Google Maps is packed with features that go beyond basic navigation, offering innovative ways to discover new places, plan your trips, and travel smarter. From creating collaborative lists to exploring landmarks with augmented reality, here are 12 tips to help you with all of your traveling needs!

Collaborative Lists: Create shared lists to gather and share places of interest (restaurants, museums, etc.) with your travel companions. Add emojis and comments for a fun and interactive planning experience. 

Walking & Biking Navigation: Get turn-by-turn voice guidance for walking and cycling routes, keeping your phone tucked away and letting you enjoy the scenery.

Live View: Use augmented reality (AR) to see directions overlaid on your real-world view through your phone's camera. Glanceable Directions on your lock screen keeps you on track without opening the app fully.

Lens: This AR feature helps you discover nearby shops, restaurants, and landmarks by simply pointing your phone's camera at the street.

EV Charging Route Planning: Find compatible charging stations along your road trip route, including details on charger types, availability, and compatibility with your car.

Real-time Business Hours: See which restaurants, bars, and shops are open at a glance to avoid detours and wasted time.

Photographic Inspiration: Evaluate hotels, restaurants, and cafes based on user-uploaded photos to get a vibe for the place before you go. Discover hidden gems through the "Discover through photos" feature using keywords like "cherry blossoms" or "swimming holes."

Immersive View: Explore popular landmarks virtually with AI-powered, 360-degree photo collages. See what the traffic or weather might be like at your destination days in advance.

Live Location Sharing: Let your travel companions know your whereabouts in real-time, especially helpful if you're running late or exploring solo.

Offline Maps: Download maps for areas with unreliable internet access to ensure you can always navigate your way around.

Map Overlays: Unlock additional layers of information like public transportation routes, traffic conditions, bike paths, and even air quality data.

Easter Eggs: Have fun exploring for hidden surprises! Drag the little orange Pegman icon (desktop app) to discover costumes and special effects in certain locations.

Original Source: AFAR.com