If you’ve ever taken the Amtrak Cascades train between Vancouver and Seattle, you know the drill. The train rolls south, stops at the border in Blaine, Washington, and everyone waits while customs and border processing take place on the train or at the crossing facility. It’s one of those friction points that makes an otherwise beautiful rail journey feel a little clunky.
That’s now history.
As of June 2026, passengers departing Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station on the Amtrak Cascades can complete U.S. customs preclearance right at the station, before they ever board the train. It’s a first for passenger rail in all of North America, and it’s a genuinely big deal for anyone who loves traveling this corridor by train.
What Does This Actually Mean for Travelers?
Think of it like preclearance at an airport, but for a train. The new setup consolidates inspection, security, and customs procedures into a single step before departure, so trains heading south can now proceed directly into the United States without stopping for border screening along the way.
That mid-journey stop in Blaine? Gone. The result is a faster, more reliable trip and a better overall travel experience.
While preclearance has been available at select airports for years, Pacific Central Station is now the first rail station in North America to offer this capability. It’s a milestone worth celebrating, especially for those of us who believe the train is one of the best ways to travel between two of the Pacific Northwest’s most exciting cities.
A Partnership That Made It Happen
This didn’t come together overnight. The project was delivered in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), VIA Rail, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Canada Border Services Agency, Transport Canada, and Public Safety Canada. Targeted upgrades were made within Pacific Central Station to support the enhanced customs and security operations.
The launch also aligns with increased international travel demand ahead of major global sporting events in the Pacific Northwest, with FIFA World Cup matches scheduled in both Vancouver and Seattle this summer. Lawmakers on both sides of the border have highlighted how this change will make it easier for fans to move between the two cities during the tournament.
What’s Next for the Cascades
The preclearance facility is just one piece of a broader upgrade to this route. Later in 2026, the Amtrak Cascades will also introduce new Airo trainsets, bringing significantly more seats and improved onboard amenities. Washington’s Secretary of Transportation is already anticipating record-breaking ridership in the year ahead.
For transit-minded travelers, this is exactly the kind of progress that makes choosing the train over a car or a short-haul flight an easier call. The Vancouver to Seattle corridor is stunning, the cities at each end are worth exploring, and the journey just got a lot smoother.
If you haven’t taken the Cascades lately, this is a great excuse to book a trip.
