VIA Rail Trains 97 & 98: Schedule & Guide

VIA Rail 97 & 98 operate between Toronto and Niagara Falls, Ontario, and are part of the international Amtrak Maple Leaf route to New York City. The same train cars and locomotive run throughout the journey; however, the train number, crew, and café service change at the border. In Canada, these trains are known as VIA Rail trains 97 and 98. In the United States, they are referred to as Amtrak trains 63 and 64, which travel south through upstate New York to Manhattan. While the train operates using Amtrak equipment, it is staffed by VIA Rail crews when in Canada.

This guide covers the schedule, VIA Rail-specific policies, and what to expect when crossing into the United States. Get ready for an unforgettable journey through the Niagara region and Hudson Valley!

Booking Your VIA Rail 97 & 98 Trip

Depending on your destination, it may be best to book with VIA or Amtrak, which can sometimes be confusing. The good news is that you will be on the same train for your entire journey. Even if you book with both railroads separately and notice a mention of a connecting train during booking, rest assured, it refers to the same physical train set, so you won’t need to switch trains.

Amtrak allows bookings on this route in Canada only to or from Niagara Falls, Ontario, or Toronto, and requires a connecting stop in the United States. Any other intermediate stops in Canada are not permitted.

However, with VIA Rail, you can book trips that include any intermediate stop in Canada.

Quick rule of thumb:

• Staying in Canada → book through VIA Rail
• Traveling only within the United States → book through Amtrak
• Crossing the border → booking through VIA Rail is usually the easiest option for Canadians

When to book with VIA Rail

When to book with VIA Rail:

• You’re part of the VIA Rail Préférence rewards program, get those points!
• If you want to book a round trip from Canada to one of the US stops listed in the schedule section.

When to book with Amtrak

Book through Amtrak if:

• You are traveling exclusively between US cities like Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and New York City.
• If you have Amtrak Rewards, are traveling to or from Toronto and Niagara Falls, Ontario, and can book entirely with Amtrak, why not earn all those points?

Mixed bookings (VIA Rail + Amtrak)

If your journey requires booking part of your trip with VIA Rail and another part with Amtrak, there’s no need to worry about changing trains. Everyone will disembark at the border and then reboard the same train; the service is designed to accommodate this process.

You will:

• Step off the train for border inspection
• Go through customs
• Reboard the same train after inspection

Train staff will guide passengers through this process and will not allow the train to depart until everyone has returned on board.

The train equipment stays the same throughout the journey, but the crew and café service change at the border.

Example:

• Toronto → New York City = Book with either Amtrak or VIA Rail
• St. Catharines → Buffalo = Book with VIA Rail
• Buffalo → New York City = Book with Amtrak

VIA Rail 97 & 98 Economy Class

VIA Rail uses Amtrak’s Amfleet coach cars on this route, providing a comfortable journey with individual reading lights, fold-down trays, 120V outlets in the wall beneath the windows, 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 generally face the direction of travel. I also have a post about Amtrak Coach Class that might help you understand what to expect.

Business Class on VIA Rail 97/98

Note: VIA Rail offers Business Class on this route, but it is different from Business Class on their other routes.

Business Class seating on Amtrak is typically located in an upgraded section of an Amfleet café car rather than in a dedicated Business Class car. These seats provide extra legroom and a quieter atmosphere; however, passengers will not experience the full VIA Rail Business Class service. In Toronto, there is no lounge access, priority boarding is not available, and VIA Rail does not offer complimentary beverages while in Canada.

Business Class passengers earn VIA Préférence points. Upon entering the United States, Amtrak’s Business Class service begins, offering complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Check with the café car attendant for more information and the current offerings.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is not available on this train while in Canada. Free Amtrak Wi-Fi is available to passengers once the train enters the United States and is operating as an Amtrak service.

Food on VIA Rail 97/98

You are allowed to bring food and drinks on board the train, but consuming your own alcohol is not permitted. Additionally, certain food items cannot be taken across international borders. If you are unsure about any restrictions, please check the current border regulations before traveling.

The café operates differently depending on which country the train is operating in.

While in Canada (VIA Rail operation)

VIA Rail operates the café between Toronto and Niagara Falls, ON, offering a limited selection of cold food items and beverages due to the shorter Canadian portion of the route.

The café accepts only major credit cards and prepaid cards. Cash and VIA Rail Gift Cards are not accepted.

Check out the offerings in VIA Rail’s café cars; however, not all selections may be available on your train.

While in the United States (Amtrak operation)

After crossing the border at Niagara Falls, the train stops for customs inspection. During this time, VIA Rail removes its food inventory, and Amtrak restocks the café with a selection of hot and cold meals, snacks, and beverages for the journey to New York City.

The café car accepts major credit and debit cards. Cash may not always be accepted, so travelers should plan to pay electronically.

You can learn more about Amtrak café cars and see a sample menu.

Booking

If your itinerary includes a border crossing, the number on your ticket may be 7097 or 7098. The “7” indicates that you are crossing the border.

VIA Rail 97/98 Add-ons

Pets

VIA Rail allows small dogs and cats (up to 10 kg/22 lbs combined weight of pet and carrier) on Corridor trains, including VIA Trains 97/98, while traveling within Canada only. Pets are not permitted on the US portion of the route.

You must book at least 48 hours in advance by calling 1-888-VIA-RAIL (1-888-842-7245). The pet fee is $50 CAD per direction, plus tax. The pet and carrier are in addition to your regular baggage allowance and must remain on the floor at your feet in the carrier throughout the journey.

For service animals, please check VIA Rail’s service animal policy for requirements and booking instructions.

