Amtrak New York to Montreal: Stations, Border Crossing, and Required Documents

Amtrak New York to Montreal journey happens on one train, the Adirondack, which runs daily in each direction between New York Moynihan Train Hall and Montreal’s Gare Centrale, covering 381 miles. The northbound Train 69 departs New York at 8:15 a.m. and arrives in Montreal at 8:16 p.m., a scheduled journey of 12 hours and 1 minute. The southbound Train 68 departs Montreal at approximately 11:10 a.m. and arrives in New York at 10:15 p.m. Only Coach Class is available on the Adirondack; there are no Business Class seats or Sleeping cabins. Fares start from around $70 to $75. Additionally, all passengers must carry a valid passport, as the train crosses the U.S.-Canada international border at Rouses Point.

New York to Montreal on Amtrak

The Adirondack is the only direct train between New York City and Montreal, and Amtrak services cross an international border. The route follows the Hudson River north from Manhattan, through the Adirondack foothills, Lake Champlain, and crosses into Quebec before arriving in Montreal.

• Train: The Adirondack (Trains 68 and 69)
• Duration: 12 hours 1 minute (New York to Montreal) and 11 hours 5 minutes (Montreal to New York)
• Distance: 381 miles (613 km)
• Frequency: One or two daily departures in each direction
• Departure Station (northbound): New York Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station (NYP), 351 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001
• Arrival Station (northbound): Montreal Gare Centrale Station (MTR), 895 Rue de la Gauchetiere Ouest, Montreal, QC H3B 4G1.
• Classes Available: Coach only,  no Business Class and Sleeping Cars.

Amtrak Adirondack Train Schedule

The departure and arrival timings for both Northbound and Southbound journeys are fixed, and as there is only one departure per day, no alternatives are available.

New York to Montreal train (Northbound)

Intermediate Stops: 69 Adirondack

Montreal to New York (Southbound)Saratoga Springs, NY (SAR)

Travel Documents and Border Crossing 

All passengers, regardless of nationality, must carry a valid passport to travel on the Adirondack. The train crosses the U.S.-Canada international border at Rouses Point, New York, which requires formal immigration and customs clearance in both directions. A passport card, Driver’s Licence, or Nexus card is also accepted for U.S. and Canadian citizens, but a standard driver’s licence is not sufficient. Non-U.S. and non-Canadian citizens should verify visa requirements for both countries before booking:

• Entering Canada: Check whether a Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required. Citizens of many countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and most EU nations, need an eTA (C$7, applied for online) to enter Canada by rail.
• Entering the United States: Non-U.S. nationals should verify whether they require an ESTA or visa for re-entry into the United States on the return journey.
• UK ETA: From February 2026, UK nationals require a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation to visit the UK. This does not apply to this journey, but UK nationals entering the US should check US entry requirements.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Northbound)

On the northbound journey, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers board the train at Rouses Point, NY, before the train crosses into Canada. Passengers remain in their seats while CBP officers inspect passports and ask customs and immigration questions. The train does not move during this inspection. Processing typically takes 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of passengers and the volume of questions.

Canada Border Services Agency (Southbound)

On the southbound return, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) inspects passengers before the train departs from Montreal. U.S. CBP pre-clearance also takes place at Gare Centrale before southbound departure; passengers clear both Canadian exit and U.S. entry formalities at the Montreal station before the train moves. 

Important Information about the Amtrak New York to Montreal Journey

These are some of the important details that passengers traveling on the Amtrak New York to Montreal journey must know. 

Amtrak Coach Class

It is the only class available on the Adirondack; Seats are in Amfleet single-level cars arranged two-by-two, with comfortable recline, fold-down tray tables, seatback pockets, reading lights, and power outlets on the wall beside the seat rather than under the seat or in the armrest. Passengers are advised to bring a short extension cord or a right-angle charger for better access.

Dining on Amtrak

The Adirondack carries a Cafe Car open to all passengers throughout the journey (on the U.S. portion at a minimum). It serves hot drinks, cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks, and light meals. Passengers are also permitted to bring their own food on Amtrak trains. However, it may not contain alcoholic drinks or beverages.

Internet Connectivity

Complimentary Amtrak Wifi is available on the U.S. portion of the journey. It may not work on the Canadian section between Rouses Point and Montreal, and connectivity can be intermittent in rural areas through the Adirondacks. The service is not suited for streaming or video calls but handles messaging and occasional browsing.

New York and Montreal are in different countries, and it takes about 12 hours to reach the destination. Border checks are conducted on every passenger traveling on Amtrak. As the route is direct, people do not need to get off the train; the officers will verify the documents on their seats. Moreover, this train has only one standard cabin class, i.e., coach, that starts from $70, if booked 3 to 4 weeks earlier.

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