Ultimate Travel Guide: A 2-Days Road Trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls

Did you know you can visit one of the world’s wonders and most powerful falls in North America by just a short drive from Toronto?

This week we want to invite you to join us on a two-day road trip to Niagara Falls and take a bike ride through Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyards.

In this blog, we will answer all your questions about:

There are a few options for getting to Niagara Falls from Toronto, making it a very accessible getaway. 

By Car

Driving from Toronto to Niagara gives you a lot of flexibility regarding timing and visiting attractions on the road. The distance is around 130 km and takes at least an hour and a half, but the trip can double on weekends and rush hours.

We would take Gardiner Expressway west and head towards Niagara. After a while, It will turn into Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). As we continue on QEW, we will pass Burlington Skyway bridge. If you take a look around, you’ll see the Hamilton steel plant and even downtown’s towers if the weather is clear enough. As we pass through St. Catharines and Welland canal (a key section of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes Waterway), keep an eye to exit on ON-420. Then by taking the exit to Niagara Veterans Memorial Highway East, we will reach downtown Niagara falls.

There are some parking lots near the falls, but they can be expensive, especially for overnight stays. You can always check Skylon tower parking, which should be around 15$/daily. Use parking lots further from Falls, or check the Guide to Parking in Niagara Falls, to choose the best option for yourself.

By Bus

Next to the car, our most convenient option would be Mega buses.

We can book our tickets in advance and hop on our bus at Toronto Bus Terminal on 610 Bay Street. From there, it takes around 2 hours to reach Niagara Falls bus terminal, and a 30-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi drive to the falls.

Mega Buses operate 2 to 3 times a day year-round, usually from 5:45 am to 4:45 pm, and start from $20 for a one-way ticket, based on the travel date.

For further information and booking your ticket check out Megabus website.

By Train

To take a train trip to the Falls, we have to either take Via rail to Niagara Falls or GO transit trains to Burlington and the GO bus to Niagara Falls Bus Terminal.

GO Transit

GO trains operate using six railcars, three of them outfitted to hold up to 18 bicycles each. It’s a one-hour train ride to Burlington and a one-and-a-half-hour bus ride to Niagara Bus terminals. Their tickets are usually $21.15 and for seniors $10.60 for a one-way trip, but you might be able to find better deals on their website. Currently, GO Transit offers $10-15 weekend passes online, which is an excellent deal for exploring the region on weekends and holidays.

We can plan our trip with GO from here and check their schedule from here.

VIA Rail

VIA Rail trains to Niagara Falls and from Niagara Falls to Toronto Operates once a day. They can be more expensive than our other options, but you may be able to book the tickets with a good discount on Tuesdays. Currently, VIA Rail service between Toronto and Niagara is resumed due to Covid-19, and we can only find GO Transit services on their website. However, you can check their latest service status here.

Niagara Falls, Ontario, is the home of magnificent Niagara waterfalls and one-fifth of the world’s freshwater located on the Canada and the USA border. We can see another Niagara Falls, NY right across the border, connecting to the Canadian side by the Rainbow bridge.

The falls are a group of three waterfalls- Horseshoe fall, known as Canadian fall, Bridal veil falls, and American falls. The Horseshoe is the largest one, and it is 52 meters (170 ft.) tall. The deepest section of the fall is also 52 meters (170 ft.), just below the falls.

These 12,000 years old falls were made during the first ice age and have the highest flow rate in North America. Niagara river drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. Its water is redirected from traveling over the Falls to drive large hydroelectric turbines that produce electricity for Southern Ontario and Western New York State.

You might ask, “when is the best time to travel to Niagara Falls?”

Well, the answer is, although some of the activities are closed during cold seasons, Niagara Falls offers different year-round excitements and memorable experiences.

The busiest time to travel is late June to after Labor Day in September and almost all the long weekend holidays, but it could get hot and humid during the summer.

In my opinion, late September and early October is a great time to visit the falls. The weather is cooler, it’s not as crowded as summer, all of the attractions are open, and you might find some fantastic deals for attractions and hotels in Niagara Falls.

Winter in Niagara Falls has its own unique beauty. We can observe one of the most beautiful Falls in the world, surrounded by ice and snow. Based on Niagara Parks’ records, The only time the Falls froze and stopped flowing due to sub-zero temperatures was in 1848. Since then, the Falls have never frozen over!