Bikes

At this time, bicycles are not carried on VIA Rail Corridor trains operating this route, including Trains 97 and 98.

VIA Rail has begun reintroducing bicycle service on selected Corridor trains using its new Venture trainsets. Amtrak will be updating its fleet, including the equipment used on this route, over the next couple of years. Availability varies by train and equipment type, so it must be confirmed at the time of booking.

For the most current information, check VIA Rail’s bicycle policy or call 1-888-842-7245 before traveling.

Luggage

This train does not offer checked baggage service.

VIA Rail’s carry-on baggage allowance:

• 1 personal item (up to 11 kg/25 lbs)
• 1 carry-on bag (up to 23 kg/50 lbs, maximum size 64 cm x 41 cm x 30 cm / 25″ x 16″ x 12″)

You can add one additional carry-on bag for $25 CAD plus tax when booking in advance. This allowance is more generous than Amtrak’s standard baggage policy, so if you’re continuing into the US, make sure your luggage complies with both carriers’ requirements.

VIA Préférence Loyalty Program

VIA Rail’s loyalty program, VIA Préférence, allows you to earn points on eligible travel, including the Canadian portion of your journey on Trains 97 and 98.

How to earn points:

• 1-3 points per dollar spent (before taxes), depending on fare type and membership tier
• Points can also be earned on baggage fees, pet fees, and seat selection
• Three membership tiers: Préférence (basic), Privilège ($1,000 spent), and Premier ($2,500 spent)

How to use points:

• Redeem for train tickets, travel passes, baggage fees, and more
• No blackout dates
• Point requirements vary by fare—lower fares require fewer points.

Join for free at viarail.ca and start earning on your next trip.

Crossing the US/Canadian Border

I’ll be honest: I was nervous about my first border crossing on this route. However, traveling to Canada turned out to be a smooth and straightforward experience. The customs agents were efficient, and having my documents organized in a travel folder helped everything move quickly. I didn’t have to fumble with my phone, and if you’re feeling nervous, it can be hard to remember dates. Having printed copies meant everything was right there when I needed it. We left at the scheduled time without any issues.

Crossing into the United States follows the same basic process, though US Customs and Border Protection is known for being thorough. The key to either direction?

Preparation. Have your documents ready, answer questions honestly, and don’t let the process intimidate you.

Here’s what you need to know:

Border Documents

A valid passport or an approved travel document, such as a NEXUS card, is necessary to cross the Canadian-U.S. border.

Despite reminders from VIA Rail and Amtrak, some passengers still attempt to cross the border without proper documentation, which can result in denial of travel. Ensure your documents are ready before arriving at the border.

Be mindful of border restrictions, including limits on currency and agricultural items.

Border Inspection Process

Border inspections are conducted in Niagara Falls for the country you are entering.

When traveling southbound (entering the US):

• Train 97 makes a stop in Niagara Falls, New York
• All passengers are required to disembark with their luggage
• US Customs and Border Protection conducts inspections of passengers and their baggage.
• Passengers will reboard the same train, which will continue as Amtrak Train 63.

When traveling northbound (entering Canada):

• Amtrak Train 64 makes a stop in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
• All passengers should disembark with their luggage.
• The Canadian Border Services Agency inspects both passengers and their baggage.
• Passengers will reboard the same train, which will continue as VIA Train 98.

Tips for a smooth crossing:

• Please bring a pen, as you will need it to complete the customs paperwork.
• Traveling north? Complete your Canadian customs form while the train stops in Niagara Falls, NY. It’s easier than trying to write on a moving train.
• Make sure your items are easily accessible, as customs may inspect your luggage while you are present.
  • This is where a travel folder comes in handy: it keeps your tickets and hotel reservations organized and allows quick retrieval.
• Don’t worry about your seat – you may return to a different one after inspection; this is perfectly normal.
  • When I got back on the train, I was placed in a different car.

Potential Delays

Border crossings may cause delays that are beyond the control of VIA Rail and Amtrak. Processing times are determined by US or Canadian customs and immigration procedures. To ensure a smooth travel experience, it’s best to avoid scheduling tight connections. Please plan your travel accordingly.

For more information:

• Entering the US: Customs and Border Protection
• Entering Canada: Canada Border Services Agency

VIA Rail 97 & 98 Schedule

Use this schedule as a guide; check with VIA Rail 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’s a quick stop.

The first station code is a four-letter code used by VIA Rail, while the second code is a three-letter designation for Amtrak. Links to VIA stations will direct you to the VIArail.ca pages for more information, while links to Amtrak stops will take you to Amtrak.com for additional details and offerings at each station.

Click a station to view the services offered at that stop. These times were last updated on February 4, 2026

* VIA’s train number: Amtrak’s train number

+ Canadian intermediate stops – must be booked through VIA Rail starting from a Canadian station

VIA Rail 97 & 98 Wrap-Up

I took the train from Chicago to Toronto, starting on the Lake Shore Limited, transferring to the Maple Leaf, and then boarding VIA 97.

This journey marked my first experience with VIA Rail, but I found myself in a very familiar Amtrak Amfleet car. That’s what made it feel surreal: I had spent hundreds of hours in these exact seats, yet suddenly, conductors in different uniforms were making bilingual announcements, and the café offered Molson instead of Stone IPA. It felt like traveling in an alternate-universe version of Amtrak. Honestly, it was fantastic—a convenient border crossing wrapped in just enough novelty to keep it interesting, all leading to a few days in Toronto.

Safe Travels & Happy Planning,

Kev

Last updated: February 2026