Using Google Maps?

Tulipone

Tulipone

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Maybe not google maps, but I'm looking to do arrange a train and flight journey around Europe and would like to build up of places and information.

Thinking of buying euro traincards and moving from place to place. Obviously it helps to see the places on a map to decide the best way of getting around and the best method of getting.between them. Sometimes flights. Sometimes coaches. It would be nice to add hyperlinks to hotels and points of interest.

I can buy a map and do this with post it notes, but wondering if technology can help me out.

Any thoughts?
 
You can make your own maps in Google Maps. Inventively enough, it's called "My Maps".

That will allow you to add makers, lines, routes, etc. save places, and add notes including hyperlinks. Don't need anything more than a Google account to use it, it's in the standard menu on the left hand side when you go to maps.google.com

ETA: Public transport varies from very handy, to non-existent on Google Maps. Just depends on the agreements and information made available by the transport body in that area. For example, in Sydney you can plan a route including buses, trains, ferries... in Melbourne you get nothing because Yarra Trams can't be bothered to release information in the file format Google needs. :rolleyes:
 
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I'm looking for an alternative to Google maps. I have been saving locations Google maps for many years. But now they've been changing it and it no longer works properly. Sharing a single saved location has been removed. There are other problems. So I'm looking for a different one. Here maps looks good so far. https://maps.here.com/
 
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Thank you for your replies. I read my question - it was a bit vague!

I know about google maps but it doesn't seem to do things quite as I like them, understanding that I may just be dense. I'd like to drop a pin into multiple cities without having to define how to get there, adding hyperlinks to each place.

As is the way, I'm probably just trying to make life difficult for myself.

Off to have a look at here maps. Thanks.
 
jakeblu said:
Why? If your young traveling around europe, using the train network is a brilliant experience.
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I'm old and fancy it. I think you can use the ticket on Eurostar and have a multi centre trip around. We intend to use airb&b also.

I'm looking forward to the planning and the trip. Also the camera to document. At least you are not restricted by airline induced weight restrictions on the way either.
 
jakeblu said:
Why? If your young traveling around europe, using the train network is a brilliant experience.
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Exactly, no problems getting around, no issues with driving, drinking, only issue is you have the possibility of seeing out of the way places with a car (but not if you just travel by main roads). However if travelling place to place then trains make for a really interesting journey and you meet interesting people.
Only issues I've ever had are Italian trains can be delayed cancelled and theres never much information on replacements or coaches.

Try: http://www.seat61.com/ for good info on trains
 
Tulipone said:
At least you are not restricted by airline induced weight restrictions on the way either.
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This is true but travel light. You'll appreciate it when hauling bags on and off trains, up down stairs etc. Check out the laundry costs of where you are staying. It's easy to get stuff landered so you don't have to carry much.
 
I would say Here is a better option than Google as it can be used without an internet connection just install what maps you want and create your reqd pin locations in collections
 
Byker28i said:
This is true but travel light. You'll appreciate it when hauling bags on and off trains, up down stairs etc. Check out the laundry costs of where you are staying. It's easy to get stuff landered so you don't have to carry much.
Click to expand...

We won't carry too much - intend to get a centre based airb&b and just get a taxi with bags. Trips out of the centre can be arranged through viator if not available on public transport.

Paulmag said:
I would say Here is a better option than Google as it can be used without an internet connection just install what maps you want and create your reqd pin locations in collections
Click to expand...

Thanks. Looking at it now. It does seem to be more of what I was looking for.
 
Tulipone said:
Off to have a look at here maps. Thanks.
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If you create a login with Here maps, you can create a "collection" and then add locations to that collection.

Here maps was previously Nokia Maps which was recently bought by a consortium of Audi, BMW and Daimler. I discovered it thanks to another TP thread.

Paulmag said:
I would say Here is a better option than Google as it can be used without an internet connection just install what maps you want and create your reqd pin locations in collections
Click to expand...
Yes. I use the Here App for navigation on my phone. As Google Maps is useless for navigation without a data connection.
 
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Tulipone said:
I'd like to drop a pin into multiple cities without having to define how to get there, adding hyperlinks to each place.
Click to expand...

