Popular International Routes By Train From New Yorks
Amtrak operates several international routes that originate from New York City, with some reaching as far north as the Maple Leaf to Toronto in Ontario or the Adirondack to Montreal in Quebec. The Maple Leaf line from New York City to Toronto will take about 13h. The Adirondack line from New York City to Montreal takes about 10h. Another popular route departing from New York City is the Empire Service, which operates through Upstate New York to Niagara Falls in Canada. The trip takes about 7h.
New York Brooklyn Bridge. Source: Shutterstock
How To Get To Niagara Falls
There are several possible ways to get to Niagara Falls from New York City:
- The closest airport is the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. It takes about 10 minutes to drive to the Falls. You can also fly to Torontos Pearson International Airport or to Rochester, a little further away from Niagara Falls. From the different airports, you can rent a car or take public transport.
- Rent a car: If you prefer to drive and have enough time, you can drive the 400 miles to the Falls, and make the most of the country’s inexpensive petrol. You can rent a car here.
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
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Spring At Niagara Falls
Spring is my least favorite time to visit Niagara Falls. We get a lot of rain, although the later in May you come, the less likely that will be. Temperatures in spring swing wildly, with some days pleasantly warm and other days shockingly cool. As a local, I can choose which days to visit the waterfalls based on last-minute good weather opportunity, but thats hard for anyone planning a trip in advance.
If you do come in spring, you can enjoy the gardens in full bloom. It starts with daffodils, then tulips at Queen Victoria Park, right next to the waterfalls. However, my favorite is the Centennial Lilac Garden, which peaks mid-to-late May. On the American side, the Open Gardens guide points you to amazing gardens in the Buffalo Niagara region.
Spring is also the best time for fishing, something my husband could tell you more about than I can! With the Niagara River, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario all here, you just might catch some salmon, trout, bass, or walleye.
Youll also get some shoulder season benefits in spring, like lighter crowds and more reasonable hotel rates. A few local festivals also start to pick up Dyngus Day in Buffalo is one of a kind, but youll find plenty of events scheduled as area residents look for excuses to get outside!
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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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 Long Is The Journey By Train From New York To Niagara Falls
Trains for this route are typically direct and do not require travelers to make a transfer before reaching their final destination. However, while you will not need to transfer trains, keep in mind that your journey may have additional stops before arriving in Niagara Falls. The number of places that you stop along your route will help to determine how long your trip lasts. In general, it will usually take you anywhere from 9h to 9h 35min, but this may vary.
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New York Ny To Niagara Falls Ny
OurBus is proud to offer bus service fromNew York, NY to Niagara Falls, NY. OurBus was created to make the feeling of traveling as good as the feeling of arriving. Passengers can expect to easily buy bus tickets online, track the ETA of the bus in real-time, receive mobile boarding passes and enjoy the amenities of a modern bus with free Wifi, power outlets, comfortable reclining seats, a sanitized restroom, and free bottled water. Customer service is at our core so you can speak with a real person 24/7 and we have the most flexible rescheduling policy in the industry.
We can’twait to have you onboard OurBus to Niagara Falls, NY from New York, NY.
A Shuttle From Buffalo Airport To Niagara Falls
One of the best options to get to the falls from the airport is the direct shuttle, which departs every hour from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. All you have to do is go to crosswalk 3 in the arrivals hall.A rental car from Buffalo airport to Niagara Falls
One of the most comfortable options is to rent a car at the airport. This way you will have the possibility to explore cities like Toronto or Niagara-on-the-Lake. I recommend you book the vehicle with Auto Europe, one of the best car rental comparators.axis from Buffalo Airport to Niagara Falls
If you are traveling 4 or 5 people, the taxi is a recommended option to get to the falls. They can also take you to both the Canadian and the American sides.
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Do You Need A Tour To Visit Niagara Falls
No, you do not need a tour for your trip to Niagara Falls, however it is not a convenient place to visit if youre doing a larger US trip. Unless youre passing through this area OR have it very high on your bucket list, it is a bit expensive to visit for one day. If you have limited time and this is high on your bucket list, it might be worth it to take a tour package to Niagara Falls.
Amtrak Trains From New York To Niagara Falls
Amtrak usually offers between one and five daily trains from New York to Niagara Falls. On a weekly basis, you will have around 20 journeys to choose from. While the length of your trip can vary, you can expect for it to normally last between 9h and 9h 35min. For this route, trains leave from Penn Station and arrive at Niagara Falls Station. Amtrak normally operates regional trains for trips between these two cities. You will find that the timetable normally remains the same on weekdays and weekends.
New York Brooklyn Woman. Source: Shutterstock
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How Long Is The Train Ride
The train may be one of the most relaxing ways to reach Niagara Falls from New York City, but it’s also the slowest and generally the most expensive. It’s a nearly nine-hour journey, so you’ll use up an entire day just sitting on the train, and with tickets starting at $68, you’ll likely spend more than taking the bus or even a plane. However, if you want to visit other Upstate New York destinations, such as Albany, Rochester, the Hudson River Wine Valley, or the Finger Lakes, the train passes through all of them en route to Niagara Falls.
Amtrak trains depart from the Moynihan Train Hall, the expansion to Penn Station that opened in January of 2021. The Niagara Falls Station is located two miles from downtown and the viewpoints to see the falls, and it’s easiest to use a cab or ride-sharing service to get there.
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.
