Toronto to Niagara Falls: By Train, By Car, By Bus (2026)
If you’re visiting Toronto and want to spend a day or a weekend in Niagara falls, in this guide I’ll show you how to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls by train, by car and by bus. Also I’ll tell you about the new ferry from Toronto to Niagara Falls and if that’s the fastest option.
Living in Toronto, we love to visit Niagara falls at least twice a year. I never get enough from it and I love it in winter even more than in summer, being the photographer.
There are so many options for the Toronto Falls trip, than you can imagine, but here we’ll talk about the fastest and most budget-friendly ones. If you’re traveling to Niagara Falls in Winter, also check our Post about the 11 Best things to do in Niagara Falls in Winter.
While this blog post isn’t sponsored, there are affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission if you choose to purchase an item (at no additional cost to you). These funds go right back into creating content just like this. Thank you for the support. More Information under Disclaimer.
Cheat Sheet
For those, who are short in-time, here is a quick Niagara Falls cheat sheet for where to stay and what to do in Niagara Falls.
Top Things to Do! Day Trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls, from Niagara Falls Boat Tour, Journey Behind the falls, Niagara Sky wheel, Visit Clifton Hill
Hotels with Falls View: $$$$ Niagara falls Marriott Fallsview, $$$$ Sheraton Fallsview Hotel: Book Your Room Here.
Transportation: Go Train from Toronto to Niagara Falls, Megabus & Flixbus for affordable options, Car rentals or Bus from Toronto Airport to Niagara Falls.
Best Way to get to Niagara Falls from Toronto
To choose the best way to drive to Niagara Falls from Toronto really depends on your time, budget and your preferences. That’s why I made the table below to help you find the best option to travel to Niagara Falls from Toronto.
Transport | Time | Price | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Drive | 1.5-2 hrs | Variable | Road Trip | Avoid rush hours |
GoTrain | 2-2.5 hrs | 20-30$/1ways | Best Option | Weekend Day Pass is 10$ |
Bus | 2-2.5hrs | $16-$30 | Cheapest | Book early |
Via Rail | 2 hrs | $25 -$60 | Limited | |
Tour | 2 hrs | $57-$180 | Comfort | |
Hoverlink | 30 min | $50-$60 | Fast, scenic | Coming soon! |
Drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls
The drive from Toronto to Niagara falls is about 1.5 -2 hours. But it depends on the traffic, so check the roads before your ride. We highly recommend to avoid early mornings till 10am and late afternoon from 3pm. That’s the rush-hour in Toronto and roads can be quite packed.
Niagara Falls is only 130 kilometers away from downtown Toronto. That means only 90 minutes ride and you’re at the Horseshoe Falls. There’s also a huge parking space right at the Table Rock House which is the entrance to Niagara Falls.
The distance from YYZ to Niagara Falls (Toronto Airport) is a bit less and if no traffic, it takes around 1h, 13 min. If you don’t want to drive, there are several options with public transport, check the section about YYZ to Niagara Falls below.
YYZ Airport to Niagara Falls
As said above if you want to travel by car from YYZ to Niagara Falls, it takes around 1h, 15min. Of course if there’s no traffic. But there are also several public transportation options to go directly to the falls.
Bus from YYZ to Niagara Falls: There are not many options to go directly from YYZ to Niagara Falls, except private shuttle bus.
But you can easily take the UP Express Train from YYZ to Union Station (main train station of Toronto). It only takes around 30 min and you can take different options from Union Station to Niagara Falls. Check the options below and you can also check the schedule of UP Express Trains here. Tickets are around C$14/person.
Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto
If you like it more comfortable or don’t want to drive with your own car, we highly recommend the Queen Tour Niagara Falls. Boat & the journey behind the Falls Entry are included.
The price is sometimes better than bus or Go Train, depending on the season. It’s around $50-60/ person and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance. Book Your Tour here!
Let’s break down your travel options from Toronto Union Station to Niagara Falls.
How to Get from Toronto to Niagara Falls
The best place to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls with public transportation, is the Union Station. Union Station is the main train station of Toronto and is located in downtown Toronto. And You can easily get the Go train, the Buses and even the Viarail trains from Union Station Toronto to Niagara Falls.
1. Toronto to Niagara Falls by Go Train
We often get the Go Train from Toronto to Niagara Falls, if we don’t want to drive. It’s quite easy and specially in summer the ride is scenic. The Go Train tickets from Toronto to Niagara Falls cost normally around $20 one-way. They are valid for about 7 days, but once they’re used, only valid for 4 hours.
We love to take the Go Train to Niagara Falls specially during the fall season with all those beautiful colors. Go Train is the best option for public transport, as it has a high frequency, also from Niagara Falls to Toronto.
