Best International Places to Travel from Dallas in 2026 (Tropical, Caribbean, and Europe)

DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth International) is your go-to for all international flights. American Airlines operates a massive hub here with nonstop service to 11 European cities, plus Caribbean, Latin America, and Asia routes. If you're flying international, you're almost certainly leaving from DFW. Browse all DFW flight deals.

Dallas Love Field (DAL) is Southwest's domain. It primarily serves domestic routes, with a few international destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean (Cancún, Cabo). If Southwest has a nonstop to your beach destination and you prefer their service, Love Field works. Otherwise, stick with DFW for international. See Love Field deals.

Getting there: DFW is 20–30 minutes from Dallas, 15–20 from Fort Worth. Love Field is 10 minutes from downtown Dallas. Both have rideshare, taxis, and parking. DFW has DART train access via TRE + shuttle to Terminal B (slower but cheap). Love Field has no direct rail.

Visa requirements (U.S. passport holders):

• • Europe (Schengen Area): No visa needed for stays under 90 days. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) will start in late 2026. You'll need to apply online before travel (€20 fee, valid for 3 years or until passport expires). There will be a 6-month transitional period where ETIAS is encouraged but not required, followed by a 6-month grace period for first-time travelers. Plan to apply a few months before your trip once ETIAS launches.
• • UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland): No visa needed for stays under 6 months. No ETIAS required (UK is not in Schengen).
• • Ireland: No visa needed for stays under 90 days. No ETIAS required.
• • Caribbean/Latin America: Most destinations covered here (Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Aruba, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Islands) do not require visas for U.S. passport holders for tourist stays under 30–90 days. Always check current entry requirements before booking.

What you always need:

• • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date (some countries require this, so make it your standard)
• • Return or onward ticket (immigration may ask for proof)
• • Travel insurance is smart but not legally required for most destinations

• Hurricane season (Caribbean/Mexico): June 1–November 30, with peak risk August–October. If booking summer/fall beach trips, get travel insurance with hurricane coverage. The ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) sit outside the hurricane belt and are safer bets year-round.
• European heat waves: July–August in southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece) can hit 95°F+ with little AC in older buildings. If you're heat-sensitive, stick to May–June or September–October. Northern Europe (Amsterdam, London, Dublin) stays milder.
• Rainy seasons:
  • • Costa Rica: May–November is "green season" with afternoon showers. December–April is dry.
  • • Belize: May–October sees regular rain. November–April is drier and better for diving.
  • • Europe: Rain is possible year-round. Pack a light rain jacket. London and Amsterdam are famously rainy.
• Winter cold: November–March in Europe can be cold (30s–40s°F) and gray. If you're expecting sun, stick to southern Spain, Portugal, or the Canary Islands.

• Weekend beach escapes (4–5 days): Cancún, Turks & Caicos, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Cabo—short flights make these ideal for long weekends.
• Week-long trips (7 days): Single European cities (Paris, London, Barcelona, Rome) plus day trips. Beach + adventure combos (Costa Rica, Belize).
• 10+ days: Multi-city Europe (Paris + Amsterdam, Rome + Venice, Spain multi-city). Greek island hopping. Argentina with wine country or Patagonia add-ons.
• General rule: Budget 1 day of travel time for every 7 days of vacation on long-haul flights (Europe, South America, Asia). A 7-day Europe trip gives you 5 full days on the ground after accounting for overnight flights and jet lag.