No passport? Americans can still visit these 6 destinations.

If you don't have a passport, you may still be able to go to some great places.

Let's face it, getting a passport in the first place can be an expensive experience.

The application costs $130 for a passport book, plus a $35 acceptance fee. Routine wait times are four to six weeks, and that doesn’t include mailing times, according to the State Department. Paying a $60 fee can expedite the process, but travelers will still need to wait three to five weeks for processing.

But if you're not able to get your passport in time to travel, you should know that not all destinations require U.S. tourists to carry it.

Here are six popular destinations you can visit without a passport. Just make sure you have a Real ID to get on the plane.

1. Puerto Rico passport requirements

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and a popular Caribbean destination. U.S. citizens can travel to the island without a passport so long as they have a valid state-issued ID.

2. US Virgin Islands passport requirements

The U.S. Virgin Islands are also an easy getaway for non-passport holders. REUTERS/Nancy Borowick

The U.S. Virgin Islands, another Caribbean destination, allows travelers from the U.S. mainland and other territories to enter without a passport.

"If you are a U.S. citizen a passport is not required, but it still serves as the best identification when traveling," the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism's website says. "Otherwise, you must be prepared to show evidence of citizenship when departing the islands, such as a raised-seal birth certificate and government-issued photo ID."

3. Northern Mariana Islands passport requirements

Sunset in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands on June 27, 2024.

Passports are not required to visit the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth made up of 14 islands, including Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

4. Guam passport requirements

People cool off at a popular resort beach in Tamuning, Guam, August 14, 2017.

The Guam Visitors Bureau says U.S. citizens traveling to the island via Hawaii are required to show a Real ID or other form of federal or state-issued ID along with a certified copy of their birth certificate.

Trips from other origin points are international and will require a passport.

5. Canada passport requirements

Cars enter the NEXUS lane for Canada customs and border inspection after arriving from the United States to Surrey, British Columbia, Canada February 16, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

Citizens who are members of the NEXUS program, which expedites entry for pre-screened travelers, can present their membership as proof of identification when traveling, according to the Canadian government's website. Still, the Canadian authorities say you should have a passport with you in case you are required to prove your residence.

Travelers who do not have a passport can apply for a NEXUS card but will be able to use it at land or marine crossings only, not airports. 

6. Closed-loop cruise passport requirements

Norwegian Cruise Line ships at the Port of Miami in Florida on January 5, 2022. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Travelers on closed-loop cruises – sailings that depart and end at the same U.S. port and travel within the Western Hemisphere – do not need a passport, according to Customs and Border Protection. 

U.S. citizens can enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship (such as a passport, Enhanced Driver's License or government-issued birth certificate). If under 16, a U.S. citizen can present their birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or consular report of birth abroad.

Customs and Border Protection says U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises can enter or depart a county on the cruise with proof of citizenship, but some destination countries may require a passport. 

It's best to check with your cruise operator, travel advisor or the local embassy if you're not sure.