Taking Amtrak to Canada

Three daily trains allow you to take Amtrak to Canada or the USA: the Adirondack and Maple Leaf on the East Coast and the Cascades on the West Coast. There is also discussion of a Chicago-to-Toronto train, but no plans have been made yet. If you want to learn about one of these trains, this article provides the basics and links to the current border-crossing information.

In most cases, Amtrak runs the train from start to finish. However, for the Maple Leaf, Amtrak operates the train on the US side, while VIA runs it on the Canadian side. At the border, the crews and food service change.

Depending on your destination, you may need to book part of your trip with Amtrak and the other half with VIA. If you receive a booking error, that might be the issue. Therefore, book a trip to the border and then travel with the other railroad for the journey’s second half.

Amtrak to Canada: The trains you can take

Here are the current trains that travel between the two countries.

Amtrak’s Adirondack: Train Schedule & Guide

The Amtrak Adirondack travels between New York and Montreal, QC; get the schedule and basic information on this train to plan your next adventure.

Amtrak’s Cascades: Train Schedule & Guide

The Amtrak Cascades provides travel options between Eugene, OR, and Vancouver, BC, and beyond! Discover its schedule and additional services.

Amtrak’s Maple Leaf & VIA 97 – 98: Schedule & Guide

The Amtrak Maple Leaf travels between New York, NY, and Toronto, ON, Canada, with intermediate stops. Before you go, get the schedule and learn the basics.

Connecting bus services to Canada

In addition to trains, Amtrak also provides reservations for bus routes that cross the border, often in partnership with another vendor.

For instance, if you want to go from Chicago to Toronto, you can take the Amtrak train via the Lake Shore Limited and the Maple Leaf. Alternatively, you can take the Wolverine to Detroit and then transfer to a bus to reach Toronto.

Does Amtrak operate trains in Canada?

Three trains run in and out of Canada, allowing passengers to go between the Amtrak and VIA systems.

VIA is Canada’s version of Amtrak, offering both regional and long-distance services.

At some border crossings, passengers must disembark for immigration, while others complete customs while still on the train.

In either case, the train will stop for a while. All trains bear the Amtrak brand.

Bring a pen to fill out customs forms if you plan to cross the border.

The Maple Leaf train service has different numbering depending on whether you are on the US or Canadian side of the border. Some segments may not be available for booking through Amtrak. If that is the case for you, you may need to first book your trip with Amtrak to the border and then book with VIA Rail for any intermediate stops in Canada.

Accommodations Available on Amtrak Trains to Canada

All trains offer coach classes, but Adirondack does not offer business classes.

Coach class

Coach seating offers a comfortable experience with fold-down trays, individual reading lights, 120V grounded electric outlets, and ample luggage storage above the seat or on a shelf.

There is ample space above and below your seat to store your luggage. Additionally, most trains have a shelf at the end of the car where you can place your belongings.

Based on years of experience, I recommend bringing an extension cord. That way, you can plug in more than one thing, and you do not have to keep bothering your seatmate if you have an aisle seat.

Business Class

All these trains offer business class, except the Adirondack. This class features extra legroom, a comfortable seat, and benefits including café or bistro services. Ask the café car attendant for more details.

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

Wi-Fi on trains

Wi-Fi is free and available on these trains, but it may not be available in Candida.

If you plan to use your phone after crossing the border, ensure your plan includes coverage for calls, texting, and data. Some messaging apps rely on data instead of standard texting, which could restrict your ability to communicate or deplete your data allowance. Nobody wants to face unexpected charges for international fees.

Food & currency on these trains

When I’m traveling, I often get hungry, and that’s when I head to the café (or bistro by car on the Cascades).

These trains feature a café or bistro car where passengers can enjoy a variety of hot and cold meals, snacks, and beverages, including alcoholic beverages. Food choices can vary based on the train and which side of the border you are on.

The café is open for most of the journey, but it may be closed at the beginning and end of the route, as well as before the boarding crossing. 

The café car accepts US currency during the US portions of the trip. Still, for onboard Café purchases in the Canadian section, the café will only accept credit cards, prepaid cards, and VIA Rail gift cards. Some trains may only accept Canadian paper money within Canada. 

I assume Vias and Mastercard-branded debit cards are accepted; however, the information in bold is from the Amtrak site, which may change at any time. Ask the car attendant for more details.

Amtrak to Canada: Requirements and Guidelines for Border Crossings

Most of the information below comes directly from Amtrak, with minor edits for clarity. Always double-check the Amtrak Border Crossing page for the most up-to-date details.

Honesty and preparation are key when crossing the border. Be cooperative and truthful with border officers to help keep the process smooth and quick.

Know what you can bring. Each country has rules about what items are allowed, including limits on money, food, and agricultural products.

For more detailed information, visit official government websites like:

• US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

The IDs you need to take Amtrak to Canada

No Passengers Under 18 Across the US-Canadian Border Unaccompanied!

Refer to the Amtrak border crossing page for more information about required IDs or crossing the border with minors. You need at least one of these forms of ID, depending on your country of origin.

US citizens 16 or older

The only acceptable documents for US citizens 16 and over to cross the US-Canadian border by land or sea are:

• United States Passport
• United States Passport Card
• Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI)
• Enhanced Driver’s License (issued by Washington State, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, and Vermont only),
• Enhanced Learner’s Permit or Enhanced State ID card (Temporary enhanced driver’s licenses/learner’s permits/state or provincial ID cards are not accepted. The traveler must have the permanent license/permit/card.)
• Merchant Mariner Document,
• Military ID with Military orders
• Form I-872, American Indian Card
• Amish and Mennonite Old Order only:
  • Copy of birth certificate and
  • A signed copy of IRS Form 4029, application for exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes, and waiver of benefits.

Canadian citizens 16 and over

The only acceptable documents for Canadian citizens 16 and over to cross the US-Canadian border by land or sea are:

• Canadian Passport
• Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI)
• Enhanced Driver’s License (issued by British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec only)
• Enhanced Learner’s Permit, Enhanced State ID card
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) card

US & Canadian citizens under 16

The only acceptable documents for US and Canadian citizens under 16 to cross the US-Canadian border by land or sea are:

(Under 19 if traveling with an organized group, such as on a school trip)

• One of the above documents
• Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate (bearing the raised seal of the issuing office and a statement that it is a certified copy of the original document on file at that office)
• US Citizen Children Only: Consular Report of Birth Abroad or United States Naturalization Certificate
• Canadian Citizen Children Only: Canadian Citizenship Certificate Card

Citizens of countries other than the US & Canada

The only acceptable documents for citizens of countries other than the US and Canada to cross the US-Canadian border by land or sea are:

Citizens of all other countries who are not permanent residents of the United States or Canada need:

Amtrak to Canada wrap-up

Thanks for checking out this page and including me in your travel research for your next train trip to or from Canada! Amtrak can be an easy way to travel, allowing you to relax or get some work done! Additionally, the train will allow you to travel without having to keep your eyes on the road or deal with the stress of air travel.

If you plan to travel by Amtrak to Canada or the United States, please visit the Amtrak border crossing page for the most up-to-date information.

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