How to travel from New York to Toronto?

The trip between New York City and Toronto is one of the most popular ways of connecting between two of the most lively cities of North America.Whether you're traveling for business, a weekend getaway, or a long holiday, there are several options available. There are choices depending on your budget, time and choice. This is a complete travel guide on how to travel between NYC and Toronto.

1. By Plane (Fastest Option)

Flight Time: ~1.5 hours
Total Travel Time (incl. airport procedures): ~4–5 hours
Average Cost: $100–$300 USD (depending on season and booking time)

The most convenient way of reaching Toronto is by air. There are several airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, and Delta that offer daily direct flights from JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), or Newark (EWR) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Billy Bishop (YTZ).

Tips:

YYZ is further away from downtown Toronto (30-45 min) and YTZ is in the centre.
Book in advance to get low prices, especially summer or holiday time.

2. By Train (Comfortable but Slower)

Operator: Amtrak (Maple Leaf service)
Duration: ~12.5 hours
Cost: $100–$180 USD (standard), varies for business class

The Amtrak Maple Leaf train departs daily once between the Penn Station (NYC) and Union Station (Toronto). It is a beautiful and easy train ride up through upstate New York and Niagara Falls when it crosses the border into Canada.

Pros:

More spacious than a bus or plane.
Onboard Wi-Fi, café car, and plug points.
Immigration is handled at the border.

Cons:

Long duration; delays can occur.
Only one train per day—limited flexibility.

3. By Bus (Budget Option)

Operators: Greyhound, Megabus, FlixBus
Duration: 10–12 hours (can vary due to border traffic)
Cost: $30–$90 USD (depending on demand)

Buses depart NYC, Port Authority Bus Terminal and travel to Toronto Bus Terminal or Union Station Bus Terminal. These buses are ideal for budget travelers and often offer amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and scheduled rest stops.

Tips:

Overnight buses save on accommodation.
Check border wait times—this can add hours to the journey.

4. By Car (Flexibility and Scenic Drive)

Distance: ~500 miles / 800 km
Drive Time: 8–10 hours (excluding border wait time)
Route: I-87 N to I-90 W to QEW into Toronto

With driving, you have the freedom to pull over roadsides and see the scenic beauty- think a detour to the finger lakes or Niagara falls. Watch out for tolls (especially in New York), and confirm with your rental company whether cross-border travel into Canada is permitted.

Border Crossing: Before the U.S-Canada border you will require valid documents on both sides. The waiting time differs, depending on the crossing (e.g., Peace Bridge or Rainbow Bridge).

5. By Rideshare or Private Transfer

In some cases, rideshare apps such as BlaBlaCar may provide long-distance rides indicated between cities. You can also hire your own shuttles, which is of course more comfortable, but more expensive (200+ USD one way).

6. Final Tips

Documentation: American and Canadian citizens must have a valid passport; other travelers may require a visa or eTA.
Currency: Toronto has Canadian Dollars (CAD). The majority of destinations accept credit cards, although it is prudent to bring some cash with you.
Transportation: Winter may be slower because of snow- prepare in time.

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