Can You Take Amtrak to Canada?

Traveling through Canada via Amtrak is a unique way to explore the country and experience its rich cultural and natural landscapes. While Amtrak operates several routes that situate passengers in proximity to Canadian cities, they do not offer direct travel to them. However, other rail companies and alternatives can help connect you to your destination. In this guide, we will explore the current possibilities of Amtrak and Via Rail Canada for traveling through Canada.

Amtrak's Limited Presence in Canada

Amtrak, the official American national provider for intercity passenger rail travel, has a limited presence in Canada. Despite its extensive network within the United States, Amtrak currently serves only three Canadian cities—Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto. The routes available for travel are as follows:

Seattle to Vancouver, BC New York City to Montreal, Quebec New York City to Toronto, Ontario

These routes are designed specifically to take passengers into these Canadian cities and do not offer onward travel through Canada. After arriving in the specified cities, the train will turn around and return to its US destination, without any secondary travel options to explore other Canadian cities.

Via Rail Canada: A Full Canadian Experience

For a truly Canadian rail experience, Via Rail Canada is the company you should look to. Via Rail operates intercity passenger rail services throughout Canada, providing comprehensive coverage from coast to coast. If you wish to continue your journey after disembarking from an Amtrak train, Via Rail offers an extensive network that can take you to various other cities across the country.

The Via Rail network includes routes that start in Quebec City and extend all the way to Vancouver. This means you can travel through diverse landscapes, from the maritime culture of Nova Scotia to the scenic Canadian Rockies and everything in between. Via Rail has dedicated engineers who take over the trains upon arrival in Canadian cities, providing a seamless transition between Amtrak and Canadian rail services.

Border Crossings and Handovers

Amtrak and Via Rail collaborate at three border crossing points in North America:

Seattle to Vancouver, BC: At the Maple Leaf border crossing, Amtrak trains and a few buses connect passengers to their destinations. Niagara Falls: On the New York City to Toronto route, after crossing the border, a ViaRail engineer takes over, and the next morning, the train returns to the US with an Amtrak engineer. Adirondack Route (New York City to Montreal): This route also connects passengers to Montreal, where Via Rail services take over.

These crossings involve a handover of responsibility between Amtrak and Via Rail engineers, ensuring a smooth transition for passengers and maintaining the integrity of both railway networks.

Partnerships and Future Possibilities

Railway systems often have partnerships with local carriers, and Amtrak is no exception. During these border crossings, Amtrak trains are typically operated as VIA trains. This arrangement facilitates a seamless transfer of passengers and ensures that travel is as smooth as possible.

While the current route offerings are limited, future possibilities for extended travel options through Canada are not entirely out of the question. Both Amtrak and Via Rail continue to explore ways to expand their services and provide more comprehensive rail travel options for passengers.