You’re sitting at Penn Station. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. People are sprinting for the NJ Transit tracks like their lives depend on it, but you’re just standing there with a coffee, waiting for the train NYC to Montreal to start boarding. Most people fly. They think the 11-hour crawl up north is a waste of a Saturday. They’re kinda right, but also completely wrong.
If you want speed, go to LaGuardia. If you want a story—and some of the most underrated views in the Northeast—you take the Adirondack.
Amtrak’s Adirondack line is a weird, beautiful beast. It’s one of the most scenic routes in the entire United States, yet it’s plagued by freight delays and a border crossing that can feel like a lifetime. But there’s something about watching the Hudson River widen near Poughkeepsie or seeing the ruins of Bannerman’s Castle flash by your window that makes a cramped airline seat feel like a prison cell. Honestly, the train NYC to Montreal isn't just transportation; it's a slow-motion transition from the concrete grit of Manhattan to the European-style cobblestones of Vieux-Montréal.
The Reality of the Adirondack Schedule
Let's talk logistics because this is where people get tripped up. The train leaves daily from Moynihan Train Hall in New York. You’re looking at a departure time usually around 8:40 AM. If you show up at 8:41, you’re staying in New York.
It’s a long haul.
Amtrak quotes the trip at about 10 to 12 hours. In reality? It’s often longer. Why? Because you’re sharing tracks with freight trains. CSX owns a lot of the rail north of Albany, and in the hierarchy of American infrastructure, your vacation comes second to a mile-long train of shipping containers. You might sit on a siding for 20 minutes in the middle of a forest. It happens. Don't plan a fancy dinner reservation in Montreal for 8:00 PM the night you arrive. You won't make it.
The Border Stop at Lacolle
This is the part that kills the momentum. When the train reaches the US-Canada border at Lacolle, Quebec, everyone stays on the train. You don’t get off. Instead, Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers board the train.
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They walk through the aisles. They ask you why you’re coming to Canada. They check your passport. Sometimes they bring dogs.
This process can take an hour. It can also take three hours if someone on car four has a complicated visa issue or forgot they had a DUI from 1994 (which, by the way, can make you "criminally inadmissible" to Canada). It’s a roll of the dice. You just have to sit there. You can't use the restrooms during the inspection. You can't walk around. You just wait. It's the ultimate test of patience, but once the "all clear" is given, the vibe on the train shifts instantly. Everyone relaxes. You’re basically in Montreal now.
Why the Scenery Actually Matters
Most travelers spend their lives looking at the tops of clouds. On the train NYC to Montreal, you’re looking at the guts of the Hudson Valley and the Adirondack Mountains.
For the first few hours, sit on the left side of the train (facing forward). This gives you the best views of the Hudson River. You’ll see West Point from across the water. You’ll see the Catskills looming in the distance.
Once you pass Albany and head toward Saratoga Springs and Whitehall, the geography changes. This is where the "Adirondack" name earns its keep. The tracks hug the western shore of Lake Champlain for miles. It’s stunning. You’re feet away from the water. You see blue herons, crumbling boat docks, and the distant Green Mountains of Vermont across the lake. In the autumn, the colors are so bright they look fake.
The "Great Dome Car" Myth and Reality
You might have heard about the glass-domed car where you can see 360-degree views.
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Here’s the truth: Amtrak used to run a vintage 1955 Great Dome car on the Adirondack during the fall foliage season. It was incredible. However, in recent years, maintenance issues and equipment availability have made its appearance inconsistent. Don't book your ticket specifically for the dome car unless you’ve confirmed with Amtrak’s "Great Dome" schedule, which usually only runs for a few weeks in October—if it runs at all.
Even without the dome, the regular Amfleet cars have decent-sized windows. They aren't floor-to-ceiling, but they do the job.
Survival Tips for the 11-Hour Trek
You need a strategy. This isn't a commute; it’s an expedition.
- Pack a Picnic: The cafe car exists. It sells microwaved pizzas, Hebrew National hot dogs, and overpriced White Claw. It’s fine for a snack, but after ten hours, you will regret not bringing a real sandwich from a deli in Moynihan.
- Download Everything: WiFi on Amtrak is notoriously spotty. Once you hit the Adirondack park, cell towers are few and far between. Your "high-speed" connection will vanish. Download your movies, podcasts, and offline maps before you leave Penn Station.
- The Power Outlet Situation: Every seat has a 120V outlet. They generally work. Still, bring a portable power bank just in case you end up in a "dead" seat.
- Dress in Layers: One minute the car is a sauna, the next it’s an icebox. The HVAC systems on these trains are legacy tech.
Pricing and Classes
Unlike the Acela or the Northeast Regional, the Adirondack is a single-class service. There is no Business Class or First Class on this specific route. Everyone is in Coach.
The good news? Amtrak Coach is significantly more comfortable than airline economy. The seats recline deeply. There’s a leg rest that pops up. You have enough legroom to actually stretch out without hitting the person in front of you.
Tickets vary wildly in price. If you book three weeks out, you might snag a seat for $70. If you try to book a Friday departure in July at the last minute, you could be looking at $180 or more. It’s a supply-and-demand game.
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Alternatives: Why Not Just Drive or Fly?
If you drive, it’s about six hours. Boring hours. You’re on I-87 for most of it. It’s just pavement and trees and the occasional rest stop with a Sbarro. Plus, you have to deal with parking in Montreal, which is expensive and confusing if you don't speak French or understand the weird parking signs.
Flying takes about 90 minutes in the air. But add in the two hours at JFK, the Uber to the airport, and the 45-minute taxi from Trudeau Airport to downtown Montreal, and you’ve spent five or six hours anyway.
The train drops you off at Gare Centrale. You walk out of the station, and you are literally in the heart of the city. You can walk to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth or take the Metro (the underground) anywhere in minutes. There’s no baggage claim. There’s no "deplaning." You just grab your bag and walk into the city.
Is the Train NYC to Montreal Worth It?
It depends on who you are.
If you’re a "time is money" person who gets twitchy if a meeting starts two minutes late, you will hate this train. You will be checking your watch in Whitehall, New York, wondering why you aren't in Quebec yet.
But if you like the idea of a "slow travel" day—a day where you’re forced to disconnect, read a book, and watch the American wilderness roll by—it’s one of the best experiences on the East Coast. There’s a camaraderie that happens in the cafe car. You meet people. You talk to the backpackers heading to the hostels in the Plateau or the retirees going to see the symphony.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check the Status: Before booking, check the Amtrak website for "Service Alerts." Occasionally, track work in Canada or heat restrictions in the summer can cause the train to terminate in Albany with a bus bridge to Montreal. You do not want the bus. Ensure the full rail route is active.
- Book the Right Side: For the trip North, the left side of the train is the "river side." For the trip South (Montreal to NYC), sit on the right side.
- Arrive Early at Moynihan: The line for the Adirondack forms early. Even though seats are unassigned, getting in line 30 minutes before boarding ensures you get that window seat on the water side.
- Have Your Papers Ready: Ensure your passport or Enhanced Driver’s License is easily accessible. Do not pack it in your overhead luggage. You’ll need it the moment the train hits the border.
- Check the ArriveCAN App: While many COVID-era restrictions have eased, always check the current entry requirements for Canada. Rules can change regarding customs declarations.
The train NYC to Montreal is a relic of a different era of travel. It’s slow, it’s prone to delays, and it’s absolutely beautiful. If you go into it expecting a scenic adventure rather than a high-speed shuttle, you'll find it's one of the best ways to cross the border.