Always used Google maps on phone but........that was in the days of free data in Europe, brexits killed that from this Jan, so check what your provider is doing.
My "provider" is in my case 02 I presume. I've always used a satnav before, but i left it in the hire car in Heraklion airport last October. Do you have to prepare or preload anything on your phone before being good to go ?
I just use Google or Apple Maps when driving in the US and don't ever need to do anything. In terms of the use of data, if you download the route before you set off you can turn the data off and it picks you up through the GPS. Or at least I've done that in the past.
As Loko says Google or apple maps work just fine. Check your phone contract - mine with Vodafone still has free roaming though its coming up for renewal so I expect I will lose that later in the year when the discounts expire and I have to replace to contract (or it increases by 25% and the data decreases by 400%) but if it costs you a pound for the day it beats getting lost
If you use the OsmAnd app you dont need an internet connection. Try it over here before you go. It's worked well for me in some remote places.
Does Waze work in Europe? I use it all the time as it shows all the best routes/incidents/heavy traffic/cameras and even potholes…. I also thought you can get a fine if using the camera identifying sat nav in France?
I use Here We Go which is completely free and works with no internet connection if you download the maps on WiFi first. https://www.here.com/applications/wego
As Austiniho says using Speed camera location in Sat-Navs is illegal in some EU countries France and Germany being among those who impose hefty fines (1500 euros in France) if caught doing so. My Tom-Tom Go allows me to disable the feature. There is still much debate about whether other specific apps which detect speed camera locations whilst on the move are subject to the same laws. I suspect they are, especially apps dedicated to that purpose. As an aside, in at least two EU countries, (Austria and Luxembourg) it is illegal to use dashcams purportedly due to Data protection laws, as you may inadvertently capture images of people without having obtained their prior permission (no sh*t Sherlock!!) . Given that the same situation must arise when taking holiday snaps with people in the background is that activity also illegal! Bizarre legislation IMHO. EDIT Disabling or just turning off a dash cam is insufficient to satisfy the law, you must remove it from the windscreen in Austria and Luxembourg