Amtrak's Maple Leaf & VIA 97 - 98

The Amtrak Maple Leaf offers daily service between New York City and Toronto. Trains 63 and 64 operate as Amtrak services between New York and Niagara Falls, NY. After crossing the Niagara River, the train is known as VIA Rail trains 97 and 98, continuing between Niagara Falls, ON, and Toronto.

If you book a trip from the U.S. to Toronto, you can do everything directly through Amtrak. However, suppose you’re traveling to one of the Canadian intermediate stops. In that case, you must book your ticket with Amtrak to Niagara Falls, ON, then continue your journey with VIA Rail.

The train equipment stays the same, but the crews and café food change at the border.

This article includes the schedule and key tips to book and be ready for an international rail adventure confidently.

Planning to cross the border? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. You will need a valid passport, and we recommend checking out our border crossing page before your trip for all the details. Then, grab your ticket, sit back, and prepare for a smooth and memorable journey on the Maple Leaf!

I took the train to Toronto in April 2024 and found the process easy and stress-free. After the final stop in Buffalo, the conductor handed out Canadian Customs forms. It’s best to wait to fill them out—those tracks can be bumpy! The good news? When the train stops at Niagara Falls, NY, you’ll have plenty of time to complete the form before crossing the border.

Amtrak Maple Leaf Coach Class

Amtrak coach cars provide various amenities for a comfortable journey, including individual reading lights, a fold-down tray, 120V electric outlets, overhead racks, and a luggage shelf at one end.

Additionally, there are two restrooms at one end and trash receptacles at the other for your convenience.

The seats in these cars typically face the direction of travel, and here is an idea of the car layout.

Amtrak/VIA Business Class on the Maple Leaf

Business class is part of the café car and includes extra legroom, a comfortable seat, and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

Additionally, Business Class customers receive a 25% bonus on Amtrak Guest Rewards points.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is free and available on this train, but there is a chance that Wi-Fi may not be available in Canada. If you plan to use your phone as a hotspot or regularly use it, make sure your cell phone plan works once you cross the border.

Food on the Maple Leaf

One way I would like to break up a trip is by going to the café car, and you can take Amtrak’s Maple Leaf!

You may bring food and drink aboard the train, but you cannot consume the alcohol you brought aboard. Be aware that some food items cannot cross borders if you travel between countries; check if you have any questions.

This particular café operates differently from typical ones. Amtrak manages it as the train travels from New York to Niagara Falls, NY, but it closes after the Buffalo Exchange Street stop. 

While in the USA.

Amtrak removes all its food items before crossing the border. While passengers go through Customs, VIA takes over and stocks the café with its food and drinks until Toronto. If you go the other way, it is the same idea but in reverse.

Amtrak passengers traveling through the U.S. can enjoy hot and cold meals, snacks, and beverages during most of the journey. 

The café car takes U.S. currency during the U.S. portions.

While in Canada

While the train is in Canada, VIA offers food and drinks, but they are not warm. The offerings are smaller due to the shorter route in Canada.

In the Canadian section, the café will accept only credit cards, prepaid cards, and VIA Rail gift cards for onboard café purchases.

Here is a sample of a VIA café car menu; some selections may not be available.

Amtrak Maple Leaf Add-ons

You can add a bike or pet to your next trip; check out the pet and bike policy.

Pets

Amtrak allows dogs and cats up to 20 pounds (combined weight of pet and carrier) while traveling in the USA, but you cannot bring pets on the Canadian sections of this route. There is paperwork you need to fill out before boarding the train. To get the full rules and paperwork, check with Amtrak’s pet policy.

For those with a service or comfort animal, please check Amtrak’s service animal policy to ensure it qualifies and to find booking instructions.

Bikes

Amtrak allows a limited number of bikes on this train, so if you want to bring your bike, indicate it when booking. Make sure to check Amtrak’s policy before booking.

Luggage

This train does not offer a checked bag service.

Each passenger may carry on:

• One personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg), and 14 x 11 x 7 inches
• Two carry-on pieces of luggage, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each

If you transfer to the Pacific Surfliner at some point along your journey, the baggage size for that train is up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each.

Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage; check out Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.

A quick look at crossing the U.S./Canadian border

Sites like Customs and Border Protection can help you travel to the USA, and the Canada Border Services Agency can assist you with crossing into Canada.

Ensure your documents are in order before reaching the Canadian/USA border, including your passport or equivalent paperwork necessary for crossing. Additionally, have your items together because they will go through customs with you, and you may return them to a different seat. 

It’s important to remember that having a valid passport or equivalent paperwork is a must when crossing the Canadian/USA border. Despite Amtrak’s reminders, I have heard of people trying to cross the border without one, and things haven’t gone well for them.

Border crossings can delay the Amtrak Maple Leaf and VIA Trains 97-98.

You may experience delays at border crossings. Such delays are usually due to U.S. or Canadian customs and immigration procedures and Amtrak’s control.

Inspections will occur in Niagara Falls during travel to/from Toronto. Passengers will deboard with baggage at the border, should be prepared to show the ID selected when making reservations, and will reboard the same train. The same is true when entering the USA.

Amtrak Maple Leaf Schedule

Use this schedule as a guide; check with Amtrak or your e-ticket for exact times. If there are two times, the first is the arrival, and the second is the departure; if there is only one, it is a quick stop.

Click on the stations to see the services offered at that stop.

Printable Amtrak Maple Leaf Schedule

Feel free to print out or download the PDF below, which Amtrak prepared.

My goal is to keep these as updated as possible.

Safe Travels,

Kev

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