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Hello there, fellow travelers! Are you excited to take the Amtrak Maple Leaf train between the bustling city of New York and the charming city of Toronto, with stops at stunning places like Niagara Falls, Syracuse, and Albany? The journey covers 544 miles and offers breathtaking views and a relaxing ambiance.

This article will give you the train’s schedule and the basics so you can book and be prepared for your trip. 

Planning to cross the border? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. You WILL NEED a valid passport! Before you embark on your adventure, check out our border crossing page for all the necessary information. So, grab your ticket, sit back, and prepare for a hassle-free and unforgettable journey on the Maple Leaf train!

I took a train to Toronto in April 2024 and found the process easy. It’s worth noting that conductors will give you a Canadian Customs form to fill out after the last stop in Buffalo. It’s best to wait to fill it out because the tracks can be bumpy. If you’re crossing the border, don’t worry; you’ll have plenty of time to fill out the form at the Niagara Falls, NY stop, and the train will not be in motion.

A quick look at Amtrak’s Maple Leaf

• This train offers coach and business-class seating.
• The train has a cafe car.
• The train offers free Amtrak Wi-Fi within the USA.
• Via operates this train while in Canada.
  • If you want to purchase an intermediate Canada stop, you may need to do that through VIA.
• Get the Amtrak Maple Leaf schedule.

Amtrak Maple Leaf accommodations

Coach

Coach seating features:

• Comfortable seats
• A fold-down tray
• Individual reading lights
• 120v electric outlets.
• These cars have overhead racks, and many often have a luggage shelf at one end.
• There are two restrooms on one end and trash receptacles on the other.

Business class

Business class 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 Candida.

Food on the Maple Leaf

One way I would like to break up a trip is to the cafe car, and you can do that at Amtrak’s Maple Leaf!

This particular café operates uniquely compared to 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. 

Amtrak removes all their 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’s the same thing but the reverse.

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

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

The cafe car takes US currency during the US portions.

The cafe will accept only credit cards, prepaid cards, and VIA Rail gift cards for onboard Café purchases in the Canadian section.

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

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, for 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 out Amtrak’s pet policy.

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

Bikes

Amtrak allows a limited number of bikes on this train, so if you want to bring your bike, indicate when booking. Make sure you read Amtrak’s bike 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, and 
• 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 US/Canadian Border

Sites like Customs and Border Protections can help you travel into the USA and Canada Border Services Agency to cross into Canada.

Your documents are in order before you reach the Canadian/USA border. This includes your passport or equivalent paperwork, which is necessary for crossing. Additionally, have personal items together because they will go through customs with you, and you may return to a different car. 

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. 

Amtrak Maple Leaf can get delayed by border crossings

You may experience delays at border crossings. Such delays are usually due to either or both US and Canadian customs and immigration procedures and are beyond Amtrak’s control.

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

Amtrak Maple Leaf Schedule

Use this schedule as a guide; check with Amtrak or your eticket for exact times. If there are two times, the first is the arrival, the second is the departure, and 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 this page put together by Amtrak.

My goal is to keep these as updated as possible.

Safe Travels,

Kev

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