Travel Statistics for 2024

Key Findings

• Americans plan to take over 800 million interstate trips in 2024, nearing pre-pandemic levels. 
• Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom ranked among the top three international destinations for U.S. travelers as of 2022, while Florida, California, Nevada and New York drew the most domestic travelers. Travelers planning a cruise most frequented the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda.
• Vacationing for a week in the U.S. costs around $2,000 for an individual and $4,000 for two people, based on our research.
• For travelers looking to protect their investment, a basic travel insurance policy costs around 3% to 5% of a trip’s total value, or $221 on average.

Travel Industry Trends

Many Americans have been incorporating a more strategic approach to travel plans post-pandemic, according to data from Mastercard, intentionally selecting experiences based on perceived personal and financial value. Fluctuating price points may drive travelers to remain flexible in how and where they travel as they evaluate their options. For example: 

• Americans will take 806 million domestic trips in 2024, a 0.2% decline from 2019, according to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
• The average American spends $1,783 while traveling internationally, according to the International Trade Administration.
• That same data shows that domestic travel saw steady growth from 2009 to 2019 but fell to 338.9 million trips annually during the height of the pandemic.
• Despite an increase in air travel, 6% year-over-year growth in 2024 paled in comparison to the double digits seen in 2023, based on data from the U.S. Travel Association. 
• Travelers spent an extra day at their destination in March 2024 compared to the same month a year before, per the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI). 
• Nearly 16 million Americans visited another country in the first quarter of 2024, according to the MEI. 
• Among the 80.7 million U.S. travelers who sought experiences abroad in 2022, 38.1 million went overseas, and 33.5 million traveled to destinations in Mexico, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade. 

Surveys show that travelers taking both foreign and domestic trips may favor memorable experiences. That could mean a trip to the  Paris Olympics, which begin on July 26 this year.

Air Travel Trends

The U.S. is home to some 19,633 airports, nearly a quarter of which are public, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In 2024, daily passenger travel numbers exceeded 2023 totals, with a select few exceptions, according to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) passenger volume data. 

For the nearly three million people flying between terminals, different airports offer different experiences — and costs. Below are the most and least expensive airports to take a flight from , according to Q4 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Transportation:  

Most Expensive Airports 

Least Expensive Airports

Geographically, the southern and midwestern portions of the U.S. claim the top 10 cities for weather-related delays. The West Coast also outranks its Eastern counterpart for the best airports for stress-free travel. In addition, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts increased turbulence stemming from intense storms this summer due to El Nino, a potential issue for states in Tornado Alley where tornadic activity in the central U.S. is high. El Nino produces weather patterns that contribute to the formation of tornadoes, according to experts at Ohio State University.

Cruise Industry Trends

The global cruise industry continues to rebound post-pandemic. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) forecasts a $155 billion market valuation in its The State of the Cruise Industry 2023 report, supporting 1.2 million jobs, $50 billion in wages and 33 million cruise passengers. CLIA’s report also includes the following information: 

• The $75 billion global cruise market supported 848,000 jobs and assisted 20.4 million passengers in 2022. 
• Cruise passengers spent an average of $750 in port cities on a typical week-long cruise in 2022. 
• The global cruise capacity is forecasted to increase by 19% from 2022 to 2028. 
• North America remains the largest source market for cruises. 
• Over a dozen new cruise ships will enter service in 2023, sailing under popular cruise lines such as Carnival, Oceania and Virgin. 
• In 2022, 77% of millennials (aged 28 to 43) expressed interest in taking a cruise, and 86% of those who took one said they would embark on another (a 6% increase from 2019). 

Although many international and domestic destinations cater to travelers of all ages, cruises offer individuals and families the chance to explore the world via a set itinerary with many details pre-determined. Cruises can also support multiple local economies within ports of call and the surrounding areas. Investing in travel insurance can protect your cruise vacation. The best cruise insurance can help you recoup a portion of your investment should unexpected weather cancel your vacation plans. 

Travel Industry Outlook 

In terms of travel volume, the U.S. Travel Association forecasts 2.65 billion trips in 2027, with 94.7 million of those taking place internationally. However, volume growth is expected to decline year-over-year. Despite these predictions, travel-related spending is expected to surpass $1.22 trillion in 2027, with over $1.02 billion spent domestically. The Travel Price Index growth will keep pace with the Consumer Price Index from 2022 to 2027. 

