Niagara Falls Travel Forum

Hi,
We are visiting toronto next week. I have planed one day trip to Casaloma and niagara falls. I am going to rent a car and visit casaloma first and then drive to the niagara falls. If someone can give me the driving directions to the niagara falls from casaloma that will be great.
thank you all

Check your VT email for map and directions. Enjoy your visit.

The most efficient way to drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls is via the 407 toll road, avoiding all the traffic on the regular roads. The 407 ends around the Hamilton area, at which point you join the regular highway to Niagara Falls.

However, there is a drawback to using the 407 with a rental car. The toll collection is not the standard type, but electronic (see the 407 web site for details). The bill is sent to the rental company who then charges you a few months later together with a handling fee (in my case it was about CAN $8 - ask the rental company when you take the car). It boils down to a personal decision: Which is more important - time or money?

During my stay in the Toronto area, I used the 407 extensively and saved a ton of time, praising my decision as I passed over the 401 gridlock. :) BTW, the rental firm handling fee was a flat rate, no matter how much you used the 407.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip! :)

Sorry ramot418, but you are completely wrong. Casa Loma is essentially in downtown Toronto. The 407 is many miles north, the opposite direction from Niagara Falls. To go north (through city centre traffic) to the 407 is a huge unnecessary detour.

I agree. I have been to Casa Loma more than once. My advice was general, i.e., in principle one should strive to use the 407 - and, of course, it also depends where you are starting/finishing up your trip. If you are starting out/ending up in North York it's different than being based in the centre of town.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if one is visiting Casa Loma during the morning hours, one is going to get caught in traffic no matter what. Damage control would be getting there when they open up so as to maximize one's available time. Personally, I would give up going to Casa Loma on that day and go straight to Niagara Falls. Again correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see them arriving before 2pm at the Falls. Does that leave them enough time? Don't know. Depends on how late things are open.

i don't recommend covering Casa Loma and Niagara Falls in the same day. each of these two destinations need a day to them. Casa Loma is definitely 4-5 hour destination. Niagara Falls is at least a full day.

to start from Casa Loma, I would take Spadina Avenue towards south from the base of the hill top all the way to the west exit on Gardiner expressway. Gardiner becomes QEW. i would continue on QEW and then towards the end follow directions to the Niagara Falls (not to Niagara on the Lake, which is a separate city).