Google Maps

Maps, routes, and local places in one app

Google Maps combines digital maps, navigation, and local search for people who need help getting somewhere or deciding where to go. It supports driving, walking, cycling, and public transport directions, with route guidance that can respond to traffic and other road conditions. It also helps you find businesses, landmarks, stations, parking, and other places around you.

Useful for everyday travel and unfamiliar cities

Search results include practical details such as opening hours, phone numbers, photos, ratings, and busy-period information where available. Reviews and map listings make it easier to compare restaurants, shops, services, and attractions before leaving home. Street View and location imagery can also help you recognise a building, entrance, or surrounding street when you arrive.

For trips beyond your usual area, you can save map regions for use when a reliable mobile connection is not available. Public transport information is particularly useful in cities, while walking guidance can make short urban journeys easier to follow. Some areas also offer camera-based guidance and more detailed visual map views, though availability depends on location and device.

Scale, coverage, and trade-offs

Google Maps is published by Google LLC and has more than 10 billion installs. Its broad coverage makes it a practical choice for travellers, commuters, drivers, and anyone checking local places. The amount of information can also make the interface feel busy, and extended navigation uses location services continuously, which may affect battery life.

The app currently holds a 3.17 rating from more than 19.3 million reviews. That figure reflects a very large and varied user base, so it is worth considering alongside the features you actually need: reliable directions, local discovery, transit planning, or offline access.