what is a travel watch list

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TSA No Fly List Explained (How Your Name Gets on A Watchlist) [2023]

For many people, there is a lot of mystery surrounding the TSA’s No Fly List. They wonder how exactly the list works and what happens if your name gets put on the list?

In this article, I will shed light on the entire process.

You’ll see how watchlist nominations are made, verified, and placed on the No Fly List. I’ll also highlight a number of related watchlists that are similar to the TSA No Fly List but serve slightly different purposes.

It’s worth noting that a lot of this process is secretive and subject to change but I have taken almost all information only from government sources and declassified documents.

Table of Contents

How it all starts

In order to really grasp how the TSA No Fly List works, you need to understand how the bigger picture process functions with respect to identifying potential terrorists.

I’ll walk you through all of the key departments and steps that are involved below.

Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB)

There is something known as the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) which is the main database that is commonly referred to as the “terrorist watchlist.”

(This is NOT the No Fly List but it plays a major role in placing people on that list as will be shown below.)

The TSDB is maintained by the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center (TSC), which plays the central role in maintaining the current No Fly List that TSA uses.

TSDB nomination process

How does your name get on the TSDB?

It all starts with personnel called “originators.”

Originators work in places like intelligence and law-enforcement agencies or even at embassies and consulates.

These people nominate individuals that are classed together as “known or suspected terrorists” (KSTs).

There are specific definitions for people who fall under these classifications.

A “ known” terrorist is:

an individual whom the U.S. government knows is engaged, has been engaged, or who intends to engage in terrorism and/or terrorist activity, including an individual: (a) who has been charged, arrested, indicted, or convicted for a crime related to terrorism by U.S. government or foreign government authorities; or (b) identified as a terrorist or member of a designated foreign terrorist organization pursuant to statute, Executive Order, or international legal obligation pursuant to a United Nations Security Council Resolution.

A “suspected” terrorist is:

an individual who is reasonably suspected to be, or has been, engaged in conduct constituting, in preparation for, in aid of, or related to terrorism and/or terrorist activities based on an articulable and reasonable suspicion

At the time of nomination, originators can recommend that the individual be included on a specific TSDB derivative list such as the No Fly List.

The KSTs nominated for the terrorist watchlist are then vetted by agents at either the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) or the FBI.

During the vetting process, the NCTC maintains a database known as: the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment (TIDE).

TIDE is the U.S. government’s “central repository of information on international terrorist identities.”

The TIDE list is pretty large and in 2013 it contained the identities of approximately 1.1 million people of which 25,000 were US citizens and lawful permanent residents.

This list focuses on international terrorists.

Domestic terrorists are directly referred to NCTC by the FBI (they do not end up in TIDE as far as I can tell).

If your name ends up in TIDE it does not necessarily end up in the TSDB. And that is where the verification process comes in.

TSC verification

To make it into the TSDB, a nomination vetted by either NCTC or the FBI has to (1) meet the “reasonable suspicion watchlisting standard” and (2) have sufficient identifiers.

The final eligibility determination is made by the TSC.

Reasonable suspicion

The reasonable suspicion criteria is met by articulable facts and rational inferences made from those facts.

When the facts and inferences form a reasonable determination that the person is suspected of having ties to terrorist activity that person is added to the TSDB.

Guesses or hunches alone cannot support reasonable suspicion. Also, one cannot be designated a KST based on protected classes like national origin, ethnicity, or religion.

Identifiers

After the reasonable suspicion criteria is met, there must also be sufficient identifiers.

To be included on the TSDB, a record must have a last name “and at least one additional piece of identifying information (for example a first name or date of birth).”

The vast majority of nominations land up on the TSDB. In fact, it appears that only about 1% of nominations are rejected.

Exporting the information

The TSC obviously doesn’t just collect and build the TSDP for no reason.

Instead, they export the watchlist information to different federal agencies so that they can conduct terrorist screening.

The information exported is typically just the identifying information so that the sensitive/classified intel does not get shared with too many people.

This happens in real time so when a new name is added it will appear with the other federal agencies within seconds.

There are five different federal agencies that receive TSDP records:

• Department of State
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) [DHS]
• Customs and Border Protection
• Department of Defense

Each agency has its own use of the information and will receive a tailored set of records based on how they use the information.

For example, the Department of State uses the information to process passports and visas.

Customs and Border Protection uses it to screen arriving travelers and determine if they should be admitted into the US.

TSA utilizes this information for the Secure Flight program which provides screening to:

identify known or suspected terrorists or other individuals who may be a threat to transportation or national security, to prevent some identified individuals from gaining access to airports and airplanes where they may jeopardize the lives of passengers, and to ensure that other identified individuals receive enhanced physical screening prior to accessing airport sterile areas or boarding an aircraft

TSA and the TSDB

The derivative TSDB lists the TSA actively is involved with include three different lists:

No Fly List

Selectee list, expanded selectee list.

These derivative lists are special because they are the only watchlists that have their own minimum substantive derogatory criteria requirements .

These requirements are much more more stringent than the TSDB’s “known or reasonably suspected” standard. In addition, the No Fly and Selectee lists have the “narrowest minimum biographic inclusion criteria of all TSDB watch lists.”

Back in the day, TSA maintained the No Fly and Selectee lists.

However, in January 2005 maintenance and responsibility for the lists was transferred to the TSC. So it would probably be more accurate to call it the TSC No Fly List rather than the TSA No Fly List.

TSA states , “The No Fly List is a small subset of the U.S. government Terrorist Screening Database (also known as the terrorist watchlist) that contains the identity information of known or suspected terrorists.”

Individuals on the list “are not allowed to board a commercial aircraft flying into, out of, over, or within United States airspace; this also includes point-to-point international flights operated by U.S carriers.”

This list is not as big as you might think.

In 2014, only about 8% of the TSDB identities, totaling around 64,000 , were on the No Fly List.

A 2013 NCTC document gives us some insight into the criteria for adding someone to the No Fly List.

It says that any person regardless of citizenship who represents:

• a threat of committing an act of international terrorism (as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 2331(1) ) or domestic terrorism (as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 2331(5) ) with respect to an aircraft or
• a threat of committing an act of domestic terrorism with respect to the homeland or
• a threat of committing an act of international terrorism against a US government facility abroad and associated or support personnel, including US embassies, consulate and missions, military installations, US ships, US aircraft, etc, or
• a threat of engaging in or conducting a violent act of terrorism and who is operationally capable of doing so

The fourth criteria adds flexibility to adding people to the list and targets people who do not pose a threat to civil aviation, the homeland, or US facilities.

It focuses on the term “operationally capable” which means that is based on credible intelligence the person reasonably appears to have the ability, knowledge, opportunity, and intent or is actively seeking the opportunity to engage in a violent act of terrorism.

An example would be someone attempting to obtain an IED but simply conducting internet research concerning IEDs would not be sufficient without additional activity.

That’s really important for people like me who like to (innocently) research these type of things!

Other factors that would indicate someone is “operationally capable” would be a subject who has:

• Terrorist training or instruction to receive military training by a terrorist group
• Indicated intent to participate in planning or conducting an attack
• Expressed desire to become a martyr
• Repeated contact with a known terrorist who recruits or facilitates trouble of operatives

The same 2013 document provides guidance on the Selectee List.

It states that any person regardless of citizenship who does not meet the criteria for inclusion on the No Fly List and who:

• Is a member of a foreign or domestic terrorist organization designated pursuant to statute or executive order and
• Is associated with terrorist activity

The Selectee List includes individuals who must undergo additional security screening before being allowed to board a commercial aircraft.

This is the dreaded SSSS check.

In some cases individuals are randomly assigned this so if you are like myself you probably have experienced this on a couple of occasions.

Like the No Fly List, this list is also small and in 2014 only had 24,000 people on it which amounted to about 3% of the TSDB.

This list was created as an extra security measure after the failed underwear bomber of 2009, which also sparked the beginning of TSA body scanners .

Reportedly, this list screens against all TSDB records that includes a person’s first and last name and date of birth that are not already on the no-fly or selectee lists.

People on this list could be subjected to the same type of screening as those found on the Selectee List.

It seems like this list is used at times of heightened terrorism threats although there is still a lot of mystery behind this list, in my opinion.

TSA Watch List

My research also showed that it looks like TSA has its own TSA Watch List .

Nominations from this list may come from within TSA, from other DHS Components, or from other government agencies (federal, state, local, and international).

These lists are used to “mitigate threats to transportation or national security posed by individuals who are not on a TSDB watch list but who nonetheless present a threat to transportation or national security.”

This appears to be more of a real time decision.

For example, if someone is repeatedly attempting to evade TSA screening they could be put on this list even though their name is not in the TSDB.

Based on my research it looks like this is a very small list. Maybe 20 people might be on this list at a given time.

Other watchlists

There are other (non-No Fly List) watchlists that TSA may be involved with in these include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Do Not Board List which does not allow certain persons to travel due to public health concerns (such as infectious tuberculosis and measles).

It does not appear that coronavirus qualifies for this list although you should still not fly if you have Covid. Update: people with coronavirus have been added to this list.

How TSDB screening works

So you’ve seen how your name could end up on a watch list.

But how does the screening process actually interact with that watch list?

There are multiple ways that your name could be screened against the TSDB.

• Arriving in the US at a port of entry
• Getting pulled over by local or state police
• Visa applications reviewed by the Department of State

These checks are constantly happening with more than 1 billion likely being made every year.

If a screening yields a match this is known as an “encounter.”

A screener would receive notification of the match and then contact TSC, who are of course available 24/7.

The TSC has access to more information than the screeners do so they are able to dig a little bit deeper when verifying the match.

If there is a match or if the TSC cannot arrive at a conclusion, the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Operations Unit coordinates how the government will respond.

For example, they could send agents to a given location to apprehend somebody right on the spot.

In other cases, they may just come to interview the individual and add that intel to the records in the TSDB.

If a name is on a no-fly list I imagine the response could be denying them the ability to book a ticket or board a plane but it would probably depend on how high of a priority the person is to authorities.

In some cases, they may plan to bring the subject into custody.

Doing all of these checks can get extremely time-consuming and require a lot of resources.

This is one reason why we saw the TSA Pre-Check program emerge because they wanted to free up screening personnel so that they could focus on passengers with unknown records.

Some people unfortunately have the bad luck of having a name that is the same or similar to others on some of these watchlists.

When they try to fly to an airport they could be subject to SSSS screening every single time.

Luckily they do (usually) have the ability to obtain a redress number which allows the airlines to properly identify them.

