Amtrak proposes service between Detroit and Toronto
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information on rail within Canada.
There could soon be an easier way to travel between Detroit and Toronto if Amtrak has its way.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter.
The U.S. rail company announced it would support a combination between Canadian Pacific Railway in Canada and Kansas City Southern Railway in the U.S.
Canadian Pacific acquired Kansas City Southern Railway in December 2021. The company has big plans for the future.
There is a proposal to add passenger service between the two cities through the Detroit River Tunnel and connect Amtrak to Canada’s VIA Rail. There’s no exact timeline for when this project would start or be completed.
“[Canadian Pacific Railway] has been an excellent host of Amtrak intercity passenger service year after year and has established itself as a leader in the railroad industry,” said Amtrak president Stephen Gardner in a statement on Jan. 6. “We welcome CP’s commitment to our efforts with states and others to expand Amtrak service and are pleased to have reached an agreement formalizing CP’s support of Amtrak expansion in the Midwest and the South.”
Amtrak has been forging ahead with big plans, in part due to a president who is a fan of the rail line.
Last year, Amtrak said it would invest billions in new green train cars. And part of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill President Joe Biden signed into law earmarked money for projects such as fixing problematic areas along the busy Northeast Corridor and expanding service outside of major metropolitan areas.
While an Amtrak route connecting the two major cities may be a ways off, there are still several ways to travel between Detroit and Toronto.
- Driving: It’s about a four-hour drive from Detroit and Toronto using the Detroit Windsor Tunnel. The cost is $5 for commercial vehicles but is lowered to $4.25 if using the DWT Mobile App.
- Flying: Delta Air Lines and Air Canada offer nonstop flights between Detroit and Toronto. Delta’s SkyMiles program uses dynamic pricing, but one-way flights start at 10,500 SkyMiles. Rates through Air Canada’s Aeroplan program start at 9,500 points.
There is also an intercity passenger rail offered inside Canada with service between Windsor, just over the border on the Detroit River, to Toronto’s Union Station. Via Rail Canada offers multiple departures in the morning and afternoon for about $40 each way. It’s a four-hour ride to Toronto.
Featured photo by Brady Baker/Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first three months of card membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.