How long is the ride: The ride is around 2 h 20 min and if you book early, you might even find cheaper tickets. Also there are several trains from Union Station Toronto to Niagara Falls Go Station. From there you can take the WEGO-bus on a 15 minutes ride to the Table Rock Centre.
Check the Toronto to Niagara Falls Train Schedule here!
Pro Tip: Weekend Passes are cheaper, but there are also less trains driving from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Check the Plans and Fares on their official website.
2. Via Rail Toronto to Niagara Falls
There’s only one Via Rail route per day from Toronto to Niagara Falls and back. So it’s less flexible. The train leaves every day from Union Station at 8:20 am and is around 2 hours. Honestly we only used it once, but GO Transit is definitely much easier.
Again you need to take a taxi or Wego bus (which is very easy and comfortable) from Train station in Niagara Falls to the Falls itself. Via Rail is also a bit more expensive than the Go Transit, so we definitely suggest the Go Transit over Via Rail.
Trains from Niagara Falls Canada to Toronto
Also the return options are very limited with Via rail and it’s only one per day. The train is coming back from Niagara Falls to Toronto at around 6pm daily. As said before we prefer GO transit over Via Rail for the comfort and more frequency they are offering.
If you’re also Visiting Toronto, Check our Ultimate guide for:
3. Flixbus Toronto to Niagara Falls
If you’re looking for a more affordable option to go from Toronto Union Station to Niagara Falls, we suggest to take the Flixbus. Normally they cost around $15 one way and you’ll be in Niagara Falls in less than 2 hours.
Are there any buses from Toronto Airport to Niagara Falls: Flixbus has lots of frequencies and sometimes also offers transfers from Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls Canada, if you want to go directly to the Falls. Check the availability and prices here.
The Flixbus will stop at the Rapidsview Parking which is again a 10 minutes ride with Wego- bus or Taxi to the Falls.
Niagara Falls Canada from Toronto
- Best way to reach Niagara Falls Canada side is from Toronto
- Union Station in Toronto downtown has the best connections for Toronto city to Niagara Falls.
- Wega-Buses are quite easy and will take you around Niagara Falls from bus or train stations.
- Megabus from Toronto to Niagara Falls is our favorite bus option.
4. Megabus Niagara Falls to Toronto
If you want to travel with a bus, Megabus Niagara Falls to Toronto, is our favorite option. Because it’s normally cheaper than Flixbus, also the ride takes only around 1h 35 min. So it’s definitely one of the best ways to travel from Toronto to Niagara Falls with public transport.
You can take the Megabus from Toronto directly from Union Station Bus Terminal in Toronto to Niagara Falls Bus Terminal, running up to 15 departures per day. So you don’t need to worry about missing your train, as there are lots of options. Also You’ll find more options on Megabus Niagara Falls to Toronto.
Megabus tickets from Toronto to Niagara Falls: The earliest departure is around 6:30 AM and the latest around 9:00 PM. Starting from CAD $7–$20, depending on how early you book.
Pro Tip: In rush hour you might have up to an hour of delays, so wouldn’t take the bus during the week in those times. (7-10am & 3-6pm). Also we recommend to book the Megabus in advance, as you might have up to C$10 difference per ride, if you book earlier.
5. Drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls By Car
Going from Toronto to Niagara Falls is quick and easy. We often drive to Niagara Falls from Toronto and it takes around 1 h 30 min. During the rush hour can take longer. If you’re going from Toronto to Niagara Falls during the week from Toronto Downtown, try to drive out before 2pm.
The good thing about having a car in Niagara falls, is that you can also visit the cutest town in Ontario. Yes the Niagara-on-the-lake is really one of the most instagrammable towns in Ontario and is just 30 minutes drive from Niagara Falls. Also it’s famous for it’s best wineries and wine fields. So if you’re a wine-lover, you shouldn’t miss that.
Hotels in Niagara-On-the- Lake
Our favorite stay in Niagara-On-The-Lake is the Prince of Wales and no wonder it’s always sold out.
It’s a beautiful family hotel and one of the most historical building at Niagara-on-the-lake.
You need to book long in advance, but it’s definitely worth it. Check the availability here.
6. Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto
If your time is limited, although the public transportation might be a bit cheaper, but the best way to visit Niagara Falls from Toronto is to get a day-tour. There are fantastic Day tour options for reasonable prices. They also include a boat ride at Niagara Falls as well as the ticket for journey behind the falls. If you consider all together, might be even cheaper than the train or Go train.