It’s possible that these individuals may still have issues with things like online check-in or using automated kiosk.

But some people are even more unlucky and are denied entry back into the US.

You can find a long list of instances where people were falsely identified as terrorists and struggled to work with the government to get back or to ever board a plane.

Usually it seems like these cases are eventually resolved but sometimes they involve a pretty painful process and costly and lengthy legal proceedings.

There are also constant legal actions being brought against the government arguing that these watchlists are unconstitutional , in part because there is not a satisfactory way to challenge one’s status on the list.

How to know if you’re on the No Fly List

According to the ACLU , if you are denied boarding you can submit a standard form to the Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) who will then relay the information to the TSC.

If you were placed on the No Fly List and are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, “DHS TRIP will send you a letter informing you of your status on the No Fly List and providing the option to submit and receive additional information.”

You might be able to find out general information as to why you were placed on the list but it may be impossible to get specifics for national security reasons.

You won’t be able to challenge the determination at a live hearing but you can submit a written response along with supporting materials to challenge your status.

The government will then review your submission and inform you of any changing determination.

If you are NOT a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, it is much more difficult to know your status.

You can submit a challenge but you may not get a definitive answer as to your status. Pretty much all you can do to see if you have been removed from the list is attempt to purchase an airline ticket and board a plane.

Individual airlines

Individual airlines have their own No Fly Lists that operate independently from the TSA or other government agencies.

Typically, you can find the guidelines for how the No Fly List works in the contract of carriage for an airline.

Recently, we have seen more people get put on no-fly list with individual airlines by not abiding by policies regarding things like wearing a mask.

Other mistakes like trying to bring ammunition on a plane can get you on an airline’s No Fly List.

How many people end up on the No Fly List for individual airlines?

It’s kind of hard to tell because the airlines don’t publicize this data but according to Insider , a spokesperson for United told them that “they’ve banned 615 people from the airline since implementing their mandatory mask policy in early May.”

Delta has apparently added 700 passengers as well.

TSA No Fly List FAQ

TSA utilizes the No Fly List but the list and larger database it relies upon is managed by the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center (TSC).

In 2014, there were around 64,000 people on the No Fly List.

Individuals are first placed in the TSDB as a “known or suspected terrorists” (KSTs) and then there must be an additional finding that the individual represents a specific type of threat relating to international or domestic terrorism.

No, in order to protect national security interests the US government currently does not notify you when you are placed on the No Fly List. However, US citizens and lawful permanent residents denied boarding can receive notification about their status from DHS TRIP and challenge their status. Foreign citizens have a much more difficult time getting clarification about their status.

When it comes to government watch lists there is probably always going to be a large amount of mystery going on behind the curtain. But when it comes to the No Fly List we actually know a good amount of how names end up on that list.

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

Disagree with the left will get you on this list.

I recently suffered having my CA REAL ID/DL either lost in the mail or stolen along with tax information that would provide anyone who stole that collection of mail with my SS#. Naturally, I contacted the DMV to “surrender” that ID because god only knows what ultimately happened to it, or who might have it. At the time, when getting advice online from a DMV rep, I asked the question whether having your CA REAL ID/DL lost or stolen and then “surrendering it” could get your name on a “No Fly List” due to the possibility that your ID could be used for air travel. And while the individual may have “surrendered it” on an administrative level, the physical ID is still hanging out there somewhere, and one assumes that the whole purpose of surrendering it is to flag any use of that particular ID.

While one would hope that such a flag wouldn’t place the entire identity of an individual at risk for some form of “red flag,” having some experience in both state government and at MIT (which for all intents and purposes must operate as an extension of the federal government in terms of its information systems), I am all too aware that government information systems are generally old, and hardly robust — due to the need for security. Add into that the further complication of state and federal office information systems communicating with each other, I have some reason to believe that once a person or “identity” is “an exception to the rule,” all sorts of bizarre and unfortunate systemic problems can occur with regard to the records of that individual.

When I asked the DMV rep about my concern, the rep said, “Probably not.” This answer is not exactly the same as “Absolutely not. No way. That’s not how it works. Couldn’t happen.” So, I’m not taking the opinion of a front-line, online “anonymous” CA DMV rep as the last word on the matter. I remain unconvinced that this isn’t a real risk, and I’ve learned to trust my instincts on such matters.

So, I’m curious, in your opinion, will having to surrender a state-issued REAL ID expose someone to the possibility that their identity could be “flagged” in a universal way, as opposed to simply connected to the use of the surrendered ID itself.

Comments are closed.

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How to Land on the Government Watch List

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Just like Santa Claus , the U.S. government has its own version of "the naughty list." But this one doesn't record boys and girls who fibbed or acted mean to schoolmates on the playground. Instead, the U.S. Government 's Consolidated Terrorist Watch List keeps track of people who are known or suspected terrorists. These are the people the U.S. government doesn't want to board planes , enter the country or obtain a visa without a lot of hassle.

While the government makes no secret of the list's existence, its official contents are off-limits to the public. That's because the federal government believes if terrorists are aware of being on a watch list, they will become more vigilant and tricky in committing heinous crimes.

Before the Sept. 11 attacks, more than a dozen watch lists were floating around different federal agencies [source: U.S. Department of Justice]. Now, those records have been consolidated into one master list maintained by the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center (TSC).

The development of TSC and the master list grew out of the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 6 signed by President Bush in 2003. The directive outlined the federal government's plan to combine all former watch lists into one master list of people "known or appropriately suspected to be or have been engaged in conduct constituting, in preparation for, in aid of, or related to terrorism [source: The White House]."

The number of people fitting that bill has ballooned , from 325,000 reported in 2006 to around 755,000 names of people at home and abroad as of May 2007 [source: Larence]. That figure includes aliases and different spellings of the same name. Although the federal government won't reveal the precise statistics, officials have reported that U.S. citizens only make up a minority of the list [source: Pincus and Eggern].

So what exactly do you have to do to land on this list? Are these convicts, average folks or truly frightening people with a penchant for bombs? Read on to find out what will get you on -- and off -- the government watch list.

Getting on a Government Watch List

Getting off a government watch list.

Getting put on the watch list isn't exactly like making prom queen, but it does require a nomination. An agent from the FBI , NSA or other federal agency nominates you. Then, that nomination moves on to the FBI's Terrorist Review and Examination Unit. If you check out as a known or potential terrorist , it's on to the Terrorist Screening Center and the watch list.

What exactly does it mean to be "appropriately suspected [source: The White House]" as a potential terrorist? The FBI and the federal government remain tightlipped about specific qualifications, continually referring back to the generic guidelines established in the Presidential Directive.

Besides having a criminal record for terrorist-related activities or known associations with terrorists or terrorist organizations, there are other ways people get pegged for the list. Active membership in some extremist groups could get you a spot. For instance, the eco-extreme group Earth Liberation Front has been the focus of FBI investigations for the property damage members have caused. The FBI calls this group's activity "special interest terrorism" [source: FBI]. But if you're concerned that reading HowStuffWorks article How easy is it to steal a nuclear bomb will set off the fed's alarm systems, don't worry. Unless you actually attempt to steal a nuclear bomb yourself, you're probably fine.

So what about all those average Joes who have been stopped and searched by government officials? Are they terrorists in sheep's clothing?

More likely, they have the misfortune of sharing the same name as someone on the terrorist watch list. If your name matches a name on the list, you'll probably be flagged for things regulated by the federal government, such as air travel, border crossings and even getting a speeding ticket. From December 2003 to May 2007, 53,000 people were stopped because their names matched ones on the list [source: Larence]. However most of those people were questioned and released because there was a lack of evidence that person was a terrorist [source: Larence].

To see what can happen when you're on -- or mistaken for someone on -- the list and learn how to get off of it, go on to the next page.

Although you've probably not heard of many of the people on the terror watch list, there are some names you may recognize. These people have made it onto the list or share a name with someone on it:

Osama bin Laden -- leader of international terrorist organization al-Qaida [source: FBI].

Edward Kennedy -- Massachusetts senator and brother of former president John F. Kennedy, flagged because someone else on the watch list was reportedly using his name as an alias [source: Swarns].

Ted Kaczynski -- the 'Unabomber,' responsible for killing three people and injuring 23 with explosives [source: Larence].

Sister Glenn Anne McPhee -- Catholic nun who experienced repeated security hassles in airports because she had the same name as someone on the list. The trouble lasted for nine months until the head of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops phoned the White House to complain [source: Singel].

If you are on the terror watch list, somewhere in Northern Virginia, someone in the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) is looking at you on a screen [source: Temple-Raston]. Not a real-time image of you, but rather a colored dot showing your location.

But how can you know whether you're on the watch list if the government doesn't disclose that information? Will you know when men in trench coats and shades follow your every move?

The easiest way to find out is to take an airplane trip. It doesn't matter the destination, just try booking a flight and see what happens. The Transportation Security Administration that oversees air travel in the United States will automatically flag anyone with a name on the TSC's master list. As a result, when you arrive at the airport, someone will likely pull you aside for an extensive security check and possibly questioning before permitting you to board.

Being repeatedly stopped at an airport could also signal that you share the same name as someone on the watch list. This screening feature has botched many travel plans for regular citizens. Consider the example in 2004 when someone named John Lewis made the government watch list. After that, every John Lewis, including the well-known civil rights activist and Georgia representative of the same name, had trouble boarding a flight [source: Goo].

Another alternative is to check the public list of Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons that the U.S. Treasury publishes. These people are prevented from doing any financial business in the United States, including opening bank accounts or obtaining loans. Although this is a different list from the master that the TSC maintains, if your name matches one on that list, you'll probably want to have it removed.

If you're sure that you aren't a terrorist and don't have any intentions of becoming one, there is a redress process that can get you downgraded or removed from the watch list. Just contact the relevant federal agency and file a redress complaint. For example, if you're having trouble at the airport, contact the Transportation Security Administration and complete the paperwork for their Department of Homeland Security redress program.

Then, the information will be passed along to the TSC's Redress Unit that evaluates any necessary changes. From January 2005 to February 2007, 35 percent of people who complained were kept on the list, while 45 percent were either granted a lowered security level or removal from the list [source: U.S. Department of Justice]. To get through the process, you'll also need some patience because the average wait time for resolving a complaint is 67 days [source: U.S. Department of Justice].

With so many people being identified as possible terrorists, it may seem nearly impossible for a watch-listed person to slip through government screening. However, an audit by the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice in 2007 found that 20 people who were on the watch list were not properly identified and detained when they should have been [source: U.S. Department of Justice].

