Google Maps Snake Game is a travel-themed twist on the classic arcade game that became a mobile phone staple in the 1990s. Instead of controlling a snake, you navigate a train or bus around famous cities, picking up passengers and landmarks along the way. The longer your vehicle gets, the harder it becomes to avoid crashing into yourself or falling off the map. It’s simple, nostalgic, and surprisingly addictive.
Google launched this Easter egg on April 1, 2019, as an April Fools’ Day surprise. The game appeared in the Google Maps app for iOS and Android, letting users play directly within the navigation tool they use every day. Google also created a standalone website so people without the app could join in. The response was enthusiastic — players shared their scores on social media and the game quickly became one of the most popular April Fools’ features Google had ever released.
What makes this version special is the location-based theming. You can choose from six cities: Cairo, São Paulo, London, San Francisco, Sydney, and Tokyo. There’s also a World option that lets you play across the entire globe. Each city has its own vehicle — London gives you a double-decker bus, Tokyo puts you on a subway train, San Francisco has a streetcar. As you play, you pass famous landmarks like Big Ben, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Great Sphinx. Picking up location-specific items like fish and chips in London or ramen in Tokyo earns bonus points.
The gameplay follows the classic Snake formula. Your vehicle moves continuously in one direction, and you swipe or use arrow keys to change course. Passengers appear on the map waiting to be collected. Each pickup makes your train or bus longer, which means more potential for collisions. The game starts faster than the original Nokia version, so there’s no slow warm-up period — you’re challenged from the first second.
Google originally made the game available for about a week in the Maps app, but the standalone website remained accessible longer.
How To Play Google Maps Snake Game
Choose your city from the menu. Options include Cairo, São Paulo, London, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, or the entire World map. Each location has its own themed vehicle and landmarks.
Use the arrow keys on desktop or swipe on mobile to change direction. Your train or bus moves forward automatically — you only control which way it turns.
Pick up passengers waiting around the map. Each passenger adds to your score and makes your vehicle longer. Watch for bonus items like local food that give extra points.
Avoid hitting the edges of the map. Running off the screen ends your game immediately.
Don’t crash into your own vehicle. As your train or bus grows longer, manoeuvring becomes trickier. Plan your route ahead and avoid boxing yourself into corners.
The game gets progressively harder as your vehicle grows. Stay focused, keep collecting passengers, and try to beat your high score. The simple mechanics make it easy to pick up, but mastering it takes practice.