Exploring International Travel Trends Among Americans

International travel is a popular activity for Americans, with 80.7 million travelling outside the country in 2022, a 64% increase on the previous year. However, the number of Americans travelling abroad varies according to income, education, and race. For example, 37% of those with some college education or less have not left the country, compared to only 7% of college graduates.

International travel restrictions

However, there are signs of recovery, as 80.7 million Americans travelled outside the country in 2022, a 64% increase from 2021 and equivalent to 81% of 2019 travel levels. This increase can be attributed to the easing of travel restrictions and the resumption of international travel.

Despite the overall increase, it is important to note that travel patterns vary among different demographic groups in the United States. For example, Americans with lower levels of education are less likely to have travelled internationally compared to those with more schooling. According to a study, 37% of those with some college education or less have not left the country, while only 7% of college graduates fall into this category. Additionally, women (32%) are more likely than men (22%) to have never travelled outside the United States.

These variations in travel patterns among Americans highlight the impact of factors such as income, education, and gender on international travel. As travel restrictions continue to evolve, it remains to be seen how these factors will influence future travel trends among Americans.

American visitation to overseas countries

In March 2021, around 3 million American citizens travelled outside of the country. This is less than the nearly 4 million U.S. citizens who travelled abroad in March 2020, and far below the roughly 8 million who did so in March 2019. However, it is a significant increase from the low point in the late spring of 2020, when only around 1 million Americans or fewer left the United States.

Education level

The number of Americans travelling outside of the US varies according to income, education, and race. In March 2021, around 3 million American citizens travelled outside of the country, compared to nearly 4 million in March 2020 and 8 million in March 2019. In 2022, 80.7 million Americans travelled outside the country, 64% more than in 2021.

Americans with lower levels of education are much less likely to have travelled widely than those with more schooling. For example, 37% of those with some college education or less have not left the country, compared to only 7% of college graduates. College graduates are also more likely to have been to multiple countries: a quarter have been to 10 or more countries. Women (32%) are more likely than men (22%) to have never travelled outside the country.

Gender

While there are no exact figures on how many Americans have travelled outside of the US, it is clear that millions do so every year. In 2022, 80.7 million Americans travelled outside the country, 64% more than in 2021. This figure amounts to 81% of travel levels from 2019, when 99.7 million Americans travelled internationally.

However, the number of Americans travelling abroad varies according to gender. Women (32%) are more likely than men (22%) to have never travelled outside the US. Men, on the other hand, are much more likely than women to have been to five or more countries (30% vs 22%). This suggests that while fewer men than women have never travelled abroad, those who do travel tend to visit more countries.

Education level also plays a role in international travel among Americans. Those with lower levels of education are less likely to have travelled widely than those with more schooling. For example, 37% of those with some college education or less have not left the country, compared to only 7% of college graduates. College graduates are also more likely to have visited multiple countries, with a quarter having been to 10 or more.

These findings indicate that gender, along with education and other demographic factors, influences international travel patterns among Americans. While women are more likely than men to have never travelled outside the US, men who do travel tend to visit a greater number of countries.

Top states of residence for US travellers

In 2022, 80.7 million Americans travelled outside the country, which is 64% more than in 2021. This amounts to 81% of travel levels from 2019, when 99.7 million Americans travelled internationally.

The top states of residence for US travellers to overseas destinations in 2022 were California (5.4 million), New York (5.1 million), Florida (4.5 million), Texas (2.9 million), and New Jersey (2.5 million).

The number of Americans travelling abroad varies by income, education, and race. For example, 37% of those with some college education or less have not left the country, compared to only 7% of college graduates. College graduates are also more likely to have been to multiple countries, with a quarter having been to 10 or more. Women (32%) are more likely than men (22%) to have never travelled outside the US, but men are much more likely than women to have been to five or more countries (30% vs. 22%).

In addition, the number of Americans travelling overseas has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and related travel restrictions. In March 2021, around 3 million American citizens travelled outside the country, compared to nearly 4 million in March 2020 and roughly 8 million in March 2019.

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