Lots More Information

Related howstuffworks articles.

• How the Patriot Act Works
• How the FBI Works
• How does the FBI decide who makes the Most Wanted list?
• How Spy Gadgets Work
• How the CIA Works
• Is the FBI reading my email?
• Goo, Sara Kehaulani. "Hundreds Report Watch-List Trials." The Washington Post. August 24, 2004. (March 5, 2008) http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A20199-2004Aug20?language=printer
• Larence, Eileen R. "Terrorist Watch List Screening." Testimony Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate. Oct. 24, 2007. (March 5, 2008)
• Lichtblau, Eric. "Papers Show Confusion as Government Watch List Grew Quickly." The New York Times. Oct. 9, 2004. (March 5, 2008) http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/09/politics/09nofly.html?oref=login
• NOW. "Are you on a watch list?" Public Broadcasting Stations. March 3, 2006. (March 5, 2008) http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/watchlist.html
• Pincus, Walter and Eggen, Dan. "325,000 Names on Terrorism List." The Washington Post. Feb. 15, 2006. (March 5, 2008) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/14/AR2006021402125.html
• Singel, Ryan. "How to Get Off a Government Watch List." Wired Magazine. April 16, 2007. (March 5, 2008) http://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/news/2007/04/watchlist2
• Singel, Ryan. "Nun Terrorized by Watch List." Wired Magazine. Sept. 26, 2005. (March 10, 2008) http://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2005/09/68973
• Swarns, Rachell L. "Senator? Terrorist? A Watch List Stops Kennedy at the Airport." The New York Times. Aug. 20, 2004. (March 10, 2008) http://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2005/09/68973
• Temple-Raston, Dina. "Inside the Terrorist Screening Center." National Public Radio. Aug. 30, 2007. (March 6, 2008) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14040581
• U.S. Department of Justice. "Follow Up Audit of the Terrorist Screening Center." Office of the Inspector General. Sept. 2007. (March 5, 2008) http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/reports/FBI/a0741/final.pdf
• U.S. Treasury Department. "Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons." Office of Foreign Assets Control. Updated March 4, 2008. (March 6, 2008)http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn/t11sdn.pdf

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Find the best country for you: », places the u.s. government warns not to travel right now.

You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.

Do Not Travel to These Countries

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Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.

In 2024, tourism across the globe is “well on track” to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.

Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

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What to do if you are on the TSA watch list

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Set up after 9/11 as a consolidated database of suspected terrorists, the TSA watch list or “no fly list” has grown to more than 755,000 names. Each name does not necessarily indicate one person. So, if you share your name with a suspected terrorist or convicted criminal the government fears will try to flee the country, you could experience extra hassles at the airport.

If someone with a name matching one on the watch list checks in at the airport, he will not be able to check in at a kiosk and must be cleared by an airline supervisor. If he is not cleared, he will be questioned and possibly denied boarding.

Before you assume you are on the list, make sure you didn’t go through additional screening because you were randomly selected. Often, people who purchase one-way tickets or buy their ticket the day of the flight are chosen. Check your boarding pass, and if it says “SSSS,” you were randomly selected for additional screening.

If you believe you have been wrongly placed on the list, you can file a complaint with the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) . Although the process may seem complicated, the online system is the best solution, since many who try to call often find themselves caught in a web of bureaucratic red tape.

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DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program

The DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program can provide resolution to travelers with difficulties getting through security and inspection at airport checkpoints, train stations and when crossing U.S. borders.

Learn more and apply for DHS TRIP to resolve travel-related issues if:

• You are unable to print a boarding pass.
• You are denied or delayed boarding a plane.
• You are denied or delayed entry into and exit from the U.S. at a port of entry or border checkpoint.
• You are continuously referred for additional screening at the airport.

No Fly List

The No Fly List is a small subset of the U.S. government Terrorist Screening Database (also known as the terrorist watchlist) that contains the identity information of known or suspected terrorists. This database is maintained by the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center. For more information about the Terrorist Screening Database, visit the Terrorist Screening Center .

TSA is among the U.S. government agencies that screen individuals using information from the Terrorist Screening Database. TSA implements the No Fly List through its Secure Flight program.  Individuals on the No Fly List are prevented from boarding an aircraft when flying within, to, from and over the United States.

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There Are 2 Types of No-fly Lists — What to Know About Each One

And hopefully you'll never be put on either.

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The ability to book a flight is a privilege, not a right, and it can be taken away under certain circumstances. You might have heard of something called the no-fly list — yes, it's a real thing. In fact, there are two types of no-fly lists, and you really don't want to be on either of them. The more severe kind is a federal anti-terrorism program, while the less severe type is maintained by individual airlines for unruly passengers. Here's what you need to know about both no-fly lists.

What is the federal no-fly list?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) maintains the no-fly list with individuals prohibited from "boarding an aircraft when flying within, to, from, and over the United States." These individuals are part of the federal terrorist watchlist ; administered by the FBI, the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) holds a database of "information on people reasonably suspected to be involved in terrorism (or related activities)." Some people on the terrorist watchlist — but not all — are added to the TSA no-fly list. Others on the terrorist watchlist are allowed to fly in U.S. airspace, but may be subjected to additional security screening.

How do I know if I'm on the federal no-fly list?

It' simple — you won't receive a boarding pass. Though the federal government does not disclose how individuals end up on certain watchlists (potential threats could use that information to avoid detection) or who is on them, the TSA may inform you if you're added to the no-fly list. If you receive such a letter, you're given a chance to appeal the decision.

Does being selected for extra security screening at the airport mean I'm on the federal no-fly list?

No, being selected for extra screening at the airport does not mean you're on the no-fly list. According to the TSA , "Many people falsely believe that they are experiencing a screening delay because they are on a watchlist. In fact, such delays are often caused by a name similarity to another person who is on the watchlist." And in most cases, secondary security screenings are random — any passenger may be selected.

If you're regularly selected for extra screening — and you're not linked to terrorist activities — you can apply for the Department of Homeland Security's Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) . Provided you're not deemed a security threat, you'll be given a redress number to add to your airline bookings, which will help smooth out your airport security experience in the future. "Ninety-eight percent of individuals who apply for redress have no nexus to the terrorist watchlist," notes the TSA on its website.

What is an airline no-fly list?

Airlines reserve the right to ban passengers from flying with them — typically it's unruly passengers who are added to a carrier's internal no-fly list. Unruly behavior can range from being too inebriated on a flight to assaulting a flight attendant. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states that in addition to being banned from flying an airline, unruly passengers can be fined up to $37,000; convicted of a felony by the FBI; and be removed from or banned from the TSA PreCheck program , depending on the severity of the incident.

Is there a universal no-fly list for unruly passengers?

There is no nationwide or worldwide no-fly list of unruly passengers. Thus, theoretically, someone banned from one airline can still fly on another. In 2022, Delta CEO Ed Bastian called for the addition of unruly passengers to the federal no-fly list , but his request hasn't been approved yet.

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What to Do If You Think You're on the No Fly List

What to do if you have been denied boarding.

If you are denied boarding on a flight, you can submit a standard form to the Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP). DHS TRIP transmits complaints and any supporting information you provide to the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC), which determines whether any action should be taken.

If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and the TSC determines that you are on the No Fly List, DHS TRIP will send you a letter informing you of your status on the No Fly List and providing the option to submit and receive additional information. If you choose that option, DHS TRIP will provide a second letter identifying the general criterion under which you have been placed on the No Fly List and possibly including an unclassified summary of the reasons for your inclusion on the list. You should know that the government’s summary likely will not include all of its reasons for your placement on the list, and in some cases the government will choose not to provide any summary at all. The government also will not provide you any of the evidence it relied upon in deciding to place you on the list, and it may also withhold information in its possession that undercuts its basis for putting you on the list. Finally, the government does not provide a live hearing at which you could testify or give you an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses against you.

You may submit a written response to the second letter, along with any exhibits or other materials you think are relevant.  The government will review your response submission and inform you of its final determination.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, TSC will review your submission, and DHS TRIP will send you a letter that purports to explain how the complaint was resolved. You should know that the letter does not confirm or deny whether you have been included on the No Fly List, whether you remain on it, or whether you can fly in the future. The government also refuses to provide any notice or reason for inclusion on the No Fly List or a meaningful hearing at which you can clear your name. Unfortunately, currently, the only way for a non-citizen to discover if they have been removed from the No Fly List or not after following this procedure is by purchasing an airline ticket and attempting to board.

How to get home if you've been denied boarding outside the U.S.

U.S. citizens have a right under the Fourteenth Amendment to return to U.S. territory after traveling abroad. Lawful permanent residents have a similar right to return to U.S. territory under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Therefore, when a U.S. citizen or permanent resident is denied boarding in a foreign country due to apparent inclusion on the No Fly List, the U.S. government must help them secure approval to return to the United States via a commercial flight. The government may not use the No Fly List to prevent U.S. citizens or permanent residents from returning home to U.S. territory.

If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident denied boarding on a flight to the United States or when en route to the United States, follow the steps below to exercise your right to return home. The information below is based on instructions the government has given the ACLU when we seek to help travelers return home, and the experiences of those travelers.

• Call the Overseas Citizens Services (OCS) office at +1-202-501-4444 to speak to the duty officer . There is a duty officer (as well as an attorney) at this number 24 hours a day. Tell the officer that you were denied boarding on a flight when seeking to return home to the United States by plane, that you seek assistance with repatriation, and that you would like to coordinate your return travel by plane with the government. If your legal representative, family member, or friend located in the United States would like to help you as well, they may contact the same office by calling +1-888-407-4747.

The duty officers at the OCS should be able to help you. If for any reason they do not help you, go to the U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate in the country in which you were denied boarding and speak to an officer handling Overseas Citizens Services. Tell the officer that you were denied boarding on a flight when seeking to return home to the United States by plane, that you seek assistance with repatriation, and that you would like to coordinate your return travel by plane with the government.

A U.S. official at either OCS or the U.S. embassy/U.S. consulate in the country in which you are stranded must help you secure approval to fly home to the United States by commercial air.

