Where Can Vaccinated US Citizens Travel?

With Europe this week announcing it was rolling out the welcome mate to US citizens this northern summer, transatlantic air traffic is set to bounce back. While the details are yet to be nutted out (i.e., fixing firm reopening dates), the decision will be welcomed by airlines and travelers.

The number of countries open to vaccinated travelers from the US is slowly rising. Photo: Ontario Airport

But it’s not just Europe opening its borders to US citizens this summer. A growing roll call of countries are welcoming US citizens. It is worth noting very few countries will allow you to simply turn up and walk-in. Traveling in 2021 means you’ll invariably need to be vaccinated and provide proof of that.

It is a dynamic situation. Travelers should make themselves fully aware of a country’s entry requirements. Most airlines will not let you board unless you meet the destination country’s entry requirements.

The following list of countries that allow vaccinated US travelers is correct at the time of publication. It is subject to change.

Europe set to open up to US citizens this summer

This week, the European Union’s 27 member countries formally resolved to allow vaccinated travelers quarantine-free entry if they come from countries deemed safe. Right now, the US falls into that “safe” category. However, the individual EU countries have not yet fixed start dates. The United Kingdom is allowing travelers from the US in. However, the UK continues to enforce a 10-day self-funded hotel quarantine, vaccinated or not.

Countries such as Greece, Croatia, Bulgaria, Austria, Italy, Romania, Moldova, Albania, San Marino, and Ukraine now allow or about to allow vaccinated US citizens quarantine-free entry. The entry requirements do vary, so stay informed before you travel. For example, many of these countries require full vaccination at least 14 days before entry.

Cities in Europe, like Naples (pictured) will US citizens this summer. Photo: airbaltic

Several countries in Central & South America open to US travelers

In the Caribbean, several countries are welcoming US citizens subject to meeting certain rules. These countries include Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Bonaire, Bermuda, Curacao, Haiti, Jamaica, St Barthelemy, St Martin, Puerto Rice, and the US Virgin Islands.

In Central America, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Belize, El Salvador, and Guatemala all allow quarantine-free entry from the US subject to meeting certain requirements. This is good news for airlines with strong networks in Central America, such as American Airlines. Also, in a nice piece of timing, Alaska Airlines is soon kicking off a new service into Belize from the west coast.

In South America, the options are fewer. Brazil, Guyana, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Venezuela all allow vaccinated (and in some cases unvaccinated) travelers from the US entry subject to meeting the individual country’s rules. Venezuela, for example, has visa requirements for US citizens.

Central & South America is slowly reopening to US airlines and their passengers. Photo: Ontario Airport

Africa opens to US citizens, Asia and the Pacific largely stays shut

Around the Middle East and across North Africa, Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, and Djibouti will allow vaccinated US citizens to enter. Again, rules vary. By way of example, in Morocco, travelers must stay at an approved hotel or resort. Further south, a swag of countries will allow vaccinated travelers quarantine-free entry. These countries include Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda.

In the ‘stans part of the world, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Georgia allow vaccinated travelers from the US to skip quarantine.

Many countries, such as Australia (pictured) remain off-limits to US citizens. Photo: Tourism Australia

Across Asia and much of the Pacific, options for US citizens, vaccinated or not, are far fewer. Singapore allows vaccinated travelers from the US if they have a safe travel pass. It’s a similar situation for the Maldives. Guam is open for US citizens, but Guam is also a US territory. Quite a few countries in Asia will allow entry if you’re willing to do quarantine time. But countries like Japan, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji are all largely closed to US citizens.

Borders slowly open, but the majority stay shut to US travelers

Also closed to everyday travel from the US is neighboring country Canada. While the list of countries US citizens can fly to is expanding, the majority of countries remain mostly off-limits. The US State Department is also warning its citizens not to travel to most countries. That, in turn, impacts travel insurance and limits the willingness of people to board a flight. But as the recent European Union decision attests, more travel opportunities are opening up. The borders may be re-opening slowly, but the trend is in the right direction.

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