How Long Does It Take To Drive
If you have a vehicle, the drive takes six and a half hours and passes through all of New Jersey and northern Pennsylvania before re-entering New York State and continuing up to Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls State Park on the U.S. side of the border has four parking lots that are open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, which cost $10 to park for the day during the week. However, on weekends and holidays they fill up quickly and cost $15 for the day. If they’re full, there are paid parking lots around downtown Niagara Falls as well as metered street parking, all of which are just a short walk from the waterfall viewing points.
Can You Take A Train To Niagara Falls
GO Train service to Niagara Falls is back on track! Starting June 26th, 2021, you can take the GO Train from Union Station to Niagara Falls on weekends and holidays. Whether you go alone, as a couple, or bring the whole family, it will be a truly Canadian experience remembered fondly for years. Ready to GO?
Is This Your First Time In New York
If it is your first time in New York and you want to enjoy the city to the fullest, you will probably prefer to stay in the Big Apple for as long as possible, as there are many things to discover. In that case, it may not be worth leaving New York to embark on a full-day excursion, especially if, as mentioned above, you don’t have much time in the city.
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New York To Niagara Falls Day Trip Faqs
Are there 1 day tours to the Niagara Falls from NYC and back?
Yes, there are multiple day tours to Niagara Falls from New York City. You will travel to the falls in a comfortable coach, spend some quality time at the Niagara Falls and then head back to NYC in the evening.
Are there doorstep-pickup tours to the Niagara Falls?
While there arent any doorstep-pickup tours, you can board the buses at various conveniently located points across the city, including Times Square and the city center.
How far is Niagara Falls from NYC?
The journey from New York City to Niagara Falls is 400 miles long. If you’re driving from NYC, then the drive will take 6.5-7 hours.
Can I use public transport to travel to Niagara Falls?
Unless you have your own car, traveling from New York to Niagara by public transport is quite the hassle. The public transport within Niagara is practically non-existent hence getting from one place to the other via local taxis can cost you a lot. We recommended taking an organized tour from New York to Niagara for the optimal experience.
Are there trips to Niagara Falls for more than a day?
Headout offers exciting tours to Niagara Falls that stay overnight at the falls. You also get to visit other top attractions in the region like the Corning Glass Museum or cruise on the Niagara Jetboat!
Is the Maid of the Mist cruise included in day tour packages from NYC?
How much time will I spend at the Niagara Falls?
What is the Niagara Falls Discover Pass?
Depending On The Length Of Your Trip
If you are going to be in New York for 5 days or more, you have plenty of time to consider the option of taking one of the best tours from New York. Spending the day out of the chaos and lights of Manhattan and into a very unique natural setting will bring you back to New York with more energy to continue enjoying the city.
On the other hand, if you are short on time during your trip and, for example, you are going to be in New York for 3 days or less, subtracting a day from New York might leave you without seeing or enjoying some of its neighborhoods or must-see attractions. In that case it would not be worth visiting the Falls.
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How To Get From Niagara Falls To New York
The trip from the wonders of Niagara Falls to the soaring skyscrapers of New York City takes travelers from west to east across the Empire State. Direct travel options between the cities, other than by auto or Amtrak, are limited, but more are available in nearby Buffalo. From Buffalo, travelers can also choose from intercity bus routes or direct flights.
What To Know About The Route
This New York to Niagara Falls road trip spans about 460 miles, which is around 7.5 hours of driving time in total. Driving along this route will give you the opportunity to visit one of the most vibrant cities in the world while also exploring the beautiful scenery of New York state. You will start in New York City, then take I-87 North to New Paltz. From here, you will get back on I-87 to head to Albany. Your next stop will be Syracuse, which can be reached by taking I-90 W. After Syracuse, you will go to Buffalo by continuing to drive along I-90 W. In Buffalo, you will get on I-190 N to travel to your final destination of Niagara Falls. Renting an SUV for your journey can be a convenient choice, as it will give you plenty of room to store any recreational equipment and can provide stability if you happen to be driving in rain or snow.
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Best Time To Visit Niagara Falls:
Peak flow at Niagara falls is in the daytime during peak tourist season . If you want less tourists you can head an alternative time of year.
Which is better New York side or Canada side of Niagara falls?
The Canada side of Niagara falls is the best. It is the largest of the three waterfalls and has the majority of hotels, restaurants & attractions in the town of Niagara.
Insider Tip:
Take a drive along the scenic Niagara Parkway.
Do I need a Visas/passport to cross over to Horseshoe Falls ?
US Citizens:
U.S Citizens can travel visa free in Canada for up to 180 days. However, you must carry proof of identification & nationality at all times. So keep your passport, passport car or NEXUS card with you at all times.
