Ontarians flying out of Buffalo

[Me2Me]

Hi -
We're going to fly out of Buffalo airport and stay at the Homewood Suites the night before. I've been checking directions to the hotel and they all direct me to take the Queenston/Lewiston bridge instead of the Rainbow bridge. Does everyone think that is the best route to take? I was thinking we'd be taking the Rainbow bridge and have a quick look at the Falls but I don't want to go too much out of the way.
Thanks.

 

[JohnMcLane]

Queenston - Lewiston is a little quieter in terms of line up at the border and you can by-pass Niagara Falls, NY. IMO it's a little quicker all around but doesn't offer the same view. Have a good trip.

 

[cabmom]

I'm not sure when you are going, but I went over the Queenston/Lewiston Bridge last Friday(Easter) and we waited for 2 hours to cross over. It was very frustrating to wait that long. We found out on the way home that they are only letting 24 cars every 10 mins over the bridge because of bridge construction. I would definitely take another route until construction is over!

Marilynn

 

[Me2Me]

Thank-you both. We're going this Tuesday! I just remembered this site that list border wait times http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html

Maybe that explains the 30 minutes border wait on the return. I see Rainbow bridge currently has a 20 minute wait on the return as well.

 

[JohnMcLane]

Hey Me2Me we'll be there at the same time as you...we're flying down on Thursday. Have a great trip!!!

 

[Me2Me]

You too. I'm hoping for the sunny weather.

 

[Grumbo]

After having worked in Niagara Falls for over 30 years at one time the Queenston Lewiston was the better way. However with all of the truck traffic, post 9/11 stuff that isn't the case any longer. I've found for the most part the Rainbow is better.
The old Whirlpool Bridge is no longer accessible unless you have the access card that is only used by locals. A terrible waste but there you go....
There are a number of sites that give bridge wait times, but unfortunately I've always found them useless when it comes to what the actual wait time is.
The Peace Bridge is really quicker most of the time. Maybe lots of truck traffic, but enough access to get cars through.
Thats my take anyway

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[CDN Prince Charming]

Having driven to Buffalo from Toronto dozens of times (wife likes to shop there!), I wouldn't consider crossing anywhere but the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie.
Like previous posts have mentioned, Lewiston handles far too much truck traffic with not enough room for cars.
As for the Rainbow Bridge, that would be my absolute last choice! Have to go into Niagara falls, and is always busy.

By crossing on either of the 2 bridges above, you have to pay the tolls for going over Grand Island. I can live with tolls, but the highway is in awful shape. What exactly are the tolls for anyway?? A whole other topic, I guess.

By going over in Fort Erie you stay in Canada longer, the QEW is in great shape, you don't pay any tolls whatsoever, and once you're over, you are 10-15 minutes from the airport.
The Peace Bridge does have lots of truck traffic too but what makes it different from Lewiston is its large capacity for cars also.

By the way, we stayed in that Homewood Suites 2 years ago before our flight to MCO. Its very nice, clean and a 4 minute shuttle drive to the terminal in the morning.

My $.02 worth. Enjoy!

Any questions just PM me.

 

[TimNDansMom]

We always cross at Fort Erie and haven't had a problem so far. It's pretty straightforward to get to the airport from there too.

As far as tolls, on your return, there is one .50 toll on the thruway and US$2.50 (CA$3.50) at the Peace Bridge, if I remember correctly.

Directions:

1. Once through the US customs booth, keep to the far right and merge onto I-190 S.

2. Merge onto I-90 E via Exit 1-52 on the LEFT toward Buffalo Airport/Albany.

3. Merge onto 33 E via Exit 51 E toward Airport.

 

[pjpoohbear]

I have crossed 6 times since last January. It really depends on the time of day. We always take Rainbow bridge, early in the morning for flights out of Buffalo, easy 10 minutes. Closer to a meal time like lunch or dinner closer to 30 minutes. Every time we check out the Peace bridge as we do under it, take the long way around buffalo, it is packed with trucks! Ouch!

I Think if you come from Lundy's Lane it is quicker at Rainbow because it is a right turn and from the QEW it is a left turn, but you get a bathroom break at the Tourist info station. 1/2 dozen of one and 6 of the other.

P.S. we avoid the queenston - lewiston since the blizzard of xmas 2001 when we were forced to take side roads to get out of New York state. We drove for hours to get back to Canada. Just bad memories of farm land for miles and miles!

Penny

 

[Me2Me]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think we'll try the Peace Bridge unless we decide to check out the Falls. I wasn't even thinking about tolls, I guess I'll need to get some US change!

 

[Me2Me]

Hi -

Thanks for the advice on the Peace Bridge - it worked out very smoothly.

One new note is that it looks like are going to start charging tolls on the Canadian side. When I was driving through I'm pretty sure I saw an electronic board indicating tolls would start on the Canadian side on April 17th.

 

[TimNDansMom]

Thanks for the info about a new toll on the Canadian side, Me2Me. I'll now have to keep some change handy for that too, when we cross in May! Glad to hear that your crossing went smoothly!

 

[hipmaman]

Hi,

I have just lurked and read these tips on which border crossing to take. Just want to say thanks. And would you know of a map of the border crossings that I can have?

We are driving down on May 7. Any tips on where to park the vehicle at the airport while we are away for 11 days?

Thanks in advance and sorry for hijacking this post with my questions

 

[surfer_ed]

I switched to the Peace Bridge. The highway in Canada is better, the toll is allot cheaper and it seemed faster once we got to the USa side.

Sometimes we go over Queenston Lewiston bridge on the way there and stop and do some shoping. There is no toll to go over, just on the way back.

We always come the Peace Bridge on the way back.

Ed