Amtrak Vacations
Adirondack Mountains and Eastern Canada
Independent rail journey from New York City to Quebec City via Montreal
6 daysfrom $1,009
33% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Capital to Capital
Multi-city rail vacation from Toronto to Washington DC across 7 cities
Amtrak Vacations runs this 13-day, 12-night independent rail vacation from Toronto to Washington, D.C., linking seven cities across Canada and the United States by VIA Rail and Amtrak. After two days in Toronto, including the CN Tower, a day tour to Niagara Falls adds a meal overlooking the falls and a Hornblower boat ride. VIA Rail's Corridor Service then carries the trip to Ottawa and on to Montreal, where a guided city tour takes in the Basilica Notre Dame. From Montreal, the Adirondack train crosses the border to New York City for three nights built around a CityPASS covering the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and the Top of the Rock, plus a dinner at a revolving restaurant overlooking Times Square. The Northeast Regional then continues to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., where the trip closes with a Monuments by Moonlight tour of the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. This suits travelers who want one rail itinerary covering major cities on both sides of the border without arranging each train segment themselves.
What to know before you look closer
- The 36 accommodation options span several tiers and cities, from the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre to the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto and the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa; your actual hotel depends on the tier and city you choose.
- Only 2 meals, 1 lunch and 1 dinner, are included across the 13-day, 7-city trip; other meals are on your own.
- One included tour, listed as 'Sightseeing city tour of Montreal*,' carries an asterisk in the evidence with no visible footnote explaining it; confirm any conditions on this tour with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Toronto
Your Journey Begins in Toronto
Welcome to Canada! Travel on your own to your centrally located hotel and start exploring the city. Visit Maple Leaf Square to find some great dining experiences.
- Day 2overnight: Toronto
Toronto, ON
Today there is a full day of sightseeing ahead of you. Your hop-on, hop-off tour will feature top Toronto sights such as the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, Toronto Harbourfront, Eaton Centre and Chinatown, among others. Admission to the CN Tower, with sweeping views of Toronto, is also included today.
- Day 3overnight: Toronto
Toronto to Niagara Falls
This morning, you will be picked up at your hotel for a full day tour to one of the wonders of the natural world, Niagara Falls. Highlights will include a meal overlooking the falls, and a ride on the Hornblower boat where you will get close enough to the Falls that you will feel the mist on your face. You will also have free time to explore Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake on your own. After your full day of touring, the tour will drop you back off at your hotel for a relaxing evening.
Meals: L
- Day 4railovernight: Ottawa
Toronto to Ottawa
Enjoy your last morning in Toronto before boarding VIA Rail's Corridor Service from Toronto to Ottawa early this afternoon. Enjoy your relaxing train ride before pulling into the Capital city of Canada, Ottawa, later this afternoon.
- Day 5railovernight: Montreal
Ottawa to Montreal
Wake up this morning and enjoy the day at your leisure to explore the city's many popular landmarks and attractions. You might choose to visit Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, or stroll through the lively ByWard Market area. This evening, travel on your own to the VIA Rail station for your train east to Montreal. Check into your centrally located Montreal hotel for a good night's rest.
- Day 6overnight: Montreal
Montreal, QC
Today you will have a guided tour that will direct you all around Montreal. Your tour will bring you to such popular attractions as the Olympic Stadium, Basilica Notre Dame, and Place Jacques Cartier. Let the history and the culture of the city sink in as you enjoy your tour.
- Day 7railovernight: New York City
Montreal to New York City
This morning, wake up and travel to the Amtrak Station in Montreal and board the Adirondack train for your trip across the Canadian border to New York City! Your trip through New York State will be scenic and relaxing, a great way to rest up before exploring the Big Apple! Arrive this evening into New York's Penn Station and travel to your hotel.
- Day 8overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
The hustle and bustle of the city awaits you during these exciting days of exploration. Use your New York CityPASS to gain admission to New York's top attractions, including the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Top of the Rock and the Guggenheim Museum. Your hop-on, hop-off tour will help you navigate through the city while pointing out the famous landmarks you came here to see - including Times Square, Battery Park and the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Day 9overnight: New York City
New York City, NY
Continuing using your CityPASS and your hop-on, hop-off tour to explore more of New York City. Head uptown to the Museum of Natural History and stroll through Central Park. Or go downtown and take the ferry out to Liberty Island for an up close and personal look at the Statue of Liberty. Tonight, enjoy a real treat while you dine at New York's only revolving restaurant with unparalleled views of Times Square!
Meals: D
- Day 10railovernight: Philadelphia
New York City to Philadelphia
This morning, wake up and travel on your own to Penn Station for a short trip on the Northeast Regional train line to the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia! Here you will be able to use your hop-on, hop-off bus pass for easy and convenient transportation to get around the city and see all of the city's highlights. Hop-off at the Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, or the Philadelphia Museum of Art. With multiple stops and highlights the city is yours to explore.
- Day 11overnight: Washington, DC
Philadelphia to Washington, DC
This morning, board Amtrak for your journey down to Washington, DC! Arrive at the picturesque Union Station and travel to your hotel. A multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour of the Nation's Capital will make stops at the White House, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and many more landmarks.
- Day 12overnight: Washington, DC
Washington, DC
On your second day of touring in Washington, DC, continue to use your hop-on, hop off tour to get around the city. See the Capitol, the National Mall, and the many Smithsonian Museums. Tonight, board the Monuments by Moonlight tour, an experience not to be missed while in Washington, DC. See the monuments, such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the WWII Memorial, dramatically lit up in the evening.
- Day 13
Your Journey Ends in Washington, D.C.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3A Niagara Falls tour with a meal overlooking the falls and a Hornblower boat ride close enough to feel the mist.
- Day 8New York CityPASS admissions including the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and the Top of the Rock Observation Deck.
- Day 9A dinner at New York's only revolving restaurant, overlooking Times Square, plus a ferry out to Liberty Island for the Statue of Liberty.
- Day 12Washington, D.C.'s Monuments by Moonlight tour, seeing the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and WWII Memorial lit up at night.
Included
- One-way VIA Rail® in Economy from Toronto to Ottawa and Ottawa to Montreal on the Corridor Service®
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Montreal to New York; New York to Philadelphia; and Philadelphia to Washington D.C. on the Adirondack® and Northeast Regional®
- 12 nights' hotel accommodations
- 2 meals included (1 lunch, 1 dinner)
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Railbookersfrom $3,349
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes: VIA Rail's Corridor Service in Economy from Toronto to Ottawa and Ottawa to Montreal, Amtrak's Adirondack in Coach from Montreal to New York, and Amtrak's Northeast Regional in Coach from New York to Philadelphia and Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It is sold as an independent rail vacation; travel to hotels and train stations on arrival and departure days is made on your own, while city tours in each stop are pre-arranged.
- Which trains are used?
- VIA Rail's Corridor Service, Amtrak's Adirondack, and Amtrak's Northeast Regional, all in Economy or Coach class.
- Is there an overnight sleeper on any of these trains?
- No. The itinerary shows every rail travel day ending with a hotel stay in the arrival city rather than an overnight onboard the train.
- What hotels are used?
- 36 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre, Fairmont Royal York, and Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.
- How many meals are included?
- 2 meals: 1 lunch, during the Niagara Falls tour on day 3, and 1 dinner, at a revolving restaurant in New York on day 9.