Normally, the OCS official will also ask you to identify one or more itineraries for travel to the United States on a U.S.-based commercial air carrier (such as American Airlines, United Airlines, or Delta Airlines) departing at least two weeks in the future. Thus, to facilitate your return:

• If the country in which you were denied boarding offers direct flights to the United States on a U.S.-based commercial carrier, identify at least a couple of possible itineraries that depart the country at least two weeks in the future.
• If the country in which you were denied boarding  does not  offer direct flights to the United States, try to find one or more itineraries that permit you to transit through a country from which you can get a direct flight to the United States on U.S.-based commercial air carriers. For example, if you are denied boarding in Sana’a, Yemen, when on the way home to San Francisco, you could locate an itinerary to fly on Yemenia Airways from Sana’a to Dubai, United Arab Emirates; on Lufthansa from Dubai to Frankfurt, Germany; and on American Airlines from Frankfurt to San Francisco.
• If your proposed itinerary requires you to change planes,  choose flights that permit layovers   at least three hours long  so that you have adequate time for any additional security screenings that the layover airport may require.
• Present your proposed itinerary (or itineraries) to OCS or the U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate with as much advance notice as possible . In our experience assisting U.S. persons apparently on the No Fly List, U.S. officials usually require at least two weeks’ notice to secure approvals for flights.
• After a U.S. official has communicated approval for your proposed itinerary, purchase your ticket .
• On the day of your approved flight(s), arrive at the airport  at least four hours  before departure to permit time for any security screening that may be required.
• If you encounter any problems in securing approval from OCS or a U.S. embassy to fly back to the United States, please call the ACLU National Security Project at +1-212-549-2500 for assistance.

Be aware that FBI agents or other U.S. officials may seek to question or interrogate you while you are abroad, after your denial of boarding, and while you are seeking authorization to fly back to the United States.  You have the  right to decline any request for a voluntary interview .   You also have a right to be represented by counsel during any interview or interrogation in which you voluntarily participate, including while you are abroad, and you may assert that right.

FBI or other U.S. officials cannot require you to submit to an interview or interrogation as a condition of securing approval to fly back to the United States. In other words, you do not have to participate in any such questioning in order to exercise your right to return to the United States.

Were you denied boarding while trying to get home to the United States? Tell us your story.

Please consider filling out  this form  regarding your experiences in seeking to return to the United States. Providing this information will assist the ACLU in its efforts to monitor U.S. government conduct related to the No Fly List.

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Is it safe to go there? The U.S. travel advisory system, explained

If you’re planning an international trip, here’s how to use the State Department’s country-by-country guide to minimize your risk of encountering crime, violence, or civil unrest.

On October 19, the U.S. Department of State issued a rare advisory that Americans overseas “exercise increased caution” due to heightened tensions and chances of terrorism around the world, spurred by the Israel-Hamas war. It’s part of a system of travel warnings that’s been around in some form since 1978, designed to help citizens assess how safe a destination might be at a given time.

The current version of the system, which launched in 2018, gives fluid rankings from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel), indicating how risky countries (and in some cases, regions) are for Americans to visit. Rankings are based on factors such as crime rates, civil unrest, and the threat of terrorism. They are meant to give “clear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world so they can make informed travel decisions,” says a State Department spokesperson.  

Not surprisingly, on October 14, the State Department moved Israel and the West Bank to Level 3 (reconsider travel) and Gaza to Level 4.  

Here’s how the advisories work and how to use them.

What is a travel advisory?

The U.S. State Department inaugurated the travel advisory system in 1978, initially aiming warnings at airlines and travel companies. The system was scrutinized after the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight from London to New York , which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland , killing all 259 passengers and crew plus 11 people on the ground.  

Investigations found U.S. authorities had been aware of a credible threat to a Pan Am flight but hadn’t informed the public. In response, the media and consular offices began issuing travel warnings. In 2018 the U.S. introduced its current four-tier advisory system. There are near-identical versions in Canada , Australia , and New Zealand .

To determine rankings, the State Department considers a nation’s political volatility, crime trends, medical care standards, and the threat of kidnappings or terrorism. (Politics also ends up playing an unspoken role.) Some countries, such as Russia , receive a Level 4 ranking partly because the U.S. government may have limited ability to assist citizens there. Others rise to Level 4 due to a crisis, such as the military coup that recently rocked Niger .  

When the travel advisory system relaunched in 2018, it also included state-by-state evaluations for Mexico , which draws more than 11 million American travelers a year. “Some Mexican states are quite safe for U.S. tourists, while others are riskier due to narco-trafficking violence,” says Ryan Larsen , executive director of the Institute for Global Engagement at Western Washington University. Yucatán and Campeche states are currently at Level 1, while six other Mexican states are at Level 4, including Sinaloa.

( Solo female travelers share tips for staying safe on the road .)

Epidemics and natural disasters also can prompt a travel advisory number to rise. Americans may be prompted to reconsider visiting a country recovering from a tsunami or major wildfires, since their presence could hinder rehabilitation efforts. This occurred after the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey . Such advisories can remain in place for weeks or months.

The strictest-ever advisories came in April 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic , says Larsen, who did a thesis   on U.S. travel warnings. At that time, about 80 percent of the world’s countries were at Level 4.

At press time, about 70 percent of the world’s countries were rated Level 1 or Level 2 by the State Department, indicating they’re relatively safe. There are currently 21 countries at Level 3 and 21 at Level 4.

How to use travel advisories

Before booking an international trip, consult the State Department website to see where your destination ranks. While Level 1 and 2 countries are considered relatively safe, you should still register with the U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . This lets Americans overseas use their smartphone to receive travel advisory updates and alerts about emerging dangers in their destination (protests, extreme weather).

Level 3 countries are considered more dangerous for foreign visitors, who should “reconsider travel,” according to the State Department. If you are headed to a Level 3 country, which currently includes Pakistan and Colombia , do wider research on its safety and on the places you’ll visit there, advises Jun Wen , a professor of tourism at Australia’s Edith Cowan University. For instance, while some remote areas in the Colombian Amazon still suffer from drug-related violence, cities such as Cartagena and Medellín are relatively safe. Going on a fully guided group or individual tour can also help you navigate destinations where political unrest or crime might impact your safety.

Travelers should study not only the advisories provided by their own country, but also by the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australia to broaden their understanding of the risks in Level 3 countries, Wen says. As for Level 4 countries, that “Do Not Travel” advice couldn’t be any clearer.

Other countries also issue warnings to their citizens about visiting the U.S. Canada recently informed its LGBTQ travelers they may be affected by laws in certain U.S. states. Australia, meanwhile, cautions its citizens visiting the U.S. to be wary of higher crime rates and gun violence, and even to learn safety strategies for active shooter scenarios.

People who visit countries with Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisories don’t just risk their safety. They also may have travel insurance complications, says Linchi Kwok , tourism management professor at California State Polytechnic University Pomona.

( How travel insurance can—and can’t—help when your plans change .)

They must pay much higher premiums, and their insurance can be invalidated if the advisory for their destination is elevated. “Medical coverage can be minimal, too, particularly if the travel advisory is put up against a disease or an outbreak,” says Kwok. “I encourage Americans to think twice before they travel to Level 3 and especially Level 4 destinations.”

Warnings and their impact on tourism

Travel advisories can be biased, Larsen argues. His research found that, while the U.S. didn’t often overstate the risk of travel to countries with which it had poor relations, it did often understate the danger of visiting nations that were its close allies. Elevating a travel advisory can stoke diplomatic tensions between two countries. Once a country is raised to Level 3 or 4, many tourists will avoid visiting, and many American universities won’t let students join study abroad programs.

The economic ramifications of a level change impact individual businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies. For instance, J 2   adventures , a Jewish-focused tour company, saw most of its fall group trips to Israel canceled after the start of the Israel-Hamas war (and the higher advisory level), says cofounder Guy Millo. “This is not just because of the violence on the ground, but because of practical considerations like accessibility of commercial airline flights,” he says. “Most tourists from North America and places around the globe simply couldn’t get here even if they wanted to.”  

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6 of the Best Travel Watches Around Right Now

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Rolex Explorer II Read more

Bell & Ross BR03-93 GMT Read more

Breitling Chronomat UTC Read more

Chopard L.U.C Time Traveler One Black Read more

If nothing else, the last year or so has made foreign travel an adventure again, at least for those who enjoy navigating their way through vaccination regimes and test requirements. It feels long ago when instead the burning question was whether it’s cocktail hour at the destination yet.

For the well-prepared traveler, the answer is on your wrist, as one of the few really useful complications watchmakers offer is the ability to show two or more time zones at a glance. Simply put, a “complication” in watch parlance is any function on a timepiece other than showing the time, such as a stopwatch or moon-phase display. Of course, you can do it in your head or use a world-time app on your phone, but a GMT or worldtimer saves you the bother and looks considerably more stylish. 

However, as easy as it is for you to decipher, showing multiple time zones is a significant challenge for both the watchmakers and the designer, as there’s always a tradeoff between simplicity and utility. How do you want the second time zone to be set? Should it link to the date? Do the time zones need to be named? How do you make sure the “travel” time is sufficiently distinct from the “home” time? What about places with just 30-minute differences? 

Here is our edit of some of the best mechanical worldtimers you can get right now, from entry level to high-end. All should serve you well, wherever your travels—once they begin again in earnest—may take you.

The standard approach to a GMT watch is exemplified by the Explorer II from Rolex, which has a second hour in bright orange that runs on a 24-hour cycle: set this 24-hour hand for your second time zone, then read the hour off the bezel scale, and minutes as normal. 

The design is built entirely around the presence of the extra hand and the bezel, with the contrast between hour and GMT hands being a feature rather than a hindrance (whether that’s a good thing is a straightforward matter of taste).

It’s simple, effective, and, as it’s a Rolex, bomb-proof. And even if you’re not traveling across time zones, Rolex points out that it might be useful for distinguishing day from night, should you emerge from a storm in an Arctic high summer.

This new version retains the signature 42mm sizing (want a larger case? Look to the brand's rugged 43mm Sea-Dweller and 44mm Deepsea). Inside is the in-house caliber 3285 power plant, new in the Explorer II, and the same currently found in the GMT-Master II. 

The really good news is this 3285 automatic movement—powered by the natural movement of the body as you wear it—packs in the best that Rolex currently offers: Chronergy escapement, 70 hours of power reserve, blue Parachrom balance spring and Paraflex shock absorbers. What does all this mean? A much more accurate, efficient, and robust piece that keeps running much longer after you've stopped wearing it.

There is currently no way to purchase a Rolex online. You will need to use Rolex's dealer locator that we've linked to below. This page has the model information you'll want to share with a dealer.

The same solution seen in the Rolex is behind Bell & Ross’s BR03-93 GMT, but the design makes the GMT more subservient to the watch design, obviously derived from the modular format of cockpit instruments, an aviation-inspired look that Bell & Ross has come to dominate over its 30-year history. 

