Are these the best GPS Cycle Touring Apps for RTW bike travel or is paper still a thing?
When I set off to cycle around the world, there were but a few cycle touring apps and bike touring navigation devices. At the time, circa 2011, I chose Google Maps for route planning and paper maps for on the bike navigation.
Since then, the possibilities for cycle touring navigation and GPS devices have exploded. I asked Facebook and Reddit for the best cycle touring navigation apps, here are the findings.
In a recent discussion on the Bicycle Travellers group, riders split into two camps: paper map purists and app-first explorers. Most serious tourers now blend both. Here’s a rider-led breakdown of what actually works on the road.
- The Old-School Art of Paper Maps
- Top Bike Navigation Apps (What Riders Use)
- The Hybrid Method: Best of Both
- Comparison Table: Bike Navigation Apps 2025
- Final Thoughts
The Old-School Art of Paper Maps
Paper maps still win for big-picture planning, resilience, and human connection. No batteries, no signal, just the landscape and your wits. There a certain romance to navigating with a paper map.
“I use paper maps. In the evening, I draw a line with the route I did that day.” — Robert Verniers
Veteran tourers point out an extra perk: people talk to you when you’re holding a map. That can lead to advice, shortcuts, and even a place to sleep. Downsides? Bulk and limited detail for very long trips and they can be expensive and hard to find outside of Europe and America.
During all of my long-distance bicycle journeys, I’ve used paper maps. I carry a large scale world map to show and tell when I’m with hosts. It’s a really useful prop and a great ice breaker.
Resource: My Complete Cycle Touring Kit List for Epic RTW Adventures
Top Cycle Touring Apps (What Riders Use)
Komoot
Komoot is the most-mentioned route planner: intuitive, great surfaces/waytypes info, excellent turn-by-turn, easy GPX export.
Long-distance cyclist tip: Plan in Komoot, export GPX, follow in a lightweight offline app or a GPS device.
Mapy.com
Mapy.com is praised for reliable offline navigation across countries and clear cartography. Web planner + mobile app makes it versatile.
Ride with GPS (RWG)
Ride with GPS is a favourite for data-driven riders: route planner, heatmaps, audible turn prompts, and Street View checks for shoulder width and safety.
Resource: Cycle Touring Panniers and Bike Bags for RTW Adventures
Cycle.travel
Cycle.travel is simple and accurate. Riders love its no-nonsense approach and sensible routing — often described as “brilliant.”
OsmAnd & OpenCycleMap
OsmAnd lets you download detailed offline maps and switch baselayers (including OpenCycleMap). A top pick for off-grid independence.
MapMyTravels.app
TravellingTice created MapMyTravels.app to add a new way document and share custom interactive travel maps. He very kindly created this one for my journey across Eurasia, or as I like to call it, The Hippie Trail by BIke!
Organic Maps / Maps.me
Organic Maps and Maps.me are lightweight, offline-friendly, and detailed — perfect as follow-along maps after planning elsewhere. I used Maps.me to document my RTW bike trip and the downlaoded route maps as a wayfinder when I couldn’t find a paper map.
Bikemap
Bikemap now supports multi-stage tour planning and accommodation linking — handy for longer trips.
Locus Map (Android)
Locus Map is powerful and highly customisable (with a learning curve). A favourite among advanced users.
Resource: Is A Brooks Leather Saddle The Best For RTW Bike Travel?
Outdooractive (Europe)
Outdooractive offers official topo layers (OS, IGN, Kompass) — excellent for UK/Europe riders who want authoritative cartography.
Hardware: Garmin, Hammerhead, Beeline
- Garmin: Rugged, long battery, easy phone-to-device route sync.
- Hammerhead Karoo: Bright screen, modern UI, strong for GPX navigation.
- Beeline: Minimalist navigation with community input; pairs nicely with Komoot.
Advanced Planners & Utilities
- BRouter-Web (advanced custom routing)
- GPX.studio (plan/edit GPX easily)
- OnTheGoMap (quick route sketching)
Resource: Is A Steel Touring Bicycle The Best Choice For A RTW Bike Trip?
The Hybrid Method: Best of Both
The consensus approach from experienced tourers:
- Plan on a big screen (Komoot, RWG, Cycle.travel, BRouter) for better context and finer control.
- Export GPX and follow on phone or GPS device (Organic Maps / OsmAnd / Garmin / Karoo).
- Download maps offline before borders and mountains; roaming and VPNs are unreliable in some regions.
- Carry power: a bar-bag power bank or a second old phone dedicated to navigation.
- Validate safety: cross-check Google Street View and RWG heatmaps for current cyclist usage.
Regional notes: Google is restricted in China (VPN needed and often slow). In parts of Japan, base data can lag. Offline capability is non-negotiable for remote touring.
