Frequently Asked Questions

 Q: What time of the year is Niagara Falls open ?

A: Niagara Falls is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Q: Are the Falls turned off at night ?

A: No

Q: What will the weather be like when I visit Niagara Falls ?

Q: Is there a charge to see the Falls ?

A: The parks are free and open to the public 365 days a year. During the busier months of May through September there is a charge for parking your automobile, r/v etc. There are also fees for municipally operated "attractions" ie: cave of the winds, maid of the mist, journey behind the falls. 

Q: What is the best time of the year to visit Niagara Falls ?

A: The best weather occurs from mid May until mid September. The first two weeks in October is the best time for viewing our Fall foliage. Due to the "micro climate" within the Niagara Gorge, leaves in the gorge tend to peak during the third week of October. Niagara Falls can be very spectacular during the Winter. Nowadays more and more people visit the Cataract City year round.

Q: Where should I stay during my visit to Niagara Falls?

A: We recommend you try and stay as close to the Falls as possible. Parking is limited during peak season and getting around on foot & using the shuttle service is the best way to get around and see the sites. We have a list of suggestions and tips here: Niagara Falls Hotel Tips.

Q: Which Fallsview hotel has the best view of the Falls?

A: Please visit our "Fallsview Hotel" page for more information.

Q: How can I receive information about Niagara Falls by mail ?

A: We do not provide any literature by postal mail. You can use this link to obtain a Niagara Falls travel guide in the mail.

Q: Are there boat rides available year round ?

A:  Maid of the Mist and the Whirlpool Jet boat operate from early May until late October.

*during the months of November-April, Maid of the Mist, Jetboat, Cave of the Winds are closed. All other attractions and businesses are open year round. 

** During the winter months the NY Observation tower's elevators are closed but the observation deck is open.**  

Q: What is the best way to get to Niagara Falls ?

A: By air, you have to fly into either Toronto, Ontario or Buffalo, New York. 

Toronto's airport "Pearson International" is 78 miles (125 kilometers) from the Rainbow Bridge.

Buffalo's Airport "Buffalo/Niagara International" is 25 miles (41 kilometers) from the Rainbow Bridge (35 minute drive).

To get to the Falls from the airport, you can either rent a car, take a shuttle bus, or arrive by taxi. More information is available from our "transportation link".

Trailways Bus Service and Amtrak/VIA train service is available directly to cities of Niagara Falls. 

Hotels do not provide courtesy shuttles to or from the airports.

Q: How long will it take to cross the bridge and clear customs?

A: Provided it is not a major holiday, you can normally get through in less than ten minutes. Expect a ten to twenty minute wait on Fridays and Saturdays during the late afternoon and early evening going to Canada. Sunday mornings there are delays going in to the US and in the evening going back to Canada. Expect delays of thirty minutes or more on Memorial Day, Canada Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Q: What is the best way to visit the Falls and see the attractions?

A: The best thing to do is map out your itinerary before you arrive. To walk from one side of the Horseshoe Falls to the other via the Rainbow Bridge is 4 km/2.5 miles (8km/5 miles roundtrip) and that is a long walk! First you need to figure out how you will get to the general area. If you are staying at a local hotel find out the proximity to the Falls and plan your activities from there. A typical tourist will visit the maid of the mist boat ride, view the Falls from either Queen Victoria Park in Canada or the Niagara Reservation Park in the USA (or both). In Canada you can easily walk from Table Rock visit Journey Behind the Falls and then walk to the Maid of the Mist docks. On the US side you can walk from the visitors center to Prospect Point and catch the Maid of the Mist and then walk to Goat Island for the Cave of the Winds, Terrapin Point and the Three Sisters Island.

Both the Niagara Falls U.S.A and Niagara Falls Canada Parks departments offer a transit system which stops at the major attractions in their respective countries. The Niagara Falls Canada "people mover" transits along the Niagara River from Table Rock to Queenston Heights Park with thirteen different stops. To preview it's route visit this link: www.niagaraparks.com. In the US the Parks Trolley system runs a three mile circular route and has six stops. For rates and info visit this link: www.niagarafallsstatepark.com.  

Tour companies are abound in Niagara Falls. Be sure to compare what is included with the tour including admissions to the attractions you will visit. While tours tend to be more expensive, they can take a lot of hassle out of walking everywhere and at the end of the day you are still left with plenty of energy for the evening.

Q: How far is the train station from the Falls itself ?

A: In Niagara Falls Ontario, the Via Rail station (4223 Bridge Street, tel:1-800-361-1235) is 1.6 miles (2.5 km) from the Rainbow Bridge. In Niagara Falls NY the Amtrak train station (27th Street & Lockport Road tel: 716-285-4224) is 2.8 miles (4.5 km) from the Rainbow Bridge. ($10.00 cab fare)

Q: How far is the Bus terminal from the Falls.

A: In Niagara Falls NY, the Trailways® bus terminal (303 Rainbow Blvd. tel: 800-776-7548) is .6 miles (1 km) from the Rainbow Bridge. In Niagara Falls Ontario the terminal (4555 Erie St. tel: 905-357-2133) is 1.6 miles (2.5 km) from the Rainbow bridge.

Q: Where can I obtain driving directions and a map of Niagara Falls ?

A: Visit our maps & info page.

Q: Do you arrange tours of the Falls?

A: You can reserve a tour by checking our "tours" page.

Q: Where can I exchange my currency ?

A: There are quite a few currency exchange locations in the area and always at both sides of the Rainbow Bridge. The best way to pay for your visit is to place everything on credit cards, you'll get the best exchange rate from your bank.

Q: I'll be in New York City and would like to visit Niagara Falls. What are my options ?

A: New York City is 406 miles (653 km) from Niagara Falls. By car it's a 6.5 hour drive.

By plane it's a 45 minute flight (airtime). But from terminal to terminal, check-in and check out, it will usually take three to four hours including drive time to the falls (with no delays!). You can arrange for airport pickups and tours at www.niagaramajestic.com 

The train ride is great, much of the route follows the New York State Barge Canal and Hudson River. The trip takes nine hours and costs $78.00 each way. Usually four departures daily starting at 7:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Amtrak offers service from Penn Station in Manhattan. Visit Amtrak's website for more details.  

Greyhound offers bus service to Niagara Falls. This route takes  9-11 hours and the fare is roughly $55.00 one way or $105.00 round trip. Many departure times are available but the ride is exceptionally long.