Canadian Travelers Flock to Exciting Domestic Destinations in September as US Visits Plunge and International Routes Surge

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September 2025 highlighted a dramatic shift in Canadian travel trends, with travelers increasingly favoring domestic destinations while trips to the United States continued to decline. Statistics Canada reports that airports across the country welcomed 2.5 million domestic passengers, marking a notable 10.2% increase compared to September 2024. Toronto Pearson International Airport led the surge, recording a 15.2% rise in domestic traveler volumes, underscoring Canadians’ growing preference to explore their own country.

Meanwhile, travel to the US fell sharply, reflecting an ongoing reluctance to cross the border. Rising travel costs, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions, combined with US policy rhetoric, have all contributed to this decline. At the same time, international travel beyond the US is on the rise. Routes to Europe and Asia are seeing increasing demand as Canadians seek new experiences, cultural immersion, and adventure abroad.

This shift illustrates a broader transformation in Canadian travel habits, with domestic escapes and high-demand international routes outperforming traditional US-bound journeys, driven by a combination of economic, political, and lifestyle factors.

Meanwhile, travel to the US took a sharp downturn. The number of passengers flying from Canada to the US dropped by 10.5% in September, with only 1.2 million travellers heading south. This marks the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year declines in transborder air travel and reflects a 5.4% drop from pre-pandemic numbers in September 2019. The decline in US-bound air traffic is compounded by a significant reduction in automobile crossings, which fell by 34.8% in September.

Economic uncertainty, rising travel costs, and ongoing geopolitical tensions appear to be major factors contributing to Canadians’ reluctance to travel to the US. As a result, various US states, including California, Florida, Texas, Ohio, and New York, have reported declining tourism figures for nine straight months, including the month of October. This trend has been linked to shifts in travel patterns, economic pressures, and affordability concerns affecting both domestic and international visitors.

In response to these challenges, California’s tourism sector has adapted by focusing on domestic travellers. The state has been promoting lesser-known destinations and offering value-driven travel packages in an attempt to counter affordability concerns and revitalize its tourism industry. This move indicates a broader effort to target local visitors in light of the ongoing drop in international tourism.

Canadians’ hesitation to travel south is not solely driven by economic factors. Political elements, including trade tensions and US policy rhetoric, have played a role in this shift as well. As a result, some Canadian regions, such as Prince Edward Island and Quebec, have reduced US trips by more than 50%. Ontario, however, has seen a more modest decline, with a decrease of just under 30%. These figures reflect the growing trend of Canadians seeking alternative travel options that offer better value or align with their political preferences.

International Travel Preferences on the Rise

While Canadians are cutting back on trips to the US, they are increasingly looking overseas for vacation options. Non-US international travel rose by 6.9% in September 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 13.2%. European and Asian routes have gained particular popularity, with destinations in these regions attracting more Canadian travellers. This shift in international travel preferences suggests that Canadians are expanding their horizons, seeking new destinations beyond their southern neighbour.

Among the key demographics driving this surge in international travel are Generation X travellers, who are showing a strong preference for overseas journeys. This group, often in their 40s and 50s, has been a key contributor to the rising demand for international flights, particularly to European and Asian destinations. Routes connecting Western Canada to international hubs are performing especially well, reflecting the growing global outlook of Canadian travellers.

As we move forward into 2025, these trends suggest that Canadians will continue to prioritize domestic travel and explore new international destinations rather than frequenting the US. Whether driven by economic considerations, political factors, or a desire for more diverse travel experiences, it is clear that Canadian travel habits are undergoing a significant transformation.