One difference here is that the bezel can be turned, giving the watch more flexibility in terms of the extra time zone (the bezel is rotated however many hours difference between home time and the third zone to see the time in that destination without having to set the watch). Some will welcome that, others will see it as a complication too far, but it’s a smart watch that delivers a design presence that Rolex doesn’t look for. Speaking of which, the popular colorways of red and black—the "Coke" look as opposed to the red and blue "Pepsi" style—will justifiably draw attention.

The sturdy 42mm watch also has 100-meter water resistance, a 42-hour power reserve, curved anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and a small, subtle rounded date window towards the 4:30 position. Yes, you get a black calfskin leather strap, but we prefer this ultra-resilient synthetic fabric option.

Breitling’s Chronomat UTC offers a brutally effective, if not especially subtle, solution to the demand for worldtimer watches: fit a completely separate mini, quartz-powered watch into the strap . 

It helps that the Chronomat is a hefty piece of kit to begin with—44mm by 14.45mm, so the extra bulk shouldn’t be an issue. The mechanical movement has 70 hours of power reserve, which is the length of time it continues to tick once you have removed the Chronomat from your wrist. It's also water-resistant up to 200 meters.

The “UTC" name references Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC , the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time and is not adjusted for daylight saving, making it effectively a successor to Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT, which is where worldtimers derive their alternative moniker from.

The Chronomat was inspired by the Frecce Tricolori watch that Breitling created for the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic fleet back in 1983, and is very much an all-purpose sports watch, which explains why the second time zone function was incorporated into the strap and not the watch itself.

There’s an alternative solution that can be seen in Chopard’s latest travel watch, the L.U.C Time Traveler One Black, which is to show time everywhere in the world at once, via an arrangement of counter-rotating discs on the edge of the dial. 

Amazingly, it’s almost suspiciously easy to read—the number below the city is the time there—but it needs a sensitive designer to manage the hierarchy of information delivered. Going monotone, as Chopard’s watch shows, is a beautifully effective way of doing just that. 

It's actually based on the Time Traveler One launched back in 2016, but now with an added dose of modernity thanks to that monochrome color palette that extends to the 42mm ceramised titanium case (which has a hardness of 700 Vickers when 316L stainless steel has a hardness of 150 to 200 Vickers). On closer inspection, it's not black but myriad subtle shades of gray. This is the secret to the watch's legibility. 

One the outside of the dial is a city disc, marked with 24 locations around the globe. The crown at 4 o’clock lets the user rotate this city disc. When the chosen city for the local time is set at the 12 o’clock position, you can determine the prevailing hour in all of those 24 locations simultaneously.

TAG Heuer has just dropped three new 2022 Autavia models comprising two new chronograph models and this, a three-hand GMT model—a first for TAG's Autavia collection to mark the line's 60th year.

Fitted with an automatic movement that will keep running up to 50 hours after you've taken the watch off, the piece focuses on simplicity and legibility: numerals and hands coated with glow-in-the-dark Super-LumiNova on an uncluttered blue dial contained in a 42mm steel case that's water-resistant to 100 meters. 

The addition of easily interchangeable straps is another boon, with traditional stainless-steel or  leather straps as well as on-trend woven NATO bands, too.

Not all globe-trotting GMT watches cost the Earth. Christopher Ward's C63 Sealander GMT has a pleasingly classic style yet costs a fraction of the other pieces here. You get a round stainless steel 39mm case secure to 150 meters, a power reserve that extends to 56 hours, and this piece is the first from the brand to use its new automatic movement that not only adds the display of a second time zone (indicated by the large orange hand), but also allows for a slightly more precise GMT setting than the previous version. 

It is available in black, white, green or blue polished lacquer dials, boasts an anti-shock system and is compatible with a range quick-change straps that includes this options made from recycled ocean plastic.

In the past, a criticism levied at Christopher Ward has been a tendency to add unnecessary information and clutter to its dials, as it did with its 2014 C900 Worldtimer, but here there are no such issues. It's smart and simple. 

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Top 10 Watches For Traveling

When it comes to categorizing watches, we tend to organize them by the strict purposes their styles were originally meant for. That translates into a world of dive watches, pilot watches, racing watches, formal watches, business watches, etc… A category that only loosely exists in the traditional sense but that is nevertheless extremely important is “travel watches.” What is a travel watch? Well, traditionally, a pocket watch was the original travel watch because it was designed to be portable. More recently, the travel watch has been a more ambiguous category of watches that serve travelers with a range of needs both functional and fashionable.

The question we seek to answer in this article is “what are the elements of a good watch to wear while traveling?” Of course, the answer depends on where you are going, but you’ll see a lot of commonalities between these watches despite there being many different types of timepieces that would nevertheless be good to travel with.

You’ll also find a lot of watches that advertise themselves as being “ideal for traveling” that we don’t include here. Why not include every potential type of travel watch in this list? When it comes down to it, we are rather demanding of what our travel watches should do and how various things like the fragility (or complexity) of a movement balances out a watch’s overall design and utility. That means some timepieces meant for travel might simply be too delicate and/or difficult to use to be truly relied on.

I’d also like to debunk the myth that all traveler’s watches need to have complications in addition to the time. With today’s technology at our fingertips, there is little reason to absolutely rely on your wrist watch to know the time in many different time zones. If you are a modern traveler, you are going to have a phone and other electronic devices which are going to be a lot better at tracking various time zones with ease. That doesn’t mean all “traveler-centric” watch complications aren’t useful, but rather that the totality of a watch’s design and functional value should be taken into consideration, and it also means that a lot of watches which only tell the time can make for excellent travel watches if they do other things well.

Are you the type of person who travels with just one watch, or do you bring a small collection with you? This latter approach can help enhance your wrist wearing options but can also be a safety liability when it comes to loss or theft. Some people love to travel with a few watches (sometimes more), but many others like to rely on just one timepiece to get them through a trip.

The most important thing we can say about the top travel watch choices is that they need to be versatile in both functionality and style. Think about it, the watch you are traveling with potentially needs to work well on your wrist while on a plane, while wearing a suit at a meeting, casually out to dinner, and potentially for sports activities or being outdoors. It isn’t impossible, but it sure is tough to find a watch that satisfies each of these needs. Few can, but it is important to consider everything you might require of a timepiece while you are away from home base.

In reality, there is no absolute top 10 list of travel watches, but rather, we are including a cross-section of timepieces that will serve a lot of important needs while you are traveling and that you’ll find handy in a range of situations. Watches similar in style or design to these “archetype choices” will also likely serve you well.

Before we get to the watches, I want to talk a bit about useful features and complications that should appeal to travelers. No single watch has everything, but many watches combine a lot of important elements that you (within the subjective reality of your needs) should be looking for.

The most important thing to ask yourself is what the most demanding situation will be that you’d like to wear your watch during. Maybe the flight and airport journey is the most demanding activity your travel watch will be subjected to, or perhaps, you plan on going hiking, diving, or just want to exercise with your watch. Most people who do more simple things like working out at a gym or running can get away with simply taking their watch off, but if you are planning a trip out into the wilderness, you might decide that wearing your timepiece is enjoyable, useful, and perhaps, safe.

Thus, you’ll need at least one watch suitable for wear during these activities. Of course, not all trips involve leisure time like this, but then again, people travel for different reasons. If you are a serious outdoors person, then you probably aren’t going to assume that your sporty beater watch will be the same timepiece to rely on when in a meeting with business colleagues. So the hikers, divers, and all-around adventurers are better off with a dedicated activity watch, and one to wear when you get “cleaned up.”

Also, a few thoughts on safety. Depending on where you travel, having an expensive watch might be a liability (or an asset). Perhaps, the number one biggest concern most travelers with nice watches have is “I don’t want to be a target for crime.” That’s true; in certain parts of the world you don’t really want to be traveling with an item that makes you any more susceptible to being discreetly robbed or even violently mugged. If you are traveling to a more dangerous part of the world, please consider how showy your timepiece is and how your overall look may communicate your likelihood to be wearing expensive things.

At the same time, having an expensive watch in certain parts of the world can be an asset in emergency situations. A great brand to mention now is Rolex. People have said in the past that if you have a half-way decent Rolex watch pretty much anywhere in the world, you should be able to relatively readily “exchange it” for a trip home in the event you are in an emergency situation. This, of course, isn’t a universal rule, and doesn’t work with all watches in all places. Nevertheless, if you have a quality watch from a popular brand such as Rolex (and especially Rolex), there is a high likelihood that people even in remote places will recognize its value and either give you cash or services in exchange for it if you find yourself in a pickle. Whether those same people just steal the watch from you without offering fair value is really going to depend on how well the individual person gauges the situation.

In order to sum up a list of the top 10 watches for traveling, I’ve decided to list and explain a watch style archetype and then mention a specific brand and model that fits in really well to that archetype. These examples are by no means the only good travel watches out there, but it was important for me to at least generally explain the types of watches that we feel make for the best travel timepieces.

The Classic Sporty GMT: Rolex GMT-Master II

While many timepieces (including other watches in this list) fall into this category, the Rolex GMT-Master II (review here) is probably the gold standard in luxury GMT sport watches. Good looking, durable, and with a great history, few watches really capture the sheer versatility and functionality of this classic sports watch, as well as the depth of its appeal.

On a basic level, the GMT second time zone hand offers the time elsewhere in a 24-hour format. That means you have the local time and a “reference time” to know (for example) what time it is back home. GMT sport watches like the Rolex GMT-Master II are also fashionably versatile. Sure, it looks like a slightly different version of the Submariner dive watch, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. From a fashion perspective, there is little you can’t wear this watch with, and it should stand up to activity and abuse, as well as cleaning up nicely for dressier occasions. While it can’t do everything, you will be surprised at how much use you can get out of just one watch while traveling with a Rolex GMT-Master II or something similar to it.

Modern Analog Satellite Watch: Seiko Astron Chronograph

How modern satellite-controlled electronic watches like the Seiko Astron will fare during the age of the smartwatch is unclear – but right now, there is nothing in the smartwatch camp that even comes close to the universal appeal (and application) for the Seiko Astron Chronograph (hands-on here) . Perhaps the most important things to point out are, first, that the battery inside the Astron is charged by light, so you don’t really need to worry about a battery dying; and second, that the watch itself connects to satellites to update the current time and time zone on your watch automatically. Thus, you don’t need to worry about a dead battery in most instances, and you also don’t need to rely on a host device.

