Best Niagara Falls Bus Tours From NYC

There are many reasons to travel to Niagara Falls but one of the most powerful is to contemplate the wild landscapes of one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. Of course, you have to keep in mind that they are quite far from the Big Apple but fortunately the bus tours are quite comfortable.

The dream of many travelers with an adventurous spirit is to know this wonder of the American continent. If you are one of them, keep reading about the best bus tours to see Niagara Falls from New York. I assure you that this excursion will be a memorable one.

The shortest option

Niagara Falls Day Trip From New York City

Escape for a day to see the wonderful Niagara Falls

Travel comfortably by bus from New York to the falls in Canada. You can also take a cruise or explore the Cave of the Winds, if you want to complete the experience.

From $269 at Hellotickets

Enjoy this 19-hour tour to Niagara Falls. Choose the option that includes transfer or the complete tour that includes: transfer, bilingual guide and a Maid of the Mist boat cruise or the visit to the Cave of the Winds.

You will depart by bus in the early morning from midtown Manhattan and you will be able to see the sunrise on the way. In about 7 - 8 hours you will be at Niagara Falls, admiring the 3,000 tons of water falling per second.

Recommended if... you don't want to miss the opportunity to see this natural wonder, but don't want to spend a lot of time or money on the excursion.

If you are already convinced to go to Niagara Falls but can't decide how to get there, I will tell you that the most popular option among travelers and the most comfortable is to do it on an organized tour. This way, you don't have to waste your time organizing anything, you can cancel it if your plans change and you make sure you make the most of your time because you will go with a specialized guide who will show you the most important things.

Save a night in a hotel in New York City

With the day bus tour you will make the overnight trip in about eight hours, which is less time than the bus you would take on your own because the private tours are newer, so you will save one night in a hotel in New York. And considering the prices of accommodations in the Big Apple, believe me, it's not a bad idea!

You're probably thinking that sleeping on a bus is not the best plan, but they are usually equipped with wifi and are high class so you can have a good night's sleep. The trip flew by for me!

After a leisurely breakfast, you'll arrive at the falls early in the morning, and spend about six hours touring the falls (with a guide included). You will arrive back in New York around 11pm with lots of anecdotes and pictures to show.

What services are usually included in the day tours?

• Private bus transportation with wifi on board.
• Professional English speaking guide. So that you don't miss anything, like the stories about the rescues in the lake - there are some very interesting ones!
• Entrance to Niagara Falls National Park.
• Access to the Cave of the Winds or Terrapin Point (from November to April).

Useful information and pricing for day tours to the falls

• Price: from 167 € (there are usually different discounts)
• Total duration: approximately 22 hours.
• Recommended if... you have only a few days in New York and want to make the most of your time.

If you prefer to tour Niagara Falls more leisurely and soak in nature and water (literally, too) I recommend you take the two-day tour. For me, this is the best option to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of New York City and enjoy the spectacular scenery of mother earth - I think, along with the Amazon, it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!

Two-day tour itinerary

On this two-day tour you will travel by bus at around 6:30 in the morning to make the most of the day and make stops at various points such as the impressive Watkins Glen Canyon (where you have to climb down more than 800 stairs) and Seneca Lake. Afterwards, you will visit both the American and Canadian sides of the falls, so don't forget to bring your passport!

Once there, you will tour Niagara Falls National Park and get wet aboard the Maid of the Mist, the closest cruise to the waters of the falls and only suitable for the most intrepid. On your return, the next day, you will have the opportunity to stop for shopping at one of New York's best luxury outlets.

What do the two-day tours usually include?

• A professional guide who accompanies the group.
• Private bus transportation.
• One night hotel accommodation, usually with continental breakfast included.
• Sightseeing tour of Niagara Falls.
• Entrance to Niagara Falls National Park on the U.S. and Canadian sides - a two for one!
• And my favorite service: free cancellation, in case of any unforeseen event.

Useful information and price of the two-day tour

• Price: from 318 €.
• Total duration: 2 days.
• Recommended if... you will be in New York for at least a week.

If you are a fan of traveling in a big way, you might be interested in this type of excursion. Can you imagine touring Niagara Falls, Philadelphia, Washington and Amish country all in one tour? In this case, the road and the people you will meet will be part of the experience.

Visiting these three places can be a very economical option if you want to!

What do four-day tours usually include?

• Professional guide in Spanish so you don't miss a single detail!
• Transportation in a small 15-passenger van or bus.
• Three nights hotel accommodation with taxes included and breakfasts to keep your strength up.
• Entrance fee to Niagara Falls National Park.

Useful information and price of the four day tours

• Price: from 644 €.
• Total duration: 4 days.
• Recommended if... you want to make the most of your stay in the USA.

Niagara Falls is located on the border of the U.S. and Canada and although there are different ways to get to Niagara Falls from the Big Apple such as train, plane or car, the most economical and practical option is to travel by bus. I'll tell you why.

