United Statesby the numbers
Canadian demand fell by a fifth in 2025 and is only now edging back, while ESTA costs more: advisors selling the US need sharper data and clearer entry advice.
The United States numbers that matter
Arrivals from our five markets
How many travellers from Canada, the US, the UK, Australia and New Zealand visited United States in the latest published period, and how fast each market is moving.
Canada, UK and Australia: NTTO arrivals by country of residence (I-94 and Canadian counts), with change calculated against NTTO's published 2024 actuals (2025 Forecast Tables). NTTO does not publish New Zealand separately, so NZ is Stats NZ's count of NZ residents returning from trips where the US was the main destination.
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CanadaYour edition 16.0M -20.9%
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United KingdomYour edition 4.06M +0.5%
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AustraliaYour edition 959K -6.4%
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New ZealandYour edition 155K -7.7%
Crowds and climate, month by month
| Month | Visitors | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2,670,643 | 4.2 | -2.3 | 92.5 |
| February | 2,220,238 | 5.7 | -1.4 | 81 |
| March | 2,726,039 | 9.9 | 2.1 | 109 |
| April | 2,314,195 | 16.6 | 7.5 | 103.9 |
| May | 2,303,874 | 21.9 | 12.8 | 100.6 |
| June | 2,149,063 | 26.5 | 18 | 115.3 |
| July | 2,568,786 | 29.4 | 21.2 | 116.8 |
| August | 2,926,444 | 28.5 | 20.5 | 115.8 |
| September | 2,255,225 | 24.6 | 16.8 | 109.5 |
| October | 2,336,872 | 18.1 | 10.8 | 111.3 |
| November | 2,246,803 | 12.2 | 5.6 | 90.9 |
| December | 2,244,432 | 6.8 | 1 | 111.3 |
The short answer
For New York and the Northeast, May–June and September–October bring mild days (highs of roughly 18–27°C) and the best walking weather; July and August are hot and humid, and January–February average highs near 5°C. Rain is spread evenly through the year, so plan around heat, cold and holiday crowds (Thanksgiving to New Year is peak for city stays) rather than wet seasons. The US is continental, so match the month to the region: winter suits the desert Southwest, Florida and Hawaii.
Dates that move demand
- Art Basel Miami Beach2026-12-04 to 2026-12-06 · Miami Beach, Florida
- Mardi Gras2027-02-09 (parade season builds in the preceding weeks) · New Orleans, Louisiana
- Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival2027-04-09 to 2027-04-11 and 2027-04-16 to 2027-04-18 · Indio, California
- Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby2027-04-30 to 2027-05-01 · Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
- LA28 Olympic Games2028-07-14 to 2028-07-30 · Los Angeles, California
Passports, rules and the flight over
Entry rules as checked on 17 Oct 2026. Rules change: always confirm with the official source before travel.
Most Canadian citizens visit visa-free, usually for up to six months, with a valid passport (or NEXUS card at designated airport kiosks); no ESTA is needed. Canadians staying in the US for more than 30 days must be registered with the US government, and can check their I-94 record on the CBP website to see whether this happened automatically.
Official sourceBritish citizens can visit for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA (otherwise a visa is required); the ESTA fee rose from US$21 to US$40 on 30 September 2025. Border officers may inspect phones and other devices, and refusal can lead to delay or denied entry.
Official sourceAustralians can visit for under 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program with an ESTA approved before travel (US$40 since 30 September 2025, valid two years for multiple entries); no work, paid or unpaid, is allowed. Visitors aged 14 and over staying more than 30 days must register with US authorities.
Official sourceNew Zealanders can visit for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA (US$40 since 30 September 2025). Most visitors staying more than 30 days must register with US authorities.
Official source- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Time zone
- Six standard time zones, from UTC-5 (Eastern, including New York) to UTC-10 (Hawaii); daylight saving observed in most states except Hawaii and most of Arizona
- Language
- English; Spanish widely spoken
- Plugs
- Types A and B, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Driving
- Drive on the right
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: roughly 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, plus small tips for hotel porters, housekeeping and drivers.
Nonstop from our markets
| From | To | Airlines | Time / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto (YYZ) | New York (LGA) | Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, Porter Airlines | about 1h30m–2h |
| Montréal (YUL) | New York (LGA) | Air Canada, Delta, American Airlines | about 1h30m–1h45m |
| Vancouver (YVR) | Los Angeles (LAX) | Air Canada, Flair Airlines and others | about 3h |
| London (LHR) | New York (JFK) | British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue | about 8h |
| Sydney (SYD) | Los Angeles (LAX) | Qantas, Delta, United, American Airlines | about 14h |
| Melbourne (MEL) | Los Angeles (LAX) | Qantas, United, Delta | about 14h30m–15h30m |
| Auckland (AKL) | Los Angeles (LAX) | Air New Zealand, Delta | about 12h |
| Auckland (AKL) | New York (JFK) | Air New Zealand, Qantas | about 16h |
Selling United States: the trade file
- ESTA now costs US$40 (up from US$21) for UK, Australian and New Zealand clients, effective 30 September 2025; travellers who need an I-94 at a land border now pay US$30 (from US$6).
