Summary
- Resumption of Maple Leaf Service: Amtrak has restarted its Maple Leaf train route to Toronto.
- Connection Overview: The service travels from New York City to Toronto, offering picturesque views along the way.
- Travel Guidelines: Canada welcomes travelers without pre-arrival testing, with vaccination requirements in place.
Amtrak has resumed a key route to Toronto, marking the first time the rail company has traveled to Canada since before the pandemic.
The Maple Leaf train restarted service on June 27, traveling from New York City’s Penn Station to Toronto Union Station in Canada, as Amtrak announced last week.
This is the first time Amtrak has resumed international service since 2020.
Amtrak’s Executive Vice President, Marketing and Revenue, Chief Commercial Officer Roger Harris expressed: “Amtrak is delighted to welcome passengers back on board the Maple Leaf, connecting New York City and upstate New York with Toronto and Ontario. On board the Maple Leaf, customers can experience some of the best views in the country through the beautiful Hudson River Valley, New York’s wine country, and the incredible gorges of the Finger Lakes region, before crossing the US/Canadian border near the dramatic spectacle of Niagara Falls.”
The route, run in conjunction with VIA Rail Canada, takes just over 12 hours to complete. Like all Amtrak trains, travelers will enjoy free Wi-Fi, the ability to travel with small pets, and access to the cafe car.
In light of the two-year pandemic, people are eager to travel again this summer. Consequently, the Maple Leaf experience allows passengers on both sides of the border to enjoy a beautiful vacation and travel beyond Toronto on VIA Rail trains that can connect them right across Canada. Michael Acosta, VIA Rail’s senior director of commercial affairs, made this statement, highlighting the growing interest in cross-border travel.
Canada welcomes vaccinated travelers from the United States and does not require any pre-arrival testing. However, all travelers must complete a form on the country’s ArriveCAN app or website.
This is not Amtrak’s only new route this summer. The company plans to launch a Berkshire Flyer service between New York City and Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on July 8. Furthermore, an Ethan Allen Express train will launch with service to the Vermont cities of Burlington, Vergennes, and Middlebury on July 29.
Alison Fox is a contributing writer for iBestTravel. When she’s not in New York City, she enjoys spending time at the beach or exploring new destinations and aims to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
