How much data do Google Maps and navigation use abroad?
Navigation is one of the lightest things you do on a trip, until you start browsing places, photos and satellite view. Here is a typical range, what offline maps can and can't do, and how to check your own figure.
Turn-by-turn navigation is light. TripoSIM's help centre puts real-time navigation at about 5–10 MB an hour. Searching places, loading photos and satellite view push it higher, so we plan with 5–60 MB an hour. Downloading offline maps on Wi-Fi cuts this further, though Google says transit and walking directions don't work offline.
How much data does navigation use per hour?
Map apps download the map as small tiles, plus route and traffic updates. While you follow a route through an area you have already viewed, very little new data is needed. TripoSIM's own help centre puts real-time navigation at about 5–10 MB an hour.
The figure grows when you do more than follow a line on the map:
- Searching for places loads listings, reviews and photos.
- Satellite view and Street View load imagery instead of light vector maps.
- Live transit keeps fetching departure times and service alerts.
- Zooming around a new city loads fresh tiles every time you pan.
So for planning, our GB estimator uses 5–60 MB per hour of map use. The low end is plain navigation, the high end a heavy day of searching and browsing. It is a planning range, not a measurement of any one app.
What do offline maps save, and what don't they cover?
Downloading the area before you leave home, or on hotel Wi-Fi, means map tiles come from storage instead of the network. Google's help page sets out what still works offline:
| Feature | Offline (downloaded area) | Needs data |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing the map, finding your position | Yes | — |
| Driving directions and navigation | Yes, if the whole route is inside the area | Traffic and alternative routes |
| Transit directions | No | Yes |
| Walking and cycling directions | No | Yes |
| Place details, photos, reviews | Limited | Yes |
| Keeping the offline map current | — | Update before it expires (on Wi-Fi) |
To download in Google Maps on Android: tap your profile picture → Offline maps → Select your own map, adjust the box, then tap Download. On iPhone the steps are similar. Under the same Offline maps settings you can choose to download over Wi-Fi only.
How can I measure my own map use?
- At home, turn Wi-Fi off and note the map app's figure. iPhone: Settings → Cellular. Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → App data usage.
- Do a realistic 30 minutes. Navigate somewhere new, search for two or three places and open their photos.
- Read the figure again and double it for an hourly rate.
- Repeat with an offline area downloaded to see the difference for your habits.
What about ride-hailing, transit and scooter apps?
These apps exchange small messages: your pickup point, the driver's position, the fare. They are light next to video but need a connection that works when you need it, which is often at an airport or station. Three habits help:
- Keep a reserve. Don't spend the last few hundred MB of a plan on the final night. You may need it for the ride to the airport.
- Save tickets and passes offline. Screenshots or wallet passes still work when the signal is poor.
- Check the speed after a daily cap. Booking a ride usually still works on a slowed line, but loading a transit app's map may be slow.
Worked example: a week of city navigation
Two hours a day of maps for 7 days is 14 hours.
- Mostly following routes in a downloaded area: 14 h × 5–10 MB ≈ 70–140 MB
- Heavy searching and photo browsing: 14 h × 60 MB ≈ 0.84 GB
Either way, maps are a small share of a typical trip. A single hour-long video call can use more than a week of navigation. Put calls and video in the budget first, as in our step-by-step estimate.
Navigation, battery and the travel line
Navigation keeps the screen and GPS on, which drains the battery faster than it uses data. Two settings keep both under control: lower screen brightness, and choose 5G Auto (iPhone) or let the phone choose the network, so it isn't holding a 5G link it doesn't need. Apple says 5G Auto switches to LTE when 5G wouldn't be noticeably better, to save battery.
How much space do offline maps take, and how do I keep them current?
The size depends on the area you select. A dense city with many roads and places takes more space than the same area of countryside. Download on Wi-Fi and keep an eye on free storage, especially on phones that are nearly full. Google says downloaded areas expire and need updating, and that the app can update them automatically when you are on Wi-Fi. Turn that on in the Offline maps settings so the refresh never happens on mobile data. If you are travelling through several regions, download each one at the hotel the night before rather than one huge area at home.
Does Apple Maps work offline?
Recent versions of iOS let you download maps in Apple Maps too. Look for Offline Maps in the Maps app's menu under your profile. As with Google Maps, a downloaded map saves data on tiles and searches within the area, but live information such as traffic and transit times still needs a connection. Whichever app you use, the method on this page measures what it really costs you.
Frequently asked questions
Does GPS work without mobile data?
Yes. The phone's GPS receiver finds your position from satellites without a data connection, though a fix can take longer without data to help it. What needs data is loading map tiles, searching, traffic and transit information.
Can I navigate with Google Maps offline?
Yes, for driving, if the whole route is inside an area you downloaded. Google says transit, cycling and walking directions are not available offline, and offline driving has no traffic or alternative routes.
How big is an offline map download?
It depends on the area you select, and dense cities take more space than countryside. Download on Wi-Fi and check your phone's storage. Google's offline maps also expire and need updating, which uses data, so do it on Wi-Fi before they lapse.
Do ride-hailing apps use a lot of data?
Booking and watching the car arrive uses little next to video, but it needs a working connection the whole time. Keep a few hundred MB in reserve on the last day of a plan for the airport ride.
Sources and how we checked
- Google Maps Help: Download areas and navigate offline
- TripoSIM help centre (FAQ)
- Apple Support: Use cellular data on your iPhone or iPad
- Pixel Phone Help: Reduce and manage mobile data usage
Figures were read from these pages on 6 November 2026. Apps change their settings and rates; if a number here disagrees with the app on your phone, trust your phone's own data counter. See how we get our figures.