When you go on a trip, there are things you want to keep close by. Things like your passport, a portable charger to charge your phone, and the perfect book to read on the plane. When I travel, I always have the iOS version of Maps handy.
While Apple’s version may seem inadequate to some in the ongoing Google Maps vs. Apple Maps debate, I believe Apple has made great strides in recent years to improve its navigation apps. I think so. But even if you’re not a fan of Apple Maps in general, this map can prove invaluable on your travels, with several features that make the mobile app a great travel companion. I think.
I was reminded of this last week when I went on a family trip to Hawaii. As soon as my plane landed in Honolulu, where I was scheduled to take a connecting flight, a notification appeared on my iPhone 12. A notification appeared saying “Welcome to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport” and then prompted me to download his offline version. Map showing the layout of the airport.
This is a very useful feature if you need to change your flight. First, look at the airport map to see where the gates you need to board your connection are. If you have enough time to eat, you can also check out restaurants and grab-and-go places along the way or just beyond the gate. And by downloading maps for offline use, you won’t have to fuss over fickle airport Wi-Fi networks or eat up your data quota if you don’t have an unlimited data plan.
Apple added offline maps functionality to its Maps app with last year’s iOS 17 update. (If you haven’t tried this feature yet, check out our guide on how to download offline Apple Maps on iPhone.) Airport Maps has been part of the app since 2017, when Apple added Airport Maps along with other indoor maps. It has become a department. Contents of iOS 11 update.
These days, you can find maps for over 100 airports within the Maps app. Apple has a complete list of supported airports.
Offline or not, Apple’s app’s airport map packs a lot of information. Besides the aforementioned gate and restaurant details, you can also find baggage claim, check-in kiosks for various airlines, gift shops, and perhaps most importantly, restrooms.
There’s enough to make Apple Maps your go-to app for travel, but the app also has several other tools to help travelers. These three are my favorites.
Multiple stop routes in the map
Another recent feature added to iOS Maps, which Apple introduced two years ago with iOS 16, is the ability to plan routes with multiple stops along the way, which can be very useful on road trips. Let’s say you need to find your way from your hotel to your rental car drop-off point, but you want to stop for gas along the way. Just add a stop at a gas station and Maps will create a route to your destination. From point A to point B to point C. You can also change the order of your trip by dragging different stops.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to plan a route with multiple stops. (This feature works in iOS 17 just as it did when Apple introduced it.)
take a look at the weather
You don’t have to leave the Maps app to check the weather where you’re headed. When you search for a destination, such as a city, a point of interest, or a specific address, you’ll see a small icon in the bottom right corner of the map screen that lists the temperature and air quality index. There are also little icons that tell you if it’s sunny, cloudy, raining, or what’s going on.
It’s not a perfect feature. If I wanted a detailed weather forecast for my trip, I wish I could tap the weather icon and jump to the weather app. But in terms of useful, at-a-glance information, it’s a nice addition.
Built-in guide
Most of Maps’ features help you find your way around a location. But there’s one feature that’s especially welcome during the trip planning stage.
You’ve probably forgotten that the iOS version of Apple Maps includes a dedicated city guide since iOS 14. This feature is often overlooked if you’re just looking for directions. However, if you search for a specific destination and scroll down, you might find some guides on things to do and where to eat in that particular location.
Yes, the collection of guides tends to favor frequently visited cities, so if your travels take you to off-the-beaten-path locations, you may find this feature of limited value. But if you’re really struggling to come up with ideas for your next trip, it might be worth perusing Maps’ hand-picked guidebooks.
Apple Maps overview
Maps isn’t a perfect app. Even fans of the app like me can quickly come up with a list of things that need fixes and improvements. But the app gets better with each iteration, and that could continue in iOS 18 if rumors about custom routes and topographical maps being added to the app prove accurate. But even now, maps are a great travel tool. If you haven’t opened Maps in a while, why not take it out on a trip you’re planning this summer?