Foreign Citizens:
For International visitors you will require a Visa or ESTA for the USA and an visa or ETA for Canada.
Where do I get the best Rental Car deal?
car rental travel hacks
How To Get From New York City To Niagara Falls
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If you are thinking of taking a day trip from New York City to Niagara Falls this post contains everything you need to know!
On my last trip to New York, I decided that I needed to get out of the city more. When looking at day trips I decided on Niagara Falls. Its a bit far for a day trip from New York to Niagara Falls and back but you can do it as an overnight trip.
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Flying From New York To Niagara
The closest city to Niagara Falls is Buffalo, NY and is located 23 miles away. The flight takes under an hour, but including check-in and boarding, it should take 3-4 hours each way. Buffalo Airport Shuttle provides a private transfer service for just over $20 per person . You can also arrange taxis from the airport, which can cost as little as $10 per head if you are traveling in a large group.It still remains the fastest way to get to Niagara Falls from New York City.
From New York City To Niagara Falls On An Organized Tour
Go on an overnight Niagara Falls and Tannersville Tourto explore the falls from both the American and Canadian sides. This organized, guided tour allows you to get up close to the falls and explore the state park. Start your day at 7am and embark on a bus or van journey from Midtown Manhattan at the Gray Line New York tour company and travel through Upstate New York, Delaware Water Gap, and the Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes region on your way to Niagara Falls.
The tour involves a Niagara Falls State Park Tour, along with a chance to see the illuminated falls from the Canadian side and an overnight stay at the Ramada by Wyndham with continental breakfast the next morning. The second day involves a Maid of the Mist boat cruise into the basin of the Horseshoe Falls to experience its powerful spray and thundering waters.
On your way back, stop in Pennsylvania at one of the largest outlet malls, the Crossings Premium Outlet Mall, for bargain shopping. You may still go on the tour, even if you don’t have proper documentation to cross the border, but be prepared to stay at the hotel during the Canadian excursion you may still enjoy the cruise as it departs from the American side.
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Best Time To Visit Niagara Falls
The best time to visit Niagara Falls is between . Summer is at its peak with lows of 14° C and highs of 26° C. This also means that you might have to rub shoulders with plenty of tourists and spend a few bucks more on attractions. However, this is a great time to spend outdoors hiking and exploring different parts of the Niagara State Park. All attractions are open in full swing and you can experience it all!
The crowds drop off in the spring and fall but so do the temperatures, typically running between 5°C to 15°C. Expect harsh snowfall in winters and erratic closures – it’s best to avoid going to Niagara Falls between November to early April.
Weather Forecast | Niagara Falls
Is It Worth Going If I Go With Children
If you doubt that the little ones will like the excursion, I’ll solve the question right away: they will be amazed. The scenery, the sound of the water, the waterfalls, the boat ride…. If we adults are impressed, visiting Niagara Falls with children can literally be the adventure of a lifetime.
However, keep in mind that the bus ride is not short, so the decision will depend more on whether they tend to fall asleep during the trip, whether they get overwhelmed or get road sick, etc.
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Go Wild At Seneca County
Drive west into New Yorks Seneca County, and be sure to check out Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge an area which offers of 10,000 acres of swampland and has been a national landmark since 1973.
The area is largely untouched with a variety of migratory birds in the area. You have options to take the wildlife drive or park up and hit the hiking trails.
Insider Tip:
Be sure you have the correct Hiking gear, check out our reviews here: Hiking Gear
From New York City To Niagara Falls: 4 Best Ways To Get There
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Straddling the border between the United States and Canada, the powerful Niagara Falls is a must-see for anyone visiting New York City. Located 400 miles from the Big Apple, Niagara Falls can be reached in several ways: You can choose to go with an organized tour or travel on your own by way of a car, bus, train, or plane.
Niagara Falls, cascading 167 feet into the Niagara Gorge, consists of three waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls , Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls, all of which are located in Western New York. The latter two and part of the Horseshoe Falls are part of the Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in the state. Although the view from Canada is considered to be better, you can experience the splendor of 3,160 tons of water gushing over the crest every second on both sides of the border from various vantage points.
You may want to give yourself more than a day to enjoy the falls and the surrounding region in a leisurely manner, and don’t forget to bring your passport or an enhanced driver’s license to walk or drive across the border on the Rainbow Bridge.
Here are four of the best ways to get from New York City to Niagara Falls to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
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New York City To Niagara Falls Airports And Flights
In the quick calculation above, we assumed you had a privateplane and just wanted to know the time in the air from city to city.But for most of us, we’re going to be flying on a commercial airline. So that means we really needto account for all the extra travel time getting to the airport,waiting for our flight, and making it to the destination.
