22 Places to Travel Without a Passport in 2024
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Here's a rundown of international locales accessible to American citizens without a passport, requiring only specific alternative IDs.
- Many destinations allowing passport-free travel for Americans include U.S. territories overseas and select nearby countries, such as the Bahamas.
- For certain trips, like closed-loop cruises, you can travel internationally sans passport. What you’ll need instead is a birth certificate, a state-issued ID, and cruise insurance to embark.
- Neighboring countries may offer exceptions permitting entry for young children with just a birth certificate.
- However, possessing a passport opens the door to a vast array of other inexpensive and more unique destinations. If you’re pressed for time or deterred by the application process, consider hiring a passport expediter to assist you and expedite the process.
Where can you travel without a passport?
For those without a passport, there are various destinations within US territories and neighboring regions where you can venture. You won't be able to cross into Mexico to the south, but numerous appealing locations are accessible without this document.
So, where can you travel without a passport, exactly?
To start, it's wise to look at the U.S. territories accessible with just a birth certificate or another form of ID. These territories, though under the American umbrella, offer unique vacation experiences due to their distant locations.
Additionally, consider embarking on a closed-loop cruise that begins and ends in the U.S., making stops at several island destinations along the way.
Apart from U.S. territories and closed-loop cruises, several secluded spots within the U.S. itself can transport you to seemingly another world – all without a passport.
Below, discover more about the top destinations and the necessary documentation for each.
Moreover, obtaining a passport is less cumbersome than you might think, even for last-minute plans. Many services can accelerate your passport application, enabling you to receive it swiftly.
Travel without a passport to US territories
Whether avoiding the hassle of obtaining a passport or faced with a sudden travel opportunity, these U.S. territories do not require one.
1. Puerto Rico
For U.S. citizens, traveling to Puerto Rico is straightforward using a valid U.S. driver’s license or another form of government-issued ID. However, ensure your ID complies with the Real ID Act, effective from May 2025.
Flights to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan are plentiful from cities like Miami, and the island is also a popular stop on Caribbean cruises, often at reasonable prices.
Puerto Rico offers extensive attractions due to its size in the Caribbean. To explore widely, consider renting a car affordably with your U.S. driver’s license.
2. Northern Mariana Islands
This Pacific Ocean commonwealth, close to Guam, welcomes visitors with a U.S. driver’s license or other official ID.
Famed for their serene white sand beaches and transparent waters, the Northern Mariana Islands are notably tranquil and uncrowded.
3. Guam
Situated in Micronesia in the Western Pacific, Guam is celebrated for its untouched beaches and Spanish colonial past. While you can enjoy the local heritage here, a trip to Spain will necessitate a passport.
Flights to Guam are accessible with just a U.S. driver’s license or a similar document.
4. St. Croix Island
As a part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, entry into St. Croix only requires a valid driver’s license or a government-issued photo ID.
St. Croix boasts lush tropical landscapes, pristine beaches, and ample accommodation options from beachfront hotels to private rentals.
5. St. Thomas Island
Entry requirements for St. Thomas match those of St. Croix, as both belong to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
St. Thomas attracts visitors with its stunning beaches, golfing opportunities, and a wide array of lodging options. It’s also a hub for nightlife and water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving.
Affordable flights frequently available make St. Thomas an ideal winter getaway due to its consistently warm climate.
6. St. John Island
Nestled just a short distance from St. Thomas, St. John is a quaint island belonging to the U.S. Virgin Islands, under U.S. jurisdiction. The majority of St. John comprises national park territory, making it a sanctuary for those seeking serenity along its unspoiled shores. Renowned beaches such as Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Salomon Beach draw visitors to their pristine sands.
Affordable flights to the Caribbean are commonly available from major airports across the U.S., particularly from the Southeast.
Travel without a passport to closed-loop cruise destinations
For those planning a multi-stop sea journey, choosing a closed-loop cruise originating from the U.S. can simplify travel. Such cruises embark from and return to the same U.S. port, eliminating the need for a passport. Instead, travelers must carry recognized identification, such as a government-issued photo ID.
For instance, MSC Cruises outlines on their website that U.S. citizens can embark on round-trip, closed-loop cruises with just a passport, U.S. birth certificate, or U.S. naturalization certificate, along with a valid photo ID.
Cruising to tropical destinations offers sandy escapes without the necessity of a passport. However, it’s important to note that all cruise lines require passengers to obtain cruise insurance prior to boarding.
7. Bermuda
Located far off the U.S. eastern coast in the Atlantic, Bermuda, a British territory, is famed for its exquisite beaches, golf courses, and upscale resorts, with pink-sand beaches like Elbow Beach and Horseshoe Bay being particularly notable.
8. Dominican Republic
Part of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic welcomes cruises at Puerto Plata, a hub for all-inclusive resorts and aquatic adventures such as snorkeling and diving.
9. British Virgin Islands
Cruise routes often include the British Virgin Islands, with Tortola being a popular stop. Visitors can explore this island paradise or relax on its beaches, and many choose to take ferries to nearby islands like Virgin Gorda, Anegada, or Jost Van Dyke.
