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 talk of a Chicago-to-Toronto train, but nothing is in place yet. If you want to learn about one of these trains, this article will give you 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 and connecting service can get you between Eugene, OR, Vancouver, BC, and intermediate stops. Get the schedules and more info on this train.

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, which has regional and long-distance service.

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 U.S. 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.

From years of experience, I suggest 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 includes extra legroom, a comfortable seat, and 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.

If you want to use your phone once you cross the border, ensure your plan includes calls, texting, and data. Some texting apps use data instead of standard texting, which could limit your communications or consume your data allotment.

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 offer a café or bistro car where passengers can enjoy various hot and cold meals, snacks, and beverages, including alcoholic drinks. Food choices can vary based on the train and what 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 and before the boarding crossing. 

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

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:

• U.S. 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!

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 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! 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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