Seiko’s Astron Chronograph adds a chronograph complication which makes it very handy to time travel legs such as flights to predict travel times. Chronographs are actually really useful when traveling, so it isn’t a bad idea to look for travel watches that do have chronograph complications. Designed to have some dressy appeal, the Astron Chronograph doesn’t look like your typical nerdy gadget watch – which makes it even more attractive as a sole travel watch. Better yet, its real value of knowing the time anywhere via direct connection to GPS signals means it will shine the most when you are the furthest from civilization.

Business World Time Chronograph: Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Chronograph

While “world time” watches are designed for traveling, there aren’t too many of those types of watches on this list. That is because I am going to lump them all in this category since, in essence, they operate the same way using a disc such as this or various windows that allow you to see the time in multiple time zones. Let me first say that this complication is in fact very useful and available on a host of watches. I actually like this complication mixed with a chronograph so that you can get the benefit from a world timer with a touch of extra added utility.

One of the more popular chronograph world time watches is the Girard-Perregaux ww.tc (hands-on here) which has been offered in a range of styles over the last several years. Using an in-house made movement focusing on dress elegance and contemporary style, these make great solo travel watches for those who nevertheless like to keep track of the time in various cities. In other words, as a travel watch, a timepiece such as a world time chronograph has the most relevant complications specifically designed for travel and will prove useful on the wrists of many travelers.

All-Purpose Professional’s Watch: Rolex Day-Date 40

If all you really want is a prestigious business/professional watch that doesn’t need specific travel functions, then a great place to begin is the Rolex Day-Date 40 (hands-on here) . On the negative side, this isn’t the most original choice in the world, and it will make you a target for crime in the wrong parts of the world. On the plus side, a watch like the Rolex “President” is universally known as a sign of success and in emergency situations can be traded for a lot of value.

While there is certainly a more “mature” slant to the design and fashionable appeal of the Rolex Day-Date 40, it has been known to work with anything from a suit to most any business to classy casual attire. Use your phone and gadgets for all the more complicated information, and a Rolex Day-Date 40 or other all-purpose professionals’ watch as a solid choice for a sole travel watch if most of your travels takes you on paved roads and into climate controlled rooms.

Luxury Dive Watch On Rubber Strap: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT

You might dismiss a luxury dive watch on a rubber or NATO-style strap as too casual or not totally appropriate for all travel situations. You’d be right. If you are traveling and expect to be in a suit most of the time, your sports watch on a colorful strap might not be a good idea. If, however, you are going on vacation or to a more tropical environment, this can be an excellent choice. Rubber straps really shine in tropical environments or any place where it is hot and you are likely to sweat. Maybe you’ll also end up taking this watch into the water or off the beaten path – which is something it is certainly designed for.

There is, honestly, a huge assortment of dive watches on rubber straps with good choices starting from just a few hundred dollars. Since we are talking about “ideal” choices, we might as also go with a luxury watch. The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean is at heart a solid dive watch with a sleek design and a range of versions. The Omega Planet Ocean GMT (review here) happens to also have a second time zone complication, making it an even better travel watch – but the GMT element is optional. The point here is to have a good looking sport watch designed to be comfortable in warmer environments that nevertheless communicates that the wearer has some taste and is perhaps a “watch guy.”

World Time Casual Business Watch With Prestigious Name Value: Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time

One particular subset of world time watches are those with “East” and “West” pushers that allow the time to be advanced or subtracted in one hour increments to make switching the time between various time zones simple and straight forward. One such family of watches that feature this complication are the various “Travel Time” watches by Patek Philippe. These all include the same movement even though they exist in various product families such as the Nautilus, Aquanaut, and also this Patek Philippe 5524 Calatrava Pilot model (hands-on here) .

In a 42mm-wide 18k white gold case, this is a deceptively ritzy pilot watch with a simple, demure attitude, but with the Patek Philippe name prestige many international travelers are looking for. Unlike a yellow or rose gold watch, the Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Time will call surprisingly little attention to itself, but in the right circles, people will know exactly what you are wearing. This is a good opportunity to have a convenient travel watch with a useful dual time zone complication, as well as being a serious luxury watch that really won’t command unwanted attention to the wearer. It can also work with business attire as well as it does with shorts.

Function-Filled Pilot Watch: Zenith El Primero Doublematic

Pilot watches make excellent travel watches because, by nature, they are designed for traveling. Perhaps more specifically, for flying, but pilots clearly travel and have traditionally needed comfortable, legible watches that allow them to keep informed in various time zones. Pilot watches can be simple or very complicated – and the latter are actually quite rare. If you like the idea of having various features in a pilot watch that can be useful while on the road (or in the air), then a recent timepiece which exemplifies the appeal of a complicated pilot watch is the Zenith El Primero Doublematic (hands-on here) .

Let’s be clear that timepieces such as this are rare. Zenith’s legendary “high beat” El Primero automatic movement serves as the base for a movement with a ton of complications – all of which are designed for travel. The Zenith El Primero Doublematic has the time, world time disc for knowing the hour in any of the 24 time zones at a glance, a big date indicator, a 30 minute chronograph, and an alarm! All in a handsome 45mm-wide case with a dial that is both classy and respectably legible.

Deceptively Inexpensive Dress Watch: Orient Bambino

It would be remiss of us to simply suggest luxury timepieces for travel, especially for use with formal attire. It is true that in many places in the world having a nice timepiece is a prerequisite to having a serious business conversation. If you are in one of those situations, you might not want to necessarily go down this route. If, however, you are concerned about losing or damaging your watch during travel or simply don’t want to worry about having something too expensive, then pick up something decent and discount made by the Japanese.

As there is a whole world of nicely-priced Seiko and Citizen sport watches for travel, I figured that I would take the other side of the coin and remind you about well-priced dress watches. Depending on your travel plans, you don’t always want to wear your Seiko Orange Monster. When in a formal meeting or dinner, you might want to choose something a bit dressier, but equally good at delivering value. In that case, allow me to suggest the also Japanese Orient Bambino – or other Orient dress watches. aBlogtoWatch mentioned the great value pricing of the Orient Bambino collection in the past , and we extend that recommendation as being also good for a travel watch when the owner wants to take something they don’t need to worry that much about. Have no worries either, these watches tend to be nice enough that unless you have a lot of specific knowledge of timepieces, no one will know you spent just $100 – $200 on an automatic dress watch like the Orient Bambino.

All-Purpose Digital Sports Watch: Casio G-Shock

Above, we mentioned the Seiko Astron Chronograph as a solid choice for a GPS-controlled quartz watch when looking to travel with something less traditional on your wrist. Nevertheless, as quartz watches go, the Astron collection is still on the pricier side. Something a lot more durable, and easy to choose for most budgets is something in the Casio G-Shock family . For the most part, these are strictly watches for casual and leisure activities, and I don’t recommend wearing a G-Shock if doing anything that requires dinner and long sleeves. This is going to be the most casual choice, but you will be rewarded with a virtually indestructible watch that will happily put up with a lot of abuse and will not heavily penalize your bank account if it gets lost or damaged.

Casio G-Shocks find themselves on the wrists of countless soldiers and outdoor adventurers around the world for good reason. They put up with almost anything and have an impressive set of functions such as a world timer, alarms, chronograph, and most that travelers use all the time. Also, because they aren’t particularly expensive, G-Shock watches rarely attract negative attention and are nevertheless fun.

“Cleans Up Well” Chronograph GMT Sport Watch: Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT

Without trying to be redundant, here is yet another flavor of high-function sport watch that lends itself well to picky travelers. The key here is a watch with a versatile personality that combines a chronograph complication along with a GMT hand for a second timezone. This is especially good for mechanical watch lovers who want a timepiece for travel with features that they will use on a regular basis.

I’ve personally traveled with a lot of chronograph GMT watches as my sole timepiece and rarely felt the need for more as long as that watch worked well on the plane, in the meetings, walking on foot around town, and at dinner. A timepiece that comes to mind which exemplifies this category well is the Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT (review here) . At 44mm wide (with a series of dials and straps available), the Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT even has companion watches without the GMT hand as well as additional case sizes. That doesn’t even begin to mention the universe of other good chronograph GMT watches out there that could equally satisfy as a traveler’s timepiece.

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Home » Gear » best travel watch

17 Best Travel Watches for your Travel Style in 2024

If there is ever a time to have a trustworthy watch, it’s when traveling. A great travel watch can save your ass time and time again. Journeys of all kinds rely on being in the right place at the right time – to catch a flight, meet up with a guide, claim that restaurant reservation, or check in to a hotel.

Though other bits of gear, like smartphones, have usurped the role of the watch for many in everyday life, with changes in time zone and attempts to get away from the constant demands of working life, there’s still no single item more useful to the modern traveler than a good watch.

Besides, in certain places, you want to reduce how often you’re pulling out your phone. A travel watch can keep your smartphone from getting snatched in busy urban areas, where it’s all too common.

Here we bring you what we believe are the very best travel watches to keep you on schedule!

Quick Answer: The Best Travel Watches

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• Best men’s travel watch – Casio G-Shock Gravity Master
• Best women’s travel watch – Timex Women’s Ironman Transit
• Most attractive travel watch – Nordgreen Influencer
• Best watch under $500 – Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
• Best watch under $100 – SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q
• Best analogue travel watch – Tissot Seastar 1000
• Best digital travel watch – DIDITIME Sports and Military Watch
• Best travel watch for hikers – Samsung Galaxy Watch
• Best smart watch for staying fit while traveling – Fitbit Charge 4
• Best travel watch with GPS – Garmin Fenix Chronos

Casio G-Shock Gravity Master

• > Protective body
• > Water resistant to 200 m

Timex Women’s Ironman Transit

• Price > $55
• > Durable on the go
• > Follows two time zones

Nordgreen Pioneer

• Price > $289
• > Quality Build
• > Interchangeable Straps

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

• Price > $449.99
• > GPS tracking and route finding
• > Web connectivity

SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q

• Price > $56.43
• > Large digital display
• > Metal wristband

Tissot Seastar 1000

• Price > $493.85
• > Luminous hands
• > Large face

DIDITIME Sports and Military Watch

• Price > $45.99
• > Fabric strap

Samsung Galaxy Watch

• Price > $249.99
• > In-built GPS
• > 4-day battery life

Fitbit Charge 4

• Price > $149.95
• > Measures heart rate without chest strap
• > GPS connectivity

Garmin Fenix Chronos

• Price > $499.95
• > TracBack GPS feature
• > Activity monitor

• Price > $36.98
• > Great look
• > Water resistant

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The Casio G-Shock Gravity Master is a serious travel watch for serious travelers. What makes it so great? First off, the microchips and inner workings of the G-Shock Gravity Master are encased in a body that protects from sudden shocks such as dropping or knocking, centrifugal forces, and vibration. Then there’s the fact this watch is water resistant down to 200 meters, meaning evening scuba diving is an option with this watch. Finally, techies, in particular, will love the fact that the G-Shock Gravity Master will automatically synchronize to your time zone when you reach a destination – using a combination of GPS and radio waves. How cool is that!

