Google Maps

Maps, routes, and places in one app

Google Maps is a travel and local search app for people who need directions, want to check a nearby place, or are planning a journey across town or farther afield. It covers driving, walking, cycling, and public transport, with route guidance that can respond to traffic and other reported delays.

Useful before you leave

Search can help you compare nearby restaurants, shops, services, and other destinations using practical details such as ratings, opening information, photos, and location. Street-level imagery is useful when you want to recognise an entrance or see what a destination looks like before arriving. You can also save places and build a clearer picture of an unfamiliar area before setting out.

• For drivers: turn-by-turn directions, traffic-aware routes, and information about roads and destinations.
• For walkers and cyclists: routes designed around streets and paths rather than just distance.
• For public transport users: journey planning that brings routes, stops, and connections into the same search.
• For travellers: downloaded map areas can remain available when a reliable data connection is not.

A broad tool with a mixed public score

Google Maps is published by Google LLC and sits in the Travel & Local category. Its reach is substantial: the listing shows 10,000,000,000+ installs and more than 19 million ratings. That scale means it can be a sensible first choice when you need coverage across many cities and countries, but the current rating of 3.17 also suggests that the experience is not equally satisfying for everyone.

Who it suits

Choose it if you want one familiar app for everyday navigation, local discovery, trip planning, and checking places before you visit. It is especially practical for journeys that combine more than one travel mode. If you only need a simple compass, a lightweight map, or directions in a single small area, its wide range of information may feel like more than you need.