Weather 
To tweak a line from famous Torontonian Drake, “started from here and now we’re at the bottom.”
So much for New Yorkers’ reputations as discerning and cultured citizens of the world, when it comes to International travel, as Toronto, Canada, was ranked the most popular destination among Empire Staters, according to United Airlines’ list of the most booked international hubs by state for 2025.
And we weren’t the only ones with maple syrup on the brain — Tennessee, Wisconsin and Minnesota also preferred The Big Smoke when it came to traveling abroad.
Tokyo was the No. 1 choice for the greatest number of states, with 19 preferring to jet to the Big Mikan, including California, Washington, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maine and Hawaii.
This might seem like an odd choice for the Northeast and Southern states, but it turns out that Tokyo is a major destination due to the sheer number of direct flights to Narita, which is often used as a gateway to the rest of Asia.
In addition, US trips to Japan — which was named Condé Nast Traveler’s top destination of the year —experienced a serious surge over the summer of 2025, placing Japan ahead of Paris as the top destination for American tourists.
Due to the weakness of the Yen compared to the US dollar, the Land Of The Rising Sun is shockingly affordable, as Tokyo Disney Resort tickets cost around a fourth of the price of Walt Disney World in Florida.
Following close behind was Cancun with 14 states, most of which were situated in the Southwest, Mountain West and Midwest. Travel experts have attributed the popularity of this Mexican coastal mecca to its affordable prices, all-inclusive resorts, and tropical climate.
“Cancun from places that are cold does not surprise me,” wrote A View From the Wing contributor Gary Leff.
Coming in third with six states was London, while Vancouver and Toronto tied for fourth place with four states — including NY — booking it more than any other international destination.
Travel experts have cited its close proximity — a 1.5-hour flight — and the sheer volume of flights between New York LaGuardia and Toronto daily, making the Canadian metropolis an ideal spot for an international weekend getaway.
The rankings did have a few outliers, including Taipei ranking as the most popular destination for Arizonans. However, Leff attributed this to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company constructing its first advanced U.S. semiconductor manufacturing site in the Grand Canyon State.
But which international destinations were the most popular in the US by overall volume? According to the rankings, London clocked in first, followed by Cancun, Tokyo, Toronto and Vancouver.
Top 10 most popular international destinations of 2025
- London, UK
- Cancun, Mexico
- Tokyo, Japan
- Toronto, CA
- Vancouver, CA
- Rome, Italy
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Paris, France
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Frankfurt, Germany
