Traveling abroad with your GPS

 

I have a GPS I bought in the US. Can I use it in other countries?
Yes!  But, you will need to buy the maps for the place you are traveling to. Most GPS devices come pre-loaded with the country where you bought it (with some exceptions - see this message). They usually also have a "basemap" of the rest of the world, but it only has major freeways - no detail. The GPS will still work, and show you where you are in relation to the roads it has, but it will not be able to give you directions on how to get to your destination. The best thing is to buy the maps. Garmin now has individual city maps for $9.95 a download!

Where do I find the GPS maps?
First, go to your GPS manufacturer wesbsite, to see what is available. Garmin, for example, now has individual city maps that you can download for $9.95. If the map you are looking for is only available on a DVD, then doing a search on the web for your GPS brand and the name of the country you are going to should give you some links to stores that carry the maps, but they are not always easy to find - many of the links we see are for obsolete products.

How do I get the GPS maps?
The maps normally come in a CD/DVD or on a memory chip (usually SD). The advantage of the chip is that all you have to do is insert it into your GPS and you're done! With the CD/DVD, you have to connect the GPS to your computer, and go through an installation process, and you may also need to buy a memory chip to store the map data in - the GPS will probably not have enough free space.  *** NEW! ***  Garmin has just launched a series of city maps for the most popular destinations in the US and Europe. They can be downloaded directly into your Garmin GPS. They also anounced a new line of GPS devices that include public transportation routing when loaded with the new city maps.

How much do the GPS maps cost?
It depends on the region and the brand of GPS. Most maps cost between $40 and $150. Sometimes they are bundled by region, like Western Europe. If you know you will be going to some of the other countries in the future, then buying the region will save you money in the long run. Otherwise, you may be able to buy the single country you are going to. To keep the costs down, we are working with a map provider to package just the area covered by certain Guidebooks and our Points of Interest Files. Contact Us to see if we have the one you need.  *** NEW! *** Garmin has anounced a series of city maps that only cost $9.99 per download.

What other GPS map choices do I have?
Actually, sometimes you're better off buying a new GPS pre-loaded with the area you are traveling to. For example, the Garmin GPS models ending in 70 (i.e. 370, 670, etc.) have dual coverage for both the US and Western Europe. You will find these in our Amazon Store, often at prices lower than buying the maps alone. If you don't see the one you need or if you have questions on which is the better way to go, Contact Us. We have had a good experience with closeout and refurbished GPS units as well, at a considerable savings.

Are there any free GPS maps?
Some GPS devices allow you to load free maps. However, we have found that you kind of get what you pay for - the accuracy isn't very good, and you don't get navigation to the travel Point of Interest you want. That said, we are actively looking into this option, so if you have a specific need, Contact Us and nudge us into finding other solutions J. Note that even without maps, the GPS will help you by telling you in what direction you need to go - you will have to go down the streets and try to follow the arrow, but if you are adventurous that is not a problem.
 

What are the benefits of taking my GPS on my trip?
The main benefit is peace of mind. When you are traveling in a foreign country, everything is unfamiliar; you often don't speak the language (sometimes you can't even read the signs!); and the stress level goes up from being constantly on the alert, especially if you rented a car and you are driving. The GPS always knows where you are, and can tell you what's coming up (or get you back to a familiar place when you are lost!). Granted, sometimes it will make you go through some strange hoops (we've all been there!), but in the end it will get you where you need to go. So, with the GPS you can be more relaxed and enjoy your vacation! Some people go as far as saying it's a marriage saver - if you take the wrong turn you can always blame the GPS :-).

I will be walking, not driving. Is it worth taking my GPS on my vacation?
Yes! The advantage of the GPS is that it always knows your current location, so you can be free to explore a city and take the back streets, knowing that the GPS will be able to find you the way back to a familiar place like your hotel or a main plaza. In our Products page we also have data files you can load into your GPS device that list all the Points of Interest you are likely to be looking for, so you can always see which cool places are close to your current location and you won't miss anything.

Do I need to change any settings in my GPS if I am walking?
Most GPS devices have a "Pedestrian" or "Walking" mode (consult the manual for your GPS). This mode will route you through streets where cars cannot go, and will ignore one-way-street restrictions. Make sure you also tell it to take the "Shortest Route", not the "Fastest" (you won't be walking at 55mph on the freeway :-) ). The new Garmin GPS devices and new city maps also provide an enhanced Pedestrian mode, which can also include public transportation in the routing.

What else can the GPS do for me while I am driving?
Most European countries have Speed Cameras all over the place. Even if you don't want to be speeding, in many places (especially Italy) it is very difficult to know what the speed limit actually is. So, to avoid a nasty ticket (yes, the car rental company will find you and bill you), you can download data files for your GPS that alert you to the presence of cameras along your route, and will tell you what speed they are set to. I recommend slowing down to 5 km/h slower just in case. The files are not perfect (camera locations change or new cameras are added) but they really do help. In our Links page you will find a link to one of the best databases around. This alone will pay for whatever you invest in your GPS!

Besides the maps, are there other things I should get for my GPS?
We're glad you asked!. At GPS Mundi, we actually go all over the world and personally mark the coordinates for all the most popular tourist destinations including Sights, Attractions, Hotels, and Restaurants. We then create data files, which you can load into your GPS. When you are traveling, the GPS can show you the Points of Interest closest to your current position. Depending on your brand of GPS, it can even show you a picture of the place so you know what you are looking for. Then, all you do is press GO and the GPS will guide you to the place!  Check out the Products page and see if we have a file for your favorite destination. If not, Contact Us to let us know. We may be working on it as we speak!

I have a Smartphone with GPS. Can I use it in my travels?
This is a big source of confusion for most people. The answer is Yes, but you need to buy the map and routing software for it. You may be using Google Maps on your phone for free in the US, but once you leave the country, you are liable to incur some huge roaming charges if you use it abroad. Depending on which country you travel to, you may be able to get a SIM card for your phone IF your phone is unlocked (which most US phones are not). See our separate section on cell phones for more info. That said, if you buy the software you will be able to use the GPS on your phone with no problems, and even load our Points of Interest files. See the Products section to find the software for your specific phone.