There are a few options to consider when traveling from Chicago to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The quickest route into Canada via train is by the Empire Builder and Cascades lines by Amtrak. The Empire Builder services Midwest and Pacific Northwest cities, departing from Chicago and arriving in Seattle, Washington. This is a 46-hour overnight train, which includes a full-service dining car and lounge and café car for snacks and carryout meals. Lower level, coach and business class seats are available. From Seattle, passengers board the early evening Cascades line for a 4-hour train ride into Vancouver. Amtrak also offers alternative options that include multiple train and bus transfers.
West Coast travelers take the opposite routes heading to the East Coast. From Seattle, the overnight train Empire Builder takes passengers to Chicago. Passengers can see the beautiful mountains and lakes of the Pacific Northwest before arriving in Chicago. From Chicago, the overnight train, Lake Shore Limited travels along the beautiful shorelines by passing Lake Michigan, the Mohawk River and Lake Erie, before arriving in Buffalo, New York. Passengers then can transfer onto the popular Maple Leaf train, which runs through upstate New York City and into Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leaf is a particularly popular line during autumn when the trees are in fall colors. Carryout food and snacks are available on this line for purchase.
East Coast passengers must first arrive in Chicago before heading onto Vancouver. The simplest route is to take the Lake Shore Limited from Amtrak's transportation hub, Penn Station in New York City, to Chicago's Union Station. This is an overnight, 19-hour train ride with a full-service dining car. Amtrak recommends that travelers reserve tickets. From Chicago, passengers can take the overnight Empire Builder to Seattle and the Cascades to Vancouver.
