✅ For travel companies
Map out GPX tracks in the app and help your clients visualise their adventures before they've even got to the airport
In this article:
Option 1 - Use Google Maps & MapstoGPX
Option 2 - Draw a GPX on a map
Option 3 - Create your own track using a GPS device
Reducing your GPX file for the 10,000 point limit
How to add a GPX file to Vamoos
Enable GPX Tracks for specific trips
Introduction to GPX Tracks
- GPX Tracks allow you to draw a line of travel on the Vamoos maps for your clients to follow, whether this be for a hike, drive or cycle.
- Show points of interest along the way to highlight your expert knowledge
How to create a GPX file
- To add your hiking, driving or cycling tracks to Vamoos, you need to create a GPX file which you can then upload onto Vamoos
- There are a few different ways you can create a GPX file which we have explained below
Option 1 - Use Google Maps & MapstoGPX
- This option is ideal for short walking, driving or hiking tracks
- On Google Maps, insert your starting location and ending destination, with any stops on the way
- You can then choose which mode of transport it is (driving/cycling/walking) and select your desired route
- Once you have selected the route you would like to use, press the 3 dots to generate your link for sharing
- You then need to select the Copy Link button which will copy your unique directions link.
- Once you have the link copied, head to mapstogpx.com which is a free online converter
- Here, you can paste the link you have copied into the search bar then select the LET'S GO button
- Your GPX file will then begin to download onto your device
Option 2 - Draw a GPX on a map
- Ideal for: longer and more complex walking, driving or cycling routes
- You can use programs such as GPS Visualizer or PlotaRoute to manually draw your route on a map
- You can then export these as a GPX file
Option 3 - Create your own track using a GPS device
- Ideal for: accurate routes that you can easily complete and track yourself
- You can use a tracking app like Strava, that records your route using the GPS capabilities of your phone
- Once you have completed this, you can download it as a GPX file
Reducing your GPX file for the 10,000 point limit
- GPX files are made up of lots of location waypoints. Waypoints are points or places along a track or line of travel
- Vamoos has a 10,00 waypoint limit, so tracks with too many waypoints cannot be uploaded
- If this ever occurs you can try one of the options below to reduce the waypoints:
- Option A: instead of having one long track, try splitting the track up into multiple legs or sections
- Or Option B: try using a GPX editor like GPX studio
- All you need to do is upload your GPX file, and select the icon with two arrows on the left-hand side menu
- You can then reduce the number of waypoints and select Ok
- You then need to export the file, which you can do using the 'Export' button on the bar at the top of your screen
- You can then Download the new GPX file
How to add a GPX file to Vamoos
- Now you have created your GPX file, you can then go ahead and upload it to Vamoos
- To add your GPX file to Vamoos, go to the Shared section in the top menu bar and select POI
- Then press the orange + CREATE POI button
- In the Type box you can select to change it from a Point of Interest to Track
- You can then start filling in the relevant information
- GPX Tracks work in the same way as Points of Interest (POIs), so you can set a Range (in km) for them. This will trigger your track to show up in your client's trip
- To upload the GPX file you have created, press the ATTACH / LINK button
- You can also choose to select existing POIs you'd like to show along the track
- This allows you to highlight key attractions or stops along the track for your clients
- You can then give your track a name using the Label box
- You may also want to give the track a description so your guests have all the information they need
- To attach an image, PDF or URL to the track for additional information or personalisation, press the ATTACH / LINK button
- Press CREATE
Enable GPX Tracks for specific trips
- Once you have successfully added your GPX track to Vamoos, you can turn these on or off within an individual Vamoos Trip
- Go to your Vamoos List and either create a new trip or open an existing one
- Navigate to the Locations section on the left-hand side menu and select POIs
- Here, you will be able to see the GPX tracks visible that are within range of this trip
- You can always manually turn on/off GPX tracks for specific bookings by scrolling to the right hand side and using the on/off switches
Renaming the Tracks icon
- You can always rename the Track icon to something that is more personalised to the way you are using the feature (e.g. Hiking Trails, Driving or Cycling)
- To do this, go to the Shared section in the black bar at the top of your screen and to the POI section
- Then press the MANAGE ICONS button
- You will then see the Track icon and you can rename this to whatever you would like
FAQs
- Q: Are GPX tracks available offline?
A: Yes they are! However if your guests would like to use a external navigation app (i.e. Apple or Google maps) then they would require mobile data or wifi connection
If you have any further questions or need help with this, you can contact us at support@vamoos.com.