Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

USA and Canada Eastern Rail Journey

Independent rail journey from New York City through Canada to Chicago

USA and Canada Eastern Rail Journey, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 11-day rail journey across the eastern United States and Canada, starting in New York City and ending in Chicago. The trip opens with three nights in New York, using an included CityPass and hop-on, hop-off tour to cover neighborhoods from Greenwich Village to Museum Mile. From there, the Adirondack train carries travelers north to Montreal for two nights, then VIA Rail continues to Toronto for city touring and CN Tower views, and on to Niagara Falls for a day of falls-side sightseeing that includes a cruise to the base of the falls. In the evening, travelers transfer to Buffalo to board an overnight Amtrak train to Chicago, where the trip closes with two nights that include an architecture river cruise and Skydeck admission. Because it's an independent package, most of each day beyond the included tours is left open for travelers to explore at their own pace.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are chosen from a list of 27 options across the five cities (for example the Waldorf Astoria New York or the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Ave), so which property you get depends on what you book.
  • This is an independent trip, not an escorted tour: beyond the included city tours and passes, travelers manage their own time in each city.
  • The evidence gives no current departure dates; confirm availability and pricing with Amtrak Vacations before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: New York City

    Your Journey Begins in New York City

    Welcome to New York City! Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a three-night stay and start exploring the Big Apple on your own.

  2. Day 2overnight: New York City

    New York City, NY

    Start using your included CityPass and hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour, visiting Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy, Rockefeller Plaza, Museum Mile, and more.

  3. Day 3overnight: New York City

    New York City, NY

    Continue using your included CityPass and hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour, taking in the Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Times Square, Chinatown, and Battery Park.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Montreal

    New York City to Montreal

    Spend the day on the train travelling north from New York City to Montreal, Canada. Check into your hotel for a two-night stay and begin exploring the city.

  5. Day 5overnight: Montreal

    Montreal, QC

    Enjoy your Montreal city tour, showing you the heart of the city including Notre Dame Basilica, Montreal Harbour, Place des Arts, Chinatown, and Old Montreal.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Toronto

    Montreal to Toronto

    Take a train from Montreal to Toronto and check into your hotel for a three-night stay. Begin using your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour.

  7. Day 7overnight: Toronto

    Toronto, ON

    Continue using your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour, then visit the CN Tower with your included admission for breath-taking views of the city.

  8. Day 8overnight: Niagara Falls

    Toronto to Niagara Falls

    Explore Niagara Falls, including a journey behind the falls, a cruise right up to the Falls, and a self-guided tour of the White Water Walk.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Continue using your Niagara Adventure Pass to experience all the sights and attractions you didn't get the chance to yesterday. In the evening, transfer from Niagara Falls to the Buffalo train station for your overnight rail journey to Chicago.

  10. Day 10overnight: Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    Arrive in Chicago, the Windy City! After checking in, embark on your included Chicago architecture river cruise, seeing the Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Marina City and more.

  11. Day 11overnight: Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    Start using your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour to visit Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, Willis Tower and John Hancock Tower, plus included admission to Skydeck Chicago, 103 floors up in the former Sears Tower.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A New York CityPass and hop-on, hop-off tour cover Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy, Rockefeller Plaza and Museum Mile.
  • Day 7Included admission to the CN Tower in Toronto gives views over the city.
  • Day 8A Niagara Adventure Pass covers a journey behind the falls, a cruise up to the base of the falls, and a self-guided White Water Walk.
  • Day 10A Chicago architecture river cruise passes the Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building and Marina City.

Included

  • One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from New York City to Montreal and Buffalo to Chicago on the Adirondack® and Lake Shore Limited®
  • One-way VIA Rail® in Economy accommodations from Montreal to Toronto and Toronto to Niagara Falls
  • 11 nights' hotel accommodations
  • Transfer from Niagara Hotel to Buffalo train station
  • Multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of New York City
  • New York CityPass
  • Sightseeing city tour of Montreal
  • Multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Toronto
  • Admission to the CN Tower
  • Niagara Adventure Pass including: Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara's Fury, White Water Walk, 2-day WEGO bus transportation
  • Chicago Architecture cruise
  • Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Chicago
  • Admission to the Skydeck

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Amtrak's Adirondack (New York City to Montreal) and Lake Shore Limited (Buffalo to Chicago) in Coach, plus VIA Rail in Economy from Montreal to Toronto and Toronto to Niagara Falls.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's independent. Amtrak Vacations includes city tours and passes at each stop, but there's no escort traveling with you between cities.
What hotels are used?
A choice of 27 hotel options across the five cities, for example the Waldorf Astoria New York, DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal, or Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile.
Which cities does the trip visit?
New York City, Montreal, Toronto, Niagara Falls and Chicago, in that order over 11 days.
How much walking is involved?
Hop-on, hop-off tours, CN Tower and Skydeck admission, and Niagara Falls attractions including the White Water Walk trail; no hikes or high-altitude activity are described.

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