How Many Americans Traveled Abroad in 2025?

International travel remained strong for U.S. residents throughout 2025.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), U.S. citizen international departures reached 8,546,659 in September 2025, an increase of 0.5% compared with September 2024. That monthly figure was also 112.6% of the September 2019 pre-pandemic level.

Mexico was the largest destination market in September, with 2,916,364 U.S. citizen departures, representing 34.1% of all U.S. citizen international departures that month. Mexico and the Caribbean together accounted for 47.1% of total U.S. citizen international departures on a year-to-date basis through September.

It is important to note that an international departure is not necessarily one unique person. The same traveler can make multiple international trips during a year.

1. Mexico

Mexico remained the biggest international destination for Americans in 2025.

NTTO reported 2.92 million U.S. citizen departures to Mexico in September 2025 alone, making Mexico the largest outbound market for that month.

Mexico's popularity comes from its proximity to the United States, large number of direct flights, beaches, resorts, food, culture and relatively short travel times from many U.S. cities.

Popular destinations include Cancun, Mexico City, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.

For comparison, the official NTTO 2024 annual report recorded 39.9 million U.S. outbound travelers to Mexico, making it the largest outbound market that year.

2. Canada

Canada is another major international destination for Americans because of its geographic proximity and extensive road and air connections.

Popular destinations include Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and the Canadian Rockies.

NTTO's 2024 annual data recorded approximately 14.1 million U.S. outbound travelers to Canada.

Canada is particularly attractive for travelers interested in cities, national parks, winter activities and road trips.

Because entry requirements can vary depending on citizenship, travel document and method of entry, Americans should check current Canadian government requirements before traveling.

3. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom was one of the strongest overseas destinations for U.S. travelers in 2025.

In the NTTO's third-quarter 2025 Survey of International Air Travelers, the United Kingdom ranked first among overseas destinations, with approximately 2.0 million U.S. air departures during Q3 2025.

London remains one of the world's most popular destinations for American travelers, while Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland offer additional tourism opportunities.

The UK's popularity is also supported by frequent direct flights from major U.S. airports.

4. Italy

Italy remained one of the leading European destinations for American travelers.

NTTO reported approximately 1.7 million U.S. air departures to Italy during Q3 2025, placing Italy second among overseas destinations during that quarter.

Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Naples and the Amalfi Coast are among the destinations that attract American visitors.

Italy is particularly popular for history, architecture, food, art and coastal tourism.

Americans planning to visit Italy should also keep up with European entry rules because Italy is part of the European travel area covered by the upcoming ETIAS system.

5. France

France was another major European destination for U.S. travelers in 2025.

During Q3 2025, NTTO recorded approximately 1.4 million U.S. air departures to France. France ranked among the top three overseas destinations in that quarter.

Paris remains the biggest attraction for many American tourists, but France also offers destinations such as Nice, Lyon, Bordeaux, Strasbourg and the French Riviera.

Travelers interested in museums, fashion, food, history and architecture continue to make France a major choice for international vacations.

6. Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic was also an important destination for U.S. travelers.

The country appeared among NTTO's leading overseas destinations in 2025. During Q1 2025, the Dominican Republic recorded approximately 750,000 U.S. air departures, ranking second among overseas destinations for that quarter.

The country's Caribbean beaches, resorts and direct flights from the United States make it especially popular for vacation travel.

Punta Cana is one of the best-known destinations, while Santo Domingo offers a different experience focused on history, culture and city tourism.

7. Japan

Japan continued to attract American travelers in 2025 despite its long distance from the United States.

NTTO recorded approximately 726,000 U.S. air departures to Japan during Q1 2025, placing Japan among the five leading overseas destinations for that quarter.

Japan combines traditional culture with modern cities, technology, food and entertainment.

Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Mount Fuji are popular stops for international visitors.

Japan's growing popularity also reflects increased interest in Asian travel among American tourists.

8. Spain

Spain remained another important European destination for Americans.

During Q3 2025, NTTO recorded approximately 922,000 U.S. air departures to Spain, putting Spain among the five leading overseas destinations for that quarter.

Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and the Spanish islands attract visitors interested in beaches, food, architecture, nightlife and history.

Spain is also covered by the future ETIAS requirement for eligible visa-exempt travelers.

What About the 2025 “110 Million Travelers” Figure?

One important point should be clarified.

The frequently quoted 107.7 million figure belongs to 2024, not 2025. NTTO reported 107,713,681 U.S. citizen international departures in calendar year 2024, a record at that time.

Therefore, a 2025 article should not present 107.7 million as the final 2025 annual total.

Likewise, individual 2025 country numbers should not be presented as a definitive full-year ranking unless the relevant official annual NTTO data support that ranking.

The 2025 NTTO quarterly data already show very strong travel demand, however. In Q3 alone, 20.2 million U.S. residents traveled to foreign destinations by air, including 15.4 million to overseas destinations, 2.9 million to Mexico and 1.9 million to Canada.

ETIAS: Important Update for Americans Traveling to Europe

Another correction is important for Americans planning European trips.

ETIAS did not start in 2025.

The European Union currently says that ETIAS is not yet operational and that it is scheduled to begin in the last quarter of 2026. The exact launch date will be announced several months before the system starts.

ETIAS will apply to eligible visa-exempt travelers visiting the 30 European countries covered by the system, including France, Italy and Spain.

Americans should therefore check the official EU ETIAS website before traveling to Europe later in 2026 and beyond.

Final Takeaway

Mexico remained the biggest destination market in the available 2025 NTTO outbound data, while the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain and other European destinations attracted millions of U.S. travelers.

Canada also remained a major destination because of its proximity, while the Dominican Republic and Japan continued to attract American tourists.

The most important point is that 2025 data should be described according to the period actually covered by the official NTTO statistics. A final annual ranking should not be created by combining quarterly, monthly and older annual figures as if they were equivalent.

For travelers planning international trips, entry requirements, passport rules and European travel authorization requirements should always be checked with the official government or destination authority before booking.

FAQ

Which country did Americans travel to the most in 2025?

Mexico was the largest outbound destination in the available NTTO 2025 data. In September 2025 alone, U.S. citizen departures to Mexico reached 2,916,364.

How many Americans traveled internationally in September 2025?

NTTO recorded 8,546,659 U.S. citizen international departures from the United States in September 2025.

Was 107.7 million the number of Americans who traveled abroad in 2025?

No. The 107.7 million figure refers to calendar year 2024 U.S. citizen international departures.

Is ETIAS already required for Americans in 2025?

No. ETIAS was not operational in 2025. The European Union currently says the system is scheduled to begin in the last quarter of 2026.

Which European countries were especially popular with American travelers in 2025?

The NTTO Q3 2025 data identified the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Spain among the leading overseas destinations for U.S. air departures.

Where can Americans check official international travel information?

Travelers should check the official government website of the destination country and the U.S. Department of State's current travel information before departure.

Sources:

National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), U.S. Department of Commerce

European Union — Official ETIAS Information