Have you ever landed in a new country, opened Google Maps, typed in your destination… and nothing shows up? That’s exactly what happened to me the first time I traveled to Seoul. I knew the café’s name in English, but the map didn’t recognize it. Turns out, it was listed in Hangul and I had no clue how to find it.
Whether you’re traveling to Greece, Japan, Thailand, or anywhere that doesn’t use the Latin alphabet, navigating maps and signs can feel a bit like decoding a secret language. Over the years (and through plenty of mistakes), I’ve learned some really handy tricks to bridge that alphabet gap no language course required.
If you’ve ever struggled to find a place because of script differences, this post is for you. I’ll walk you through the tools and hacks I now always use to travel smarter in countries with different writing systems.
Tip 1: Use Google Translate to Copy the Native Script (My First Step Every Time)
This is always the first thing I do when I’m planning a trip to a country that doesn’t use the Roman alphabet. Whether it’s Japanese, Greek, Arabic, Thai, or Cyrillic, having the correct native spelling makes all the difference when searching in Google Maps or asking for directions on the ground.
I usually start by typing the English name of the destination into Google Translate. Then I switch the output to the local language and copy the result. That native script is what I paste into Google Maps to pull up the exact place I’m looking for.
Real Example:
When I was trying to find Beijing Railway Station, typing the English name didn’t get me very far. But once I translated it and pasted 北京火车站 into Google Maps, the correct location popped up immediately. It’s a small change, but it makes a huge difference especially in big cities where multiple stations or districts have similar-sounding names.
Why this method works:
- Many locations are tagged in the local script on digital maps. If you search using English or Romanized versions, they may not appear especially for lesser-known spots.
- Romanizations aren’t consistent across apps or even within the same country. For example, “Qatar” could be spelled as Doha, Ad Dawhah, or الدوحة depending on the map or setting.
- Smaller businesses and attractions (like guesthouses, cafés, or temples) may only be indexed under their native names.
- Using the local spelling avoids confusion especially when there are multiple places with similar names. You’re more likely to get the right one when using the exact native script.
How I do it (Step-by-Step):
- Open Google Translate (on desktop or app).
- Enter the English name of the place.
- Set the translation language to the local one (e.g., Thai, Japanese, Korean).
- Copy the translated result.
- Paste it directly into Google Maps, Uber, Grab, or your preferred navigation app.
- Tap “Save” or “Star” the location if you plan to revisit it offline later.
Pro Tips:
- Save the native spelling in your Notes app under a “Travel Terms” folder with the city or neighborhood name. It’s super helpful when offline or showing it to a local.
- Screenshot the translation in case you need to show it to a taxi driver or can’t copy-paste later.
- Label it in your own words (e.g., “Beijing Train Station – Chinese characters”) so you don’t forget what the script means.
- Double-check the spelling using Wikipedia or official tourism sites. Sometimes Google Translate gives you a literal or odd translation especially with regional or slang names.
This method has saved me time and stress so many times. From tracking down a tucked-away ramen shop in Tokyo to finding my homestay in rural Armenia, copying and pasting the native name into Maps has become a simple but powerful habit. Honestly, I don’t even trust Romanized spellings anymore especially when I’m in a rush or trying to catch a train.
Tip 2: Photograph Local Signs, Then Use Google Lens or Translate (When You Have No Idea What It Says)
Some of the best places I’ve discovered while traveling weren’t part of my plan they just appeared as I wandered. A roadside trail in northern Thailand. A bustling night market tucked behind a narrow alley in Kyoto. A handwritten board next to a cliffside path in Crete. All of them had one thing in common: zero English signage.
And in those moments, when Google Maps drew a blank and no one around spoke English, Google Lens and Google Translate’s camera feature became my lifesavers.
These tools can instantly translate signs, posters, handwritten notes, and even restaurant menus just by pointing your camera. I now use this every time I want to:
- Confirm a trailhead’s name before setting out on a hike
- Check the actual name of a local business to save in Maps
- Translate handwritten directions from a local or Airbnb host
- Understand bus stops, temple signs, or public instructions
Real Story: That Waterfall in Chiang Mai
While traveling solo in Chiang Mai, I rented a scooter and drove into the hills. Somewhere along the winding road near Doi Suthep, I spotted a small wooden sign with painted Thai script and an arrow pointing downhill. It looked like a hiking trail, but I wasn’t sure. No English, no icon, and it didn’t show up in my map app.
So I did what I always do:
Snapped a photo, opened Google Translate, tapped the camera icon, and scanned the text.
The translation popped up as “Mok Fa Waterfall Trail” a well-known spot I had completely missed in my research. I followed the path down, and thirty minutes later, I was standing in front of one of the most peaceful waterfalls I’d ever seen. Not a single other tourist in sight.