Transportation in the city

Most attractions in the city are pretty close and within a short walking distance. Alternatively, we can take the WEGO buses.

WEGO has four lines: the blue and red lines serve the city’s tourist areas, the green line runs through Niagara Parks, and the orange line runs to Niagara-on-the-Lake. You can purchase a pass for 24-hours ($9.00/adult and $6.00/child) or 48-hours ($13.50/adult and $10.00/child).

You can also use Niagara Falls city-wide public transit bus system that runs seven days a week – with reduced service on Sundays. The fees are free for children under 5, $1.5 for children between 6 and 12, $2.5 for students and seniors, and $2.75 for adults. Find the closest station to you here.

Now that we have reached our destination let’s enjoy the beauty of one of the most majestic waterfalls in the world and have some fun. There are must-do activities in Niagara. Some of them need booking in advance. There are always some packages and deals on the Niagara Parks website and Groupon. Make sure to connect with one of our Lokafyers to plan the perfect trip and save your time and money.

One of the most thrilling experiences in Niagara is a 20-minute cruise that will take us up the river, past the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the American side, and come face-to-face with the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, where you can feel the roaring and power of the Falls.

The tour operates every 15 to 30 minutes. We will be boarded on Niagara city cruises main ticket plaza.

At certain times of the year, there are firework boat cruises in the evening. After exploring the three Falls in this tour, we will make a stop in the middle of the river and enjoy Fireworks above the beautifully illuminated Falls. Their tickets are different from the regular tickets and a bit more expensive, but in my opinion, it’s worth the extraordinary experience. You can check their schedule and purchase your ticket from their official website.

Now it’s time to take a journey where we can feel the thunderous vibration and true power of the horseshoe fall and possibly get the closest view we can get. We will start our journey at the table rock centre, at the edge of horseshoe fall, where we’ll take an elevator down almost 40 meters (125 ft.) to the 130-year-old underground tunnels and wear our yellow ponchos. As we follow the tunnel’s paths, we will hear the falls roaring, the ground vibrating, and face some cave-like portals that open behind the falling water. A little bit further, we’ll reach the observation decks. Right in front of us is the breathtaking view of nearly 700,000 Gallons of water crashing down. We will probably get a little wet, so be careful with your phone and camera.

Journey behind the falls is closed from early January to mid-June. It operates between 10 am to 6 or 8 pm based on the date and costs $23.5 for adults, $15.5 for children (6-12), and is free for under 5 years old. You can check their schedule and book your tickets from here.

We took a journey behind the falls together, but if you’re not a fan of century-old underground tunnels, or you wish to get a birds-eye view of the magnificent Falls, you should check out the Niagara Falls Helicopter tour. The 12-minute ride begins with Sir Adam Beck Generating plant and follows the Niagara River. We can see the whirlpool Aero Cars, the Rainbow Bridge, and Queen Victoria Park as we pass by American Falls, Skylon Tower, and, lastly, the Horseshoe Falls.

The tour will usually not be operating from January through March. However, it’s always better to recheck their schedule before traveling. Running the tour is very dependent on the weather. It’s not necessary to book in advance, but you can check the prices and book your ticket on their website. 

One of the all year- round attractions of Niagara Falls is the tallest total entertainment complex, Skylon tower. After getting our tickets and riding famous yellow bug elevators to the top, we can savor the spectacular view of the falls and even Buffalo, NY. The tower includes a revolving dining room that makes a complete revolution per hour and has a visibility of observation of 129km (80 miles) on a clear day.

We can add a little more thrill to our day by taking the Wildplay Zipline along the Niagara River with a breathtaking view of the Falls. We can book our tickets in advance to avoid long waiting times. The Early Bird tickets for 9-9:40am are more economical options, and you can sometimes find Wildplay deals on Groupon with better prices. Whichever ticket you decide to get, you can enjoy the second ride for only $10. Keep in mind on rare occasions, Wildplay parks might close due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.

Now that we savor the mighty Niagara Falls in every possible way, it’s time to make a trip to the vibrant “Street of Fun,” Clifton Hill.

Clifton Hill is one of the most popular and touristy streets in Niagara because of its restaurants, Hotels, its nightlife, and many exciting activities for kids and families.

