Canadian trips to the U.S. rise in October for a seventh straight month

TORONTO — Data released by Statistics Canada show that the number of trips Canadians took to the United States rose in October 2026, the seventh consecutive monthly increase following a sharp drop last year.

According to the agency, Canadians made 1.9 million trips to the United States by car and by plane, up 3% from the same month in 2025. Trips by car rose 2.2%, while trips by air rose 5.6%.

Numbers still below 2024 levels

Despite the increase, the figures remain well below their levels of two years ago. Car trips to the United States are 29% lower than in 2024, and air trips are 19% lower.

Return trips by Canadians from the United States in 2025 were down 25.4% from 2024. The decline reached its lowest point in July 2025, when the number of border crossers was about one-third lower than in July 2024.

According to the agency, since 1972, the year digital record-keeping of border-crossing data began, a year-over-year decline of more than 30% has been recorded only once before, in September 2001, after the September 11 attacks in New York City.

Travel abroad and American visitors

As for other destinations, Canadians made one million return trips by air from outside North America in October 2026, up 0.5% from October 2025. Monday, October 12, the Thanksgiving holiday, was the busiest day, with 172,900 return trips from abroad by residents of Canada.

In contrast, 1.5 million Americans visited Canada in October, up 8.1% from the same month in 2025. Of these, 1.1 million came by car, up 8.7%, and 414,400 came by air, up 6.5%.

The highest daily number of American visitors entering Canada was recorded on Friday, October 9, at 102,100 visitors. That was the day before the long Columbus Day weekend in the United States.

What does this mean for the Arab community in Canada?

• The figures point to heavier traffic at borders and airports during statutory holidays and long weekends, so it is advisable to plan travel ahead for those periods.
• Anyone planning to travel to the United States or elsewhere should confirm that their travel documents are valid and check entry requirements before departing.