Crossing the US-Canadian Border

If your trip involves travel across the US-Canadian border on a train or Thruway bus, you can help ensure a safe and speedy passage by reviewing the following requirements and guidelines. Amtrak services that cross the US-Canadian border are subject to inspection by Canadian and American law enforcement officials.

When making a reservation for services crossing the US-Canadian border, you must provide certain information, including your date of birth, gender, country of citizenship, and detailed information regarding the form of ID that you will carry with you on your trip. Further conditions apply.

Providing inaccurate or incomplete information will subject you to extensive inspection and questioning at the border. Please make sure that you supply us with complete and accurate information.

The information you provide when you make your reservation will be entered into your reservation record and supplied to Customs and Immigration officers in advance to facilitate your clearance. This information will not be used by Amtrak, VIA Rail Canada, or any Amtrak Thruway provider for any other purpose.

The form of identification you carry with you on your trip should be the same piece of identification that you selected and provided details about when you made your reservation.

You must carry the original, valid identification document. Copies, expired or otherwise invalid documents will not be accepted. Each passenger must have their own ID.

• Departing from Vancouver, BC - arrive at least one hour prior to departure for border crossing processing. To complete ID checks, Customs and Immigration closes the gates 15 minutes before the scheduled departure; gates will not reopen once closed.
• Departing from Montreal, QC, or Toronto, ON - arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure.

For passengers who are not citizens of either the United States or Canada, it is strongly advised to arrive earlier than one hour to complete additional United States Customs and Border Protection processing.

You may experience delays at border crossings. Such delays are usually due to US and/or Canadian customs and immigration procedures, and are beyond Amtrak's control.

Inspections during travel to/from Toronto will occur in Niagara Falls. Passengers will detrain with baggage at the border, should be prepared to show the ID selected when making reservations and will reboard the same train.

The Canada Border Services Agency and US Customs and Border Protection Department are very concerned about the safety of children crossing the border. The following applies to any situation where a passenger under 18 years old is not crossing the border accompanied by both parents:

• If one or both parents are not accompanying the child, bring a letter from any parent or legal guardian not present giving permission to cross the border. (If part of an organized group, see below for the requirement.) Include addresses and phone numbers.
• If one parent is deceased, a copy of the death certificate will minimize questions and delay.*
• Parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents.*
• Contact the appropriate government agency for additional information.

* Amtrak will not deny travel to an adult without this, but the adult may be subject to extensive questioning and delay by border control officers.

Passengers 17 years old and younger traveling alone may not cross the US-Canadian border regardless of ID or notarized letter, unless accompanied by another passenger who is at least 18 years old.

Exception: Children 16 - 17 years old who are citizens or legal residents of the country to which they are traveling, and who bear identification proving this, may return home from the other country by themselves. The conditions above under "Travelers under 18 years old not traveling with both parents" apply. In addition, the permission letter specified above for such a child must include the name, address and phone number of the persons taking care of him or her in the home country (normally the parents), and, if not the parents, a statement from the parent or guardian that this person is authorized to take care of him or her. In other words:

• A child 16 - 17 who is a citizen or legal resident of Canada may return home to Canada.
• A child 16 - 17 who is a citizen or legal resident of the United States may return home to the United States.

Under no circumstances may a child 15 or younger (an unaccompanied minor) cross the border alone.

Non-US-resident citizens of other countries entering the United States must also apply for the I-94 Arrival Record and pay a $6 fee. You must pre-pay the fee and apply online through the US Customs website up to seven (7) days before your trip. Then you’ll just complete the final steps onboard. 

In addition to completing an I-94 Arrival Record, travelers intending to enter the United States by land under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are required to obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization prior to application for admission at land border ports of entry. You are encouraged to apply for a travel authorization at least 72 hours in advance of your anticipated arrival at a U.S. land port of entry. If the application is not submitted and approved prior to arrival at the land border, you will have withdraw your application for admission to the US and return to Canada to submit the application. To apply and for Frequently Asked Questions about the ESTA process or the Visa Waiver Program, visit the ESTA website.

US-VISIT is an enhanced border inspection program implemented by the US Department of Homeland Security. US-VISIT requirements do not replace visa requirements for entering the United States. Visit Department of Homeland Security to find out if US-VISIT applies to you, the entry process, fees and more.

Permission to enter the US or Canada is granted solely at the discretion of Customs and Immigration officers. Accordingly, possession of required documentation and providing Amtrak with required information in no way guarantees entry into the United States or Canada.

Neither Amtrak nor VIA Rail Canada nor any other carrier is in any way liable in the event that you are denied entry or delayed on your trip. Trains or buses will not be delayed at the border on your behalf if you are detained.