That’s when I really started relying on this trick wherever I go.
How to Use Google Translate’s Camera Feature
Step-by-step:
- Open the Google Translate app (download it if you don’t have it).
- Select the language you’re translating from (or let it auto-detect).
- Tap the camera icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Point your phone at the sign, menu, or board you want to read.
- Wait for the app to highlight and overlay the translated text in real-time.
- You can also tap “Pause” or “Scan” to freeze and copy the translation.
- Paste the translated name into Google Maps or a notes app for later.
Works even better if you download the language pack for offline use!
Bonus Tip: Use Google Lens (Built into Android + iPhone)
If you’re using a newer phone, Google Lens (via the camera app or Google Photos) is even smarter:
- It can detect landmarks, opening hours, and reviews directly from signage.
- It often links straight to business listings and directions.
- You can access it by opening any image in your gallery, then tapping the Lens icon.
Example: I once took a photo of a road sign in Cyrillic script in Tbilisi, Georgia. I later opened the image, used Lens, and discovered it was pointing to a historic fortress I’d never heard of. That spontaneous detour turned into one of my favorite hikes of the trip.
When to Use This Trick
- Hiking Trails: Many local trails have only handwritten or painted signs in native languages.
- Markets and Food Stalls: Some vendors only display menus or prices in local script.
- Transit Stations: Bus stops, train platforms, and rural terminals often don’t have English options.
- Hostel Notes & Maps: Many accommodations draw hand maps or lists of places for guests snap a photo, translate it, and you’re good to go.
Why I Never Travel Without This Anymore
Not only does this method help me understand where I’m going, it lets me navigate a new place with more confidence especially when I’m solo or off the beaten path. I’ve found trails that aren’t in any guidebook, figured out how to use local buses without getting hopelessly lost, and even ordered the right dish from a food cart (no more mystery meat!).
It’s not just about translation it’s about unlocking experiences that would otherwise stay hidden behind a language barrier.
Tip 3: Switch Google Maps to the Local Language (The Trick That Helped Me Match Maps to Street Signs)
I didn’t learn this one until a trip to South Korea and I wish I had known it sooner. I was standing in the middle of a crowded subway station in Seoul, staring at a directional sign written entirely in Hangul (Korean script), trying to figure out which exit would take me to my hotel. My phone was open to Google Maps, but none of the names matched what I was seeing in real life.
That’s when it clicked: the issue wasn’t my directions it was the language display settings on my map.
Switching Google Maps to the local language might seem like a small change, but it completely transformed how I navigate in countries that don’t use the Latin alphabet. Once I switched my map’s interface to Korean, all the location names updated to match what was on street signs, subway platforms, and storefronts. Suddenly, everything made sense and I didn’t have to guess whether “Sinchon” on my map matched “신촌” on the sign.
Why This Trick Is So Helpful
Even if you speak zero of the local language, changing your Google Maps language to match the country you’re in helps you:
- Match signage with the map more easily (especially helpful in subways and rural areas)
- Copy accurate place names in native script directly from the map
- Improve search results some locations only appear in the native alphabet
- Avoid duplicate/confusing entries, like multiple versions of the same place spelled differently in English (common in places like Vietnam or Russia)
Example:
In Greece, I once tried to find a taverna in Athens called “To Kafeneio.” Google Maps couldn’t find it under the English spelling but after switching the language, it showed up as Το Καφενείο, and I found it instantly. No more guessing or walking in circles.
How to Change Your Google Maps Language (Step-by-Step)
On iPhone or Android:
- Open Google Maps
- Tap your profile icon (top right)
- Go to Settings
- Select App language
- Choose the local language (e.g., Japanese, Arabic, Greek)
On Desktop (Optional for Planning):
- Visit Google Maps
- Scroll to the bottom right and click on the globe icon or language
- Select your target language
Note: This only changes the language within the app it doesn’t change your phone’s entire system language, so it’s totally safe to switch back and forth as needed.
When I Use This Trick:
- Subway and Train Navigation: Station names are often written only in the native script. Switching your map makes it easier to track which stop you’re at.
- Wandering Through Local Neighborhoods: When I want to explore non-touristy areas, I switch to the local language and just scroll around. I can copy names of temples, parks, or cafes to paste into Translate later.
- Taxi and Ride-Share Pickup Points: Drivers often use the native-script name for landmarks. If your pickup spot doesn’t show in English, switching helps align your map with theirs.
- Offline Navigation: Before a trip, I switch the map language, download the area offline, and star important locations using native names. That way I can still match street signs even without signal.
