Viral Travel Hack: How Google Maps Is Revolutionising Holiday Planning

A clever holiday planning trick using Google My Maps is going viral, helping travellers simplify their itineraries and enjoy stress-free vacations. Originally shared by a savvy traveller named Jessica on TikTok, this method has captured the attention of thousands of travel lovers, especially those tired of juggling notes, screenshots, and bookmarked websites.

Instead of getting lost in information chaos, Jessica created a custom Google map for her trip, marking every location of interest—from cafes and museums to hotels and transit points. The idea is surprisingly simple, yet incredibly effective: use a visual map to organise and optimise your holiday experience.

A Smarter Way to Plan Your Trip

Using Google My Maps, travellers can pin multiple locations in a single interface and colour-code them based on categories such as restaurants, attractions, shops, accommodations, and even transportation hubs. You can also use icons or emojis to help differentiate each spot easily.

Jessica explains that she typically spends weeks researching food spots, activities, and hidden gems online. With this method, she simply adds each find to her map as she goes, giving her a full view of what’s nearby wherever she is on her trip. It's particularly helpful when plans change unexpectedly—you can open the map and see other points of interest around you without starting from scratch.

Why It Went Viral

TikTok users were quick to embrace the hack. Many commented on how disorganised their previous trips had been, while others shared tips to enhance the idea further, like downloading the map offline for use without mobile data.

One user commented, “I spent hours Googling addresses, trying to figure out where things are in relation to my hotel. This is life-changing.” Another said, “I can’t believe I wasn’t doing this all along.”

What makes this hack so powerful is that it works for virtually any type of trip: multi-city holidays, city breaks, road trips, or even group vacations. By mapping out destinations ahead of time, travellers reduce stress, avoid wasting time, and discover new options when things don’t go according to plan.

How to Create Your Own Holiday Map

Creating a custom map is easy:

1. Visit Google My Maps and create a new map.
2. Use the search bar to find attractions, restaurants, or hotels.
3. Add each one as a pin and use different colours or icons to group them by category.
4. Name and organise layers if needed (e.g., “Day 1”, “Food”, “Museums”).
5. Share the map with travel companions or download it for offline use.

The map becomes your central hub—it’s more intuitive than spreadsheets, easier to access than PDFs, and more flexible than written itineraries.

Tips to Maximise the Hack

1. Download the map offline before travel, especially if heading overseas.
2. Add practical spots like hospitals, convenience stores, or local SIM card shops.
3. Use categories or layers for each day or type of activity.
4. Collaborate with friends by sharing the map and letting others pin their ideas.

Final Thoughts

This now-viral hack is a reminder that the best tools for travel don’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just a bit of upfront effort, your trip can be more efficient, flexible, and fun. Whether you're planning a solo backpacking journey, a honeymoon, or a family vacation, Google My Maps can help you visualise your adventure—and make the most of every moment.

It’s one of those rare planning tools that can actually make the journey feel like part of the fun. So before you book that next flight or lock in hotel dates, consider giving this method a try. Your future self will thank you for it.