GPS & Data Roaming Charges
 

Hi Everyone,
Need an alternative to Google Maps b/c it is so expensive out of US. ViaMichelin has a cellphone app: you can store the directions & only use the GPS when you get to the foreign country/region you are going to.
I am assuming that I will incur the same AT&T roaming charges on my iPhone with ViaMichelin GPS as I would with Google Maps: correct?

Is there any other system that is more cost efficient than these two? I bought a Garmin but it was quite time consuming to program. And I know I can print out the ViaMichelin directions: but that is so 80s.

Suggestions?

Google Maps won't consume data if you cache the area you're traveling to by downloading it when connected to wifi. Click these links for Android and iOS instructions.

If you get an offline GPS app that store maps info on your iPhone, you can just keep your iPhone on airplane mode and not use any data. Just search for "offline gps" in the app store. I think someone reviewed HERE WeGo app on Android here and said it is pretty good. I think they made one for iPhone too. I have not used any myself so I can't tell you which one is good.

But you can't plan a route offline, so unless you can plan your route where you have wifi you will still have some data charges, I find it cumbersome to have to plan the route only where there is wifi, but then I don't mind paying roaming fees or buying a local SIM as needed to be able to use google maps.

Actually you can. The feature was added fairly recently, IIRR.

Offline GPS
 

Very helpful: thank you! I got the HereGo based on reviews. Had very quick search function: hotels, airports, hertz. So I'll try it out next week!

Regarding SIM cards (sorry should this be in another thread?)
Anyway, can one change SIM cards in an iPhone? My understanding is gums up their works and they void their warranty.
Have any of you tried this?

And, regarding offline maps: HereGo worked great offline. Even saved the map. I just can't find a voice function (I think that's an add-on to the free app). But the map is great. If you want to learn more go to the HereGo site, and they explain how it works online.

You are on AT&T so you will need to pay off the rest of the phone if you are on NEXT payment plan or wait until you are out of contract if you phone has a contract on it.

Once you own the iPhone, you could go here to request an unlock:
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/?#/

Once your phone is unlocked, you could put in other carriers' sims. If you see the other thread, AT&T is also coming out tomorrow with the $10 per day international roaming. So if your trip is short like 5 to 7 days, it maybe easier just to pay the $50 to $70 to use your domestic data allowance on international travel and available for others to reach you by phone or txt.

Seems to be correct, good to know ^

That would help a lot. I did try to use it a few years ago and I found it hard to use unless you really plan everything ahead at the hotel and go off route. Also I remember the size of the download region was quite small. I actually had data on my phone at the time but if was 3G .. very very slow 3G...

If you're using an Android phone, you can also try an app that uses OpenStreetMap data, the one I use is OsmAnd+. They're all a bit different but this one lets you download very detailed world map data directly from their servers. You can also download topo maps which is nice if you're going to be doing stuff outdoors and want to know what the terrain is like (not super accurate but gives you a pretty good overview). It does have navigation as well but I've never tried that feature so no idea how good it is. And it has point of interest search, and it all works offline.

maps.me

Free
Offline maps & route planning.

Another vote for Here Maps, if you are using an Android phone.

Much easier than Google for offline maps & navigation.

Work as maps and GPS satnav off line. Been split into smaller areas so not huge downloads.

Highly recommended in my opinion.