• Protective body
• Water resistant to 200 m
• Automatic synchronization to time zone
• A little bulky for some
• Analogue-digital display
• Imported from US for UK customers
• 52 mm diameter

Is the Casio G-Shock Gravity Master for me?

If you’re a frequent traveler or you simply struggle with working out time zones when you do, the Casio G-Shock Gravity Master is definitely the travel watch for you! Not only does it use GPS technology to ensure it’s always synchronized to the correct time (even taking account of daylight saving time!), its hard protective body and impressive level of water resistance mean you’ll never find yourself without a functioning watch when away.

The Women’s Ironman Transit by Timex offers a great blend of functionality and style. The relatively large digital display makes it super easy to check the time while moving, whether you’re on a busy underground train or scaling a mountain on a rope harness. The resin case means it will resist knocks, while the strap is durable and easily cleaned. The clock itself has the option of two different time zones, so you can keep a clear idea of the time at home, and a customizable alarm, which is always a useful feature while traveling. What’s more, it’s also water resistant to a depth of 100 meters! What more could you want?

• Durable on the go
• Follows two time zones
• Water resistant
• Resin strap
• Simple buckle closure
• No automatic synchronization of time zones
• Digital display

Is the Timex Women’s Ironman Transit for me?

The answer is undoubtedly yes! Its stylish modern design of smooth lines and molded resin certainly means it looks the part, while the ability to follow two time zones, the customizable alarm, and water resistance down to 100 m also means it acts the part! It may not have some of the bells and whistles of other travel watches on our list, but we still love it!

Nordgreen Pionee r

Not every travel watch has to feature James Bond level gadgets and gizmos. The Nordgreen Pioneer is an industry leader when it comes to producing quality minimalist watch designs that are fit for your days exploring cities and nights on the town. A big selling point for this watch is that you can easily change out the bands if you are feeling like a different look/color (bands sold separately).

The combination of sleek specs like the domed Sapphire crystal face and Japanese quartz make for a watch that you will be using for many years to come. In addition to being a sexy travel watch – the Nordgreen Pioneer also is a great everyday watch. 

• Minimalist design
• Comes with Steel Case
• Water-Resistant
• Scandinavian Made
• Extra Watch band colors not included
• No smart technology
• No alarm feature

Is the Nordgreen Pioneer for me?

If you are looking for a no-frills watch that looks much more high-end then the price reflects, this is the watch for you. As mentioned, the Pioneer is not just a travel watch – and it is classy enough for use in a professional setting as well as when you are not on holiday. 

Just scrapping under the $500/£390 mark at its full recommended retail price, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar gives the widest array of features for a travel watch under $500. Coming from a trusted brand like Garmin, you know what you are getting here! What we also love the most is that being solar powered it will basically stay charged indefinitely if you spend a few hours a day outside, pretty rad! It’s also got stealth mode to disable wireless communication if you’re going to be doing some rogue ops or just don’t want your crazy girlfriend to know your whereabouts!!

Other cool features include built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter plus multiple global navigation satellite systems meaning you can track your adventures over varied and challenging terrain. You’ll never be lost again!

If that wasn’t enough, this watch also boasts several built-in sports tracking modes like running, biking, swimming and strength training as well as tracking for things like heart rate, VO2 max and sleep!

• Tested to military standards
• GPS tracking and route finding
• Real-time weather information
• Web connectivity
• Requires USB charging
• Nylon strap
• Not touchscreen

Is the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar for me?

You don’t have to be a hardened adventure to see the benefits of the Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor Watch by Suunto. If you’ve ever got hopelessly lost in a foreign city you’ll really appreciate the real-time GPS tracking and route finding functions, while its web connectivity will ensure you can stay in contact with friends and family while away too!

Want to compare this watch to other awesome outdoor models? Check out our EPIC review of the best outdoor watches .

We think the SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q is simply a bargain for what it offers! Deep within the inner workings, you’ll find (if you were ever to look), a movement by Japanese watchmakers Citizen, and a battery meant to last three years. On the outside, you have a large, easy to read, digital display with a classy metal band. The watch is also waterproof so you’ll have no issues taking anywhere you end up on your travels.

• Great price
• Trustworthy internal workings
• Large digital display
• Metal wristband
• Only water resistant to 50 m
• Not great for slim wrists
• No second time zone function

Is the SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q for me?

You don’t have to be counting the pennies to think that the SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q is a great buy for what it offers. For an incredible price, you get a trustworthy brand, and an easy-to-read digital display alongside waterproofing and a nice look. Brilliant!

Although aimed at the diving market, the Swiss-engineered Tissot Seastar 1000 is just as functional as a general analogue travel watch. The large face makes it easy to read the luminous dials even in the low light of an aircraft cabin or a candle-lit restaurant, while maintaining enough style to ensure you won’t feel embarrassed at wearing it even at more formal occasions. The tough body will keep it safe from knocks, while the resin strap is comfortable and easy to keep clean. As you might expect, the Seastar 1000 also has an impressive degree of water resistance too – safe down to 300 m!

• Luminous hands
• Water resistant to 300 m
• Lacks GPS features
• Not as tough as the Casio G-Shock Gravity Master

Is the Tissot Seastar 1000 for me?

Having been making watches for more than one and a half centuries, Tissot is clearly doing something right! Their Seastar 1000 is no exception, with this analogue travel watch bringing a touch of class to the proceedings. But more than just having a pretty face (very literally) its also functional thanks to luminous hands and water resistance to 300 m.

From the best analogue travel watch to the best digital watch of our reckoning with this number from DIDITIME. It can be argued whether the best digital watch should be as simple as possible or as feature heavy as possible – we’ve sided with simple. But simplicity doesn’t mean you’re laying aside reliability – the DIDITIME is based around a Japanese-made movement and battery for precision timing. The time/date display, auto calendar, alarm, and backlight are matched nicely by the black fabric strap, and protected by the carbon fibre case.

• Japanese movement
• Fabric strap
• Lacks features of other digital watches we’ve covered
• Not suitable for submersion
• No analogue dial
• Some customers mention build issues

Is the DIDITIME Sports and Military Watch for me?

If you’re after a digital watch that can tell you exactly where you are at any given time and what the weather is likely to be in the next couple of hours, we’d recommend the Garmin Solar 2 Watch, however if you’re looking for a simple digital display with which to tell the time, this DIDITIME watch will be perfect for you!

It’s a fact of life that tech has encroached into the world of hiking as much as other sports and activities, and while a paper map and physical compass is always a good idea, a lot of the hard work of route finding can be made simple with a watch such as this Samsung Galaxy offering. As well as keeping you connected with calls and messages straight to your wrist to keep you hands-free, the Samsung Galaxy also automatically (yes, automatically) detects movement and activity and monitors it for you. This watch also has in-built GPS, so you can follow pre-planned routes or find a short cut home on the move effortlessly!

• Lets you stay connected hands-free
• Automatically detects and monitors activity
• In-built GPS
• 4-day battery life
• Requires regular charging
• Water-resistant to only 50 m
• Weighs 300 g

Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch for me?

If you’re an Apple fan, look away now…While a smart watch may not be the obvious choice for hikers, the Samsung Galaxy watch does in fact make a fine travel watch for hikers. Why? Because you can stay connected, have your activity monitored without even having to touch a screen, and have the safety and security of GPS route finding as well!

Market leaders are market leaders for a reason, and the Charge 4 by Fitbit remains to our mind the best smart watch for staying fit while traveling. The smooth lines of the Charge 4 monitor your heart rate from your wrist – meaning no unwieldy chest strap for starters. Its all-day activity tracking measures distance, steps, and calories among other metrics, and can remind you to move if you’ve remained still for longer periods. Finally, with its GPS connectivity, you can see real-time stats in addition to your current location and route!

• Stylish look
• Measures heart rate without chest strap
• All-day metric measurement
• GPS connectivity
• Requires regular charging (every 4+ days)
• Additional accessories cost extra
• Touch screen scratches quite easily
• Two-year warranty

Is the Fitbit Charge 4 for me?

Staying fit while traveling used to be difficult to monitor, what with the change in routine (and the added calories that undoubtedly come with many types of travel!). Then the Fitbit Charge 4 came along, with the possibility to record metrics from heart rate to steps taken without issue, alongside the brilliant functionality of GPS connectivity.

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You’ve got to love GPS, don’t you? Endlessly useful in your home town and abroad, its certainly saved us from all manner of potential pitfalls! The Garmin Fenix Chronos is a masterly GPS-enabled travel watch, with a tracking log for pinpoint accuracy and its ‘TracBack’ feature that helps users head back the same way you’ve come. But as well as GPS functionality the Fenix Chronos has ABC (or altitude, barometer, and compass) functions, and will record and monitor your activity levels, whatever sport or activity you’re undertaking. All this, smart phone connectivity, and a battery life of up to eight days make this the best travel watch with GPS for us!

• TracBack GPS feature
• Altitude, Barometer, and compass readings
• Activity monitor
• 8 day battery life
• Leather strap
• Water resistance to just 100 m
• Has a traditional look some users may not like

Is the Garmin Fenix Chronos for me?

If you’re regularly traveling, looking for the very best of travel watches with GPS, we think you’ve probably found it with the Garmin Fenix Chronos! The ‘TracBack’ feature will be really useful for many, while more seasoned adventures will love the ABC functionality too!

The FIZILI’s combination of ageless elegance and simple minimalist design makes their watch a hands-down winner. Their travel watch, just like the Nomatic travel bag , is extremely versatile; it can be used whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure, and when roughing it or in the highest-end resorts – without looking out of place.

There are a whole number of different colourways to choose from too, whether you want the uber cool black-on-black look or you want to throw in some red highlights or a blue face, there’s even gold, silver and blue wristbands available too.

Is the FIZILI for me?

If you’re after a pared-back but classy travel watch which you know you can rely on while on the move the FIZILI is the perfect choice for you. With a style that looks great in any situation, the quality steel mesh strap and the variety of different styles means there’s something to suit everyone and at this price you could buy them all!

