road names and whether the app accepts the phone number or map pin supplied by the host.
Russia and Central Asia: Yandex Maps and 2GIS
Yandex Maps and 2GIS may contain useful local addresses in parts of Russia and Central Asia, but availability, language, payments and current traffic data depend on the country. Download the map while connected and keep a written destination address; do not assume a foreign account or card will work.
China: Baidu Maps and Amap
Services and map data available in mainland China differ from those available on a traveller’s home phone. Test Baidu Maps or Amap (高德地图) before the trip, save the Chinese destination name, and ask the hotel for a local address or map pin. Do not rely on a VPN as a road-safety plan; keep an offline map and a written address.
Japan: Google Maps Usually Sufficient
Google Maps works well in Japan. Yahoo! Japan Maps and Navitime offer alternatives with more detailed local information, but for most visitors Google is adequate. Japanese addresses can be confusing; having a map code or phone number for your destination helps.
HERE WeGo: Offline-First Option
HERE WeGo is designed for offline use. You download entire countries or regions and navigate without data. It is useful for road trips in areas with poor coverage: rural Europe, parts of Africa, long drives in Australia. The app is free and works on iOS and Android.
Trade-off: Offline maps are large (several GB for a full country). Traffic and real-time updates require connectivity. For planning ahead and avoiding data charges, HERE WeGo is excellent.
Maps.me: Offline Hiking and Rural
Maps.me (formerly MapsWithMe) focuses on offline maps with good coverage of trails, footpaths, and rural areas. It is popular with hikers and travellers in regions with limited infrastructure. Driving directions are available but less refined than Google or HERE. Use it when you need maps in areas where other apps have gaps.
Tips for Offline Maps
Download before you travel. Connect to Wi-Fi and download the regions you will visit. Google Maps: tap your profile picture → Offline maps → Select your own map. Choose the area and wait for the download to complete.
Update periodically. Offline maps expire; Google prompts you to update after about 30 days. Refresh before a trip.
Test before you go. Open the app in airplane mode and verify that navigation works. Some features (e.g. real-time traffic, alternate routes) require data.
Storage space. Offline maps can use 1–5 GB per region. Clear old downloads if your phone is low on space.
Mount the phone where it can be read without blocking the view. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
A navigation prompt never overrides the road sign, lane marking or temporary closure. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Build a navigation backup
Before collecting the car, download the route region in two apps, pin the accommodation and fuel stops, and send the itinerary to a passenger. Test in airplane mode with the phone disconnected from Wi-Fi. Keep a charger, a power bank and the rental branch number accessible; a dead phone is a route failure, not merely an inconvenience.
Do not type while moving. Let a passenger change the route, or pull into a legal stopping place. Ignore a shortcut that sends a rental car onto a prohibited road, a closed pass, a ferry without a booking or a road excluded by the contract. The driver remains responsible for signs and closures even when an app says the road is open.
Data Roaming Considerations
Roaming costs can add up quickly. If you rely on navigation with data, check your plan. Many carriers offer daily roaming packages; others charge per MB. Offline maps eliminate navigation data use: you only need GPS, which does not use cellular data.
Local SIM cards are often cheaper for extended stays. Buy one at the airport or a local shop. Ensure your phone is unlocked. Prepaid data plans in Europe and Asia are usually affordable.
Quick Reference: Which App Where
| Region | Primary App | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| US, Canada | Google Maps, Waze | Apple Maps |
| Europe | Google Maps, Waze | HERE WeGo (offline) |
| UK | Google Maps, Waze | Apple Maps |
| South Korea | Naver Maps, Kakao Maps | : (Google has no driving) |
| Japan | Google Maps | Navitime |
| China | Baidu Maps, Amap | : (Google blocked) |
| Russia, Central Asia | Yandex Maps, 2GIS | Google Maps (weaker) |
| Australia | Google Maps, Waze | Apple Maps |
| Offline / rural | HERE WeGo, Maps.me | Google (pre-download) |
Sources and review date
This tip was reviewed on August 17, 2026. App coverage, road restrictions and offline features change; confirm the exact route, language and account requirements before departure.
- Google Maps Help: download areas for offline use
- Apple Support: download offline maps
- Waze Help: navigation and map updates
- UK Highway Code: using a mobile phone while driving
- NHTSA: distracted driving
No single app is best everywhere. Research the route, download the required tools before leaving, and retain a backup that still works when connectivity fails.