BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi,

Well I finally got round to booking my summer holiday/vactaion for this year. I will be travelling to Canada, then down the East Coast of the USA to Florida before flying home. I'll be taking in New York and Washington DC before seeing family in the Tampa area.

Anyway, my question is about crossing the Niagara Falls border from Canada to the US. Which crossing point is most reccommended for someone arriving off the Train at Niagara Falls, ON, and wishing to travel on to Buffalo airport later that day? Also, do I have to pre-submit passport details to the DoHS, as I would do if I were travelling to the USA by air or sea?

Thanks in advance, and any tips on how to spend around 5 hours at NF would also be great! I wish I could spend a night or 2 there, but have to get to the New York City that night.

I've no idea on your border crossing question.

However, I really liked the Maid of the Mists boat trip to the base of the Falls.

I would have liked to take the stairs you can walk that go down near the Falls, but I was there at the wrong time of the year and they were just getting the stairs opened up.

All border crossings in/out of the US require the same amount of hassle irrespective of a airport/or walking across.

The particular boarder crossing you choose is busy as is a high traffic area of tourism and business. Walking across will go quicker than driving or busing; however finding onward transport from the boarder may be challenging. So I am not much help there.

However 5 hours will be tight. I suggest maid of the mist and if you have time there is a self-guided walking tour of the rapids immediately after the falls. The rapids are very impressive when you are only a few meters from them. Another fun activities is to climb behind the falls. This is crowded and there is usually a wait, but not long. There is an interesting museum at the bottom that shows all the different people who went over the falls, in what, who survived and who didn't. The Canadian side has a much better view of the falls than the US side.

At any rate have a great trip and good luck.

If you have time, walk across Rainbow Bridge to see the American and Bridal falls - there's a terrific view from the observation tower, but an even better 'feel' from right next to the American Falls - mesmerising - and also Goat Island. It's true it's best to stay on the Canadian side (so you don't have to spend your time looking at its tackiness) but it doesn't have the monopoly on views!

Thanks for the replies and advice folks, really helpful.

I am guessing I'm in for a long wait to cross the border, which will just add to the fun i suppose (Being from and travelling a lot in Europe means I hardly ever cross a real border anymore ). I have yet to arrange onward travel to BUF airport, there seem to be many taxi companies around on the internet, can anyone reccomend the best one? Money isn't such an issue (US$70 seems about the average I have found), but the lower the cost the better.

Thanks again.

ok if you get off the train here in Niagara - the best bet is catch greyhound over to Buffalo which only costs like $10 and then there are public buses in Buffalo which run to the airport. The greyhound over to Buffalo takes like 2 hours and i have never waited more 30 mins at the border of which i included in the 2 hours. The bus from the station to the airport takes like 30mins so yeah you will be pushing it but you should make it in those 5 hours.

its a shame you cant spend the night here - niagara is a wonderful place - hence the fact im still here. But if you have any more questions feel free to pm me - i work at the HI hostel here too so always glad to meet a bootie - come say hi!!

Michelle