- Canadian snowbirds and long-stay clients: anyone staying more than 30 days must be registered with the US government, and failure to register can bring fines or misdemeanour prosecution; check the I-94 record first.
- Advise clients that US border officers may search phones and laptops without giving a reason, and that refusing to unlock a device can lead to seizure, delay or denied entry for non-US citizens.
- Brand USA's trade site carries a receptive tour operator and DMC directory, entry-policy updates and the USA Discovery Program for agent training.
- Ensemble Horizons5–9 Apr 2027
- Seatrade Cruise Global5–8 Apr 2027
- IPW3–7 May 2027
- ASTA Travel Advisor Conference4–6 May 2027
Opening in United States
More figures we've reported
Participants expected at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon
NYRR says nearly 60,000 participants and more than 2 million spectators on Sunday 1 November, the 50th year of the five-borough course.
Hours London is ahead of New York and Toronto, 25 Oct to 1 Nov
The UK falls back on 25 October and North America on 1 November, so for one week the transatlantic gap shrinks from five hours to four.
Days in Miami's Fall for the Arts season
Running 1 October to 6 December 2026 and ending with Miami Art Week. Art Basel Miami Beach's public days are 4 to 6 December.
Aman Miami Beach's opening year, per Aman
56 rooms and suites plus 22 residences at the former Versailles Hotel. Earlier listings gave 2027.
Suites at Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach, all with ocean views
A 20-storey hotel at 2201 Collins Avenue, relaunching as a Waldorf Astoria in winter 2027, according to Hilton.
Rooms at Hale Hokuala Kauaʻi, Curio Collection's first Hawaii resort
Including 23 suites, all with private lānai, plus more than 14,000 sq ft of event space.
What changes next
Canadian travel to the US is recovering from a low base: September 2026 return trips rose 6.8% year on year, the sixth straight monthly gain, but car trips were still 31.1% below September 2024.
Statistics CanadaNTTO forecasts 70.5M international visitors in 2026 (+3.2%), with Canada recovering to 16.6M, and a new record of 82.3M by 2029.
NTTO, Spring 2026 ForecastA visa integrity fee on non-immigrant visas was legislated in July 2025 (the US$250 fee in Public Law 119-21), but DHS said it would be implemented in a future notice; check status for any client who needs a visa rather than an ESTA.
Federal Register (USCIS notice, 22 July 2025)Brand USA is changing leaders: Caroline Beteta becomes interim CEO on 9 November 2026 as Fred Dixon leaves for NYC Tourism + Conventions, with reauthorisation of the agency the stated priority.
Brand USALos Angeles hosts the Olympic Games on 14–30 July 2028 and the Paralympic Games on 15–27 August 2028; expect LA hotel inventory and pricing to tighten well ahead.
LA28
Latest on United States
Quick answers on United States
Do Canadians need a visa or ESTA to visit the US?
No for most Canadian citizens: they can usually stay up to six months visa-free with a valid passport, and no ESTA is required. Anyone staying more than 30 days must be registered with the US government.
Do UK, Australian and New Zealand travellers need an ESTA?
Yes, for visits of up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program. The ESTA fee has been US$40 since 30 September 2025, and an approval is valid for two years.
How many international tourists visit the US?
NTTO counted 68.3 million international visitors in 2025, down from 72.4 million in 2024, as arrivals from Canada fell 20.9% to 16.0 million. Mexico (18.0 million) overtook Canada as the largest source market.
Are Canadians travelling to the US again?
Slowly. Statistics Canada counted 29.1 million Canadian return trips from the US in 2025 (down 25.4%); trips have risen year on year every month since spring 2026, but July 2026 was still 25.6% below July 2024.
Is it safe to travel to the US?
Canada advises travellers to take normal security precautions and Australia to exercise normal safety precautions, while New Zealand advises exercising increased caution. All warn that border officers may inspect electronic devices.
When is the best time to visit New York?
May–June and September–October, when average highs sit between about 18°C and 27°C. July and August average highs near 29°C with humidity, and January highs are around 4°C.
Every figure on this page comes from the organisation that publishes it, linked where it appears and listed here. We checked them on 17 October 2026 and update the file when new figures come out. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.
- National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), Spring 2026 Forecast
- Statistics Canada, The Daily, Travel between Canada and other countries, December 2025
- Statistics Canada, The Daily, Travel between Canada and other countries, July 2026
- Statistics Canada, The Daily, Leading indicator of international arrivals to Canada, September 2026
- NTTO, July 2026 Total International Travel Volume
- NTTO, December 2025 International Visitor Spending
- NTTO, July 2026 International Visitor Spending
- CoStar (STR Benchmark)
- Stats NZ, NZ-resident traveller arrivals by country of main destination (via Figure.NZ)
- Statistics Canada, The Daily, Travel between Canada and other countries (monthly releases, Table 1)
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (1991–2020 normals, station USW00094728), converted from °F and inches
- Federal Register (USCIS notice, 22 July 2025)
- Brand USA
- LA28
- travel.gc.ca
- www.gov.uk
- www.smartraveller.gov.au
- safetravel.govt.nz
- www.govinfo.gov
- traveltrade.visittheusa.com