Amtrak has three daily trains between the USA and Canada: the Adirondack and Maple Leaf on the East Coast and the Cascades on the West Coast. There is also talk of a Chicago to Toronto train. If you want to talk Amtrak to Canada, this article will give you the basics you need and links to the current border crossing information.
Amtrak can take you to VIA Rail stations, where you can connect with Canadian regional and long-distance transportation. However, transfers at some stations may require an overnight stay.
Amtrak To Canada: the trains you can take
Here are the current trains that travel between the two countries.
The Amtrak Adirondack schedule and more info
The Amtrak Adirondack travels between New York and Montreal, QC; get the schedule and basic information on this train to plan your next adventure.
The Amtrak Cascades schedule and more details
The Amtrak Cascades and connecting service can get you between Eugene, OR, Vancouver, BC, and intermediate stops. Get the schedules and more info on this train.
The Amtrak Maple Leaf: Toronto to New York
The Amtrak Maple Leaf travels between New York, NY, and Toronto, ON, Canada, plus intermediate stops. Get the schedule and learn the basics before you go.
Does Amtrak operate trains in Canada?
Three Amtrak trains run in and out of Canada but operate differently than other regional trains.
Amtrak staffs the trains with engineers, conductors, and onboard staff while in the USA; after the border, the crew switched to VIA Rail crews. VIA is Canada’s version of Amtrak, which has regional and long-distance service.
Passengers must get off the train when crossing the border to go through immigration and then return to the same Amtrak-branded train.
If you pick up one of these Amtrak trains in Canada, the train may run under a VIA number, but some portions may not be available for booking through Amtrak. If that is the case for you, you may need to book with Amtrak to the border and then with VIA from there to your destination.
Accommodations found on Amtrak trains to Canada
All trains offer coach classes, but Adirondack offers business classes.
Coach class
- Coach seating offers
- Comfortable seats
- A fold-down tray,
- Individual reading lights
- 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets.
- Luggage storage
- Above the seat
- Many cars provide a shelf for luggage.
Business Class
All these trains, but the Adirondack offers business class, which includes extra legroom and a comfortable seat and comes with cafe or bistro benefits. Ask the cafe 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.
Food & currency on these trains
- All the trains have a cafe or bistro car that offers:
- A variety of hot and cold meals
- Snacks
- Hot, cold, and adult beverages.
- It is available for all customers for most of the journey.
- However, this car may close at the start and end of the route and immigration stops.
The cafe car takes US currency during the US portions, but the cafe will accept only credit cards, prepaid cards, and VIA Rail gift cards for onboard Café purchases in the Canadian section. Some trains may take Canadian paper money only in Canada.
I assume Vias and Mastercard branded debit cards are accepted, but the bold text is from the Amtrak site, and this could change at any time. Ask the car attendant for more details.
Amtrak to Canada: requirements and guidelines for border crossings
Information in this section is directly from Amtrak; visit the Amtrak page on border crossing to ensure you have the most current information.
You must be prepared and honest when dealing with border officers to ensure things go smoothly and quickly.
Be aware of what items you can bring into the country you are going to, including money and agricultural goods.
Sites like Customs and Border Protections can help you travel into the USA and Canada Border Services Agency to cross into Canada.
The following information is a guide; check with Amtrak and Via for current information. Most of this information is directly from Amtrak with some slight edits.
The IDs you need to take Amtrak to Canada
No Passengers Under 18 Across the US-Canadian Border Unaccompanied!
Check the Amtrak border crossing page for additional questions about IDs or taking minors over the border. 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 other countries who are permanent residents of the United States:
- Entering Canada: Passport (with visa, if required)
- Entering the United States: Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (older versions of this are called Resident Alien Cards, which, if not expired, may also be used). A foreign passport may also be presented, but Form I-551 is required.
Citizens of other countries who are permanent residents of Canada
- Entering Canada: Passport (with visa, if required)
- Entering the United States: Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (older versions of this are called Resident Alien Cards, which, if not expired, may also be used). A foreign passport may also be presented, but Form I-551 is required.
Citizens of all other countries who are not permanent residents of the United States or Canada need:
- Passport (with visa, if required)
- Re-entry permit
- Refugee permit
When making Canadian reservations
When making a reservation for services crossing the US-Canadian border, you must provide certain information, including your date of birth, gender, country of citizenship, and detailed information regarding the form of ID that you will carry with you on your trip. Further conditions apply.
Providing inaccurate or incomplete information will subject you to extensive inspection and questioning at the border. Please make sure that you supply us with complete and accurate information.
The information you provide when you make your reservation will be entered into your reservation record and supplied to Customs and Immigration officers in advance to facilitate your clearance. Amtrak, VIA Rail Canada, or any Amtrak Thruway provider will not use this information for any other purpose.
When traveling on Amtrak To Canada
The identification you carry on your trip should be the exact piece you selected and provide details about when you made your reservation.
You must carry the original, valid identification document. Customs does not accept any copied, expired, or otherwise invalid documents. Each passenger must have their ID.
Arriving at the Station
- Departing from Vancouver, BC – arrive at least one hour before departure for border crossing processing.
- To complete ID checks, Customs and Immigration close the gates 15 minutes before the scheduled departure; the gates will not reopen once they are closed.
- If departing from Montreal, QC, or Toronto, ON, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
For passengers who are not citizens of the United States or Canada, it is strongly advised to arrive earlier than one hour to complete additional United States Customs and Border Protection processing.
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! Also, the train will enable you to travel without having to keep your eye on the road or deal with the stress of air travel.
If you plan to take Amtrak to Canada or the USA, please go to the Amtrak border crossing page to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
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