We can start exploring the street by a must-do attraction in Niagara Falls, a -12 minute ride on Niagara Skywheel. Riding the Skywheel any time of the day is a delightful experience, but the evening rides are something else. The glittering lights over Clifton hill and the falls make an unforgettable view. You can get your tickets online or in-person for $14 per adult and $7 for children.

Niagara Speedway is one of the largest elevated go-kart facilities in North America and the perfect activity for everyone, especially teens. To be a driver, you have to be at least 18 years old. There are also some height restrictions for drivers and passengers you can check on their website. The tickets are $12 for drivers and $4 for passengers per 5 minutes drive, which can be about 3 to 4 rounds of the course. Also, the tickets are only sold in person.

As mentioned before, Niagara Falls can be a compelling destination for anyone and every age.

We can always enjoy a game in Casino Niagara or, for a more luxurious experience, Fallsview Casino Resort, get selfies with our favorite celebrities in Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks, or kill some ghosts by laser gun in Ghost Blasters. If the kids are getting tired of all the sightseeing, they can always enjoy a game of mini-golf in the land of enormous dinosaurs, between Raptors and T Rexes, explore pathways of Bird’s Kingdom, or have some water fun in The Fallsview Indoor Waterpark( due to Covid-19 restriction you need to reserve your slot prior traveling)

After all the sightseeing and exciting activities, I’m sure we are all craving some delicious food or a tasty dessert.

There are many great places locals eat in the famous Lundy lane. Join Our Lokafyers, who have the best knowledge of top local eateries and attractions, to enjoy fantastic foods at a great price.

But for now, Let’s explore a few places with the best food in Niagara falls!

Camp Cataract

After all these unique experiences in Niagara Falls, it is only fair to enjoy our delicious pizza in a special place as well. In Camp Cataract, we can Play pinball and old board games in a cozy, nostalgic summer camp atmosphere while savoring amazing affordable food. It is located at 4317 Queen Street and a 3-minute walk from Niagara Bus Terminal.

AG Inspired Cuisine

Looking for Locally inspired food? AG Inspired Cuisine is a fine dining restaurant offering an exceptional farm-to-table experience in a beautiful atmosphere.

AG Inspired Cuisine is located at 5195 Magdalen Street, a 6 minutes walk from the Skywheel Niagara.

Country Fresh Donuts & More

Country Fresh Donuts is a local donut shop. Although they’re famous for their fresh donuts and incredible wonton soup, their menu doesn’t stop there. They offer some juices and warm drinks, and various sandwiches, making great options for breakfast. Also, it’s a cash-only restaurant, so Don’t Forget to bring some cash!

After spending an eventful day in Niagara Falls, the idea of laying down on a comfortable bed in a clean, nice room and going through the memories we made these past few hours is very appealing.

Luckily, no matter what budget or accommodation we have in mind, there is always a suitable option in Niagara Falls. We can stay at one of the Motels in Lundy lane or check out bed and breakfasts in nearby towns like St. Catherine or Niagara-on-the-Lake for a budget-friendly stay. Airbnb or Bed and Breakfasts always offer many options based on our budget and preferences. However, staying at a hotel with the best view of the Falls can be an excellent way to complete our Niagara Falls adventure. You can book a video call with our Lokafyers to plan your trip and the best places to stay in Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa

Marriott Fallsview Hotel and Spa is a 4-star hotel located just a few minutes from most attractions in Niagara Falls. Being the closest Hotel to Horseshoe Fall, the hotel offers suites with outstanding views of the Falls.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

This 3-star hotel is located in the heart of the tourist district of Niagara Falls, across from Casino Niagara and a very short distance to the Falls, Clifton hills, and many restaurants and attractions.

Park Place Bed & Breakfast

This fantastic Bed and Breakfast brings you a cozy blend of antique and contemporary beauty in a Queen Anne Revival heritage estate with stunning gardens. It is within walking distance of the Falls and other attractions but far enough from all the city’s buzz to have a lovely relaxing stay.

We’ve spent a day exploring the crowded and vibrant streets of Niagara Falls. Now, on our way back to Toronto, it’s time to stop by a small town to just relax and enjoy nature. On our way to the beautiful historic town of Niagara-On-The-Lake, we will stop by a couple of attractions on the road.

To get to our first stop, if you’re not traveling in a car, you can take the WEGO Buses green line to “Niagara Glen, Nature centre and trails.”

