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Over 12 million people visit Niagara Falls annually to witness the sheer magnitude of its three waterfalls in person. Straddling the Canada and United States border, Niagara Falls is both breathtakingly beautiful and incredibly important (a.k.a. beauty and brains), as it’s a hydropower source that provides 20% of the United States’ drinking water.
While it might sound easy to just jump in your car and head to upstate New York, there are many different ways to travel to Niagara Falls that don’t involve driving for hours on end. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to get to Niagara Falls using all available modes of transportation, so you can make the most informed decision and pick the one that works best for you.
Niagara Falls by Bus
Niagara Falls is located in upstate New York and Ontario in Canada. There are several direct bus trips available to (the aptly named town of) Niagara Falls, NY from various cities in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for as low as $6.50 one way. With Wanderu, you can easily find and choose the bus trip that best suits your schedule and budget.
Here is a list of cities within 450 miles with direct bus trips to Niagara Falls, NY:
| New York, NY to Niagara Falls | $35.03 | |
| Rochester, NY to Niagara Falls | $8.23 | |
| Buffalo, NY to Niagara Falls | $7.31 | |
| Ithaca, NY to Niagara Falls | $30.00 | |
| Binghamton, NY to Niagara Falls | $25.63 | |
| For Lee, NJ to Niagara Falls | $40.70 | |
| Liverpool, NY to Niagara Falls | $13.45 | |
| Scranton, PA to Niagara Falls | $23.49 | |
| Sayre, PA to Niagara Falls | $30.03 | |
| Geneva, NY to Niagara Falls | $25.00 |
Bus prices are based on the average cost of a one-way ticket for the respective route available on Wanderu over a 30-day period.
But wait, there’s more! Stretching from Connecticut to Virginia, here is a further list of cities within 450 miles of Niagara Falls, NY from which bus trips require just one transfer. When you book with Wanderu, you can organize your trip from start to finish and transfer with ease.
| Hartford, CT to Niagara Falls | $39.98 | |
| Providence, RI to Niagara Falls | $48.03 | |
| Boston, MA to Niagara Falls | $53.21 | |
| Washington, DC to Niagara Falls | $49.85 | |
| Baltimore, MD to Niagara Falls | $49.83 | |
| Philadelphia, PA to Niagara Falls | $43.85 | |
| Richmond, VA to Niagara Falls | $59.52 |
Bus prices are based on the average cost of a one-way ticket for the respective route available on Wanderu over a 30-day period.
So, why 450 miles? Well, we figured that’s the optimal distance that someone can comfortably travel by bus in one trip. Luckily, 450 miles from Niagara Falls covers a lot of distance and states, so there’s no excuse for East Coasters not to visit.
There are three bus stations to choose from in Niagara Falls, NY:
- 240 1st St (curbside stop in front of Quality Hotel & Suites At The Falls)
- 127 Old Main St (curbside stop)
- 2035 Niagara Falls Boulevard (Niagara Falls International Airport)
The first two curbside stops drop you in the heart of the action. You will be steps from the falls themselves, as well as the Official Visitor Center.
The bus station at the airport is a good option if you intend to rent a car once you get to town, as it’s easy to do that there and not waste time figuring out how to get to a car rental place in town. Don’t forget that you can choose from hundreds of rental car options with free cancellation on most bookings right here on Wanderu.
Niagara Falls by Train
If trains are more your style, you’re in luck. You can reach Niagara Falls, NY via Amtrak from several New York towns and cities for as low as $14 one way. Remember, it’s easy to book your train journey on Wanderu.
Take your pick from these NY cities within 450 miles of Niagara Falls with direct train trips:
| New York, NY to Niagara Falls | $68.00 | |
| Rensselaer (Albany), NY to Niagara Falls | $54.00 | |
| Rochester, NY to Niagara Falls | $25.00 | |
| Syracuse, NY to Niagara Falls | $33.58 | |
| Buffalo, NY to Niagara Falls | $14.00 | |
| Depew, NY to Niagara Falls | $14.00 | |
| Yonkers, NY to Niagara Falls | $68.00 | |
| Poughkeepsie, NY to Niagara Falls | $65.00 | |
| Rome, NY to Niagara Falls | $41.00 | |
| Utica, NY to Niagara Falls | $45.00 | |
| Schenectady, NY to Niagara Falls | $54.00 | |
| Rhineback, NY to Niagara Falls | $65.00 | |
| Croton-on-Hudson, NY to Niagara Falls | $68.65 | |
| Hudson, NY to Niagara Falls | $55.37 | |
| Amsterdam, NY to Niagara Falls | $52.00 |
Train prices are based on the average cost of a one-way ticket for the respective route available on Wanderu over a 30-day period.
The Amtrak train station in Niagara Falls, NY is located at 825 Depot Ave W. This is about a 40-minute walk, a 20-minute transit bus ride, or a 5-minute taxi ride from the town center.