Bonus Tip: Combine With Manual Zooming
Even if you don’t change the language setting, you can zoom into Google Maps and scroll around in detail. Many areas (especially in cities) show both the English and native-script names layered together. You can:
- Tap the location pin
- Copy the native-script name
- Paste it into Translate or your navigation app
I often do this the night before heading to a new city just zoom in, scan for names in local script, and pin anything that looks interesting.
Why This Trick Changed My Travel Game
Before using this, I relied on guesswork, English transliterations, and a lot of squinting at mismatched signs. Now, I feel more confident navigating anywhere whether I’m catching a local tram in Lisbon or wandering through old town Tbilisi.
If you’re heading somewhere with a different writing system, this tiny settings tweak might be the most underrated travel tool in your arsenal. It’s like syncing your phone with the environment around you and suddenly, it all starts making sense.
Tip 4: Use Wikipedia and Wikivoyage to Find the Native Name (and So Much More)
This is one of my secret weapons when I’m planning a trip to a country with a different writing system and it’s not just for nerdy research purposes. Wikipedia and Wikivoyage can be goldmines when it comes to uncovering the correct local spelling of places, especially if Google Translate is giving you confusing or inconsistent results.
When I can’t find a place on Google Maps or I’m unsure which spelling to use, I go straight to the Wikipedia page for that city, attraction, or neighborhood. Almost every entry lists the name in multiple languages and script, exactly what I need to copy and paste into apps like Google Maps or Uber to get accurate results.
Real Story: That Time in Georgia (the Country, Not the State)
I was planning a road trip through the Caucasus, and one of my stops was the historic cave town of Uplistsikhe. At first, I tried typing it into Google Maps using the Roman alphabet, but I got dozens of unrelated results. So I looked up the Wikipedia page, and there it was უფლისციხე in Georgian script.
The moment I pasted that into Google Maps, I found the exact archaeological site entrance, the correct driving route, and even the local parking lot. No guesswork. No stress.
How to Use Wikipedia (Step-by-Step):
- Go to Wikipedia.org
- Type the name of the city, landmark, or attraction in English
- Scroll to the top of the page or the infobox on the right-hand side
- Look for the native-script spelling under the bold title
- Example: For Kyoto → 京都市
- Example: For Moscow → Москва́
- Copy the native script and paste it into your preferred map or navigation app
Bonus: Wikipedia often includes alternate spellings, historical names, and regional language variants super useful in multilingual countries like India, Switzerland, or Morocco.
Why I Use Wikipedia Over Google Translate Sometimes
- Google Translate isn’t perfect. It sometimes provides overly literal translations or fails to distinguish between places with the same name.
- Wikipedia gives context you’re not just getting a word; you’re seeing how it’s actually used in location names, history, and maps.
- Wikivoyage (Wikipedia’s travel-focused sibling) often lists practical terms like transportation hubs, street names, and common phrases in native script.
Example: On Wikivoyage’s page for Istanbul, I found the Turkish spellings for ferry terminals and metro lines so when I searched “Karaköy İskelesi” instead of “Karakoy Ferry,” I got better real-time results.
When to Use This Trick:
- Planning a trip to a region with multiple languages or alphabets (like Belgium, Israel, or India)
- Cross-checking spellings before saving locations offline
- Identifying smaller towns and villages that might not appear under English names in maps
- Getting the real local version of a name to ask for directions, book a ticket, or tell a taxi driver
What Else to Grab from Wikipedia or Wikivoyage:
- Native pronunciation (with audio clips in many cases)
- Neighborhood breakdowns and administrative divisions
- Historic or local nicknames (e.g., “Hanoï” vs “Hà Nội”)
- Airport/train station names in both scripts
- Native-script terms for transport, markets, and food stalls
Pro Tip: Use Language Tabs + Interwiki Links
At the top of any Wikipedia page, you’ll usually see a sidebar or top bar with links to the same page in different languages. This is especially handy for copying Japanese, Arabic, Thai, Chinese, or Cyrillic spellings that might be more accurate than auto-translations.
Example: For Mount Fuji, I went to the Japanese version of the page and copied 富士山 to use in my itinerary map and in offline navigation apps. That made it way easier to pull up the correct bus stops and info once I was there.
Why It’s Worth the Extra Minute
Taking 60 seconds to find the correct local name might save you an hour of walking in circles, struggling with apps that can’t recognize your input. More importantly, it helps you communicate better with locals whether you’re showing a cab driver where you want to go or asking someone for help in a busy train station.
I still use Google Translate all the time, but when I want accuracy, nuance, and a deeper understanding of the destination’s language, Wikipedia is my go-to.
