Traveling abroad is an essential part of being the President of the United States. From building diplomatic ties to attending global summits, U.S. presidents have taken to the skies in Air Force One for decades to represent the nation around the world.
While some took a modest number of trips, others became globe-trotters, reshaping foreign policy and strengthening international relationships in the process.
Based on data from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Historian and Pew Research Center, here are the 11 U.S. presidents who made the most foreign trips during their time in office.
1. George W. Bush
Countries Visited: 73 Trips Taken: Numerous over 8 years
George W. Bush tops the list as the most well-traveled American president, visiting 73 countries during his two terms from 2001 to 2009.
His first international destination as president was Mexico, but over the years, he made visits to every continent except Antarctica.
He notably completed the third round-the-world flight by a sitting president, covering Russia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia in one journey.
Most Notable Trip:
In 2008, Bush visited three of the world’s poorest countries Liberia, Rwanda, and Benin during a significant tour of sub-Saharan Africa.
These visits underscored his administration’s efforts in combating HIV/AIDS and promoting economic development.
2. Bill Clinton
Countries Visited: 72 Trips Taken: 54
Closely behind Bush, President Bill Clinton visited 72 countries over 54 trips during his presidency from 1993 to 2001.
He focused heavily on Europe and the Middle East, playing an active role in peace negotiations in both regions.
Most Notable Trip:
In October 1994, Clinton attended the historic signing of the Israel-Jordan peace treaty in Jordan, cementing a significant milestone in Middle East diplomacy.
3. Barack Obama
Countries Visited: 58 Trips Taken: 52
Barack Obama holds the record for the most-traveled president during their first year in office. In 2009 alone, he made 10 international trips, visited 21 countries, and spent 37 days abroad. By the end of his two terms, Obama had visited 58 countries across 52 trips.
Most Notable Trip:
In March 2016, Obama visited Cuba, becoming the first U.S. president to set foot on the island since Calvin Coolidge in 1928.
The visit was symbolic of a new era of U.S.-Cuba relations, ending over 50 years of hostility.
4. George H. W. Bush
Countries Visited: 58 Trips Taken: 26
Although he served only one term, George H. W. Bush made a remarkable impact with 26 trips to 58 countries. His travels set a precedent for modern presidential diplomacy.
Most Notable Trip:
In 1991, Bush visited Moscow and Kyiv during the collapse of the Soviet Union. He signed the first Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), a landmark moment in nuclear disarmament.
5. Richard Nixon
Countries Visited: 31 Trips Taken: 15
Despite leaving office in disgrace in 1974, Nixon’s foreign policy legacy is significant. Over 15 international trips, he visited 31 countries, opening doors to nations previously untouched by U.S. diplomacy.
Most Notable Trip:
His 1972 visit to China was a major diplomatic breakthrough. It marked the beginning of normalized relations between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China and was a masterstroke of Cold War strategy.
6. Ronald Reagan
Countries Visited: 26 Trips Taken: 25
Ronald Reagan traveled to 26 countries in 25 trips during his presidency from 1981 to 1989. He also modernized Air Force One, commissioning aircraft that remain iconic today.
Most Notable Trip:
Reagan’s 1987 speech at the Berlin Wall where he urged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall” remains one of the most memorable moments of the Cold War.
7. Jimmy Carter
Countries Visited: 25 Trips Taken: 12
Jimmy Carter’s four-year term saw him travel to 25 countries in 12 trips. While modest in number, Carter’s trips were heavy with purpose, particularly his involvement in Middle East peace negotiations.
Most Notable Trip:
In 1978, Carter became the first sitting U.S. president to visit sub-Saharan Africa on a state visit, meeting with Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo.
8. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Countries Visited: 26 Trips Taken: 16
President Eisenhower was a pioneer of presidential air travel. He used the first aircraft to carry the call sign “Air Force One” and introduced the idea of global goodwill tours.
Most Notable Trip:
In 1959, Eisenhower embarked on a “Flight to Peace” tour, covering 11 countries in 19 days and traveling over 22,000 miles. It was a bold effort to promote peace during the Cold War.
9. Donald Trump
Countries Visited: 24 Trips Taken: 19
During his single term, Donald Trump made 19 trips to 24 countries. His foreign visits were often dramatic and unconventional, breaking historical norms.
Most Notable Trip:
In 2018, Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to meet with a North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, during the Singapore Summit. The following year, he became the first president to enter North Korea.
10. Joe Biden
Countries Visited: 19 (as of first 2 years) Trips Taken: 17
Joe Biden’s early presidency focused on rebuilding alliances after years of political division. In his first two years, he visited 19 countries across 17 trips, with more expected throughout his term.
Most Notable Trip:
Although not a diplomatic mission, his visit to the United Kingdom to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral symbolized the strong historical ties between the two nations.
11. John F. Kennedy (Honorable Mention)
Countries Visited: Limited Trips Taken: Few
Although not on the top 10 list numerically, President Kennedy deserves an honorable mention.
His presidency emphasized diplomacy and international alliances, particularly during the Cold War. His limited travel due to his shortened term doesn’t reflect his broader international influence.
Alicia Richards