HERE WeGo: Versatile navigation with public transport support

For the independent traveller who likes to stay in control, HERE WeGo is a comprehensive navigation app that excels in versatility and offline use, particularly due to its strong support for public transport. It is a full-fledged alternative to more well-known route planners, especially for journeys combining car and train. The app offers practical benefits that make a trip more comfortable.

What is HERE WeGo?

HERE WeGo, originally known as Nokia Maps and later HERE Maps, is a free navigation service that has been a reliable choice for millions of users worldwide for years. The application offers detailed route descriptions for various modes of transport: car, public transport, bicycle, taxi, and on foot. What distinguishes the app is its focus on a smooth, integrated travel experience, with the transition from one mode of transport to another being central. This makes it an ideal tool for travellers who, for example, drive to a city and then wish to continue by tram, bus, or underground.

HERE WeGo maps are used by many car manufacturers for their built-in navigation systems. This attests to the quality and reliability of the data. The app is available for both Android and iOS and offers a clean, uncluttered interface that focuses on the essentials: getting travellers from A to B with ease.

The power of offline maps for undisturbed travel

A significant advantage of HERE WeGo for the discerning traveller is its excellent offline functionality. Detailed maps of entire countries or regions can be downloaded to a smartphone. This offers several benefits that significantly enhance the travel experience.

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• Save on data costs: Abroad, particularly outside the EU, data usage costs can increase significantly. By downloading maps via Wi-Fi in advance, you gain complete independence from a mobile internet connection for navigation.
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• Navigate without signal: In rural areas, mountains, or tunnels, mobile reception is not guaranteed. With offline maps, navigation always works, ensuring travellers never get lost in places where it’s most needed.
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• Faster route planning: Because all map data is already on the device, the app often calculates routes faster than if this information first had to be retrieved from a server.
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Planning a route with multiple stops is also easy offline. Before the journey begins, a route with various stopovers can be put together. As long as the map for the relevant area has been downloaded, the route can be started and adjusted without an internet connection. This is ideal for a road trip visiting multiple sights or overnight accommodation spots.

Ideal for train and car routes in Europe

Where HERE WeGo truly stands out is its seamless integration of public transport. The app has travel information for over 1900 cities worldwide, including extensive coverage in Europe. This makes planning combined journeys surprisingly simple. For example, on a trip through Italy where you drive to Florence, park on the outskirts of the city, and then explore the historic centre by bus and tram, HERE WeGo not only shows the car route to the car park but immediately provides the best public transport connections, including departure times, stops, and walking routes.

For train travellers, the app is equally beneficial. Complete train routes can be planned, including transfers. The app provides insight into the different options, journey times, and station locations. If a train journey is combined with a rental car at the final destination, both parts of the trip are planned within the same application. This hybrid approach perfectly aligns with many travellers’ desire for flexible and efficient travel, without being dependent on a single mode of transport.

Why is HERE WeGo a good alternative to Google Maps?

Google Maps is the standard for many when it comes to navigation, but HERE WeGo offers clear advantages in several areas that make it worth considering. The choice between the two depends on a traveller’s specific needs.

Advantages of HERE WeGo

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• Extensive offline functionality: Although Google Maps also offers offline maps, HERE WeGo’s functionality is often more extensive and user-friendly. Maps can be easily downloaded by country, providing a clearer overview.
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• Privacy: HERE WeGo collects less user data than Google. For travellers who value their privacy, this is a decisive factor.
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• Detailed public transport information: In some locations, the public transport information in HERE WeGo is more complete or accurate, partly because the company collaborates with local transport companies.
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• Clear driving instructions: Many users appreciate the clear and timely driving instructions, including the lane assistant which clearly indicates which lane to take at complex junctions.
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Google Maps also has its strengths, such as integration with other Google services and the vast amount of up-to-date information about locations, including opening hours and reviews. Nevertheless, for its core function – navigating during a self-planned journey – HERE WeGo is a reliable alternative. For travellers who are often offline or frequently use a combination of car and public transport, the app offers a more complete experience.

The world of travel planning is constantly evolving, and the right tools significantly enhance the travel experience. When planning a road trip through the mountains, a city break using public transport, or a combination of both, a reliable navigation partner is indispensable. The Traveler Tips website contains many more articles on smart apps, route planning, and preparing for journeys. Discover how travel can be smarter, more comfortable, and more enriching.

Frequently asked questions