Canadian Travel to U.S. Plunges as Safety Concerns and Tensions Mount

New data from Statistics Canada reveals a significant and ongoing decline in travel between Canada and the United States, with Canadians making far fewer trips south of the border in early 2025 compared to the same period last year.

In March alone, Canadians returning from international trips dropped nearly 15 per cent year-over-year, with the most dramatic decline seen in car travel to the U.S. That category plummeted by 31.4 per cent, down to 1.7 million land border crossings. Air travel to the U.S. also dipped, showing a steadier decline of around 8 per cent each month in the first quarter of 2025.

Overall, return trips from the U.S. to Canada in March totaled 2.7 million, a 24 per cent drop from March 2024, according to StatCan. Meanwhile, travel from overseas to Canada has modestly increased, with March showing an 8 per cent gain over the previous year.

A recent poll by Leger, commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies, suggests the sharp decline in cross-border traffic may be tied to growing unease among Canadians. The survey found that a majority of Canadians “no longer feel welcome and/or safe” travelling to the United States, with many attributing the sentiment to recent political rhetoric and strained diplomatic exchanges, particularly under U.S. President Donald Trump.

The downward trend isn’t limited to Canadians. American visits to Canada have also declined, falling 6.6 per cent from March 2024. Most of that drop came from fewer car trips, down 8.7 per cent, partially offset by a small 2.2 per cent rise in air travel. Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia saw the steepest declines in U.S. visitors.

At the same time, Canadian domestic travel is surging. Airbnb reports that bookings within Canada have reached record highs, with nearly nine million domestic guest arrivals,  a 40 per cent increase compared to 2019. While Canadians are still looking abroad for travel, popular international destinations this year include Europe, Asia, North Africa, and Latin America, notably excluding the United States.

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Even after accounting for seasonal adjustments like holidays and weekends, Canadian return trips declined 7.1 per cent overall in March, with automobile trips to the U.S. down 11.7 per cent. The contrast in travel patterns underscores a growing shift in sentiment as political and safety concerns continue to weigh heavily on cross-border tourism.