Best Way to Travel from NY to Niagara Falls
Are you in New York and want to visit Niagara Falls? I'll tell you all the details about how to get there so you can choose the option that best suits your travel plans.
Water falling from the falls | ©ghjgklñdf
Niagara Falls is located on the border of the United States and Canada, so you can reach it from New York. However, keep in mind that they are quite far away, about 650 km from New York.
If you have decided to visit this wonder of nature during your trip to New York, you should know that there are different ways to get there (train, bus, car, plane...) and that you can do it as part of an organized visit or on your own. It will be a long trip, but it will be worth it. Let me tell you more.
The best option to go to Niagara Falls: an organized tour
The most popular option for anyone visiting Niagara Falls from New York is to do it as part of an organized tour, which I highly recommend. The reasons? You don't have to worry about planning anything, you avoid last minute mishaps and you make sure you get the most out of your time.
The best excursions
The minimum duration of the tours from New York to Niagara Falls is one day including travel, but you can also book a tour of two days or more if you want to see the Falls in more depth. They all include guide, National Park entrance fees and other tours and tickets for the Maid of the Mist cruise. I tell you which ones are the best:
- Niagara Falls tour from New York with overnight trip - from $141.
- Niagara Falls day trip from New York - from $269
- Niagara Falls 2 day tour from New York - from $301.
Practical information about Niagara Falls
- Price: from 180 euros
- Operating companies: Hellotickets
- Total duration: minimum about 22 hours but there are up to 3 days
- Recommended if: you want to be carefree and enjoy the experience.
How to get to Niagara Falls by plane: the fastest option
The flight from New York to Niagara Falls takes less than an hour and lands either at Niagara Falls airport (a small airport very close to the Falls) or at Buffalo airport, which is the closest large airport to Niagara Falls.
How to get from Buffalo Airport to Niagara Falls
Flights to Buffalo are the most frequent. Even so, keep in mind that once you land, you still have a 40-80 minute drive to the state park where the Falls are located. From the Buffalo airport to the Falls you can get there:
- By bus: it will take you an hour and a half and the price can be around 15 euros.
- By car or cab: it takes about 40 minutes and the price varies depending on the company and whether or not you hire the trip in advance.
Important fact! The plane option is the fastest and most attractive, it is true. However, keep in mind that it is also the most expensive: plane tickets from New York to Buffalo can reach $600, but if you find an offer by booking in advance, do not hesitate!
There are some flights that land at Rochester airport, but it is quite far away, so I do not recommend it.
Practical information
- Price: 200 to 500 euros
- Operating carriers: American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways...
- Duration of the trip: one hour and a half
- Recommended if: you have little time during your trip.
There are some flights that land at Rochester airport, but it is quite far away, so I do not recommend it.
How to get to Niagara Falls by car: the most convenient option
If you are a fan of traveling without rushing and without depending on schedules, you may be interested in renting a car in New York and driving to Niagara Falls. It will take you a little over six hours in total, but you can stop at places like Watkins Glen State Park, Letchworth Nature Park or Seneca Lake. In this case, without a doubt, the drive will be part of the experience.
The price of a rental car in New York will depend on the agency in question and the days you use it. You can rent it to go and return, you can rent it in Manhattan and leave it in an office near the Falls and return by plane or you can even make a full-fledged road trip and continue to your next destination by road. If you choose this option, you can park near the Falls in different parking lots.
Keep in mind that in the United States you must be 21 years old or older to rent a car in most places (although the minimum age to drive there is 16...) and that you will need to apply for a foreign driver's license before your trip.
Practical information
- Price: Depends on the days of use
- Operating companies: Rentalcars, Avis, Hertz, Sixt...
- Duration of the trip: six and a half hours
- Recommended if: You have time and you like to enjoy the trip.
How to get to Niagara Falls by bus: the cheapest option
Are you on a tight budget but don't want to miss out on the experience of visiting Niagara Falls during your trip to New York? Your option is the bus. You can get a round trip ticket from 25 euros if you book it in advance.
The buses you will travel on are quite comfortable. On the downside: be prepared for a 9 hour ride. My advice is to make the trip at night so you can sleep and choose the same option on the way back: this way you will also be saving two nights in a hotel.
Practical information
- Price: from 25 euros if you book in advance.
- Operating companies: Flixbus, Greyhound US, OurBus...
- Travel time: nine hours
- Recommended if: you are on a tight budget
Train: the worst way to get to Niagara Falls from New York City
If the idea of traveling by train to Niagara Falls from New York crosses your mind, I recommend that you discard it. Why? Very simple: the train network in the United States is nothing like the European one in terms of quality (it is much more uncomfortable), the train will take about 9 hours to arrive (the same as the bus) and it will also be quite expensive (not less than 100 euros and that if you buy the ticket well in advance).
In short, there are many different ways to enjoy Niagara Falls during your visit to New York, but count on a minimum of one day to make the visit regardless of the transportation you choose and whether you decide to go on your own or with an organized tour. It will be well worth it.
Practical information
- Price: from 100 euros if booked in advance.
- Operating companies: Amtrak
- Travel time: nine hours
- Recommended if: you do not want to travel by road
We compare all options
- Organized tour
- Price: approximately 180 €.
- Duration: from 22 hours to 3 days You choose!
- Advantages: forget about planning, you are included and you can cancel up to 24 hours before.
- Disadvantages: You will have to be punctual at the agreed times at the meeting points.
- Plane
- Price: from 200 to 500 euros.
- Duration: one hour and a half.
- Advantages: it is the fastest option you will find.
- Disadvantages: depending on the date, tickets may be sold out or very expensive.
- Rented car
- Price: depends on the days of use.
- Duration: 6 hours and a half.
- Advantages: you can plan your departure time and make the stops you prefer.
- Disadvantages: when you arrive at your destination you will have to find a place to park and this can generate more expenses.
- Bus
- Price: from 25 euros if booked in advance.
- Duration: about 9 hours.
- Advantages: it is the cheapest way
- Disadvantages: travel time can be very long compared to other methods.
- Train
- Price: from 100 euros if booked in advance.
- Duration: 9 hours.
- Advantages: avoids the traffic of road travel.
- Disadvantages: it is not the most comfortable option, it takes the same time as the bus and it is much more expensive.