Travelling Abroad? Here’s How to Share Your Location With Loved Ones

Travelling is undoubtedly one of life’s most exciting experiences. It allows you to see new places with different cultures, cuisines, sights, mindsets, and a never-ending list of things you don’t see back home. 

To some people, that is a pure joy that simply excites them. For others, it can be an unnerving affair to be so far from home in a place that you don’t know. This can be especially true for your loved ones who are waiting for you at home. Sharing your location is one of the best ways to help your loved ones know you’re okay. If you’re wondering how to share your location with loved ones while travelling, you’re in exactly the right place.

Why Sharing Your Location While Travelling Matters

We want to stress that sharing your location back home isn’t about being tracked or anything invasive like that. It’s mainly about reassurance and preparedness. 

No one ever goes overseas and expects things to go wrong. But you still buy travel insurance. Because what if it does? The same logic applies to sharing your location. In an emergency situation (or even just a bit of a pickle),  location sharing can be a lifeline. Whether it’s getting lost, missing a connection, or even a medical emergency—your last known location is the first place that family, friends, or even emergency services will look. 

Beyond safety, location sharing is just very practical. If you're travelling with a group or meeting someone in an unfamiliar place, real-time location sharing takes the confused phone calls and “I don’t see you” messages out of the equation. 

Lastly, for those solo travellers who would rather focus on their day-to-day travels, location sharing offers a silent reassurance to those back home. It’s a simple, stress-free way to stay connected without the hassle.

The Best Ways to Share Your Location While Travelling

The 21st century is full of ways to share your location. However, not all methods were created equal. Here are the best ways to share your location while overseas.

GPS Tracking Devices

When it comes to tracking your location, a GPS tracking device really is the best possible method. The hint is in the name. 

To start with, GPS trackers (like The AirBolt) offer an absurd amount of battery life. Unless you’re travelling for more than 3 months, you won’t need to charge your AirBolt at all while you’re away. 

Another plus is the suite of helpful features that keep you safe while travelling. Chief among them is the AirBolt’s SOS alert function. Have you ever seen a bank robbery in a movie? You know the moment when the teller behind the counter presses the silent alarm? The AirBolt works the same way. With your AirBolt GPS tracker in your pocket, press the middle button down 5 times repeatedly and anyone connected to your device will receive a push notification to say that you need help. 

This is also a great option for those who don’t have phone service when they’re travelling and prefer to stay offline, except in case of emergency.

Smartphone Location Sharing

If you don’t want to invest in a dedicated GPS tracker, your smartphone can do the job—but with a few caveats. Both Google Maps (for Android users) and Find My iPhone (...for iPhone users) allow you to share your real-time location with selected contacts. 

While this is handy for keeping family and friends updated while you're on the move, the big downside is battery drain. 

Running GPS constantly while travelling will chew through your phone’s battery at an alarming rate—especially when you’re already relying on it for maps, translations, bookings, photos, social media, and payment cards if you don’t carry a wallet. Not to mention, if you’re somewhere with poor reception, location tracking can become unreliable or stop working altogether.

💡 Top Tip: If you’re using your phone for location sharing, bring a portable charger. You’ll need it!

Messaging Apps for Location Sharing

Plenty of messaging apps now include location sharing as a part of their service. This does make it a lot easier to give someone a quick update while you’re in a chat with them. Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram let you share your live location for a set period.

But the issues with this are the same as for using Google Maps. It’s just so battery-intensive. We certainly don’t mind it as a backup. But if you’re serious about keeping your loved ones informed, it’s not ideal. 

Offline Methods for Sharing Your Location While Travelling

Travelling low-tech is seeing a resurgence in popularity at the moment. This is leading to people (often more seasoned travellers) choosing to disconnect from the constant use of their phone and access to social media. If that’s you, here are some suggestions to help. 

Share Your Itinerary Before You Leave

This one might seem pretty obvious but is so often overlooked. Provide a trusted friend or family member with key details like your flight information, accommodation addresses, and a rough itinerary of where you’ll be each day.

This way, even if you go completely off-grid, someone will have a general idea of where you’re meant to be. If something does go wrong, this information gives them a starting point to check in on you.

Use Offline Maps & Pinned Locations

Getting lost is a rite of passage for any traveller. But it doesn’t have to mean wandering aimlessly for hours. Apps like Google Maps allow you to download maps ahead of time, so you can access directions and saved locations even when you have no signal. We’d recommend saving key spots like your accommodation before heading out. 

Arrange Check-In Times

If real-time location sharing isn’t an option, setting up a simple check-in routine is the next best thing. Let your family or friends know when you’ll be available to check-in.

The whole beauty of travelling is that you just never quite know what’s going to happen. But with that in mind, it pays to keep your loved ones in the loop. If you’d like peace of mind for both you and your loved ones, check out the AirBolt for travel page to learn more.