Why So Many Americans Never Book That International Trip
About half of Americans hold a valid passport — yet a much smaller share actually travel internationally in any given year. The gap isn't purely financial. Conversations with travelers consistently reveal a cluster of stubborn beliefs that make going abroad feel riskier, harder, or more expensive than a domestic vacation. The problem? Many of those beliefs simply don't hold up.
From exaggerated safety fears to language anxiety, the myths keeping Americans grounded are worth examining. Our trip planning hub can help you move from hesitation to itinerary once the misconceptions are cleared away.
Myth
Traveling internationally is dangerous for Americans — the world outside the US is largely unsafe.
Fact
The overwhelming majority of international destinations popular with American tourists have low rates of violent crime against visitors.
US media coverage tends to amplify isolated incidents abroad, creating a distorted impression of risk. The US State Department assigns safety levels to countries, and the vast majority of Western Europe, East Asia, and parts of Latin America sit at Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) — the same level applied to many US cities. Practicing common-sense awareness, securing belongings, and staying informed via official advisories is sufficient preparation for most popular destinations.
Myth
You need to speak the local language fluently to get by abroad.
Fact
English is widely understood in tourist areas across Europe, much of Southeast Asia, and major cities worldwide.
In destinations from Amsterdam to Tokyo, hospitality workers, transportation staff, and many locals speak functional English. Translation apps have also dramatically reduced the friction of language barriers in recent years. Learning a handful of polite phrases in the local language is appreciated and worthwhile, but fluency is not a prerequisite for a successful trip. Hundreds of thousands of Americans navigate international travel every year without speaking a word beyond their destination's for 'please' and 'thank you.'
Myth
International travel is far more expensive than vacationing in the US.
Fact
Depending on the destination and timing, international trips can cost less than comparable domestic vacations.
Transatlantic and transpacific flight prices have become more competitive over the decades, and many international destinations — particularly in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central America — have daily costs well below what travelers spend in US tourist cities. A week in Porto or Chiang Mai, including accommodation and meals, can come in under what a long weekend in New York or San Francisco costs. The travel on a budget hub offers concrete strategies for keeping costs manageable wherever you go.
Myth
Using your money abroad means getting ripped off by foreign banks and currency exchange.
Fact
Withdrawing local currency from a foreign ATM typically offers competitive exchange rates, often better than airport kiosks.
Airport currency exchange counters are notorious for wide spreads and high fees. By contrast, withdrawing cash from a local ATM at your destination usually applies the interbank exchange rate with a modest transaction fee. Many US banks and credit unions also offer accounts with no foreign transaction fees or ATM fee reimbursements. Informing your bank of travel plans in advance prevents cards from being flagged. Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees are similarly useful for larger purchases.
Myth
The passport and visa process is too complicated for a regular American traveler to navigate.
Fact
US passport holders can visit over 180 countries and territories without a visa or with a visa-on-arrival.
The US passport is one of the stronger travel documents globally in terms of visa-free access. For most popular leisure destinations — including the EU's Schengen Area, the UK, Japan, Mexico, and Canada — no advance visa is required for short stays. Where visas are needed, the application process is usually straightforward and well-documented online. The US State Department's official travel website provides country-specific entry requirements, and verifying these well in advance eliminates last-minute surprises. Our related guide on travel preparation myths covers passport and entry rules in more detail.
What the Evidence Actually Shows
Travelers who go abroad for the first time almost universally report that their fears were outsized. That's not an accident — it's the predictable result of consuming news that skews toward dramatic, isolated incidents rather than the everyday reality of millions of uneventful international trips taken by Americans each year.
~93M
American international trips taken annually (pre-pandemic)
According to the US National Travel and Tourism Office, Americans made roughly 93 million outbound international trips in 2019, reflecting widespread participation in global travel.
180+
Countries accessible visa-free on a US passport
The Henley Passport Index consistently ranks the US passport among the world's strongest for visa-free or visa-on-arrival access.
Level 1
State Dept. safety rating for most of Western Europe
The US State Department's travel advisory system rates the majority of Western European nations at Level 1 — 'exercise normal precautions' — its lowest risk designation.
Budget is another area where reality diverges sharply from perception. Many European cities — Warsaw, Lisbon, Tbilisi, and Sarajevo, for instance — offer costs of living dramatically lower than major US metro areas. Our travel on a budget hub breaks down how to make the most of those differences. And if you still worry about the financial side, it's worth noting that the same evidence-based thinking that debunks budget travel myths applies equally to international trips.
Always Check Official Sources Before You Go
Travel conditions, entry requirements, and safety advisories can change with little notice. Before booking any international trip, verify visa requirements, vaccination recommendations, and current advisories directly through the US State Department (travel.state.gov) and the destination country's official embassy or consulate. No article or travel guide can substitute for official, real-time information.
Always verify entry requirements, visa rules, and any travel advisories through official US government sources — specifically the State Department's travel.state.gov and the destination country's embassy or consulate website — before finalizing any international trip. Conditions and requirements do change, and published articles (including this one) cannot substitute for official, up-to-date guidance.
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