Shinola Runwell

Detroit’s Shinola has a growing legion of fans on both sides of the Atlantic, and travelers old and new will be sure to fall for the Runwell too. This analogue watch has a traditional look, complete with a real leather strap, while ensuring a large face to ensure the clock face is easy to read whatever the light levels. The sapphire crystal window is scratch resistant, which is obviously ideal when traveling, and the watch is also water resistant down to 50 m – more than deep enough for a swim in the hotel pool!

• Beautifully styled traditional look
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal window
• Water resistance to 50 m
• Imported from the US for UK customers
• Luminous hands but no backlight
• Not for budget travelers
• No GPS functionality

Is the Shinola Runwell for me?

The style-conscious traveler will be very happy to be seen wearing the Shinola Runwell, as a result of its phenomenal looks and literally crystal-clear analogue display. But this watch isn’t just style over substance, with durability built in with the leather strap, scratch resistance, and water resistance. When looking for a traditional and trustworthy watch, the Shinola Runwell is a great option!

Seiko SEIKO SRPE99 Prospex

The SEIKO SRPE99 Prospex watch comes with a stainless steel bracelet style strap that slips over the hand to close. The 21 jewels used in its analogue movement ensure accuracy, and although this is an automatic movement – rather than a battery-powered one – it has a power reserve of 40 hours, meaning you can forget to wear it for an entire day without having to manual wind the watch on to restart it. The face incorporates a very useful day and date window, that will surely stay clear as a result of the scratch resistant Hardlex crystal glass. The fact it’s a diver’s watch also means it boasts water resistance to a depth of 200 m.

• 21 jewel movement
• 40-hour power reserve
• Scratch resistant Hardlex crystal glass
• Automatic movement
• Metal bracelet style strap
• Intended as a men’s watch

Is the Seiko Divers Automatic for me?

If you’re an experienced diver you’ll be probably looking for a more sophisticated divers watch than that offered by the Seiko Divers Automatic. However, for mere mortals, this watch reaches the right balance between everyday practicality and specialization. Accurate and tough, we can’t see the Seiko Divers Automatic letting you down!

Timex Expedition Scout

The Timex Expedition Scout offers an analogue face with both twelve- and twenty-four-hour time settings, and accuracy you know you can trust. This rugged outdoor watch is protected by a durable body that is guaranteed to be water resistant down to a depth of 50 m and has the added feature of an ‘Indiglo’ light-up watch face. There’s also a quick date window on the face so you’ll never lose track of the time or date, while the classic yet contemporary look will have to check the time far more than is actually necessary!

• 12 and 24-hour dial settings
• Water resistant to 50 m
• Indiglo light-up dial
• Analogue watch
• Lacks different time zone settings
• Date but no day window on face

Is the Timex Expedition Scout for me?

Forget those tempting added features of other watches in our review, the Expedition Scout is a good ‘solid’ watch that will see you through while always looking fresh and up to the minute thanks to its classic looks.

Suunto Core

The brother of the Suunto Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor, you might consider the Core the more basic (and also cheaper) of the two watches, but that’s not to say the Core is not a fantastic travel watch in and of itself. Though it obviously doesn’t match all the Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor’s incredible functions – such as being military grade – this unisex watch still has a lot of flash features of its own! Its barometric altitude measurements, depth gauge, and weather warnings make it an ideal companion in the Alps if you’re hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing, where its tough enough to do the job thanks to a metal casing. Comprising aluminium, it keeps the watch light, while it has a battery life of up to a year, meaning you have little worry over when it’s going to need its next charge!

• Dedicated mountain watch
• Cheaper than the Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor
• Detailed altitude and depth measurements
• Lightweight
• Water resistant to just 30 m
• No GPS tracking
• Too large for some wrists
• No different time zone settings

Is the Suunto Core for me?

Avid skiers and mountaineers are the target market for the Suunto Core, and they are undoubtedly the group of people likely to get the most benefit from wearing the Core thanks to its barometric data, altitude graphics and depth gauge. The rest of us will just have to make do with having a pretty cool watch on our wrists!

North Edge Dive and Sports Watch

North Edge brings us this travel watch which is water resistant to a depth of 100 m, meaning you can check out its analogue-digital face pretty much anywhere you choose – from a city centre café to a shipwreck on a coral reef! The large backlit dial makes it easy to read the time too, while the mineral glass mirror surface is resistant to scratches and the body protective against knocks and bumps. This clever little watch is also capable of monitoring steps with its pedometer, and calculating calories burnt, as well as offering users the ABC of altimeter, barometer, and compass too!

• Trusted brand
• Analogue-digital face
• Water resistant to 100 m
• ABC functions
• Intended for men only
• No GPS tracking or route finding
• Stainless steel strap
• Not the longest battery life when heavily used

Is the North Face Dive and Sports Watch for me?

This dive and sports watch by North Edge should definitely find its way onto your shortlist for best travel watch, combining traditional analogue looks with the benefits of digital technology. It has great features for anyone who likes to get outdoors, from mountains to seabed, making it a good all-round travel watch!

Lad Weather Sensor Master III

Look at the full list of what the Lad Weather Sensor Master III can track and you’ll feel like you’ve got NASA monitoring your every move, calories, highest peaks, lap speed, total distance…. We could fill up this entire space just listing them! So this watch by Lad Weather certainly meets the need of anyone who likes (or needs) to record data while travelling. What also makes it a great travel watch is the fact it is preset with 59 city time zones, can provide a weather forecast for your location, has two daily alarms, AND is water resistant to 100 m – far deeper then you’ll ever head unless scuba diving!

• Fantastic data collection
• Preset city time zones
• Weather forecasting
• Overly complicated for some travellers
• Large dial face
• Thermometer function can be affected by body heat
• Plastic dial window

Is the Lad Weather Sensor Master III for me?

Greatly improved over the Sensor Master I, the Sensor Master III is a phenomenal travel watch by Lad Weather. Having clearly absorbed customer feedback from the previous models, this travel watch is both well protected against physical damage and packed full of very useful monitoring and forecasting data!

Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark

And finally… we bring you the Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark, and unbeatable travel watch when it comes to durability! Comprising an incredibly light carbon compound case, this analogue watch has been tested to 20 atmospheres of pressure, has a window made from tempered mineral glass, and has the added protected of a double-gasket security crown. The large numbers on the face make it easy to read in all light levels, although the in-built Luminox light technology will provide constant night lighting for up to 25 years! The Swiss-made movement comes with a two-year guarantee against faults, providing added peace of mind!

• Very light on the wrist
• Added Luminox light technology
• Swiss-made movement for precision
• Analogue rather than digital
• Large bezel numbers can confuse with time

Is the Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark for me?

If it’s good enough for the Navy SEALs its good enough for us, right? As you would expect from a watch made for military personnel this Luminox is as tough as old boots and you’d have to really go out of your way to damage it – great news for all travellers! It also has a Swiss-made movement for accuracy, and innovative lighting technology for checking the time in the dark.

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What is the most stylish travel watch?

Our favorite is the Nordgreen Pioneer . With the changeable straps and the sleek design you can combine it with every outfit. It’s also relatively affordable.

What is the most practical travel watch?

The Suunto Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor Watch is a military tested travel watch that stands out with amazing features. You can connect it to the internet, track your location precisely and get real-time weather information.

Smart watch, digital or analogue?

What kind of watch you should purchase really depends on what your travels will look like. If you can afford it, a smart watch will always offer the most features, while a digital or analogue watch is way more reliable.

What does a a travel watch need?

A travel watch needs to be reliable, durable and ideally, track your location. Especially for backpackers and hikers, a GPS tracker to look back at miles and location comes in very handy sometimes.

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There we have it – the very best of the best when it comes to travel watches. Whether you prefer a simpler analogue watch, want a digital watch with GPS tracking and route-finding, or are happy with a travel watch that looks stylish whatever the backdrop, we’re sure you’ll find your next travel timepiece among these fantastic watches!

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Check out Vaer watches. Swiss ETA movement, American assembly. 100M water resistant with a screw down crown. To me, it’s a much better value than the Nomad.

Hi Joel, Indeed we will check out Vaer watches, thanks for the heads up.

The Nomatic battery does not last 45 years! No watch battery does. It’s rated for 45 months.

Thanks for the correction Dwight! Indeed, no battery will last 45 years :).

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The Ultimate Guide to Watches and Travel

From GMT and world time watches to tips and tricks for safety and enjoyment, here’s all you need to know about traveling with watches.

By Zen Love

There are plenty of good reasons to consider the watch you take traveling: the right timepiece offers a sense of preparedness in a relatively unfamiliar environment; it can become part of lasting memories; and, of course, you want to catch planes, make meetings on time and beat jet lag.

Since travel forces you to select only the few items you’ll be spending time with, you want to choose carefully. The right travel watch might be a dedicated tool with features specifically meant for tracking different time zones, one that’s rugged and ready for adventure, or just one that you love and want as a travel companion. In the coverage below, we’ve got all you need to know about the watches that are best for day trips or globetrotting, as well as the tips, tricks, gear and solutions that’ll enhance your excursions.

Travel is largely curtailed for many people around the world at the moment, of course, but we’re optimistically looking forward to the chance to get away again. The following articles and the cool watches featured will get you ready and inspired to get back out there as soon as it’s safe and responsible to do so.

These Are Our Favorite Adventure Watches of 2020

From rugged dive watches to world timers, these are some of the timepieces we want to take adventuring in 2021.

How to Pack and Travel with Your Watches

Let the watches you travel with enhance your memory-making and selfie-taking adventures.

The Best Cases, Rolls and Pouches for Traveling With Your Watches

Keep your beloved timepieces safe and orderly.

One Simple Feature Makes These 3 Watches Perfect for Traveling

A 12-hour rotating bezel is a handy way to track another time zone without the added cost of a GMT complication.

The 11 Best Mechanical Watches to Wear When Traveling

Whether you’re driving coast to coast or flying from JFK to Narita, here are the watches that will keep you on time.

These Are Seven of the Most Affordable GMT Watches

GMT watches needn’t be bank-breaking. From big Swiss companies and upstart microbrands, here are 7 affordable GMTs.

Travel in Style with These Seven Incredible World Time Watches

World time watches allow you to see the current time in any place in the world with just a quick glance at your wrist.

What Makes Rolex’s GMT-Master The Best Travel Watch Ever?

This two-timer from the jet age is technically and aesthetically the mother of all GMT watches.

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