Using Google Maps Abroad Without Data Roaming

We want to travel but paper maps - what on earth are they? Our fixation with our phones makes us unable to navigate without an Irish man to tell us to turn right at the next round-about. So - how do you keep google directions, without racking up a giant phone bill?

Via jonnygoeswild.com

How to use Google Maps Abroad Without Data Roaming

During a recent 'swaray to Malawi' I quickly realized that without google maps I was going to be royally screwed. What few roads exist don't have signs, and the ones that have a faint glimmer of direction, you'd prefer not to take.

Traveling from Blantyre in the South up to Lilongwe through village clusters, rolling plateaus and emerald tea estates I needed myself a bit of Tom Tom - only he wasn't available.

Wifi - however, did exist! It was out of mere chance that I discovered that by downloading the map on your phone first, then by zooming in and out ensuring it is fully loaded, you can navigate using google once off the network - with no 3G.

So this is how it works in brief: 

# Turn off your data roaming - that's standard

# Check into your hotel, jump on the WIFI, and locate the area in which you will need to navigate. Even if this is a large area the vital thing is to zoom in as far you will need to see, basically to the level of detail you'll need. Then Zoom back out - but not too far!

# Don't close the app. Don't turn on directions. Simply put on flight mode.

# Then as you leave your hotel, provided you don't go outside of the already downloaded zone, the GPS on your phone will track you.

Simple, effective, and it will possibly save your life one day!

Not enough? Here are six more ways to save your data roaming bill.

You'll be pleased to know I survived my trip to Malawi in one peace, and return to a phone bill that was still in my monthly allowance!