Americans traveling abroad in 2026

[Nue2thegame]

As a frequent international traveler with several planned upcoming trips abroad (mainly Europe) this year,  I think I might not feel the love I have in the past. It’s a lonely time to be an American. Anyone else apprehensive? If so, has it affected your travel plans and if affirmative, in what way? 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

I have enjoyed all my recent international travels, despite the rudeness of locals in some countries.

[mike carey]

14 minutes ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

I have enjoyed all my recent international travels, despite the rudeness of locals in some countries.

Same. Not recent encounters, of course.

[Nue2thegame]

23 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

I have enjoyed all my recent international travels, despite the rudeness of locals in some countries.

There have always been rude people everywhere (except in South Florida). I love traveling and over 95% of my experiences have been very pleasant but with lack of civility becoming more prevalent and recent current events not increasing Americans popularity, I’m anticipating more stressful encounters. Hope I’m wrong and interested in others experiences. 

[+ Charlie]

27 minutes ago, Nue2thegame said:

There have always been rude people everywhere (except in South Florida). I love traveling and over 95% of my experiences have been very pleasant but with lack of civility becoming more prevalent and recent current events not increasing Americans popularity, I’m anticipating more stressful encounters. Hope I’m wrong and interested in others experiences. 

Although I have traveled all over the world, and have even lived in other countries, I have rarely suffered any unpleasant experience for being an American. However, I have not been out of the US since the beginning of COVID, so I really don't know what to expect if I venture abroad again in the future. 

[+ José Soplanucas]

White Americans are not popular right now in many places around the globe, but if you are kind and far from stereotypes, I am sure you will not have any bad experiences. 

[Mustang]

5 hours ago, Nue2thegame said:

There have always been rude people everywhere (except in South Florida). I love traveling and over 95% of my experiences have been very pleasant but with lack of civility becoming more prevalent and recent current events not increasing Americans popularity, I’m anticipating more stressful encounters. Hope I’m wrong and interested in others experiences. 

I've traveled extensively ex-US the past year, Europe, Asia, north Africa, Central America, etc and echo what people have already said. There are a few rude people no where you go and no matter what nationality, however I've not had any issues being American. Most people are smart enough to understand that citizens and their government don't go hand in hand. 

Let me ask you a question - What do you think of the current political situation in Switzerland?  Not much, eh?  Same for people in Europe.. they know the headlines but don't really concern themselves much with what's going on outside of their own country.  

Lastly a tidbit from my recent trip to Mexico. I told my friends and family from the US I was going to the Yucatan and they said "That sound amazing!" "Have fun!" "Take pictures".  And while in the Mexico I told me Mexico friends I was returning back to the US and the reply I got was "Be safe".  

I wouldn't worry about ex-US travel. Be good to people you meet on your travels and they'll be good to you.

[Nightowl]

I have several international trips scheduled this year but I’m not particularly worried about how I will be treated or perceived.  I’m always respectful of others and their cultures and trust—perhaps naively—that people in other countries will respond accordingly.  If I am challenged about the impact my country’s actions have on the rest of the world, all I can do is listen and, if questioned, respond honestly.

Edited April 16 by Nightowl

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

6 hours ago, José Soplanucas said:

White Americans are not popular right now in many places around the globe...

That's mostly just at US universities.  In the real world, this group is doing just fine. 😊 

[FLFunSized]

I’ve never had any issues in other countries. Honestly though I don’t surround myself with or seek out those that are so wrapped up in politics that they can’t carry on a normal conversation. I’ve rarely had anyone ask me how I’m coping, as a gay person, with the current “situation” in the US. I just tell the the normal ones are all doing just fine!

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

On 4/13/2026 at 5:08 PM, Nue2thegame said:

As a frequent international traveler with several planned upcoming trips abroad (mainly Europe) this year,  I think I might not feel the love I have in the past. It’s a lonely time to be an American. Anyone else apprehensive? If so, has it affected your travel plans and if affirmative, in what way? 

I don't worry about Europe.  I do give pause before traveling to a Muslim country, but because I'm gay not because of my national origin.  I don't wear any identifying clothing that would differentiate me as American/Australian/Canadian/British/Mexican/Italian, etc.   But I'm sure they would spot me inadvertantly checking out a handsome man as he walked by me.

[Nue2thegame]

3 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

I don't worry about Europe.  I do give pause before traveling to a Muslim country, but because I'm gay not because of my national origin.  I don't wear any identifying clothing that would differentiate me as American/Australian/Canadian/British/Mexican/Italian, etc.   But I'm sure they would spot me inadvertantly checking out a handsome man as he walked by me.

That’s why I postponed my trip to Tehran. 

[mike carey]

38 minutes ago, Nue2thegame said:

That’s why I postponed my trip to Tehran. 

Wise move. I heard flights there are all messed up right now, although the train from Istanbul may still be running.

[theplayerking]

I was just in Rome and London for work and am going back in June. The Americans that vacation in Europe tend to be affluent and liberal. Europeans know this and don’t hold U.S. tourists responsible for the current geopolitical situation. 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

When I traveled to London, Vienna, Dubrovnik , Rome, and Amsterdam last year, most locals who interacted with me expressed gratitude to the U.S.'s responses to the current geopolitical situations.  So don't believe the media's hype of negative opinions.

[FLFunSized]

4 hours ago, theplayerking said:

I was just in Rome and London for work and am going back in June. The Americans that vacation in Europe tend to be affluent and liberal. Europeans know this and don’t hold U.S. tourists responsible for the current geopolitical situation. 

And some are even affluent and conservative! Those I’ve met in other countries don’t really seem that interested in any of that in my experience!

Edited Wednesday at 09:49 PM by FLFunSized

[Nue2thegame]

5 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

When I traveled to London, Vienna, Dubrovnik , Rome, and Amsterdam last year, most locals who interacted with me expressed gratitude to the U.S.'s responses to the current geopolitical situations.  So don't believe the media's hype of negative opinions.

I traveled to several of these same cities last year, too, and, other than Amsterdam,  I had the same experience that you did. In Amsterdam, we encountered some resentment, possibly due to the local perception of what competing with tourists for the limited amount of short term rental housing is doing to the market. I’ll know soon if this year is any different 

[Nue2thegame]

Politics rarely comes up in discussions with locals until a relationship is already well established. The only place that I ever really felt verbally abused because I was from the US was France and I speak fluent French.  It wasn’t rudeness but overt hostility. Infrequent but more than once or twice and politics never entered the discussion. 

Edited yesterday at 12:23 AM by Nue2thegame

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

2 hours ago, Nue2thegame said:

...In Amsterdam, we encountered some resentment, possibly due to the local perception of what competing with tourists for the limited amount of short term rental housing is doing to the market...

You'll find that resentment towards tourists in general in the neighborhoods of EVERY city, including in the US.  Nobody wants to live next door to or in the same building as a vacation rental where the owner is not present to address noise and crime.

Edited 22 hours ago by Vegas_Millennial

[Nue2thegame]

19 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

You'll find that resentment towards tourists in general in the neighborhoods of EVERY city, including in the US.  Nobody wants to live next door to or in the same building as a vacation rental where the owner is not present to address noise and crime.

True but in addition to that, many Europeans in larger cities feel that rental demand from tourists has been a major factor contributing to rising rents. 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

3 minutes ago, Nue2thegame said:

True but in addition to that, many Europeans in larger cities feel that rental demand from tourists has been a major factor contributing to rising rents. 

I've heard the same from New Yorkers about short term rentals in NYC.  Same story, different continent.