Ride Amtrak’s Adirondack from Manhattan to Montreal through fall foliage, with fares from about $72

A morning train out of Moynihan Train Hall can put New Yorkers in Montreal by nightfall. Amtrak’s Adirondack covers roughly 381 miles. It follows the Hudson Valley, crosses upstate New York and runs along the shore of Lake Champlain, and one-way fares start around $72.

That price is not fixed. Fares change with the travel date, seat availability and how far ahead you book, so not every departure will have a $72 ticket.

In the fall, the trip doubles as a foliage tour, with the Hudson Valley and the Adirondacks changing color outside the window. At about 12 hours end to end, it is hardly a fast way to Canada. In exchange, riders skip highway traffic, gas and tolls, and nobody has to drive.

Adirondack train schedule from NYC to Montreal

Amtrak’s current timetable has the northbound train leaving Moynihan at 8:15 a.m. It pulls into Gare Centrale, Montreal’s main station, at 8:16 p.m., for 12 hours and 1 minute on board. Because the train leaves in the morning, much of the ride happens in daylight.

Stops in New York include Poughkeepsie, Rhinecliff, Hudson, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, Plattsburgh and Rouses Point. The last stop before Montreal is St-Lambert in Quebec.

Heading south is a bit quicker, at 11 hours and 5 minutes. The return train pulls out of Montreal at 11:10 a.m. and arrives at Moynihan at 10:15 p.m. With departures like these, the route fits neatly into a long weekend away: ride up on the first day, give yourself two nights or so in the city, and board the late-morning train home.

What to know before boarding

The train has coach seats, Wi-Fi and a cafe. Passengers can get up, stretch their legs and buy food during the ride.

The route crosses an international border, so travelers need the right documents to enter Canada and must clear customs during the journey. Fares and schedules can change, so check Amtrak for your dates before booking.