Tip 5: Ask Locals to Write It Down (The Old-School Trick That Still Works Best)
This tip might seem simple almost too obvious but honestly, it’s one of the most effective travel hacks I’ve ever used. When technology fails, when signs are confusing, and when Google Translate gets it just a little bit wrong, asking a local to write something down in their native script can make all the difference between getting lost and getting there.
Over the years, this little habit has saved me in subways, taxi rides, and long walks through winding alleys where my phone had no service. All it takes is a smile, a bit of patience, and sometimes a hotel receptionist or kind stranger with a pen.
Real Story: Lost in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
On my first day in Istanbul, I wandered deep into the Grand Bazaar’s colorful maze. I loved every second of it until I realized I had no idea how to get back to my hotel. I typed the hotel name into Google Maps, but it wasn’t showing up. Why? Because the app couldn’t recognize the Turkish spelling, and I’d only saved the English version.
I stopped at a small tea shop and asked the owner if he could help. I pointed to the English hotel name in my email confirmation. He nodded, smiled, and wrote it down in Turkish script: Otel Sultanahmet. I showed that to a nearby taxi driver and in five minutes, I was back on the right path.
It’s such a simple trick, but when you’re in a non-English-speaking country, having the local spelling written by someone who knows it makes your life a whole lot easier.
When to Ask for Help (And Who to Ask)
- At Hotel Check-In: Before you leave the hotel, ask the receptionist to write down the name and address in the local language, especially if it’s a small boutique or guesthouse.
- From a Tour Guide: If you’re taking a local tour, ask the guide to jot down the name of the next stop especially if you’ll be getting there on your own later.
- At Restaurants or Shops: Locals are often happy to help, especially if you explain (or gesture!) that you want to search for the place again later.
- From Airbnb Hosts: Send them a quick message asking for the full native-language name of the property or nearby landmarks.
What to Ask Them to Write:
- Your hotel or accommodation name and full address
- Popular sights or transport stations you plan to visit
- Names of restaurants or attractions that locals call by different nicknames
- Local food terms if you’re going to street markets (e.g., “vegetarian,” “no peanuts,” etc.)
Example: When I was in Osaka, I showed my host the name of a noodle shop I’d heard about. He laughed and said, “We don’t call it that locals say ‘TenTen Ramen’.” He wrote the proper Japanese characters down (天天ラーメン) so I could hand it to the cab driver. Sure enough, it worked perfectly.
Keep a “Written Names” Folder in Your Phone
Over time, I’ve started snapping photos of:
- Handwritten notes from locals
- Hotel business cards in local script
- Whiteboard menus or hand-drawn maps from hosts
I keep them all in a Google Photos album called “Travel – Names & Addresses.” Whenever I need to retrace my steps or explain where I’m going to a driver or vendor, I just pull up the photo and point.
Why This Trick Is Still So Useful in 2025
Sure, we’ve got AI, offline maps, live translation apps but in the moment, when your battery is low or you’re somewhere with no Wi-Fi, a handwritten name in the local language might be the only thing that gets you home.
It’s personal, it’s practical, and it’s still one of the most reliable ways to:
- Communicate with someone who doesn’t speak English
- Show drivers or transit staff exactly where you’re going
- Avoid confusion with similarly named places
- Reduce stress in unfamiliar surroundings
Plus, asking someone to write something down almost always leads to a friendly smile, a conversation, or even a travel tip you wouldn’t have found in a guidebook.
Pro Tip: Print a Few Cards Before You Travel
For longer trips, I sometimes print out mini cards with the name and address of my hotel in the local script. I tuck them into my wallet or daypack and hand them to taxi drivers or bus conductors when needed. It’s one of the easiest ways to stay prepare, especially in countries where your phone might not always be reliable.
Final Thought
This might be the oldest trick in the book, but it works because it’s human. When in doubt, ask for help and let people share their language with you. In return, you get more than just directions. You get a connection. And often, those small moments are what make travel feel truly meaningful.
Bonus: Save Everything Offline with the Native Script
Before heading out, I always:
- Download offline Google Maps for the area
- Save locations using native spellings
- Star or label them with personal notes
This way, even if I lose signal or don’t have a local SIM card, I can still pull up what I need without typing anything.
Conclusion: Why This Changed the Way I Travel
Learning how to search for places using another alphabet changed everything for me. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or stuck, I feel more in control even in places where I can’t read a single road sign. It’s such a simple shift, but it’s helped me explore deeper, get more local, and find spots I’d never see otherwise.
If you’re heading to a country with a different writing system, give these tricks a try. They might just be the difference between missing the last train and finding that tucked-away sunset spot no one else knew about.
