How to use Google Maps to create an itinerary for every single trip

1. Pace 1 : Create the map
2. Step 2 : Create the layers
3. Step 3 : Do your inquiry
4. Measure 4 : Add to your map
5. Pace 5 : Customize your map legend .
6. Step 6 : Look for areas of high-interest to work up you itinerary
7. 1. Playa del Carmen
   2. Montreal
   3. Paris + Athens
8. FAQs
   1. Why cause you use Google Maps and not [ Insert Fancy App Name ] ?
   2. What if I put on ’ t desire to use Google Maps ?
   3. Discover more from No Place Like Anywhere

1. Playa del Carmen
2. Montreal
3. Paris + Athens

1. Why do you employ Google Maps and not [ Insert Fancy App Name ] ?
2. What if I put on ’ t want to apply Google Maps ?
3. Discover more from No Place Like Anywhere

Measure 1 : Create the map

Hither be the mere pace you need to succeed to produce your own Google Map trip planner !

1. Get to maps.google.com .

2. Click the hamburger menu in the top left hand corner .

3. Click Saved .

4. Click Maps , on the correct slope of the menu .

5. Click Create Map , at the bottom of the menu .

Step 2 : Create the layers

When you first create a new map following the measure above , it wait like this .

Firstpay your map a claim, so you can easy see it later . Click on the “ untitled map ” text to rename it . ClickSave.

Future ,epithet the untitled layer. Click the 3-dots menu and selectRename this layer. You will use at least two layer , and may take to expend more .

Think of the layer as categories that you ’ ll role to bucket and grouping activities together .You make to settle on the arrangement of your map . You can toggle layer on and off at any time , as well as customize the aesthetics of each layer thus your map is easy to take at a glimpse .

I typically create one map per trip or per city , and then make the following layers :

• Important :This layer include where we ’ ll be staying ; primary metro station ; nearest market fund ; friend/family handle if we ’ re visiting them ; must-know location such as role or conference center , if it ’ s a work trip ; daycare , if childcare be necessary ; any pre-booked commitments , such as conferences , appointments , social events , presentation , etc .
• Eating and Drink :This layer includes all of the restaurant and bars that Justin thinks sounds interesting ( I lend thing too , but he cost in thrill of our travel use up ) .
• To Act :Things that sound interesting or fun or run see or do .

Feel free to use these layers to make you started , and lend others that fit your travel preferences ! If you know what you require your other layers to equal , lend them today by clicking the Add Layer button .

Sometimes you may not know what your category cost when you start researching and design . In the real early stage of planning a trip , you may not need any layers and you ’ ll just require to sink pins for any and all interesting attractions . In that case , precede the many layer and only use one ! You can drag-and-drop items from layer to layer later on .

NOTE : Likewise , when dreaming and researching about longer-form future trips , demand many potential destinations , I make a layer per destination . This room I can see all of the position in relation to one another to begin a high degree scene of things . It helps plan route and decide what thing to leave off or build the effort to include .

Step 3 : Do your inquiry

As you inquiry your destination , do a list of anything andeverythingthat sound interesting to you . Famed landmarks . Iconic architecture . Tours or excursions . Playgrounds or park . Farmers markets . Boost lead . Hole-in-the-wall donut shop . Speakeasies and trade breweries . Whatever strikes your fancy ! !

When we move as a class , I seek out as many free site , attraction , and activity as possible . Things that we can easily learn by only walking by ; areas where our child can run around like a maniac ; activity that get us serious understand local culture . When we move without our child , our change . We prioritize cocktail bars and early adult-only administration , highly-rated restaurants , longer walk or more strenuous activities . Utterly zero playgrounds .

Pace 4 : Add to your map

Today , one by one ,lend every single detail from your research in Step 3 to your map, separate them into the appropriate layer as you go . Think of these as map pins .

To add a map pin , type the name of the place into the lookup saloon and cluck the magnifying glass to find it . It will zoom you manner in , to the exact location of that place .

Click theAdd to mapbutton . You ’ ve now lend a map pin .

Often , steps 3 and 4 happen in tandem , as one pace . It doesn ’ t matter the ordering . Maybe you build up the map slowly over a few weeks , add things every time you record about something interesting or a coworker tells you about another brewery youmerely make to try !Possibly you keep notes in a notebook and lend all of the home in one go . Exactly build certain you lend everything that sound interesting to you and your travel companion – and that you ’ ve coordinate it !

PRO crest : Add detail to the Title or Description of the map pin to remind yourself later on why you added it . I wish to include a link to the website and cost information !

Step 5 : Customize your map legend .

Maps should live quickly readable , at a glance , as you scroll round on your phone while walk . The whole degree isquickly. And it ’ s severe to read a map quickly when every pin on the map looks just the same .

Use the available way options ,create your own map legend using a combination of colors and symbol .Each layer can have a uniform mode , automatically applied to any existing or newly added items . Or each item in a layer can have its own individual style , which is usually what I opt for .

I much make my “ significant ” layer allone specter of red, but with individual image indicating “ family ” , “ train post ” , “ school ” , etc . I usually usegreen + dining imagefor restaurant ( since they cost money ) . Sites I require to see all make the default map pin icon ( ordinarily because I ’ m also lazy to change hence many items ) , however affair that costfreeto look at or explore live commonly blue , whilepaidactivity will cost another shade . If I have a LOT of one type of map pin , such as playgrounds or cenotes , I will highlight the top three that we can ’ t girl in red .

Don ’ t be dogmatic about it !This legend do not require to equal reproducible across all of the map you make . As you can see by the examples below , I am constantly tweaking my procedure ! All that subject is that YOU understand the map when YOU look at it .

Step 6 : Flavor for area of high-interest to build you itinerary

Where be the highest concentration of your map pins ? Start there ! Pick a destination , then start wandering deliberately ! Figure out a loose walking path base on other interesting stop along the way , appropriate yourself to see as many of the interesting stops as possible . Then walk out the door ! That ’ s it ! 🙂

Explore some of the map I ’ ve created for my family

Here be links to the REAL map that I ’ ve created when planning trips for my family so that we can plan interesting but well-paced days of .

Playa del Carmen

We spent 4 weeks populate and work in Playa del Carmen and 1 week on PTO . Study more about our adventures ( because we do this twice — in 2023 and 2024 ) !

Montreal

We spend 1 week living and influence in Verdun and 1 week on PTO explore the Montreal area . Say more about exactly what we behave in Verdun and how we prepare at two-week home exchange to do it happen !

Paris + Athens

We bring our 5 yr old to Europe on a pure PTO trip , include 5 nights in Paris , 7 dark on a cruise , and 4 dark in Athens . Read more about what we did hither .

FAQs

If you own any questions , let me know then I can reply them !

Why do you employ Google Maps and not [ Insert Fancy App Name ] ?

There are many reasons that I employ good ole Google Maps :

1. It existfreeto employ .
2. It ’ seceasyto access from any device .
3. Map caneasily be sharewith anyone on any device .
4. You candownloadthe maps for offline access .
5. GPSexist a native functionality .

Additionally , my life is already imbed in the Google world and I own a Pixel phone . I sense comfortable and familiar with Google products , and they let me customize thing

What if I put on ’ t want to use Google Maps ?

There equal other map and trip planning apps that you can use . I don ’ t personally receive experience with any of them so I can not advocate one over another . The list below live only base on recommendations from other travel bloggers :

• Roadtrippers
• Wanderlog
• Trip Mapper
• TripIt

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