10 Best Places To Travel Without A Passport | [Full] Travel Guide Inside
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Getting a passport can be quite the process now, as it can take months from the time you submit an application until you receive your passport book. Many people find themselves wanting to take a vacation getaway, but they might not want to go through the long passport application process. They are left wondering where they can travel without a passport. Thankfully, there are a number of beautiful places that you can go to even if you don’t have a passport. And you’re not just limited to the contiguous United States! You could even take a trip to a tropical island without a passport. Here are 10 of the best places that you can visit right now, even if you don’t have a passport.
Best Places For U.S. Citizens To Travel With No Passport
You probably already know that you could take a trip somewhere within the United States without a passport. But maybe you’re looking for something a little more exotic. You’re in luck! Here are 10 of the best spots that you can visit with just a basic U.S. photo ID and birth certificate.
— Puerto Rico
Many people might not realize that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. This means that U.S. citizens won’t need a passport to visit this beautiful island. You could find yourself relaxing on a Caribbean island in no time! Puerto Rico is only about 1,000 miles from Miami, so it’s a pretty quick plane ride. The island is rich with Spanish heritage and history, so you will find great food and entertainment throughout the main city of San Juan. All you need is proof of U.S. citizenship, and you can start packing your bags for Puerto Rico today!
— U.S. Virgin Islands
This is another Caribbean destination that many people probably don’t realize is a U.S. territory. No passport is needed! The great thing about the Virgin Islands (USVI) is that there are many different places you can visit here. Whether you decide to visit St. John, St. Thomas, St. Croix, or some other spot, you will love the natural beauty of this place. There are plenty of activities like snorkeling the coral reefs at Trunk Bay or enjoying delicious seafood at one of the many great restaurants. The U.S. Virgin Islands are truly a tropical paradise and a wonderful tourist destination to visit without a passport. Plus, given the warm climate, you can visit these islands year-round and always have a great trip!
— Guam
If you are really looking for an exotic trip, then Guam might be the answer. It is much farther away than the other places that we have mentioned so far. However, Guam is a U.S. territory that you can visit without a passport. Simply bring along your proof of U.S. citizenship like a birth certificate. It takes about 8 hours to fly here from Honolulu, but it is worth the trip. Located in Micronesia in the Pacific Ocean, it is hard to beat the beauty and tranquility of this island. You will find plenty of year-round beach weather and water activities in this great place.
— American Samoa
Another South Pacific spot, American Samoa, might be just the secluded tropical getaway that you’ve been looking for. You will find everything from tropical rainforests to great beaches to volcanic peaks on this beautiful island. If you like hiking through rainforests and along volcanos, then this is the place for you. It is rich in history and culture, and you will find that the people here are super friendly. Hawaiian Airlines is the only major carrier currently flying into American Samoa from the United States, so you can expect quite a long trip to get there.
— Caribbean Closed Loop Cruise
Perhaps you want to enjoy other Caribbean islands and experience some other countries along the way. Normally, you need a passport to visit other countries. However, there is an exception in most cases for closed-loop cruises. This means that you can visit many islands in the Caribbean as part of a closed-loop cruise without a passport. To qualify as a closed-loop cruise, the cruise ship must depart and return to the same U.S. port. For instance, if you depart on a cruise from Miami and return to the same port in Miami, then you could visit several places along the way without needing a US passport.
— Hawaii
This one might seem obvious, but Hawaii is a great place to visit if you don’t have a passport. Many people wonder if you need a passport to visit Hawaii, and the answer is no. It is one of the 50 U.S. states, so you will simply need a driver’s license or another form of state-issued photo ID to board a plane and fly there. Whether you visit Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or one of the other islands, you can enjoy great hiking and even scuba diving around the beautiful beaches. Don’t forget to visit the Pearl Harbor memorial while you are there, especially if you are a World War II history buff. Hawaii is a popular spot for honeymooners, but you will find tourists of all ages there.
— Florida
Many people don’t like flying, so they might be looking for a great road trip. Florida offers many great vacation options, and all you need is a rental car and a driver’s license. Florida is home to several national parks like the Everglades, and many of the beaches here are as beautiful as a tropical island. You can find many adventures like kayak tours and snorkeling. If you want a great trip, then pack up and head to Florida today. Whether you visit Key West, Miami, West Palm Beach, or any other place in Florida, you are bound to enjoy it.
— Northern Mariana Islands
Since these islands are U.S. commonwealth, you won’t need a passport. This is another exotic Pacific location that is home to great snorkeling, scuba diving, and hiking. Saipan, the largest island, is home to many great dive sites and a WWII memorial. Experience beautiful sunsets from the bluffs along the western coast. All you will need is a birth certificate or enhanced driver’s license to visit this great location.
— Mexico
In the past, you could cross the border into Mexico without a passport, but that is no longer the case. Now, you do need a passport to visit Mexico most of the time. However, you can still visit great places in Mexico like Cancun without a passport if you are enjoying a closed-loop cruise! While you will need a passport to fly into Mexico or cross the border by land, you can cruise into Cancun under certain circumstances without a passport and enjoy all that the beautiful city has to offer.
— Canada
So, do you need a passport to travel to Canada? Most of the time, yes. Similar to Mexico, in the past, you could cross the border with simply a driver’s license and birth certificate. However, you need a passport card or passport book to cross the border now. However, if you embark on a closed-loop cruise, you can visit some places in Canada without a passport. Many people love to take cruises from Alaska, and you might visit some locations in Canada along the way. This is a beautiful country that needs to be seen in person to do it justice!
How To Obtain A US Passport
Have you already checked New York, Texas, and California trips off your list? Maybe you’ve already visited all the locations that we mentioned above, or perhaps you have your heart set on a trip to another country. In that case, you will need a passport, so how do you get one? The process is fairly easy, although it will take some time. You will simply need to complete a passport application and return it to the U.S. Department of State. Several pieces of documentation will be required.
You will need documentation proving both your identity and citizenship. A photo ID like a driver’s license and a U.S. birth certificate will suffice. You are required to provide original documents as well. No photocopies will be accepted. Lastly, you will need to attach a passport photo to your application along with the application fee. The process currently takes about 18 weeks, so make sure that you apply in plenty of time before any planned travel. You will receive your passport in the mail once your application has been processed.
The Bottom Line
Obtaining a passport is not a necessity to taking a great vacation. There are many wonderful U.S. territories out there that many people are unaware of. Traveling to these places does not require a passport, and it is nearly impossible to beat the beauty and experience that you will find in most of these locations. Go ahead and start planning your getaway today, and don’t worry about the passport application – you won’t need one!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to the Bahamas without a passport?
In most cases, no, you cannot visit the Bahamas without a passport. If you fly into the Bahamas, you will always need a passport. If you visit while on a closed-loop cruise, then there is an exception. However, not all cruises qualify for that designation. Check with your cruise line to be sure, but it is generally best to have a passport with you each time you visit the Bahamas.
What is the cheapest place to travel without a passport?
There are many great places that you can visit without a passport that are affordable. If you want to avoid airfare, then you should visit a location within the United States like Florida or California. However, if you know how to search for cheap flights, then Puerto Rico is a great place to visit on a budget.
What countries can I travel to without a passport?
To visit another country, you will need a valid passport. You can visit U.S. territories or U.S. commonwealths without a passport, but you will need a passport to visit another country. The only exception to that rule is when you visit on a closed-loop cruise. You can visit Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas, and a few other Caribbean islands on a closed-loop cruise without a passport.
