Very helpful: How to Plan a Trip (walking, bike, public transport, car) using Google Maps

When I was in England, I depended (probably too much), on Google maps, which can give you to-the-number-of-steps guidance in getting from one place to another walking, biking, by public transport, and by car.  Google maps is integrated with most of the public transport schedules in England, as it is for most cities in the US.  So it will give you instantaneous train schedules and rates.  If you have to change stations, it gives you step by step (number of yards, number of steps) instruction on getting from one station to another or even one platform to another.  If you have to walk to a bus stop, it gives you time and distance, as well as the map.  When you are on your way, you can see where you are on your smart phone at any instant as long as your GPS is turned on.  As the situation changes, you can modify your plans on the fly.  This is a must know for all travelers and even commuters.  Learn how before you travel so you don't have a problem.

Note that, as long as you have airport mode on, you can still get info as you travel; ie, you won't be charged minute rates in England.  However, the maps may disappear until you get near the next wifi.  Always have your smartphone wifi on.  When I was in Europe I got one of those wifi hotspot pucks from http://www.tepwireless.com/.  Very good deal.  (Warning:  there aren't very many places to return the hotspot devices.  You will probably elect to mail it back.  You have to make sure you know how to repackage the device.  So take pictures as you are unpacking it.  I made the mistake of not doing that and, when I repacked it, I failed to properly repack/reconfigure the wall adapter:  got a hefty charge for the damaged adapter.)  Just remember to carry an extra battery pack if you are going any distance.  Oh, some bus services and trains have free wifi.  Check that out.

To the directions.  This picture is from Google Maps with the initial entry of planning a trip from Cambridge to Southampton UK.  It picks automobile mode by default:

But if you click on the bus icon, it will start a dialog about public transportation.  (If you click on the bike icon, it will pick a bike route, though not always the best, because it doesn't know all the shortcuts that bikes can take.  If you click on the walking icon it will give you a walking route.  It will use public paths where possible, but it may miss various shortcuts you can only take by walking.  These cases are where the instantaneous feedback from a navigator app can help.)

I'm not going to go through the entire tutorial on how to plan a route here.  Here is a step by step tutorial:
http://www.wikihow.com/Plan-a-Trip-on-Public-Transportation-Using-Google-Maps.  Practice getting from Cambridge to Southampton.  You'll be amazed at how it works.  Try both bus to the train station, then The Tube, then train.  Make sure you click on the "more options and times" link that shows up.  It gives a sliding trip selector.  It is really "wow."

Need help?  Google what help you need.  If you can't find what you are looking for, send a comment to me using the box below.