To give you a better estimate of real-life travel, we’veput together a flight itinerary with actual airports. Eventuallyyou’ll be able to customize this plan, choosing your own airportsand flights. But for now, here’s an example we’ve selected togive you an idea of how traveling might work between airports.
Departure airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport
Arrival airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport
With the airports selected, we can estimate the travel time to andfrom the airport, based on how far the airport is from downtown.
Getting to the airport: 38 minutes
Getting to your destination: 149 minutes
Now finally, let’s look at an actual flight from JFK to YYZ on American Airlines and figure out how long it would take to fly includingtake-off and landing, and time to taxi on the runway.
Commercial flight time: 1 hour, 28 minutes
So now we can finally get an idea of the total travel time fromNew York City to Niagara Falls including time spent getting to/fromthe airports, an estimated wait time of 2 hours at the airport for TSAsecurity lines and waiting at the gate, and the actual flight itself.
Airport Transportation To The Falls
Taking just about 90 minutes, traveling by plane from NYC to Niagara Falls is the fastest way to get there. After flying into the Buffalo International airport, the falls are only a 30 minute drive away from the epic falls. The speed will cost you though, because at around $80 air travel is the most expensive way to get to Niagara Falls from NYC. There is also the hassle of going through security lines which makes the process longer, and boarding and deboarding the plane can add to travel time. So, while its still the fastest way, flying to the falls will probably take two to three hours of real travel time. If you do decide on flying to the falls consider pre-booking airport transportation and buying your Niagara Falls tour tickets online to save time!
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Where To Eat Drink And Sleep
New York City has any kind of food you can imagine. For Italian food or classic deli fare, Lucciola and Katzs Delicatessen are popular choices. During your stay, you may want to get a drink at a swanky cocktail bar, such as The Dead Rabbit NYC. There are many lodging options to choose from, with the Warwick New York being a comfortable option.
Flights Between Niagara Falls And New York
While Niagara Falls has an international airport, only two airlines, Spirit and Allegiant, operate there, and neither flies to New York. Its possible to book a flight and then transfer to another flight for the leg to New York, but its much more efficient to fly out of Buffalo Niagara International Airport, 25 miles southeast. Passengers can call a taxi or ride-sharing service, or use public transportation to get from Niagara Falls to the airport.
Nonstop flights between Buffalo Niagara International and LaGuardia, Newark or JFK airports take about 90 minutes. Fares are comparable no matter which airport you choose, so let your final destination in New York determine which you use.
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Niagara Falls In One Day From Nyc
Escape the fast-pace of New York and enjoy a trip to one of the most impressive natural wonders in the world, the Niagara Falls.
- Enjoy panoramic views of the Niagara Falls as you stand on the border between the USA and Canada
- Learn all about the history of the region with the help of your expert bilingual guide
- Stroll through the magnificent Niagara Falls State Park and relax in the vibrancy of nature
- Experience no-fuss round trip transfers from New York City on a fully-fitted motor coach
- Tickets to the Maid of the Mist boat cruise or to the Cave of the Winds
Leg : Manhattan To The Mountains
Less than 90 minutes outside Manhattan, you can be a world away in the second largest park in the state system, Harriman State Park. With more than 30 lakes, 200 miles of hiking trails and two beaches, every nature lover can find something to enjoy. And its a great way to whet your appetite for the great outdoors in Niagara Falls! Continue on to the scenic mountain towns that dot that Catskills, perhaps stopping for another hike or to cast a line in Roscoe, aka Trout Town USA.
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From New York City To Niagara Falls By Train
Two major Amtrak lines connect the Niagara region to cities on the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada. Those traveling from New York City can get on the Empire Service to the Niagara Falls International Train Station and Intermodal Transportation Center from Penn Station in Manhattan. The Empire Service train operates daily and has Business Class and Reserved Coach Class. The scenic ride takes about nine hours, with stops along the way in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo.
Alternatively, visitors can take the Maple Leaf train that connects New York City with Toronto, with stops at Albany, Syracuse, and Niagara Falls. The total journey is 12.5 hours. Both trains come with WiFi and Cafe cars.
Once there, the Niagara Falls State Park is less than a 10-minute drive. Niagara Falls State Park is open year-round and offers interactive exhibits, hiking trails, and dining at the Top of the Falls restaurant. The state park’s Discovery Pass allows visitors to enjoy the falls on the Maid of the Mist boat cruise.
You can also take the hop-on/hop-off shuttle called “Falls to the Fort” right at the train station. The 14-mile route stops at highlights such as the Niagara USA Visitor Center, Niagara View Points, Old Niagara Fort, Aquarium of Niagara, and Castellani Art Museum, among others.