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Day 2 In Niagara Falls New York
Cave of the Winds Now going here would surely be the highlight of your trip! Get closer to the waterfalls at the Cave of the Winds. Youll even have the opportunity to touch the water. Just prepare to be wet in this area, but it absolutely is memorable.
Niagara Falls State Park If you want more adventure other than admiring the beauty of the waterfalls, just go here. Niagara Falls State Park offers biking, fishing, or hiking for the thrill-seekers!
Enjoy A Cruise On The Maid Of The Mist
Another way to experience the falls is from their base, and the best way to do so is by taking a cruise on the Maid of the Mist. A craft by that name has been exposing visitors to the spray from the falls since the 1840s. Now in its fifth version, the tour remains as wet as ever. Thankfully, waterproof overalls are provided free of charge.
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To Niagara Falls By Train
Many people travel to the area to visit Niagara Falls State Park, which is known for being the oldest state park in the United States. You can also go to the Journey Behind the Falls, an attraction that allows you to have close-up views of the parks caverns. If you enjoy being active, go to the Cave of the Winds, a wooden walkway that allows you to get up close and personal with the falls. There is also the Niagara SkyWheel, which provides visitors with beautiful views of the waterfall. If youre visiting with your family, go to the Clifton Hill, as it has many kid-friendly attractions, like arcades and haunted houses.
Niagara Falls State Park
If you’re operating on a budget then a stop at Niagara Falls State Park shouldn’t be missed. It’s totally free and open to the public and offers unobstructed views of the American Falls. While the views aren’t as expansive as they are from the Canadian side, the American side allows you to get much closer. For even more unobstructed views there’s the Niagara Falls Observation Tower that stretches over the Niagara River from the park that makes you feel as though you’re flying.
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One Day Itinerary For Niagara Falls
If youre day-tripping from within the US with a car, park your car on the American side and walk across the Rainbow Bridge to the Canadian side, which has an epic view of the falls.
Driving across can be time-consuming depending on the line at the Peace Bridge , so check the wait ahead although Ive always found the pedestrian bridge much faster.
Buy tickets for Maid of the Mist / Hornblower as buy a cheap poncho if you dont have one.
Walk around Clifton Hill past all the tourist traps to enjoy the view of Horseshoe Falls.
Enjoy the view and catch the illumination show if youre there around sunset.
Head back to the American side to enjoy the overlook over the American falls from Goat Island , which allows you to look STRAIGHT down the falls.
Which Side Of Niagara Falls Is Best: American Side Or Canadian Side
Canadian side hands-down. The falls are magnificent, but you can only see the height/views of the falling water with a partial viewbut the Canadian side of Niagara Falls gives you the epic view/feeling that made you want to visit.
If you dont mind getting drenched in the midst , youll feel like youre in a superhero movie.
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What Not To Miss At Niagara Falls
- The sunset time will make you fall in love …. You will enjoy splendid views and many colors and reflections right on the Falls water.
- Admire the Canadian side with the famous Horseshoe – This is the highest point of the Horseshoe Falls.
- Embark on the Cruise Maid of the Mist – In the season from April to October, the mini cruise takes you right under the Falls. Exciting!
- Walk inside the Panoramic Tunnel – During the winter season to reach the Falls and almost touch them!
- Do not miss the evening lighting of the Waterfalls and check if during your visit they will be shooting Fireworks. Each evening the Waterfalls are lit up in different colors and during Summertime, there are the Fireworks, see the: Lighting and Fireworks calender.
What To Do In Niagara Falls And Day Trips From Niagara Falls
You will see many things to do in Niagara Falls while reading online and while in Niagara Falls, youll find that Niagara Falls tourism is mostly unrelated to the falls. Just be aware of the tourist traps.
See Niagara Falls from both sides: American and Canadian!
Take the Maid of the Mist / Hornblower or Cave of the Winds for a unique view of Niagara Falls.
Hornblower v. Maid of the Mist. Which one to choose? If youre trying to decide whether to take the Hornblower or Maid of the Mist, note that the Hornblower boat goes from the Canadian side while Maid of the Mist departs from the New York side.
Both boats follow the same route although the Hornblower boats carry more passengers.
Take a day trip from Niagara Falls to visit the adorable town of Niagara-on-the-Lake for the summer Shakespeare festival and its famous ice wine. You can taste ice wine in Canadas wine capital. Ice wine is made by allowing the grapes to freeze on the vines, which makes the wine extra sweetand very alcoholic.
See the Niagara Falls light show . The schedule for the Falls Illuminationvaries throughout the year with the sunset, but if youre taking a day trip, see if you can stick around for the magic of the lights!
For those with kids, add some of the many kid-friendly attractions in the area to your list. One of the main attractions is the Fallsview water park.
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When Is The Best Time To Visit Niagara Falls
Summer without question. Although youll have the crowds, it is very windy at Niagara Falls and the extra spray can feel really good on a hot day.
In winter, youll just be ready to curl up with a hot chocolate away from the falls after snapping a photo, however if youre lucky, youll get to see the falls frozen over .
Niagara Falls average temperature in December is 21 degrees F / -6 C in Decemberso imagine getting sprayed with freezing cold water in addition to being blown around by heavy winds while standing in a blizzard.
Why Visit Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is actually composed of three waterfalls although the most famous waterfall is Horseshoe Falls. The combination of flow rate and height make the falls epic to see in person. This does not include the loud roar of the waterfall.
Niagara Falls is the perfect family getaway as there are lots of kid-friendly activities nearby and it will impress your kids . Its a perfect day trip if youre traveling in between the United States and Canada.
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