How do you get to Niagra Falls Canada?

[OntFamily]

Check http://hotels.travelzoo.com/international-hotels/ for some great hotel rates.

If you're going to NF in the next few months, this is a great deal

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/international-hotels/276045

 

[krissyh]

It's your call as to whether you're comfortable driving there or not, but keep in mind this is UPSTATE New York, not NEW YORK CITY. It's no harder than driving in Florida and it's all interstate highway from Buffalo's Airport to the city of Niagara Falls, NY.....and then a city highway directly to the Rainbow Bridge over the river and into Canada.

BobK/Orlando

Actually this is Western NY - the upstate thing bugs us
But you are totally correct - this is MILD driving. Niagara Falls is about 8 hours from NYC, there are highways everywhere and driving in Florida (I've lived in both places) is much worse!

Here are some things to consider.
1. What part of Illinois are you from? If you drive it might be easier to go across Canada.
2. As the post I quoted said, it is often easier to go across the Rainbow bridge.
3. You are going to want a car. If you are only going for say two nights, it'll probably be cheaper. And if you are going for a few days - you'll need it to go places.
4. From the Bufflao (you will get a direct flight from Chicago) airport, follow signs (right outside of the exit) to I-90 in about a mile, you'll get on the 90 East, stay in the right lane and exit pretty quickly to the 290 (only can get West bound, this is the beginning) take about five miles unitl it ends and again merge right onto 190 North, you'll go over a bridge (75 cents - welcome to the toll booth state) then come to another bridge at this one, stay in the right lane and right at the bottom of the bridge, exit to the Robert Moses Parkway and follow signs to "Bridge to Canada" If the bridge is not backed up - you should make the entire trip in about 35 minutes.

If you go in nice weater:
-Maid of the Mist (you will get wet)
-Butterfly conservatory (need a car but close)
- Niagara on the Lake (need a car) beautiful little town with a great main drag full of shops and restaurants
-Niagara Wine Trail - suprisingly good wines at great prices

Skip the NY side (trust me, I was born there and find it so sad) - the park around the falls is beautiful but there isnothing else.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I don't have much to add but we loved NFs! We stayed at the Embassy Suites...in a falls view room...the view was amazing! Won't stay anywhere else !

Have fun!

We just stayed there in June!! Isn't it awesome. We loved the manager's reception and the Keg restaurant. We were on the 34th floor overlooking the falls and could watch the fireworks from our room. It was a surprise for our kids and they were so shocked!
We flew into Buffalo and rented a car from Alamo. It was so easy. They had no restrictions on taking the car into Canada and the drive was not stressful at all.
We didn't use the car to drive around Niagara Falls at all but since we only stayed 2 nights it was cheaper to rent the car than to pay RT cab fare.
Embassy Suites offers great tour packages right in their lobby. It's a little pricey but we figured what the heck, we're on vacation. We were able to see so much more than if we tried to do it all on our own.
You don't have to exchange money. Many cash registers have 2 drawers and they would ask what currency we'd be paying with. Some places just give Can.$ for change.
The only thing I would change if I could do it over would be to bring more snacks from home. Food is soooo expensive there. It makes WDW prices seem like Walmart!

 

[HappyLawyer]

ok all i have decided on a two bedroom suite at the hilton, it came out to 1089 for the 3 nights 4 days compared to the mariott two bedroom for a total of 1500.00, can you imagine that, an extra 500 just to have two bathrooms,

i know i need to go into canada via the peace bridge that is closer to my hotel, i am excited we are doing something we have never done before, no luggage! since it is a weekend trip we are doing carry ons, then we will hit walmart to pick up our tooth brushes, toothpaste, etc, that will save some room, i will get some snacks from walmart too. I just plan to use all credit cards this way i will not need to get canadian change back, so all that is left is to book tours and wait for air fare.

I am excited

 

[OntFamily]

I just plan to use all credit cards this way i will not need to get canadian change back, so all that is left is to book tours and wait for air fare.

I am excited

glad to hear your excited - I'm sure you'll have a good time. Be wary of booking tours from your hotel. Paying ala carte can be much cheaper. Or book a tour direct from the Niagara Parks Commission - the People Mover is a great value. Overall, they have some good deals.
http://www.niagaraparks.com/

 

[Disneyjosh229]

The Marriott is very nice. I have also stayed in a 2 room suite there and they are fabulous. No doubt, the best Marriott in Canada (Tied with Marriott Vancouver). Just a warning though, if you plan on buying ANYTHING from the hotel (or anywhere around the falls), get out your wallet. Beer is $8 US per bottle in the lounge

The area is excellent though, you can easily walk to every major attraction in the area. If you are coming from Illinois, it might be faster to catch I-94 through Detroit, and cross through Windsor in the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel or the Ambassador Bridge into Ontario.

 

[BusyMomto3]

The Marriott is very nice. I have also stayed in a 2 room suite there and they are fabulous. No doubt, the best Marriott in Canada (Tied with Marriott Vancouver). Just a warning though, if you plan on buying ANYTHING from the hotel (or anywhere around the falls), get out your wallet. Beer is $8 US per bottle in the lounge

The area is excellent though, you can easily walk to every major attraction in the area. If you are coming from Illinois, it might be faster to catch I-94 through Detroit, and cross through Windsor in the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel or the Ambassador Bridge into Ontario.

Buy your beer at the "Duty Free" Store just before you get on the bridge. It's currently $29 for two cases (48). You are allowed 1 case per adult as long as you're staying over 24 hours in Canada..........just a little tip from a local. LOL

 

[HappyLawyer]

glad to hear your excited - I'm sure you'll have a good time. Be wary of booking tours from your hotel. Paying ala carte can be much cheaper. Or book a tour direct from the Niagara Parks Commission - the People Mover is a great value. Overall, they have some good deals.
http://www.niagaraparks.com/

i agree, and i also foung a hotel with what i wanted much cheaper then the hilton, but at the hilton i asked for a price of a tour, it was 170 per person, i had just saw the same tour on a website for 69 per person, go figure,.

 

[HappyLawyer]

Buy your beer at the "Duty Free" Store just before you get on the bridge. It's currently $29 for two cases (48). You are allowed 1 case per adult as long as you're staying over 24 hours in Canada..........just a little tip from a local. LOL

thanks, i do not drink buti am sure i will find something at the duty free store, will it be very visible before i enter into canada?

 

[willoughbyclan]

The duty free store is located right at customs, just before you cross over the peace bridge. My husband and I were just there for our first trip last wkend. We drove up from Kentucky and stayed at the Marriott. We took advantage of the Travelzoo special and were upgraded to a King Jacuzzi room upon arrival which included a $75 hotel restaurant dinner voucher and breakfast buffet for two the next morning. Just $99.00. Everything was within walking distance. We didn't exchange currency, but we did use our credit card for every purchase. Adjustments were made on our credit card statement when it arrived. We had a great time and the falls were beautiful. The view from our room was better than being down close to the falls.

Hope you have a great time.