Niagara Glen is a scenic nature reserve located in Niagara Gorge, overlooking the Niagara River and its whirlpool area. We can explore through its pathways, intriguing caves, and breathtaking views, but keep in mind to only take this stop if you like hiking, you can hike, and you have appropriate equipment and shoes. Although It is an exceptional adventure, the trails are quite rocky and can be slippery. Therefore, it can be dangerous, especially for young children, elders, or those with no experience in hiking. Also, don’t forget to get your trails map!

Getting to the conservatory is a 15 minutes walk from the WEGO Niagara Glen stop. However, if you decide to join us from Niagara Falls, You can take WEGO buses to Butterfly Conservatory itself. If you travel by car, both Niagara Glen and Butterfly Conservatory offer parking spaces with an additional fee.

Upon stepping inside one of the largest butterfly conservatories in North America, we find ourselves surrounded by over 2,000 colorful butterflies. As we explore through this tropical garden, we can take a moment to sit a little and enjoy the beauty of the butterflies. We might even get lucky and get approached by a friendly butterfly resting on our shoulders. (Smelling sweet and wearing bright colors surely helps!). Also, the atmosphere and light are great for photography.

After enjoying our self-guided tour in the conservatory, we can take a walk in the gardens around the main building, visit the gift shop, or pay a visit to Botanical Gardens nearby.

Tickets are sold on the Niagara Parks website and are Free for children under 5 years old, $11.25 for children(6-12 years), and $17 for adults. Also, the conservatory is closed from January through mid-July this year, so check their schedule before traveling.

Now it’s time to just relax and unwind!

Niagara-on-the-Lake, or as locals write it, NOTL, is a charming little town along the shores of Lake Ontario. This town is historically significant, as it became the first capital of Upper Canada in 1792.

To get to Niagara-on-the-Lake either from our previous stops or Niagara Falls, without a car, we should take the orange route of WEGO. However, due to covid-19, some services can be limited or resumed so contact WEGO before traveling.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is known for its historical sites such as Fort George (a military landmark from the 1812 war) and Brock’s Monument, its preserved 19-century vibe, its breathtaking nature, and last but not least, its many famous wineries and vineyards.

We will start our adventure in the Heritage District, where it feels like we traveled through time to the 19th century. We will stroll through Victorian red-brick buildings, pass their flower-filled windows, and check out Queen street’s unique boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops.

NOTL is famous for not only producing wine but also ice wine made from frozen grapes. There are over 30 wineries in the region, but they can be spread out if you want to walk between them. Therefore, we need to either drive or take a bike ride through them. Rental bicycles are available from $25(3 hours), $35 (a day), and E-Bikes & Tandems, for double the price.

There are several kinds of wine tours and daily tours in the area. You can book your tour of Niagara-on-the-Lake with our Lokafyer to explore the town and its incredible wineries like a local.

As we are finishing our two days adventure together, it’s time to introduce you to a couple of the well-known wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Peller Estates

Peller Estates is one of the well-known wineries in Niagara on the Lake, Crafting quality wine for over 50 years. They offer a full range of wine, including ice wine served in an igloo-like lounge at -10C. The Estates also include the winery restaurant, farm-to-table wine country cuisine, and more casual dining option, patio’s Barrel House Grill.

Konzelmann Estate Winery

Owned and operated by the Konzelmann family, Konzelmann winery has been crafting quality wines since 1984. It is one of the only lakeshore wineries in the region, with Toronto and CN tower views.

In this short getaway, we visited the world’s most wonderful waterfall and the beautiful town of Niagara on the lake. However, the only way to enjoy a trip like this to the fullest is to have a local friend guiding you through these adventures. Our Lokafyers will help you plan or execute your journey in the most fun and compelling way.

• You can’t bring your pets to most attractions and activities in Niagara Falls unless they support animals.
• Keep in mind most hotels do not offer housekeeping services during your stay due to Covid-19 restrictions.
• Hotels’ parking fees are usually not included in your booking fee and could be a little pricey in the touristy area of Niagara Falls.
• As of September 22, 2021, you need to have proof of vaccination along with a photo ID to access certain public settings and facilities.
• In this guide, we tried to provide you with the most recent and helpful information, but as we are still in a pandemic, any information or details, including the transportation operation routes, hours and dates, Hotel and activities policies, and restrictions, could change. Therefore, please check their official websites before traveling.