Vacation Costs

Determining your trip expenses extends beyond the airfare necessary to depart and arrive. A one-week trip — including lodging, food, transportation and sightseeing expenses — costs an average of $1,991 for an individual and $3,982 for a couple, according to Budget Your Trip. Below are common vacation expenses travelers can budget for, which may vary depending on their intended destination. 

*Lodging costs will vary depending on the type of accommodations you choose. Our range represents the cost of shared accommodations with a private bathroom on the lower end and a two-bedroom apartment on the higher end, per AirDNA.

Inquiring with hotel staff and other locals about more affordable places to eat, shop or visit can also help travelers save money while gaining an immersive experience. 

Consider Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can offer peace of mind if you experience an unexpected event that interrupts your plans, especially on trips you’ve been saving up for. 

Our team collected quotes from various travel insurance providers to determine an average policy cost of around $221. The exact cost of travel insurance will vary based on your age, destination, trip length, total cost and coverage specifics.  Below are common types of travel insurance you can use to protect your financial investment: 

• Trip interruption and cancellation: This coverage reimburses a percentage of your expenses if an event (such as a family member’s death) prevents you from completing your vacation as expected. 
• Baggage loss or delay: This coverage kicks in if your luggage is lost or stolen. 
• Travel medical insurance: If your primary health insurance coverage doesn’t extend to other countries, travel medical insurance covers emergency medical expenses you may incur while abroad. 
• Emergency medical evacuation: Travelers critically injured while on vacation typically can use medical evacuation coverage for transport to a high-quality medical facility. 
• Vacation rental: Purchase this protection if you’re concerned about damage to your vacation accommodations, such as an Airbnb. 
• Auto rental: This policy includes rental car coverage in the event of damage or loss. 

When selecting from travel insurance policies, pay close attention to the fine print, specifically what’s excluded from coverage. You may not have coverage for anything not included under the coverage details. Certain circumstances — such as medical tourism and injuries resulting from extreme sports — can also render your expenses ineligible for coverage.

Most Popular Tourist Destinations

Despite an increase in international and interstate travel, vacationers continue to visit some of the same locales popular pre-pandemic. Below, discover the top domestic destinations popular among foreigners and Americans, in addition to international destinations many U.S. citizens frequent. 

Most Popular U.S. Destinations

Over 7.1 million foreigners visited Florida and New York in 2022, with California rounding out the top three U.S. destinations with nearly 4.5 million visitors. Although many Americans also frequent these states, Hawaii outranked Las Vegas and New York City as top destinations for domestic travelers. Washington, D.C. also slots in at No. 9. 

Most Popular International Destinations 

With fewer travel restrictions post-pandemic, popular international destinations have begun to see an influx of travelers. In 2022, over 80 million Americans visited Mexico, nearly nine times more than travelers sightseeing in Canada. Other countries of interest include the United Kingdom, France, the Dominican Republic and Italy. 

Most Popular Cruise Destinations 

The sunny climates of the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda draw multiple cruise ships year after year. Asia and China rank second for popular cruise destinations, while the Central and Western Mediterranean are a close third. 

Tips for Travelers in 2024

Use the following tips to help you plan and budget for your next vacation, wherever you travel. Manage your vacation expenses ahead of time so you can enjoy yourself to the fullest once you arrive. 

Start by researching your destination. The Bureau of Consular Affairs maintains the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and a Learn About Your Destination directory that centralizes relevant travel information, including travel advisory levels ranging from normal precautions to strict do-not-travel recommendations. If you plan to fly, review the guidelines within the TSA Travel Checklist so you know what to expect during security checks. 

Next, plan out your vacation expenses. Budgeting for your trip will help ensure you get to enjoy your trip to the fullest, without taking on debt or having to skip activities is one of the first steps toward boarding a plane, hopping on a cruise, or hitting the road.ee where you can potentially save money. Booking well in advance can help you obtain cheaper rates, especially if you plan to travel during the off-season. Explore how much different transportation methods — such as driving instead of flying — can save you and what credit card loyalty, membership or rewards programs you can leverage to your advantage.