Canadians Traveling to the USA in 2025

[Rohi]

HAPPY CANADA EVERYONE !!!
I am so proud of this Country !

 

[Frozen2014]

We returned from a cruise a week ago and flew to Fort Lauderdale from Toronto. Our experience couldn't have been easier (which may have been helped by our timing of flight and dates).

Our flight there was 7:15am so the airport wasn't busy (but we weren't the only ones). We have nexus so that helps. We walked to the nexus machine and it took our picture. Then went right to the agent. Before we said anything she greeted us by names (I guess she could tell from the scan we just did). She asked where we were going and then have a good travel. That was it.

On return it was TSA pre check at Fort Lauderdale. The airport was quiet as well as we were one of the last flights out on July 4. On Toronto side, we used the nexus machine and then just showed/handed our papers on the way out.

Maybe we were just lucky but no issues at all.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Popping in to add my update. While I'm not Canadian I am international, so have many of the same concerns as all of you.

Here are my thoughts about travel to America in 2025.
Over the last few months I went though my social media and cleared the search history and cache on my laptop and phone. I also removed all photos, images and files from both my laptop and phone that I did not need for my trip. I have multiple external hard drives which I use as back ups and I keep them at home.

I went to Dublin airport with the mindset that my devices would be checked, and that someone could look through everything from social media, to Messenger to WhatsApp messages. I put myself in their mindset and deleted and removed anything which might be thought of as Un American or critical of the American Government.

While this has always been part of security procedures, Ive been travelling to USA since 2001 and this is the first time that I have seen it highlighted on The Irish Governments Travel to USA Advice Page.

At Dublin airport we have USA Pre Clearance which means we go through passport check before getting on the plane. I wore a very obvious Disney tshirt and it was noticed at passport check. After Pre Clearance it wasn't as crowded as previous years and I mainly heard American accents.

This year in America I made a conscious decision about the locations I would visit. While in LA I was very aware of the local issues. I didnt move about as much in the city as I have done on previous visits. I changed my travel plans, and spent money on a private car service instead of getting a bus, like I have done in previous years.

Every time I left my hotel I had the following documents with me

• Printout of my holiday itinerary, hotel details etc
• Printout of my flight details
• Printout of my ESTA
• My boarding pass from the Dublin to LAX flight
• My passport

I was very aware that at any point there could be a checkpoint or that when I was on a bus or train that ICE agents could get on any stop and ask all passengers for documents. Again, while this has always been the case, this is the first time in 25 years that I was anxious about being a tourist and aware that I could be asked to prove my status while shopping or on a bus.

I know that being a white Irish tourist going to Disneyland gave me an easy time at passport check and kept me safe while in America. Thats not right, but thats the new reality for America now. Knowing that I have white privilege disgusts me.

 

[Reepicheep]

Stats Canada has released statistics for June, giving the year over year drop (or rise) in Canadians visiting the USA. The drop in tourism which started in January continues:

-CAR- -AIR-
+7% +4.6% Dec
+1% -1.4% Jan
-23% -2.4% Feb
-32% -14% Mar
-35% -20% Apr
-38% -24% May
-33% -22% June

"How low can you go..." - Chubby Checker

There is a slight improvement (from the American viewpoint) in the year over year statistics for June, although Canadian travel to the US is still down significantly.

*****

A few weeks ago, there was an excellent segment on BNN (the Canadian business channel) about the drop in wine exports from California to Canada. The video is only 5 minutes long, and I recomment it highly (there is a link at the bottom of this post). There is an error in the video title: it erroneously states that the 93% year over year drop is for April, when it is actually for May.

The main points:

- in May, wine exports from California to Canada dropped 93% year-over-year
- Canada is the biggest market for US wine exports, accounting for over a third of US wine exports
- US wine producers initially thought the tariff That Man put on wine imports from Canada would be a boon for US producers, but the opposite happened
- Canada buys premium wine from the US, at an average price of $7.50/bottle (roughly $10 Canadian)

I have two comments I want to make about the video

(1) I was surprised that "premium wine" is so inexpensive. I don't drink wine, but premium wine here in Alberta certainly costs more than $10. I did some research, and learned that, here in Alberta, all liquor stores must buy their product from the Alberta government which charges a profit markup of $6.88/litre. There are also various provincial and federal taxes and duties which add an additional 25% or so to the cost of wine.

