Known as The Maple Leaf and operated by the US's state-funded Amtrak system, the Toronto-New York trip is a 12-hour journey through some of the most stunning scenery and storied history in the American northeast.

The train journey from New York City to Toronto, operated by the Amtrak/VIA Rail Maple Leaf service, is widely considered one of the most underrated scenic routes in North America. The trip takes approximately 12.5 hours, and the highlight is the stunning passage through the Hudson River Valley. For the first few hours out of Penn Station, passengers on the left side of the train (facing north) are treated to unobstructed views of the wide Hudson River, the Palisades, and the West Point Military Academy. As the train moves north, it traverses the lush Finger Lakes region and the rolling hills of Upstate New York. The final scenic crescendo occurs as the train crosses the Niagara River gorge over the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, providing a unique vantage point of the water before crossing the international border. While long, the train offers much more legroom and a more relaxed atmosphere than flying, making it a favorite for "slow travelers" who want to see the transition from the skyscrapers of Manhattan to the rustic beauty of the Canadian borderlands.