Niagara Falls Travel Answers

There are several tour groups to Niagara, try the Gray Line tours, but i think they only do day time tours.An overnight tour should start by going to Toronto or buffalo for the day and going down to Niagara. I do not know how it would work out even though I have been there many times. (I had a car) For a group of six, maybe a rental car would help. I went to a wedding in Toronto and a side trip for everyone was to go to Niagara...they charter a bus for us. Some people who came up from the Sates stayed in Niagara and went to the wedding in toronto. I don't know what is the cheapest way to get there. from NYC it is about 400 miles and roughly seven hours by car or bus....speeding may be 6 and a half. Best bet is a flight to Buffalo or Toronto for under two hundred and then rent a car to tour the area. Car rental is cheaper in Buffalo than Toronto. good luck cheers tommy x

Thanks tommy, I'll have to do some more research. Would prob prefer a bus tour as we will get to see a little more possibly and we have a fairly tight budget..we have plenty of time to look...thanks again.

I looked on trip advisor and saw someone who took the same tour that you wanted to take on Gray Line,,,it goes as follows::::: I went on the Grayline one day Niagara Falls tour from New York. My main purpose for going was to get videos and photos of the falls from both the Canadian AND USA sides. My itinerary was: 0630 picked up at hotel in Manhattan 0920 plane (Jetblue) takes off for Buffalo Airport from JFK. Lands at 1025 1045 on tour bus with Giuseppe straight to Canadian side of falls. 1140 Maid of the Mist ride. 1230 buffet lunch at Sheraton Hotel 1320 visit to gift shop 1340 back on bus to USA side of falls 1415 own time on USA side 1600 back on bus to BuffLo Airport 1810 plane back to JFK 1920 plane lands at JFK 2030 back at hotel TOTAL TIME = 14 hours TIME AT FALLS = 4.5 hours Pros: a. Our guide Giuseppe was good. Kept group together. Instructions in various languages. Comfortable bus. b. Nice buffet lunch at the Sheraton on Canadian Side. c. maid of the Mist ride good, but wet. Cons: a. No photo opportunities on Canadian side of falls at all. It was quite rushed to get the Maid of the Mist and lunch completed. b. Instructions not clear as to where to meet shuttle bus after arriving back at JFK. c. Not enough time overall at falls. Tour should leave earlier from JFK in the morning and arrive back later. This would allow an extra hour for time on Canadian side. All in all, Niagara Falls is great to visit, but if you are intent on taking photos, stay overnight or do your own thing. This one day tour doesn't fit the bill for keen photographers cheers tommy x, and thanks for the tips

Once again thanks so much for the info...there is obviously alot to take in and lots of options...thanks for your help!

Yes, you can do an overnight trip to the Falls from NYC, but as Tommy has already pointed out, those trips stay in the USA, and the best views of the Falls are from the Canadian side. I've been to both sides many times (I grew up in Toronto and have an aunt that lived in Niagara Falls, NY), so a couple of trips a year through my entire childhood plus a few down there with overseas visitors as an adult.. I suspect that you are right that cheap one day tours tend to cater to the Chinese and Indian travellers who seem to want their picture taken at the falls and then off to the next place on their checklist. If you are worried about costs, renting a van and bundling all 6 of you in will likely cost you a lot less than the tour.

Thanks grumpy! Yes it seems that way but we are probably a bit the same really, trying to cram us much as possible into the time we have..lol... May have to join the Chinese!!! Lol.... But I have been told there are English only speaking tours but are yet to find the right company tour company...oh well...hopefully something will turn up...thanks!

The itinerary of the tour posted on TripAdvisor is ridiculous. There is really nothing to see on the American side of the Falls, so free time, if any, should be on the Canadian side. The tour does not include the tunnels under the falls which is a must. There are also other worthwhile sites (Canadian side): Whitewater Walkway, Floral Clock, and the picturesque town of Niagara on the Lake and points between. With 6 people (and presumably more than one driver) I recommend that you rent a van from NYC and do it on your own. Certainly cheaper and you see what you want at your own pace. Allows also for a side trip to Toronto, time permitting (1.5 hours from the Falls).

I've been on those Chinese tours and as said before, you really don't spend much time at each site, as their focus is to go to as many attractions as possible. You really won't have time to enjoy each attraction. If you are fine with this, I think you can book a tour from Chinatown in NYC. Otherwise, as Grumpy has suggested, rent a minivan and do it leisurely. There are lots of budget hotels and motels. You really should spend some time on the Canadian side, as it is definitely much more beautiful. If you go all the way from NYC and not going to the Canadian side, you'll miss a lot! There is a quaint little town called Niagara-on-the-Lake north of Niagara Falls in the Canadian side, and it is well worth it to spend a couple of hours there at least to stroll around.

Take a Newyork-Toronto Megabus from 8 and 31st street(opp Madison garden) with a Stop at Buffalo Airport. Approximately 8 hrs, Get off at Buffalo airport and stay overnight at Niagara falls USA. The fares are really cheap if booked in advance and service is good. www.megabus.com, click US site. Walk across the border with passport for better view.

Sorry, Just to add a correction to my Previous comment, I believe The NY-Toronto Megabus also stops at Niagara Falls, USA, so you just need to buy ticket from NY to Niagara falls. Check with megabus.com I have seen fares as low as 21 USD if booked in adavance. Also, early May might be a tad colder, best to come in June.