Never been outside US.

[Healer Flame]

Is it true most Americans have never travelled outside of USA before?

If you or someone you know never have been outside of US, your state or city please tell us why. Thanks in advance.

 

[Huntn]

You might be able to ask that about “most” citizens of any country.

 

[bbednarz]

I've been to Canada once for hockey, but other than that haven't left the states. It's expensive to fly over the pond and my desire to leave the country has never outweighed the cost of the plane ticket. It would be nice to see other parts of the world, but at this point in my life there isn't enough money (or desire) to make it happen.

 

[Martyimac]

Luckily the Navy took me to many places outside the US. Glad for the opportunity and would like to travel to places I haven't been but for the expense.

 

[yaxomoxay]

If you or someone you know never have been outside of US, your state or city please tell us why.

Most likely because the US is a huge country which borders with only two countries that are huge themselves.
For comparison, this is Texas as compared to Europe. You can visit 5 countries in the time it takes for me to leave Texas...

 

[Healer Flame]

Most likely because the US is a huge country which borders with only two countries that are huge themselves.
For comparison, this is Texas as compared to Europe. You can visit 5 countries in the time it takes for me to leave Texas...

Good point but the thrill and excitement to fly to unknown destinations is too good to miss out.
[doublepost=1559570360][/doublepost]I know someone who never left his city for 30 years. A friend of mine had to be dragged to the plane cause he is scared of flying.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Good point but the thrill and excitement to fly to unknown destinations is too good to miss out.

Yeah but your question was about leaving your own country. It was pretty easy for me to visit France, Switzerland, or Germany from Milan. It is a bit more difficult when you only have Canada in the North and Mexico in the South.
For comparison, it takes about 10 hours to reach Paris from Milan - something I did. It takes me 12-13 hours for me to go from Dallas/Ft. Worth to ... Huntsville, AL. If I want to visit NYC it takes me 30+ hours by car. Think about this: 30 hours in your car, and you're still in the same country.

 

[MisterSavage]

One huge reason is expense. My last two trips to Europe I used credit card points but it would have been $2200 USD one way in economy per person.

 

[Healer Flame]

Yeah but your question was about leaving your own country. It was pretty easy for me to visit France, Switzerland, or Germany from Milan. It is a bit more difficult when you only have Canada in the North and Mexico in the South.
For comparison, it takes about 10 hours to reach Paris from Milan - something I did. It takes me 12-13 hours for me to go from Dallas/Ft. Worth to ... Huntsville, AL. If I want to visit NYC it takes me 30+ hours by car. Think about this: 30 hours in your car, and you're still in the same country.

Australia is very isolated and far too so i take extra one week of my leave if i am flying to Europe or Middle East.

 

[boss.king]

This is purely anecdotal but having moved to the states in late 2017, I've been shocked not only by the number of people I've spoken to here who have never left the States, but also by the number who seem to have barely even travelled within the US itself. Many people cite price as the main reason, but also seem to have no problem living well beyond their means anyway.

 

[juanm]

Most likely because the US is a huge country which borders with only two countries that are huge themselves.
For comparison, this is Texas as compared to Europe. You can visit 5 countries in the time it takes for me to leave Texas...

That's not an excuse. You don't travel for the pleasure of adding miles to the odometer, but to see different things.

My MIL had never been out of the US until last summer, and she loved France. We took her to the Mont Saint Michel.

 

[yaxomoxay]

That's not an excuse. You don't travel for the pleasure of adding miles to the odometer, but to see different things.

My MIL had never been out of the US until last summer, and she loved France. We took her to the Mont Saint Michel.

It's not an excuse, it's just a logistical and financial reason. I had the pleasure to travel in tens of countries on many continents (still have to visit Australia), but the size of the US and the fact that it borders only two huge countries just makes it more difficult and expensive. It's just a fact. The odometer simply explains why it is more difficult. A European kind of can visit Africa faster than I can reach NYC. Heck, you can take an 11+ hr long flight and still be in the United States of America.

 

[juanm]

It's not an excuse, it's just a logistical and financial reason. I had the pleasure to travel in tens of countries on many continents (still have to visit Australia), but the size of the US and the fact that it borders only two huge countries just makes it more difficult and expensive. It's just a fact. The odometer simply explains why it is more difficult. A European kind of can visit Africa faster than I can reach NYC.

Again anecdotal, but I know people who live two hours away from Canada, and have never crossed the border. In comparable countries in Europe, unless you look in the >70 yo population, a very large majority of people have been to other countries a number of times. Cost is no excuse, we all pay the same price when we travel.

Given your argument, Australians would have an even better case than Texans, and yet they travel everywhere a lot. This is Texas over the NT, which is far from the largest state:

In my opinion it's due to two things:
- in the US they have very short holidays.
- their culture tells them the US is the best country in the world, so why bother travelling around.

