How to set your usual type of travel in Apple Maps on an iPhone

What changed: the screenshots are now our own iPhone 17e on iOS 27.0.1, dark mode, and the wording is checked against those screens.

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-set-your-usual-type-of-travel-in-apple-maps-on-an-iphone/ · Checked October 2026 · iPhone 17e · iOS 27.0.1

4 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 2 official sources below

Device

iPhone

Shown on

iOS 27.0.1 (iPhone 17e)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Apps › Maps › Preferred Type of Travel

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

What we did

Performed: we made the change on our device and show the result

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Settings and tap Apps

   Apps is near the bottom of the main Settings list.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Maps

   The apps are in alphabetical order, so Maps is under M.

   Done

3. 

   Tap your type of travel

   Under Preferred Type of Travel there are four choices: Driving, Walking, Public Transport and Cycling. The tick is on Driving at first; the picture shows ours after we tapped Walking. The note below says that this type is used, when available, to get directions and to estimate your travel time.

   Done

4. 

   Check the navigation app

   Default Navigation App is the row above; ours showed Maps. It decides which app opens when you tap an address.

   Done

What changed: the screenshots are now our own iPhone 17e on iOS 27.0.1, dark mode, and the wording is checked against those screens.

If you do not see this option

• It says Transit, not Public Transport. With US English the third choice is called Transit. Our iPhone, set to UK English, says Public Transport. Source: Choose a default travel mode and Maps units on iPhone
• You would rather change it in Maps. Open Maps, tap your picture next to the search field, then Preferences. Ours showed Driving next to Preferences. Source: Choose a default travel mode and Maps units on iPhone
• Some directions are not offered. Apple says turn-by-turn spoken directions and the preferred route option are not available in all countries or regions. Source: Get driving directions in Maps on iPhone

If this does not work

• Directions still open for driving. The note under the choices says the type is used when available. Where it is not, tap the travel type you want on the directions card. Source: Get driving directions in Maps on iPhone
• Addresses open in another app. Check Default Navigation App on the same page; ours was set to Maps. Source: Change your default apps for features on iPhone and iPad
• Distances show in the wrong unit. Maps uses the measurement system set in Settings, General, Language & Region. Source: Choose a default travel mode and Maps units on iPhone

About this guide

Apple Maps assumes that you drive. If you mostly walk, cycle or take the train, every route starts with the wrong kind of directions. One setting changes the starting point.

The screenshots are our own, taken on an iPhone 17e running iOS 27.0.1, in dark mode. With the iPhone set to UK English, the third choice is called Public Transport.

Good to know

To go back, tap Driving on the same page.

Drivers can keep routes off toll roads: how to avoid tolls and highways in Apple Maps on an iPhone.

In short: Settings, Apps, Maps, Preferred Type of Travel, tap your choice.