10. Bahamas
Cruise itineraries frequently feature stops in the Bahamas , including at popular cruise ports like Freeport and Nassau. Many major cruise lines have their own private islands in the Bahamas you can visit during your cruise, including Disney’s Castaway Cay, MSC Cruises Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, and Royal Caribbean’s Coco Cay.
11. Jamaica
Jamaica is dotted with several major cruise ports in cities such as Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Falmouth, Port Antonio, and Kingston. The island is celebrated for its stunning beaches, tranquil waters, and rich coffee culture, coupled with warm hospitality. Numerous all-inclusive resorts cater to cruise passengers, offering exclusive beach day bookings.
12. Belize
Belize City acts as a gateway for cruise visitors who must transfer via smaller boats due to the incapacity of the port to dock large cruise ships. The region is famed for its barrier reef snorkeling experiences and the myriad of cayes scattered along its coast, inviting exploration.
13. Costa Rica
Costa Rica, straddling both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, offers a plethora of landscapes from mountains to rivers, and caves to jungles. Its rich geographical diversity makes it an attractive destination for adventure seekers, with activities like hiking, white-water rafting, and zip-lining.
14. Honduras
In Honduras, most cruise ships make port at the village of Roatan, which is accessible to U.S. citizens without a passport. Renowned cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises offer stops here. The destination is praised for its vibrant nightlife and exceptional snorkeling and scuba diving.
15. St. Maarten / St. Martin
St. Maarten, a split island governed by both France and the Netherlands, offers visitors spectacular vistas of lush green mountains and clear turquoise waters. The island is also noted for its vibrant nightlife, numerous clubs, and bustling casinos.
16. Cayman Islands
Cruise itineraries often include stops at the Cayman Islands, particularly at Grand Cayman where Georgetown accommodates multiple cruise ships simultaneously. The famous Seven Mile Beach and Stingray City sandbar are popular attractions where visitors can snorkel with stingrays in shallow waters.
17. Turks and Caicos
All cruise ships docking in Turks and Caicos typically land on the island of Grand Turk, which boasts a cruise port equipped for guest entertainment, dining, and shopping. Visitors often partake in small group or private boat tours and explore historical sites like the Grand Turk Lighthouse and the Turks and Caicos National Museum.
18. Mexico
Visiting Mexico via cruise does not necessarily require a passport, but it does demand an up-to-date photo ID and proof of citizenship. Mexico’s cruise ports, such as Acapulco, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Mazatlan, offer visitors a day filled with traditional Mexican food, snorkeling in pristine waters, swimming in cenotes, or exploring historical Mayan ruins.
19. Canada
Canada is accessible on closed-loop cruises departing from the U.S., with many itineraries originating from the east coast, including New England. Notable stops in Canada include Halifax, Montreal, St. John’s, and Victoria, offering visitors a chance to delve into Canada's vast cultural heritage and scenic beauty.
Travel without a passport within the USA
For those who wish to explore new locales yet prefer to stay within the confines of the United States, consider the intriguing destinations listed below.
20. Hawaii
On a map, Hawaii appears as a remote cluster of islands in the Pacific Ocean, yet it joined the United States as the 50th state on August 21, 1959.
Visiting Hawaii can be pricey, but it offers arguably the most breathtaking landscapes globally. Each island, whether Kauai, Maui, or Oahu, boasts its distinct charm, characterized by lush mountain ranges with sheer cliffs, pristine beaches, and extensive rows of palm trees stretching from one shoreline to the other.
21. Alaska
Alaska, a favored destination for travelers worldwide, is renowned for its vast, untouched wilderness and remarkable wildlife, including bears, elk, moose, whales, and bald eagles. Tourists often explore Alaska through cruises that dock at cities such as Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka.
22. Florida Keys
Despite their distance from the continental U.S., the Florida Keys are accessible by either plane or car. Key West attracts visitors with its vibrant nightlife and numerous unique sites, including the southernmost point of the U.S., the Hemingway Home and Museum, and the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. Moreover, a brief flight from Key West can take you to Orlando, Florida, where attractions like Walt Disney World, LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios await.
Tips for traveling without a passport
Visiting destinations without a US passport is possible, but proper documentation is crucial before you head to the airport or embark on your cruise.
Consider these tips if you're traveling with a state-issued ID instead of a passport or passport book.
1. Verify necessary travel documents.
Before packing, ensure you know the specific documents needed for your destination. Verify this information through your cruise line or the administration of the area you are visiting. Avoid relying on third-party websites; instead, consult direct sources for accurate details.
2. Keep your documents current.
If you plan to travel with a valid driver’s license or another form of state-issued ID, check that it is not expired and will remain valid for the duration of your trip.
3. Consider obtaining a passport.
If there's still time before your trip, or even if you're contemplating future travels, applying for a US passport is advisable. A passport not only facilitates travel to numerous places but also broadens the scope of international destinations you can visit.
4. Purchase travel insurance.
Protect your travel investments by securing comprehensive travel insurance. Look for a plan that covers various aspects of your trip, such as cancellations (including CFAR—Cancel for Any Reason options), emergency medical expenses, and potential needs like COVID travel insurance or plans covering multiple trips.