 

[Healer Flame]

Again anecdotal, but I know people who live two hours away from Canada, and have never crossed the border. In Europe, unless you look in the >70 yo population, a large majority of people have been to other countries a number of times.

Given your argument, Australians would have an even better case than Texans, and yet they travel everywhere a lot. This is Texas over the NT, which is far from the largest state:
View attachment 840266

Can you see Melbourne in this map thats where i am it takes almost 2 days to Europe and 16 hours to Dubai.

 

[juanm]

Can you see Melbourne in this map thats where i am it takes almost 2 days to Europe and 16 hours to Dubai.

Yes, I can see it. I drove all around Australia, and plan on doing it again at some point. Wonderful country, despite its politicians.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Again anecdotal, but I know people who live two hours away from Canada, and have never crossed the border. In comparable countries in Europe, unless you look in the >70 yo population, a very large majority of people have been to other countries a number of times. Cost is no excuse, we all pay the same price when we travel.

Given your argument, Australians would have an even better case than Texans, and yet they travel everywhere a lot. This is Texas over the NT, which is far from the largest state:
View attachment 840266

In my opinion it's due to two things:
- in the US they have very short holidays.
- their culture tells them the US is the best country in the world, so why bother travelling around.

The post above assumes that Americans don't travel. Americans do travel, a lot. Many don't, many do. And many travel within the US as there's lots to see and do here too. I meet almost every day someone who visited Italy (since I am from there, they tend to talk to me about Italy), exactly as I meet people that never left Texas.

 

[juanm]

The post above assumes that Americans don't travel. Americans do travel, a lot. Many don't, many do. And many travel within the US as there's lots to see and do here too. I meet almost every day someone who visited Italy (since I am from there, they tend to talk to me about Italy), exactly as I meet people that never left Texas.

They do travel, but much less than similar countries. With such a huge population, of course you'll find people everyday who've been to Italy (being one of the main destinations).

 

[Healer Flame]

Yes, I can see it. I drove all around Australia, and plan on doing it again at some point. Wonderful country, despite its politicians.

I have only been to 4 Australia states. You've seen more of Australia than me.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

You can spend $2000 on a lift kit for your Wrangler or $2000 on a 5-day trip to Europe.

It's just a matter of priorities and this is true in probably most countries (above the poverty line)

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

I've been to HK and Vancouver when I was kid and teen. But I haven't had the opportunity to travel outside the country as an adult. And honestly I'd be a little leary of travel to foreign country given the sentiments towards the US currently. But I'd love to Return to HK as an adult to get to experience it again.

 

[juanm]

You can spend $2000 on a lift kit for your Wrangler or $2000 on a 5-day trip to Europe.

It's just a matter of priorities and this is true in probably most countries (above the poverty line)

Few people on their death bed will say "Damn, I wish I had spent more money on my Wrangler 35 years ago".
[doublepost=1559576127][/doublepost]

And honestly I'd be a little leary of travel to foreign country given the sentiments towards the US currently.

We're more likely to judge you by the volume of your voice than by the country on your passport.

 

[hawkeye_a]

In my opinion it's due to two things:
- in the US they have very short holidays.
- their culture tells them the US is the best country in the world, so why bother travelling around.

My opinion differs as to why. I think Australians travel more because:
-Proximity to Asia (thus cheaper). It's much more expensive for Americans to travel to Europe, than it is for Ozzies to travel to Bali/Vietnam/Singapore.
-Most of Australia is pretty 'homogeneous', so there is'nt much variety to be had, compared to the US anyway, so i suspect most Americans just travel around the country for holidays.
-I also suspect there's a larger proportion of first/second generation immigrants in Australia who visit extended families overseas.

However, I agree on the holidays situation. 4 weeks vs 2 weeks annual leave makes a big difference. IMHO

 

[yaxomoxay]

They do travel, but much less than similar countries. With such a huge population, of course you'll find people everyday who've been to Italy (being one of the main destinations).

According to statista about 38M Americans traveled overseas in 2017. Doesn't look a small number in my opinion.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/214774/number-of-outbound-tourists-from-the-us/

And 82M outbound tourists from the US in 2017 alone:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/214771/number-of-outbound-tourists-from-the-us/

 

[Falhófnir]

Well, according to these official stats last year the UK was the 6th most visited country the world, and tourists from the US were the biggest group (~3.9M visitors, which is more than 1% of the US' population going to one single foreign country in one single year...) https://www.visitbritain.org/2017-snapshot

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

[/QUOTE]We're more likely to judge you by the volume of your voice than by the country on your passport.[/QUOTE]

I've heard that about Americans from other countries perspectives. But I'm actually generally soft spoken in public. Except when with a friend or two and I'm super relaxed and conversing about whatever that I'm comfortable with. But generally I'm not very loud in public. My Asian stereotype fits me here.