The best? Unlike the plane, the bus is not subject to such rigid schedules or to booking so far in advance. In addition, with this means you can take advantage of the whole day and make a trip to your liking without depending on airports.

This trip, in most companies, usually lasts about 9 or 10 hours and departs from New York early in the morning, although there are some tours that travel at night and so you will save a good peak in the hotel. Then I'll explain how!

Most of the buses, fortunately, are quite modern and include wifi and power sockets for your tablet, computer and cell phone. In some of them you get a bottle of water! Throughout the trip, they also make stops so you can stretch your legs.

If you want the tour to be more enjoyable, I suggest that you take a book or download a movie beforehand. You will be more entertained! However, with the desire and excitement you will have to see the waterfalls, it will be like a short walk.

What services do the buses include?

• Wifi
• Electric plug
• Water bottle (only some)
• Seats with room to stretch your legs

To travel by bus to Niagara's paradise you have two options: take a bus on your own or take an organized tour. If you decide to travel on your own to the waterfall it will take you a few hours. For example, if you use Greyhound buses, one of the most popular bus companies in the U.S. and with the largest number of routes, it will take you approximately 9.5 hours and you will have to make a transfer in the city of Buffalo.

How much does the bus from New York to Niagara cost?

The difference in price whether you book it in the same week or one or two months in advance is abysmal. With Greyhound if you buy it for the same week it can cost you approximately 150 € round trip, the cheapest ticket, even though it is not cheap at all! On the other hand, if you buy it in time in this same company, with a month in advance, you can pay 100 € the cheapest ticket for both routes.

Choose between economy, superior or flexi class

Normally, you can also choose the class you want to go: economy, superior or flexible,** in the latter you will have more amenities such as priority boarding, the ability to change the date of travel and carry two pieces of luggage (in economy class only one is allowed, as in low cost flights), among other services. However, in the best categories, the price goes up quite a bit.

Bus on my own or on an organized tour?

In my case, after evaluating the different possibilities, I opted for the bus on an organized excursion. The price difference was minimal and, honestly, comparing the different bus websites in English and in dollars was a hassle. So I opted for the convenience of forgetting everything and... Living life!

Operating companies:

• Greyhound
• Ourbus

Pros of the airplane

If you are one of those who like to travel comfortably, do not waste a second in displacements and do not mind paying more, the airplane is your option. Although, if you do not buy it in advance, it is not cheap, unlike the bus (there can be more than 100 € difference).

The cheapest ticket we can find between New York airport (John F Kennedy) and Buffalo airport is 88 euros. A bargain! Of course, you will get this price if you buy it in January, which is the cheapest month in low season to go to the falls. The trip lasts an hour and a half. If you dare with these dates, prepare a good jacket, hat and gloves. Valiente!

Airplane cons

However, from March onwards, things get more complicated and the ticket costs more than 200 euros, twice as much as by bus. On weekends, flights are even more expensive, and sometimes, unlike the bus or the excursions (where you sleep at night), the schedule combinations are very bad, since they can break up the day and you don't take advantage of the whole day. Be careful with that!

Another aspect that I don't like is that you will also have to take care of the transfers from the airport to the falls and vice versa, which increases the price even more ** Therefore, my advice is to travel by plane only if you get a good offer, one of those that we like!

Whenever I pack my suitcase I always have the feeling that I'm forgetting something. Does it happen to you too? Grab a pen and paper and... take note! Here's a list of the essentials you'll need to pack in your luggage and on the bus if you want your trip to be a success. Be careful! The first thing you should pack, as I've explained, is a sturdy raincoat for the waterfalls, and lots of hobbies for the road.

• Get a small backpack for the trip: This will be the most comfortable way to carry your belongings.
• Don't forget your earplugs and eye mask for the bus.
• Electronic devices: I recommend that you take a tablet or computer for the road, it will become your best ally in your 8 hours traveling! Do not worry if you have not had time to download your favorite movies and games because in almost all transports .... There is free wifi!
• Books: as Cervantes, our most illustrious writer, used to say, "he who reads a lot and walks a lot, sees a lot and knows a lot". Following this wise advice, I suggest you take advantage of the bus to pick up your favorite novel, the one you never have time to read. You're on vacation!
• Wear sporty and practical clothes: keep in mind that the day will be long and that you will be sleeping on the bus. I recommend that, even if it's summer, you take a jacket for the air conditioning! It is also a good idea to bring a spare set of clothes in case you get wet at the falls.

And as for tips for visiting the falls?

• Wear waterproof shoes. Many sections run under the waterfalls and are slippery, so choose good hiking boots!
• Wear a raincoat or a good waterproof coat: If it's winter, you can even wear a ski coat. Take my advice, being dry as much as possible will make a difference.
• Buy water to drink on the bus and some snacks for the stops, because the road is very, very long.
• Put a lot of enthusiasm, talk to your fellow hikers and prepare your camera (if it can be GoPro or aquatic, better) to immortalize this wonder. Smile and say... Cheese!