Canadian travel to the United States is showing signs of recovery, but the latest figures indicate that many Canadians have not returned to their previous cross-border habits.
Preliminary Statistics Canada data show that Canadian residents made 1.9 million return trips from the United States by air and automobile in September 2026, up 6.8 per cent from September 2025.
That was the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year growth.
However, the September total remained well below the same month in 2024.
Automobile return trips were 31.1 per cent lower than in September 2024, while air return trips were 18.7 per cent lower.
Table of Contents
Canadian travel to the United States is recovering slowly
The figures suggest that the sharp decline seen during 2025 has eased, but the United States has not yet regained its former position in Canadians’ travel plans.
Statistics Canada reported that Canadian-resident return crossings from the United States fell 25.4 per cent in 2025 compared with 2024.
The decline was particularly significant for leisure travel, with Canadians shifting some trips toward domestic destinations and overseas countries.
In 2025, Canadians took 23.1 million trips that included a visit to the United States, down 23.5 per cent from 2024.
Spending on those trips fell 15.1 per cent to $18.8 billion.
By comparison, visits to overseas destinations rose 10.2 per cent to 14.3 million, while spending on overseas travel increased 17.5 per cent to $31.3 billion.
More Canadians chose overseas and domestic destinations
The change has been most visible among travellers taking holidays, leisure trips and recreational vacations.
Statistics Canada said leisure-related visits to the United States fell 21.5 per cent in 2025, while leisure-related visits to overseas destinations increased 12.2 per cent.
Travel to Europe rose 13.6 per cent, and visits to Asia increased 16.7 per cent.
Domestic tourism also benefited from the shift.
Canadians made 342 million domestic visits in 2025, up 1.5 per cent from 2024 and 2.5 per cent above 2019 levels.
Domestic tourism spending reached $81.3 billion, an 8.7 per cent increase from 2024.
Family-related travel to the United States declined more slowly than leisure travel, suggesting that visits to relatives and other essential trips were less easily replaced.
September figures show a partial rebound
The latest monthly data point to a more stable travel pattern in 2026.
Canadian return trips from overseas by air reached 1.0 million in September, up 3.2 per cent from a year earlier.
Overall Canadian return trips from the United States and overseas destinations totalled 2.9 million, an increase of 5.6 per cent compared with September 2025.
The September increase was partly influenced by the calendar, since Labour Day fell one week later in 2026 than it did in 2025.
That timing shifted some long-weekend travel into September and means the monthly gain should not be treated as a complete measure of changing consumer preferences.
Statistics Canada also cautioned that new integration of NEXUS Highway traveller information affects comparisons beginning with September 2026.
The agency advises users to be careful when comparing the latest figures with earlier years because the underlying data coverage has changed.
U.S. visitors are coming to Canada in greater numbers
The cross-border pattern is moving in the opposite direction for American visitors.
U.S.-resident trips to Canada by air and automobile rose 17.2 per cent year over year in September, reaching 1.8 million.
That marked the eighth consecutive month of annual growth.
U.S. residents made 1.3 million automobile trips to Canada in September, up 19.5 per cent, and 537,400 air trips, up 12.2 per cent.
The stronger flow of American visitors could provide support for Canadian hotels, restaurants, attractions and retailers, particularly in border communities and major tourism destinations.
What happens next for Canadian travel
The September data indicate that Canadian travel to the United States may be settling into a new pattern rather than returning immediately to pre-2025 levels.
Some travellers appear to be resuming familiar U.S. trips, while others continue to favour destinations within Canada or farther overseas.
The distinction matters for tourism businesses because leisure travellers typically spend more on accommodation, food, beverages and transportation than people travelling to visit family or friends.
Statistics Canada estimates that spending on leisure-related visits to the United States fell by $2.2 billion in 2025, while spending on leisure-related overseas visits rose by $3.6 billion.
Complete September counts for travel between Canada and other countries are scheduled for release on November 23, 2026.
Until then, the preliminary figures show a U.S. travel rebound from last year’s lows, but not a full return to the travel habits Canadians had before 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Canadians travelling to the United States more in 2026?
Return trips from the United States increased year over year for six consecutive months through September 2026, but they remained below September 2024 levels.
How much did Canadian travel to the United States fall in 2025?
Canadian trips that included a visit to the United States fell 23.5 per cent in 2025 compared with 2024.
Where are Canadians travelling instead of the United States?
Many Canadians increased domestic travel or chose overseas destinations, particularly in Europe and Asia.
Are Americans travelling to Canada more often?
Yes. Preliminary data show U.S.-resident trips to Canada rose 17.2 per cent year over year in September 2026.
When will complete September 2026 travel data be released?
Statistics Canada has scheduled the complete Travel between Canada and other countries release for November 23, 2026.
Fact-Checked: Key figures and timelines were checked against Statistics Canada’s September 2026 international-arrivals release, National Travel Survey data and its analysis of Canadian travel to the United States.
Disclaimer: September 2026 figures are preliminary and comparisons may be affected by calendar timing and changes to NEXUS Highway data integration.