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Passengers traveling from Vancouver, British Columbia, to the U.S. on Amtrak Cascades trains can now expect shorter travel times following the launch of North America’s first rail preclearance facility.
According to a news release, as of June 8, passengers traveling southbound on Amtrak Cascades are completing U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspections at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver before boarding. The change eliminates the need for trains to stop in Blaine, Washington, for a second onboard customs inspection.
The new process reduces travel times by about 10 minutes, bringing the trip between Vancouver and Seattle to about four hours.
Pacific Central Station is the first rail station in North America to receive a preclearance designation, which allows travelers to complete U.S. customs inspections before entering the country. Similar programs have previously operated only at airports.
In 2025, about 149,000 passengers traveled to and from British Columbia on Amtrak Cascades, making Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station the third-busiest stop in the rail system.
“This is a milestone year for train travel in the Pacific Northwest,” Washington Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith said. “We’re pleased to offer Amtrak Cascades passengers a better cross-border experience, particularly as we welcome visitors from around the world as part of the international soccer games happening in both Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia this summer.”
Meredith also noted that new Amtrak Cascades trainsets with additional seating and onboard amenities are expected to enter service later this year.
Amtrak President Roger Harris called the launch “a historic moment for passenger rail in North America.”
“Launching the continent’s first rail preclearance facility reflects what’s possible when strong partners come together with a shared focus on the customer experience,” Harris said. “This improvement makes cross-border travel faster, easier and more seamless from the moment passengers arrive at the station.”
Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the new facility will help make travel and trade between the United States and Canada “safer, faster and more efficient.”
The preclearance program follows years of planning and station upgrades needed to accommodate expanded customs and security operations.
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