(2) Americans from rural areas are much more likely than urban dwellers to be supporters of That Man. I suspect that the vast majority of the US farmers, orchard growers, and wine producers who are complaining about the tariffs are, in fact, Republican. "Be careful what you wish for..."

Wine exports from US to Canada

 

[asc]

QC will get 100 percent of the amount I planned to spend at Disney at end of June now.

 

[mort1331]

Stats Canada has released statistics for June, giving the year over year drop (or rise) in Canadians visiting the USA. The drop in tourism which started in January continues:

-CAR- -AIR-
+7% +4.6% Dec
+1% -1.4% Jan
-23% -2.4% Feb
-32% -14% Mar
-35% -20% Apr
-38% -24% May
-33% -22% June

"How low can you go..." - Chubby Checker

There is a slight improvement (from the American viewpoint) in the year over year statistics for June, although Canadian travel to the US is still down significantly.

*****

A few weeks ago, there was an excellent segment on BNN (the Canadian business channel) about the drop in wine exports from California to Canada. The video is only 5 minutes long, and I recomment it highly (there is a link at the bottom of this post). There is an error in the video title: it erroneously states that the 93% year over year drop is for April, when it is actually for May.

The main points:

- in May, wine exports from California to Canada dropped 93% year-over-year
- Canada is the biggest market for US wine exports, accounting for over a third of US wine exports
- US wine producers initially thought the tariff That Man put on wine imports from Canada would be a boon for US producers, but the opposite happened
- Canada buys premium wine from the US, at an average price of $7.50/bottle (roughly $10 Canadian)

I have two comments I want to make about the video

(1) I was surprised that "premium wine" is so inexpensive. I don't drink wine, but premium wine here in Alberta certainly costs more than $10. I did some research, and learned that, here in Alberta, all liquor stores must buy their product from the Alberta government which charges a profit markup of $6.88/litre. There are also various provincial and federal taxes and duties which add an additional 25% or so to the cost of wine.

(2) Americans from rural areas are much more likely than urban dwellers to be supporters of That Man. I suspect that the vast majority of the US farmers, orchard growers, and wine producers who are complaining about the tariffs are, in fact, Republican. "Be careful what you wish for..."

Wine exports from US to Canada

Lcbo in Ontario does the same...but they are sticking with the ban for now..big hurt for Kentucky booze as well.

 

[asc]

Lcbo in Ontario does the same...but they are sticking with the ban for now..big hurt for Kentucky booze as well.

The amount of fantastic French wine I have discovered at a much better price point has been great.

 

[Sue M]

We crossed the border two weeks ago to go to Frankenmuth, Michigan. The border guard could not have been nicer

Good to know. pre Trump we never had a problem. But things seem to be changing. I was at the hairdresser the other day and he was asked what he thought of Trump. Before, no one was ever asked what we thought of the president!

 

[Reepicheep]

Yesterday, PBS Newsworld had a short segment about how Canadian tourists are boycotting the United States. The video is very interesting and worth a watch (around 8 minutes long). It is pretty clear that the boycott is starting to bite.

Canadian tourism to U.S. drops dramatically amid Trump's harsh rhetoric

EDIT: This video is primarily about Canadian tourists boycotting Vermont, and since Vermont voted Democrat in the 2024 Presidential election, I find myself feeling some sympathy for the state. But then I tell myself that 32% of Vermonters, or almost one in three, voted for That Man. All Americans deserve to face the consequences of electing That Man as President.

 

[ottawamom]

That is a really good video. It sums things up really well. I like the people in the video am conflcited about travelling to the US. It's really tough because a lot of my favourite holidays have been in US states.

I do hope someday that we will be able to travel to the US without feeling guilty about doing so.