Best Niagara Falls tours from Toronto
Viator Niagara Falls from Toronto: one of the best tours with a cancelation up to 24 hours before your trip, is the Viator Niagara Falls from Toronto. They have 2 different pick-up places in downtown Toronto. Also you’ll get a free time to visit Niagara-on-the-lake as well. Book your Tour here.
Getyourguide Niagara Falls from Toronto: We love this tour offered by Queen Tour with a great service. They have over 9 pick-up places in downtown Toronto. We normally check both Viator and Getyourguide, because sometimes they have special offers. This one is around 10 hours and we highly recommend it. You also have the option to chose the Homblower Cruise, Journey behind the falls and Skylon Tower. Book your tour here.
Best Way to get to Niagara falls from Toronto
So in general the best way to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls is by car or by tour. But if you’re traveling on a Budget, we suggest to take the Megabus as it’s normally the cheapest option, and the fastest public transportation to Niagara Falls from Toronto.
Airport Transfer – From Toronto or Buffalo
If you’re wondering how to get from Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls without renting a car, there are some private transfers and airport shuttles available at the airport. You can Check the rates here, but it’s the expensive way.
Is a Day Trip to Niagara Falls from Toronto Worth It?
Absolutely. Because Niagara Falls never get boring. I can’t count how many times, I’ve visited this beautiful city, and still I don’t get enough from it. Even visiting Niagara Falls in winter is absolutely stunning, specially when everything is frozen and the falls still running.
Watch our Youtube Video for Niagara falls
Also we recommend to visit the Niagara-on-the-lake as well. This small and cute city is so beautiful. And if you’re a wine-lover consider also visiting the Niagara Falls wineries or booking a wine-tasting tour in Niagara-on-the-lake.
Niagara Falls Ontario Things To Do
I know your time might be limited, if you’re only 1 day in Niagara falls, but you can still see more than the Falls. Niagara Falls offers various activities to do in Niagara Falls and around it. And here are our favorites, that you can’t miss:
Tickets for Niagara Falls attractions: We recommend to by the Niagara Falls Day Pass, if you want to do different activities, as you can save a lot on ticket prices. You can buy the tickets on the official website of Niagara Parks.
1. Hornblower Boat Tour (Canada’s Side)
If you’re visiting Niagara Falls in Summer, Spring or Fall, this should be definitely on your list. Yes you might get some water drops, but it’s so different to see this beauty so close.
Believe me the experience is unforgettable and the Hornblower cruise is about 30-40 minutes. Approximately every 15–30 minutes, a boat departs with more frequent sailings (every 15 minutes) during peak busy hours.
It costs CAD $42.95 for adults and $27.95 for children. In winter there are none, specially in January and Febraury, as the Niagara Falls can be completely frozen.
Pro Tip: Prepare yourself to get wet, so we recommend to wear waterproof shoes and waterproof pants. You’ll get a free poncho, but expect to get soaked if you stand at the front (that’s what I did as a first-timer). But still it’s so worth it.
Evening Options
If you’re looking for a special set-up, Falls Fireworks Cruise is the best option:: A 40-minute nighttime cruise offering views of the illuminated Falls and fireworks displays (It’s available from Fridays–Sundays). You’ll have an onboard bar service and music. You can see the options here.
2. Journey Behind the Falls
The journey behind the falls is a fantastic opportunity to get as close as possible behind the falls. You’ll walk through a 130 years old tunnel which goes directly behind the Horseshoe falls. In summer it can be quite busy, but very beautiful. There are 2 decks, the lower deck which is bigger and closer to the falls and the upper deck.
It’s also open in winter and we love to visit it during winter, as it’s more quite and the views of the frozen falls are stunning. (The falls itself does not freeze, it’s only the mist and the surface that might look like freezing, but the water runs from behind.
Tickets for Journey behind the falls:
You can get the tickets at the Table Rock House (the main entrance of the falls). The tickets cost CAD $29.00 for adults and CAD $19.00 for children. You will also get the Ponchos for free to avoid getting wet.
The Journey behind the Falls takes around 40 minutes and there’s also a small look-out along the way, which is fantastic for photography. So don’t miss it.
Niagara Falls in Winter: If you’re traveling there in winter, the Lower Observation Deck might be closed due to ice but I recommend wearing warm clothes. Check our Ultimate Guide for traveling to Niagara Falls in Winter and things to do.
3. Clifton Hill Niagara Falls
One of the best places to see in Niagara Falls is the Clifton hill. You really feel like you’re in a movie with lots of games, adventures and everything is kind of bling bling. So I would call the Clifton Hill Niagara Falls the street of fun. It’s aslo great place to visit with kids.
It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Horseshoe Falls. Also don’t forget to ride the Sky wheel at Clifton hill, it has one of the best Panoramic views of the Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and the whole area.
