Where Can You Travel Without a Passport?

Are you a US citizen without a passport? You’re not alone. Less than half of Americans have one.

Luckily, this doesn’t mean you’re homebound—there’re still places you can visit without a passport.

Whether you’re planning a domestic flight across the country or dreaming of an exotic gateway, we’ve got a list of spots for you.

Planning a trip to a specific spot? We might’ve covered it before:

• Do You Need a Passport to Go to Tijuana?
• Do You Need a Passport to Go to Canada?
• Mexico Passport Expiration Rules and Requirements [2024]
• Do You Need a Passport for a Caribbean Cruise?
• Do You Need a Passport for Cancun? [Cases Explained]

Do You Need a Passport to Fly in the US?

Not really. A passport book is only one of the accepted identification documents required by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for domestic flights.

You can also use:

• State-issued driver’s license or photo ID (compliant with the REAL ID requirements)
• Trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
• Permanent resident card
• Passport card (learn about US passport book vs. card differences)

Note: Weapon permits and birth certificates aren’t accepted as primary identification documents when flying.

Places to Travel without a Passport

Unfortunately, the list of places you can go to without a US passport isn’t long. You can visit only Canada, Mexico, select US territories, and several Caribbean countries, all of which we’ll discuss in detail in the following sections.

Note, however, that you’ll still need a valid ID to cross any international borders. Instead of a passport, you can use one of the following:

• State-issued driver’s license or photo ID
• Trusted traveler card
• Permanent resident card
• Passport card

Tropical Places to Visit without a Passport [US Citizens]

A quick trip to Canada or south of the border to Mexico can be an adventure. 

But what if you’re after a truly tropical vacation on the beaches in the Bahamas or Dominican Republic? There’re many islands you don’t need a passport for as a US citizen.

Let’s explore those.

US territory islands that don’t require a passport

Four in five US territories offer a tropical experience without a passport:

1. Guam
2. Puerto Rico (in the Caribbean)
3. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
4. US Virgin Islands (including St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John)

Caribbean islands that don’t require a passport 

In most cases, you’ll need a valid passport book. 

The only two exceptions are Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgin Islands. Additionally, you can visit some of the countries in the Caribbean archipelago if you go on a closed-loop cruise. 

Places you can visit without a passport on a cruise

According to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, you can visit several places passport-free if you’re on a closed-loop cruise and have a valid passport card, enhanced driver’s license, or one of the Trusted Traveler cards (e.g., NEXUS), and a birth certificate.

You can cruise without a passport to:

1. The Caribbean (e.g., the Bahamas)
2. Bermuda
3. Canada (e.g., Alaska)
4. Mexico

💡 What’s a closed-loop cruise? A closed-loop cruise must start and end in the same US port.

Pro tip: Before you hop on a cruise, check the exact requirements of the country you’ll visit. Some, such as the Dominican Republic, require a tourist card if you disembark for more than 24 hours.

US Passport Opens Many Doors: Here’s Why You Should Get One

Without a regular Type “P” passport, you can travel to a handful of countries. Meanwhile, a US passport allows visa-free travel to 116 countries and a free visa on arrival in another 49.

One application gives you unlimited travel options for the next 10 years!

Applying for a US passport is relatively simple. Here’s what you need:

1. Collect the documents required, such as your birth certificate and a photocopy.
2. Fill out Form DS-11 and print it.
3. Check how much a passport costs and pay the fees.
4. Take a photo that meets the official passport photo requirements.
5. Find the nearest passport acceptance facility and apply.

Are you unsure where to get a passport photo? 

With the help of PhotoAiD® and our photo experts, you can get the job done without leaving home. Simply download the PhotoAiD® app for iOS or PhotoAiD® for Android and follow the on-screen instructions.

FAQ

Sources: 

1. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/about-us/reports-and-statistics.html 
2. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
3. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative
4. https://www.usa.gov/visit-territories
5. https://www.passportindex.org/passport/united-states-of-america/
6. https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/international-travel-as-a-permanent-resident 

Sylwia Green

Sylwia is a skilled writer with a BA in English Studies and an active SPJ member. For nearly three years now, she’s been writing captivating articles for international companies, turning her lifelong passion into a career.