The "Why" and "How" of Google Trips

     In a previous blog post, I mentioned utilizing an app called Google Trips to plan ahead before traveling. If you haven’t heard of Google Trips, it’s an efficient (free) tool that enables a smartphone-wielding tourist to navigate a city with ease, even in a location with no WiFi or data available. Why should you download it for your trip and how does it work? Those are both excellent questions, I’m glad you asked! Let’s begin with discussing a few of the benefits to using Google Trips.

   
     No matter if you have an idea of what locations to visit or not, Google Trips can help you efficiently prepare. Downloading the app before you even step foot from your home gives you time to quickly find key points of interest in your destination city, including opening and closing times. Through the app, you can read reviews, watch uploaded videos, and even track peak visiting times when the throngs are at their largest. Once you’ve narrowed down which locations are of highest interest, you can create what Google Trips calls a “Day Plan” and literally map out what sites you plan to visit and in what order.


     In addition to highlighting key sites, Google Trips also provides travel times between said locations and the option to download a map of the city or area. This appears in the form of suggested routes, such as by car, public transportation, walking, biking, etc. The app plots out step-by-step directions according to the travel route you choose, even notifying you which transit stops or subway lines to utilize. Tourists are prevented from losing their way even in a location without service, due to the download feature. This means that your navigation routes and travel times are saved to the app, enabling you to safely and efficiently make it to your next destination.

     Arguably the most beneficial use of Google Trips is its Gmail syncing feature. Any flight or hotel reservations emailed to you are uploaded to the “Reservations” tab in the app, along with any tickets or confirmation numbers. To assist with your organization efforts, the app categorizes the reservations based on the date they will be used. Any changes you encounter (delayed flight, late check-in, etc.) are automatically adjusted within the app.

     So now that you’ve read about why you should utilize Google Trips, how does it work? Upon opening the app, we can see that Google Trips has already organized this trip into cities according to reservations received through email.

    

RESERVATIONS

     After clicking the “Reservations” tab, a list of existing purchases are placed in order according to their use.You can select any reservation to view further details. If a reservation is not populating for any reason, you can click the “+” button in the bottom right-hand corner to add any missing information.

    

THINGS TO DO

     This tab highlights the popular sites around the city, along with opening and closing times and reviews. This is where you can comb through the plethora of available locations, find the ones you prefer, and save them to your plans.

SAVED PLACES

     Upon saving a location from the “Things To Do” tab, it will show up here, under “Saved Places”. Here you can find complete information about the site, including times of availability, map location, contact information, reviews, videos, and peak visiting times.

    

DAY PLANS

     Google Trips attempts to create Day Plans for you based on popular sites and on your dates of travel. You can either accept the plans as they are, or adjust them to fit your needs. This is also  where you will find travel times between locations.

  

     If you choose to edit a plan, available sites populate on the map with your Saved Places showing up as starred locations.

FOOD & DRINK

     This tab is incredibly helpful to those tourists who don’t yet have an idea of restaurants they want to experience. You can quickly educate yourself on the food culture of the area, as well as find “Top Spots” for your desired cuisine.

 

GETTING AROUND

     If you need more information on getting from Point A to Point B within your destination city, then this tab will provide you with everything you need to know. Not only does it come loaded with steps on how to most efficiently move around, but it also lists ticket prices, safety information, and important cultural etiquette.

NEED TO KNOW

     Last but not least, the “Need to Know” tab. This is full with information every traveler should brush up on before stepping out of the hotel, such as: where to go in case of an emergency, popular shopping districts, tax details, exchange rates, tipping culture, and even WiFi hotspots.

  Google Trips is an efficient tool built to alleviate anxiety about staying organized while traveling. Even without a cell signal, you can navigate a city in confidence. Less time spent stressing equates to more time spent adventuring! So enjoy your journey, and keep travelin’, mermaids.