More than a billion people use

Google Maps every month.

But 99% don’t know the best

features.

Here are 7 tips to feel like a local

(wherever you go):
1. Save lists of places in advance

In the Google Maps mobile app, search

for a restaurant. Tap ‘Save.’ Choose a list
to save it to (or start a new one).

View all your lists in the ‘Saved’ tab.

(See next slide for screenshot)

Use cases:
- Plan which restaurants/bars to
check out in the future
- Map out POIs on an upcoming
vacation
- Share the list with friends when
they visit that city (e.g., New York
Speakeasies, Miami Dinner Spots)
2. Make & manage your reservations

Open the mobile app. Search for a

restaurant. Click ‘Reserve a table’ and
select the day/time of your choosing!

The best part? All the plans you’ve

booked using your gmail account (even
flights, fitness classes, hotels) will show
up at google.com/maps/reserve

Use cases:
- Book, cancel, modify reservations
- Check out the menu in advance
- Share the location with someone
- Start navigation
3. Remember where you parked

When you’re in a massive parking lot

(airport, concert, etc.), click on the little
blue dot that represents you, and select
‘Set as parking location.’

When it’s time to leave, simply open

Google Maps. You’ll see a pin labeled
“You parked here.”

Use cases:
- Add a note or photo of which lot
you parked in
- Set a timer to remind you when
your meter is up
4. Custom commute notifications

Get proactive alerts about travel times to

the office (so you’re never surprised by
heavy traffic or delays).

Just search directions from your home

(or hotel) to your work. Select your mode
of transport. Scroll to the bottom and
click ‘Remind you to leave on time.’

Use cases:
- Get notified when there’s a traffic
delay or accident
- See recommended departure time
based on desired arrival time
5. Compare rideshare prices

You don’t need to check each app

separately to compare prices (which
might actually raise the cost).

In Google Maps, search for a specific

location. Tap ‘Directions’ and look for the
icon of a person hailing a cab.

Use cases:
- Check current prices and wait
times across Uber, Lyft, Bolt, etc.
- Find out which rideshares are
available in a new city
- Jump directly into any app to book
your ride
6. Download maps offline

If you’re traveling through the woods,

mountains, desert, or ocean, there’s a
good chance you’ll lose cell service.

In the app, search for an area (e.g.,

“Yosemite”). Tap the three dots in the
upper right corner, and hit ‘Download
offline map.’

You can always view it in ‘Offline maps.’

Use cases:
- Get turn-by-turn navigation
- Zoom in to view hiking / ski trails
- See info about local businesses
7. Explore with augmented reality

Immersive View was launched in 2022. It

allows you to explore 250+ landmarks in
aerial view (like a drone flying around it).

Search for a well-known landmark in the

app (Big Ben, Empire State Building,
Eiffel Tower). If immersive view is
available, you’ll see it in the ‘Photos’
section.

Use cases:
- Get real-time information like the
weather, traffic and crowdedness
- Check out photo-realistic and
multi-dimensional models
Thanks for reading! Follow me for
more content like this.

Btw — while I do work at Google,

I’m not affiliated with Google Maps.
I just love the product (and use it
daily).

What other tips would you add? Let

me know in the comments!