Google Maps helps London tourists understand that the Tube map is not geographically accurate

Google Maps will now offer live transport updates for London travellers, helping them make better transport choices in our fair capital.

In addition to directing people to the nearest Tube stop using GPS, Google Maps will also help people who don’t know London use the bus. Tourists will often feel intimidated by the bus, as they don’t know where to get off (the Tube is handy that way), so Google Maps will tell them.

Google will use Transport for London’s open data platform to help people move about, writes The Daily Telegraph, as TFL gives out real time data about delays, roadworks and suspensions. TFL has this data available on its website already, but combining it with proper city maps will make it a lot easier to use. The system will be implemented now so the hitches will be smoothed out ahead of the Olympics.

While familiar and wonderful in many way, one of the problems with the Tube map is how it tricks tourists (and many a rookie Londoner) into thinking places are further apart than they actually are. This crowds up the central Tube lines – but click through and have a look at this very handy map – it shows you which stations are faster to walk to. Just look at what’s going on around Paddington. And Euston. And Bank!