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7 Hidden Google Maps Features for Stress-Free Holiday Travel

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 15:23 GMT by CNET

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Google Maps Hidden Gems for a Stress‑Free Holiday: 7 Features You Might Not Know About

Traveling during the holiday season can be a whirlwind of last‑minute plans, crowded airports, and unpredictable traffic. Fortunately, Google Maps has built a treasure trove of little‑known tools that can help you navigate that chaos with ease. From pre‑flight scouting to offline navigation, these seven features let you plan, track, and enjoy your trip without the usual headaches.

1. Explore – Your Personal Concierge

The “Explore” tab in Google Maps is often overlooked, but it’s a powerful research tool for holidaymakers. By simply tapping the “Explore” icon, you can discover restaurants, attractions, and hidden gems near your destination. The results are filtered by your current location and can be sorted by popularity, rating, or distance. For instance, if you’re staying in a tourist‑heavy city like Paris or Tokyo, you can quickly identify off‑the‑beaten‑path cafes and local markets that would otherwise be buried under the usual tourist spots.

What makes Explore especially useful for holidays is its “Near You” and “Nearby” filters. These let you pinpoint places within a certain radius of your hotel or Airbnb, saving you the trouble of scrolling through endless lists. Additionally, the feature offers curated “top things to do” lists that adjust based on your travel dates and preferences, helping you stay on schedule without missing out on seasonal highlights.

2. Street View 360° and 3D for the Adventurous Eye

Street View is more than just a nostalgia‑filled photo‑wall; it’s a pre‑flight inspection tool. By sliding the little yellow person icon on the map, you can walk virtually through streets, plazas, and parks to get a feel for the surroundings. For holiday travelers, this preview can reassure you that your chosen accommodations are close to public transport, scenic views, or local shops.

Moreover, the 3D view (activated via the “3D” button on the top right) gives you a bird‑sight of iconic architecture and skyline changes that you might want to keep an eye on. Whether you’re heading to a city that’s famous for its cathedrals or planning a trek in mountainous terrain, the 3D view helps you map out your route in a more realistic manner.

3. Offline Maps – The Backup Plan

Airplane Wi‑Fi is notoriously unreliable, and the holiday rush can leave you stranded on a bus or train without internet. The offline maps feature lets you download entire cities or regions onto your phone, making navigation possible even when you’re offline.

To use it, open the Maps app, search for the city, tap the menu icon, and select “Download offline map.” Once the data is saved, you’ll see a “Map Available Offline” icon next to the area. This is particularly handy when traveling in remote destinations or during holiday peak periods when data can be expensive or slow. Additionally, the offline maps work with real‑time navigation for turn‑by‑turn directions, ensuring you won’t miss a turn even without a data connection.

4. Timeline – The Memory Lane

Google Maps Timeline tracks where you’ve been based on your Google account activity. It can be a valuable tool for revisiting previous stops or for verifying a particular route you followed during a previous trip. To access it, go to the menu, select “Your Timeline,” and pick the date of your holiday.

The Timeline feature shows every place you visited, the times you were there, and the paths you took. This can help you share a detailed itinerary with family members or friends, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. In a holiday setting, where schedules can be tight and changes frequent, the Timeline can also help you gauge how much time you truly have left for each activity.

5. Custom Routes with Waypoints

While the default directions are helpful, they may not always reflect the best scenic or time‑saving routes for holiday travelers. The custom route tool allows you to add multiple waypoints along a single journey. This is perfect for multi‑stop itineraries, such as a “road‑trip” style holiday across a country.

To add a waypoint, start a new route, tap the “Add destination” button, and insert each stop in the desired order. The system will recalculate the optimal path, taking traffic conditions into account. For holiday travelers, this means you can plan your day around the opening hours of museums, avoid peak‑time congestion, and even hop on a train or bus at the most convenient station.

6. Real‑Time Traffic and Time Estimates

Google Maps has long been praised for its live traffic updates, but during holidays the feature becomes essential. By tapping on a destination, you can see estimated travel times that account for real‑time congestion. The app also offers alternate routes, highlighting those that may save you minutes during rush hours or in heavily congested tourist zones.

For travelers who have tight schedules—such as those who need to catch a holiday flight or avoid a crowded beach—this real‑time insight can mean the difference between a smooth day and a frantic scramble. Additionally, the “High‑lights” on the traffic layer can help you identify key areas of congestion and plan accordingly.

7. Indoor Maps for Airports, Malls, and Museums

Google Maps now offers detailed indoor maps for many large venues, including airports, shopping centers, and museums. This feature displays the layout of the building, the positions of gates, shops, and facilities. For holiday travelers, indoor maps can help you navigate sprawling airports with multiple terminals, locate duty‑free shops, or find the nearest restroom—all while waiting for a flight.

To access indoor maps, simply open the venue’s name in Maps, and if an indoor map is available, a small “Inside” button will appear. The map will display all floors with a “fly‑over” view, allowing you to quickly pinpoint your destination. When used in conjunction with the app’s real‑time directions, indoor maps can streamline the process of navigating large, complex spaces.

How to Get Started

To make the most of these hidden features, keep your Google Maps app updated to the latest version. Some features—like offline maps and indoor navigation—require the newest build. Here’s a quick checklist to help you prepare before you pack:

1. Open Explore and search for your destination; add the top recommendations to a list.
2. Activate Offline Maps for each region you’ll visit.
3. Enable Location History so Timeline works accurately.
4. Add all stops to a custom route for your holiday itinerary.
5. Verify indoor maps for airports and large venues you’ll encounter.

By leveraging these tools, you can turn a potentially stressful holiday into a streamlined adventure. The next time you plan a trip, open Google Maps and explore its hidden features. Your holiday itinerary—and your sanity—will thank you.