(For full disclosure I have a trip to WDW in December planned. This will however be my farewell trip until things are resolved and I feel able to take the rest of the family.)

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I still don't understand who you would allow you to feel guilty for going there. The Government? Media? This thread?

I can't wrap my brain around that thought process...

 

[bababear_50]

I still don't understand who you would allow you to feel guilty for going there. The Government? Media? This thread?

I can't wrap my brain around that thought process

Hmmmm...
Maybe that is the test...
Who or what would make you feel guilty for going there?
Mel

 

[ottawamom]

I was out for breakfast with a group of ladies yesterday and one of them went through the roof and mentioned several times how disappointed she was with me because I mentioned I was preparing a trip to WDW. Another friend piped in immediately and said we should all be able to travel wherever makes us happy. Some of the people I know haven't got the memo about not imposing their will on others. If they have nothing positive to say they should remember what their mother taught them about not saying anything.

This friend is particularly "nothing US" and that is fine for her. I try to chose Canadian things whenever I can but I don't go over the top. I will limit the holidays I take in the US but I've only got so many travelling years left and I want to go to Disney this time to see the Christmas decorations and go on a bunch of rides that I might not be able to do when we are able to return again.

I fear that some attitudes may be difficult to reverse again when things return to "normal" and this situation may be our new normal. I like the Americans I have met on my travels and look forward to the day when I can plan roadtrips to the northeast again without feeling conflicted about my choice.

 

[ellbell]

Hmmmm...
Maybe that is the test...
Who or what would make you feel guilty for going there?
Mel

Guilt can be self imposed. You may want to go to Disney because it makes you happy but feel guilty because you feel like being a "good Canadian" and supporting our country means not going. I have those feelings. It doesn't have to be other people that make you feel bad.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

@ottawamom Definitely go for Christmas! We did it in 2022 and it was the most amazing trip, along with the Christmas party!

 

[bababear_50]

Guilt can be self imposed. You may want to go to Disney because it makes you happy but feel guilty because you feel like being a "good Canadian" and supporting our country means not going. I have those feelings. It doesn't have to be other people that make you feel bad.

Yeah I am a good Canadian but then.................................
there are things like ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
values, morals ,ethics, safety, etc............. HWSNBN (He Who Shall Not Be Named) has created many issues for people.

Hugs Mel

 

[ellbell]

Yeah I am a good Canadian but then.................................
there are things like ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
values, morals ,ethics, safety, etc............. HWSNBN (He Who Shall Not Be Named) has created many issues for people.

Hugs Mel

Safety is a big one. Tbh if I didn't go through customs on this side of the border I wouldn't even be going. For the first time ever I'm glad I use Pearson to fly through

 

[asc]

I still don't understand who you would allow you to feel guilty for going there. The Government? Media? This thread?

I can't wrap my brain around that thought process...

Some people see family members laid off in industries that are directly impacted by tarrifs. I'd feel guilty for supporting the US economy. Then again, that's me. Some could care less and behave like they did during the pandemic and did what ever to heck with rules.

 

[asc]

Yeah I am a good Canadian but then.................................
there are things like ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
values, morals ,ethics, safety, etc............. HWSNBN (He Who Shall Not Be Named) has created many issues for people.

Hugs Mel

Yup. It's hard. But feels better IMO. We have amazing power with tourism dollars. That's the biggest thing average person can do. Don't travel. I'll be going to QCity for first time ever. Looking forward to it.

 

[deedubb]

Disney is our go to place. We have been going once or more per year since the kids were little. We get Memory Maker every trip and I look back on the photos frequently with fond memories. We have had so many laughs at Disney and I'm not about to put our lives on hold for 4 years. The kids are getting to the age where every trip could potentially be the last trip where we are all together. I feel I owe so much to Disney for the great times we have together there and I couldn't care less about spending my money there even if they are a US company. We spend the entire trip on Disney property, so pretty much all of our $ goes to Disney when we are there, aside from a bit to Mears and Instacart/Publix. Sorry if that doesn't align with your beliefs or values.