To have more details on what to do in Clifton Hill and Best restaurants, check our guide for Niagara Falls.
Pro Tip: If you have kids or want to visit more sites at Clifton hill, we recommend to get the Clifton Hill Fun Pass. You pay 40 $ CAD for 6 attractions, Including the SkyWheel, mini-golf, Ripley’s, and more—for a flat rat. It’s definitely worth it with kids.
4. Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory
IT’s the most dreamiest place in Niagara Falls. And it’s another great activity to do with kids. Also if you’re an instagrammer, this should be definitely on your list. All in all, It’s warm, tropical, and full of fluttering butterflies in all kind of shapes and colors. The tickets for the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls cost around and CAD $20 for adults.
Pro Tip: Wear bright colors and move slowly—some butterflies are friendly enough to land on your shoulder. And don’t wear orange, if you’re afraid of butterflies sitting on your shoulders. They love the Orange color.
5. Visit Niagara-on-the-Lake
Another fantastic place to visit is the Niagara-on-the-lake. This city is so cute and out of films. If you have time, take the Wega-Bus from Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-lake, which is around 30 minutes ride from Niagara Falls.
Also as a wine-lover, you can visit different wineries and do some wine-tours. Also it’s a fantastic place for romantic getaways to stay over-night. We love to stay at the iconic hotel of the Prince of Wales or the Pillar and Post. They both sell out fast and you need to book early. Check the price and availability here.
Pro Tip: For more Things to do in Niagara Falls, Check our Post about Niagara Falls in Winter. Also if you’re staying longer in Toronto, we have an ultimate Guide for the 10 best attractions to visit in Toronto.
Visit Niagara Falls on a Budget
If your budget is limited, still Niagara Falls can be a good option, as you can easily travel from Toronto to Niagara Falls without breaking the bank. Here is how to do that:
- Just take the Megabus from Union Station in Toronto. It’s the cheapest way to reach Niagara Falls. The ride takes around an hour and half, but depends on the traffic.
- Visiting Niagara Falls itself, Horseshoe falls and Ameriacn falls is free. Also you can take the trail for hiking for free. Also visiting Clifton Hills is a fantastic options. Fun Pass could save you a lot of money, if you’re traveling with family to Niagara Falls.
- Hotels in Niagara Falls can be expensive during summer or New year’s eve. If your budget is limited, we suggest to visit Niagara Falls in winter or during shoulder season. Believe me it’s always beautiful there.
Do I need a Niagara Falls Ticket or is it free?
Of course Not. Visiting Niagara falls is free and you can walk along the Niagara Falls and take great pictures. Also the walkway around the falls is free. Only the activities in Niagara Falls like journey behind the falls, Skylon Tower, Sky wheel and boats require tickets.
Where to stay in Niagara Falls Canada side
We tried different hotels on the Canadian side, but our favorite hotel is the Marriot Falls view Hotel and Spa. It has a fantastic view directly in front of the falls and the rooms are spacious. We also love the restaurant and the food. You can sit there order a fantastic steak and enjoy the view. We normally pay around $450/Night, but yes it’s definitely worth it. Check the prices and availability here.
When is the best time to visit Niagara Falls
Well, it’s hard to say because I love to go to Niagara Falls even in winter when it’s totally frozen. I’m a photographer and honestly, I love that even more in winter, as the views are jaw-dropping but as a first-timer, you might be able to enjoy more activities during summer, spring or fall rather than during winter.
In summer the falls is fully packed with tourists and the city comes to life. Also the hotels are definitely more expensive than any other time. Also during Christmas and new year’s eve, the hotel prices are very high.
So best time to visit Niagara Falls is during the shoulder season. In spring you definitely have less tourists and less crowd. Fall is beautiful there and if you get the Go-Train from Toronto to Niagara Falls, you’ll truly enjoy the views.
Final Summery
So in general there are several ways how to reach Niagara Falls from Toronto. You can take the bus, car or train. Niagara Falls is a must-visit experience an the view of the falls will remain in your memories forever. Our tip is to book early to get the best prices, specially if you’re traveling during summer.
Key Takeaways
- You can travel from Toronto to Niagara Falls by train, car, or bus, with Go Train being the best public transport option due to its frequency and affordability.
- Visitors can take day tours for a comfortable experience, which often include activities like boat rides and special attractions.
- Niagara Falls is free to visit, but certain activities and experiences require tickets, such as the Hornblower boat tour and Journey Behind the Falls.
- To save money, consider traveling in the shoulder season or winter, and using Megabus for the cheapest transit option.
- Don’t miss attractions like Clifton Hill, Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, and Niagara-on-the-Lake for a complete experience.
Have fun in Niagara Falls!
Also Read our Guides about:
Let’s connect on Social Media