You can do that in Google (not trying to advocate for them, just so you have options), we did it when we went around Europe and Bangkok for a couple of months last year. You can download the map beforehand, then you can use it without a data connection when you're out and about, think it lasts for 30 days or so, then you need to log on again.

Also used Via Michelin, which was awesome for driving around Italy as it shows road signs and lots of details at junctions - very handy if you don't know the area or the language. Less handy if you're not going to be driving of course. :D
 
Jayst84 said:
You can do that in Google (not trying to advocate for them, just so you have options), we did it when we went around Europe and Bangkok for a couple of months last year. You can download the map beforehand, then you can use it without a data connection when you're out and about, think it lasts for 30 days or so, then you need to log on again.

Also used Via Michelin, which was awesome for driving around Italy as it shows road signs and lots of details at junctions - very handy if you don't know the area or the language. Less handy if you're not going to be driving of course. :D
Click to expand...

Good to know I did try to use google in that way a couple of years back but failed but I have never had an issue with Here (also the app is a better satnav than the one in my car :) )
 
Get a usb battery charger/remote power supply if using your phone when travelling as gps functions eat the battery
 
Yes. Also get a little £3.99 Europe mains plug USB charger. You can charge smartphones and USB stuff on trains and hotels easier than a wobbly adapter.
313nrleMoZL.jpg
 
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boliston said:
the stress of driving on unfamiliar roads
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OMG! The freedom to go where you want, when you want and carry what you want. Public transport is socialist stress that restricts you and tracks you.
 
You know I just decided I couldn't be bothered with driving this time. We have done a lot of fly/drive holidays in the USA, the last from Denver to Mount Rushmore. If anyone here has done that, you'll understand the attraction of trains. Nothing for hundreds of miles!

Funny how the idea appeals to some and turns others off. Marmite!
 
Tulipone said:
You know I just decided I couldn't be bothered with driving this time. We have done a lot of fly/drive holidays in the USA, the last from Denver to Mount Rushmore. If anyone here has done that, you'll understand the attraction of trains. Nothing for hundreds of miles!

Funny how the idea appeals to some and turns others off. Marmite!
Click to expand...

Have fun As someone who has driven thousands of mile over many years I am always amazed on the rare occasions when I use a train or some other form of public transport how much I miss by being the driver.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
OMG! The freedom to go where you want, when you want and carry what you want. Public transport is socialist stress that restricts you and tracks you.
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Hah, yea, you're much better off driving around being photographed on every other road, and recorded at border crossings, toll booths, car parks, handing your passport over at hire car centres... all with a unique ID number bolted to both ends of your car.
 
ianp5a said:
Yes. Also get a little £3.99 Europe mains plug USB charger. You can charge smartphones and USB stuff on trains and hotels easier than a wobbly adapter.
313nrleMoZL.jpg
Click to expand...


What's a European mains plug? Do you mean a French, Swiss, German, Italian or Scandinavian mains plug? Or that awful bodge that they flog to tourists that fits most of them (badly).

Get a 2 way extension socket, lop off most of the cord and attach a male IEC. Then you just need to buy alocal kettle leads. Camera charger, laptop, Phone, Kindle all then charge safely using their ordinary leads.
 
st599 said:
What's a European mains plug? Do you mean a French, Swiss, German, Italian or Scandinavian mains plug? Or that awful bodge that they flog to tourists that fits most of them (badly).

Get a 2 way extension socket, lop off most of the cord and attach a male IEC. Then you just need to buy alocal kettle leads. Camera charger, laptop, Phone, Kindle all then charge safely using their ordinary leads.
Click to expand...
It's one of those nice compact ones that you quoted in your post. They also do nice round ones with earth connections to it for certain places in the house. And they work in many more countries than you've listed. They go generally into wall sockets that don't have little individual switched on then. Further more if they don't work you'll find consumer units with integrated mcd, no need to look for a bit of wire to wind around it. A very good and very safe system, thinking about it, the U.K. Is the odd one out with their plugs and sockets ;)

I would not bring an extension lead and iec type cables when you travel lightweight. That would just be daft in my opinion. A couple of those adapters tucked in your bag should be absolutely fine.
 
It's great that power supply has been quasi standardised to USB. Now all they need to do is standardise the last bit.
 
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