From driving and walking directions to subway maps, business travelers rely on navigation apps to help guide them through trips. But which apps perform best? We asked frequent travelers which apps they recommend for business trips. Here are their favorites:
Designed to work offline, Here we go is a free navigation app featuring detailed routes, turn-by-turn guidance and information about every way of getting around It includes route plans for drivers, pedestrians, and bus and train users. Users can access it online when necessary and turn it off when it’s not. reducing the costs for using mobile phone data. Personal data is protected during offline navigation.
Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists swear by Google Maps accuracy. Free to download, the app allows users to include public transport in route planning. In some instances, Google Maps will alert users to route disturbances in real time. Maps may be used offline, which prevents Google from accessing user data. However, Google Maps’ extensive functions are only available when Google is allowed to access the data.
Waze is a free GPS-based, navigation app delivering crowd-sourced traffic information to car drivers. Users leave the app open while driving, allowing it to communicate live traffic updates to a map. Over 100 million Waze users worldwide share current, real-time news about traffic jams or accidents. Volunteer editors constantly update route maps, allowing Waze to assess the traffic situation and provide guidance. An integrated audio player allows users to listen to music or podcasts via Waze.
Waze’s always-on functionality continually consumes data and uses your phone’s battery faster than apps with offline functions. According to German consumer organization Stiftung Warentest, it accesses both user and device data.
While it’s not solely a map app, TripSource users can access maps and directions to help them navigate with ease. Available via app or desktop, BCD Travel’s award-winning mobile experience guides business travelers through all aspects of their trip. It displays individual cards with confirmation numbers, phone numbers, addresses, and a map. Travelers can view hotel type, availability, rate and descriptions on the map, which offers zoom-in functionality to review details. TripSource also gives business travelers instant access to their trip information, including, hotel booking, flight notifications, destination risk alerts and itinerary sharing – all while keeping them within company travel policy guidelines.
