Did you know your iPhone has some incredibly useful travel features that you might not even know exist?
From converting foreign currency and tracking flights to translating restaurant menus and identifying famous landmarks, your iPhone can make traveling easier than ever.
And the best part? These features use apps and tools already built into supported iPhones, so there’s no need to download additional third-party travel apps.
As a travel advisor, I’m always looking for ways to make traveling easier for my clients. Here are five of my favorite hidden iPhone travel features, along with step-by-step instructions on exactly how to use them.
1. Convert Foreign Currency Using Your Calculator App
Ever been shopping in Europe and wondered how much something actually costs in US dollars?
Instead of searching Google or downloading a currency converter, you can do it right in your iPhone’s Calculator app.
How to use it:
- Open the Calculator app on your iPhone.
- Tap the calculator icon in the bottom-left corner.
- Turn on Convert.
- Tap the currency abbreviations to select the currencies you want to convert, such as euros (EUR) and US dollars (USD).
- Enter the amount you want to convert, and your iPhone will display the converted value.
Why this is useful for travel:
Whether you’re shopping in Paris, enjoying dinner in Rome, or browsing a market in Mexico, you can quickly see approximately how much something costs in dollars.
Travel advisor tip: Exchange rates fluctuate, and your bank or credit card company may use a slightly different rate. Your final charge may also include foreign transaction fees, depending on your card.
Compatibility note: Currency conversion in Calculator requires iOS 18 or later.
2. Track Your Flight Directly Through Text Messages
Here’s an iPhone feature that surprises a lot of travelers: You can check flight information directly from a text message without opening an airline app.
It’s especially useful when coordinating airport pickups or checking the status of someone’s flight.
How to use it:
- Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
- Send yourself or someone else a message containing an airline name and flight number, such as “United Airlines 1234.”
- If your iPhone recognizes the flight information, the flight number will appear underlined.
- Tap or press and hold the underlined flight information.
- Select Preview Flight to view available details.
Depending on the flight, you may see departure and arrival times, flight status, airport information, and a map of the flight route.
Why this is useful for travel:
If someone is picking you up from the airport, simply text them your flight number. They may be able to check your flight’s progress directly from the message.
You can also use this trick when coordinating connecting flights or checking whether a friend’s flight has landed.
Travel advisor tip: This feature doesn’t recognize every flight, and the information isn’t guaranteed to update immediately. Always check your airline’s official app or website for important changes, especially cancellations, delays, and gate assignments.
3. Translate Restaurant Menus and Signs With Your Camera
Imagine sitting at a restaurant in Italy, opening the menu, and realizing it’s entirely in Italian.
Your iPhone can help translate the text without requiring you to type anything!
Apple’s built-in Live Text feature can recognize written text through your camera and offer translation options.
How to use it:
- Open your iPhone’s Camera app.
- Point your camera at the text you want to translate, such as a restaurant menu, street sign, or brochure.
- When your iPhone recognizes the text, tap the Live Text button that appears near the bottom-right corner of the camera view.
- Select the text you want translated, if necessary.
- Tap Translate to see the available translation.
Another easy option:
You can also use Apple’s built-in Translate app.
- Open the Translate app.
- Select Camera.
- Choose the appropriate languages if needed.
- Point your camera at the foreign-language text.
- For supported languages, the translation will appear over the original text on your screen.
Why this is useful for travel:
This feature can be incredibly helpful when reading restaurant menus, navigating train stations, understanding museum descriptions, or interpreting signs in another language.
Travel advisor tip: Automatic translations aren’t always perfect. If you have a serious food allergy or need to communicate important medical information, don’t rely exclusively on automatic translations.
Compatibility note: Live Text requires an iPhone XS, iPhone XR, or newer running iOS 15 or later. Translation availability varies by language and device.
4. Get Directions by Pointing Your Camera at an Address
Have you ever received a printed hotel confirmation or restaurant reservation with an address you needed to enter into Maps?
Instead of manually typing out an unfamiliar address, your iPhone may be able to recognize it through your camera.
This is another clever use of Apple’s Live Text feature.
How to use it:
- Open the Camera app.
- Point your camera at a clearly printed street address.
- Tap the Live Text button when your iPhone recognizes the text.
- Tap the detected address if it appears as a selectable link.
- If the option is available, open the address in Maps.
- Select Directions, choose your transportation method, and follow the route.
If your iPhone doesn’t recognize the address as a link, you can still select and copy the text using Live Text, then paste it directly into Apple Maps.
Why this is useful for travel:
It’s particularly handy when you’re traveling internationally and dealing with unfamiliar street names or addresses that are difficult to spell.
You can use it with printed hotel confirmations, restaurant details, business cards, and street signs.
Travel advisor tip: Always double-check the destination before starting navigation. Some cities have similarly named streets or multiple locations with the same business name.
Compatibility note: Live Text requires an iPhone XS, iPhone XR, or newer running iOS 15 or later. Address recognition and available actions may vary.
5. Identify Famous Landmarks Using Your Photos
Have you ever taken a picture of a beautiful building or monument while traveling, only to realize later that you had no idea what it was?
Your iPhone may be able to identify it for you!
Apple has a feature called Visual Look Up that can recognize certain landmarks and provide additional information about them.
How to use it:
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Select a photo you’ve taken of a landmark or attraction.
- Look for the Info button at the bottom of the screen.
- If Visual Look Up is available for that photo, the Info button will display a small star or sparkle.
- Tap the button, then select Look Up.
- Your iPhone will display available information about the recognized landmark.
Why this is useful for travel:
It’s a fun way to learn more about the places you’re exploring, particularly in destinations filled with historical buildings, monuments, and famous attractions.
It’s also useful after your vacation when you’re organizing photos and trying to remember the names of all the places you visited.
Travel advisor tip: Visual Look Up doesn’t recognize every landmark. If the starred Info button doesn’t appear, your iPhone may not have identified anything in that particular photo.
Compatibility note: Visual Look Up requires a supported iPhone and iOS version. Feature availability also varies by region and language.
Before Your Next Trip: Check These iPhone Settings
Before heading off on your next vacation, take a few minutes to make sure these features are available on your phone.
1. Update your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check whether an update is available. Some features require newer versions of iOS.
2. Make sure Live Text is enabled. On supported iPhones, go to Settings > General > Language & Region and look for the Live Text setting. Make sure it’s turned on if the option appears.
3. Check your internet connection. Some features, including flight updates, currency conversions, maps, and landmark information, may require an internet connection to work fully.
4. Try these features before leaving home. Test them before your trip so you’re familiar with how they work when you actually need them.
5. Prepare for international travel. If you’re traveling overseas, consider your international data plan or an eSIM so you can access maps, translations, and other travel tools when Wi-Fi isn’t available.
Travel Smarter With the iPhone You Already Own
Sometimes the best travel tools are the ones you already have in your pocket!
From converting foreign currency and tracking flights to translating menus, navigating unfamiliar cities, and identifying famous landmarks, these five hidden iPhone features can make your next vacation a little easier.
And while your phone can help with plenty of travel details, having an experienced travel advisor handling your vacation planning can make an even bigger difference.
Ready to Plan Your Next Vacation?
At Wanderlust Travel by Emily, I specialize in creating personalized travel experiences tailored to your interests, preferences, and budget.
Whether you’re dreaming of a European adventure, a Caribbean escape, a romantic honeymoon, or a relaxing beach vacation, I can help you navigate the details and create a trip that’s right for you.