Multiple public bus routes will drop you off downtown, including the 40, 50, and 55 lines. Alternatively, you can follow the town’s historic Main Street directly from the Amtrak station to the falls. With various local businesses and eateries along the way, the stroll will allow you to explore many of the shopping and dining options the town has to offer.
Niagara Falls by Plane
Two airports service Niagara Falls on the U.S. side: Niagara Falls International Airport in Niagara Falls, NY and Buffalo Niagara International Airport in Buffalo, NY. Only Spirit and Allegiant Air currently fly into Niagara Falls International Airport, while multiple domestic and international airlines fly into Buffalo.
Here’s how to get to downtown Niagara Falls from these airports:
Niagara Falls International Airport: Public bus 55A Downtown will take you directly from the airport to downtown Niagara Falls in approximately 40 minutes. Meanwhile, a taxi takes about 15 minutes.
Buffalo Niagara International Airport: The airport is a 40-minute taxi or shuttle ride from downtown Niagara Falls or a 2-hour public transport journey. If you choose the latter, you need to take Metro Bus route 24 Genesee from the airport to Downtown Buffalo. Depart at Metropolitan Transportation Center and transfer to route 40 Downtown-Niagara Falls. Each bus trip costs $2.
Alternatively, you can hop on an OurBus bus directly from the airport and be in downtown Niagara Falls, NY in just 45 minutes. The only downside to that option is that OurBus runs only one trip from Buffalo International Airport to Niagara Falls, NY every day which departs at 4:40 pm. If your flight arrives around that time, we highly recommend that option.
Niagara Falls by Car
It’s about a 400-mile car journey from New York City to Niagara Falls via Scranton, Binghamton, and Syracuse. From Jersey City, you want to take I-280 W, I-80 W, I-380 N, I-81 N, and I-90 W to US-62 N. Take exit 22 from I-190 N and you’ll shortly be in downtown Niagara Falls.
Many accommodation options in Niagara Falls, NY have parking available and you can easily walk around the compact downtown area. However, Niagara Falls State Park also has four public parking lots available, starting from $10 daily ($15 on weekends). Visit the state park website for directions, but it’s worth noting the lots fill up quickly on weekends (Friday to Sunday) and holidays, so the early bird truly gets the worm around here.
If you’re interested in renting a car, either from nearby Buffalo to explore the local area or from another NY city, you can do so via cars.wanderu.com. You can book with several reputable companies, like Hertz, Budget, and Europcar, for as little as $50 per day. The best part is that most of the car options come with free cancellation, so you can have peace of mind should your travel plans change unexpectedly.
Day Trips to Niagara Falls
Feel like doing a day trip to Niagara Falls, NY? There are several towns and cities within a two-hour drive from Niagara Falls, making a day trip by bus, train, or car totally doable.
The following towns are best for day trips to Niagara Falls:
You can even take a day trip to Niagara Falls from New York City! This full-day tour includes transportation to Niagara Falls and back so you can snooze on the bus to the border. Then, spend five hours at Niagara Falls, exploring and experiencing everything the falls have to offer.
The tour also includes your entrance ticket to Niagara Falls and a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat. Be sure to book in advance to secure your spot! You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the day trip if you can no longer make it.
Things to do at and around Niagara Falls
You’ve made it! Now that you’re in Niagara Falls, here are some of the best things to do:
- Explore Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in the U.S. Head directly to the park’s Observation Tower to enjoy the only panoramic view of all three falls. Then journey to the Cave of the Winds attraction, which places you just 20 feet behind thundering Bridal Veil Falls.
- A trip to Niagara Falls is not complete without a boat tour on the Maid of the Mist, which has been operating since 1846. Hold onto your hats and ponchos as you go past American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls and feel their full power (and spray).
- Step back in time at Old Fort Niagara, which was established by the French in the 17th century. In the summer, you can enjoy guided tours, demonstrations, and reenactments.
- For a quiet moment in nature, head to Devil’s Hole State Park, where you can walk along the Niagara River into the wooded Niagara Gorge area.
- Thrillseekers wouldn’t want to miss an adrenaline-pumping jet boat ride through the Niagara River’s Devil’s Hole Class V rapids with 360-degree spins!
- The Niagara Wine Trail is home to over 20 award-winning wineries and cideries and is recognized for its excellent ice wine. To hit the region’s finest wineries and learn more about Niagara’s wine country, join a half-day winery tour (with tastings, of course). And if you’re in the mood for more wine-infused adventures, check out Wanderu’s DIY East Coast wine tour itinerary.
- See the falls lit up in a rainbow of colors in the nightly illumination show, making a magical place somehow even more magical.
- Overlooking picturesque Niagara Gorge, Artpark is home to several permanent art installations. It also hosts interactive workshops and walking tours, and summer concerts. Both Dolly Parton and Ringo Starr have previously performed at Artpark.
No matter how you get to Niagara Falls, you’re bound to have a great time visiting the eighth wonder of the world. To find all routes and available bus & train trips to Niagara Falls, book your trip through Wanderu. We do all the work and research for you, so all you have to do is pick the most suitable option and then sit back, relax, and enjoy your trip to Niagara Falls.