Resource: My Favourite Apps For Bike Travel And RTW Adventures
Comparison Table: Cycle Touring Navigation Apps 2025
| Tool | Offline | Platforms | Standout Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Komoot | Yes (downloaded regions) | Web, iOS, Android | Intuitive planner, surfaces/waytypes, TBT navigation | General touring & day rides |
| Mapy.com | Yes | Web, iOS, Android | Reliable cross-country offline maps | Long trips & poor-signal regions |
| Ride with GPS | Yes | Web, iOS, Android | Heatmaps, Street View checks, audible prompts | Data-driven planning & safety validation |
| Cycle.travel | Downloadable | Web, iOS (app), Android (via web/app) | Simple, sensible routing | Tourers who want no-fuss plans |
| OsmAnd (+ OpenCycleMap) | Yes | iOS, Android | Granular offline control, open data | Off-grid navigation |
| Organic Maps / Maps.me | Yes | iOS, Android | Lightweight, detailed offline basemap | Following GPX routes on the cheap |
| Bikemap | Yes | Web, iOS, Android | Tour stages + accommodation linking | Multi-day trip logistics |
| Locus Map | Yes | Android | Deep customisation, power features | Advanced Android users |
| Outdooractive | Yes | Web, iOS, Android | Official topo layers (OS/IGN/Kompass) | UK/EU riders who want authoritative maps |
| Garmin / Karoo / Beeline | Device maps | Hardware | Battery life, ruggedness | Expeditions & wet weather reliability |
Resource: Is the MSR WhisperLite Multifuel the Best Bike Touring Stove?
Final Thoughts
There’s no single best tool — only the best tool for your ride. If you’re deep in the mountains or crossing borders, go offline and carry a paper backup. In cities, a simple app or Beeline can be perfect. For continent-crossing tours, plan on desktop (Komoot, RWG, Cycle.travel), export GPX, and follow on a phone or GPS device with offline maps.
The ultimate tool? Your curiosity. As one rider put it: your nose and inquisitiveness still matter most.
Resource: Camping Mat vs Air Mattress: How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Bike Travel
Frequently Asked Questions About Cycle Touring Apps And GPS Navigation Devices
What are the best apps for bike navigation in 2025?
The most popular navigation apps among cyclists are Komoot, RideWithGPS, Cycle.Travel, Mapy.com, and OsmAnd. Each offers reliable route planning, offline use, and GPX file support. Komoot and RideWithGPS are the most widely used for long-distance touring and adventure cycling.
What’s the best offline map app for bike travel?
Mapy.com, OsmAnd, and Organic Maps all work perfectly offline once maps are downloaded. They’re especially useful for cross-border or remote touring where mobile data isn’t available.
Do cyclists still use paper maps?
Yes! Many experienced riders still love paper maps for their reliability and big-picture perspective. They don’t rely on batteries or data, and they often spark human connections on the road. The best approach is a hybrid — plan digitally, but always carry a paper backup for remote regions.
Which is better for cycle touring: Komoot or RideWithGPS?
Komoot is better for intuitive route planning and quick GPX exports, while RideWithGPS excels in detailed route analysis, heatmaps, and turn-by-turn navigation. Many riders use both — Komoot for planning, RWG for navigation and performance tracking.
Can I use Google Maps for cycle touring?
Google Maps works well in cities and for short routes but is unreliable in rural or off-grid areas. It can mislabel trails and lacks cycling-specific routing in some regions. Always verify routes through Cycle.Travel or RideWithGPS before setting off.
What’s the best GPS device for cyclists?
Garmin Edge and Hammerhead Karoo are the most trusted hardware units for touring. They sync easily with apps like Komoot and RWG, have excellent battery life, and are waterproof. For minimalist riders, the Beeline Velo offers a simpler, compass-style navigation experience.
What’s the best free route planner for cycling?
Cycle.Travel is widely considered the best free cycling route planner. It uses open-source data, sensible routing, and avoids busy roads — all without a subscription.
How do I plan a cycling route for multiple countries?
Use a combination of Komoot (for planning and exporting GPX) and OsmAnd or Mapy.com (for offline navigation). Download all maps before leaving Wi-Fi, and print paper map overviews for each region as a backup.
What’s the most reliable navigation setup for long-distance touring?
The proven setup is: plan on desktop apps (Komoot, Cycle.Travel, or BRouter), export GPX files, and follow offline using OsmAnd or Organic Maps on a secondary phone. Always pack a paper map and power bank — that’s the gold standard for world tourers.
Have another navigation tip or favourite app? Share it in the comments or tag @realbigbikeride on Instagram or Facebook — your setup might make it into our next round-the-world toolkit.
