VIA (Amtrak) Maple Leaf Train
- Travel time: 2 hours
- Departing daily at 8:20 in the morning **** from Toronto Union Station and heading directly to Niagara Falls Station arriving at 10:20 this VIA Rail route 97 utilises Amtrak Amfleet equipment (Amtrak crews take over at the border). Just so you are not confused when boarding.
- Returning from Niagara Falls at 17:45 and arriving into Toronto Union at 19:43.
- Fun fact: This is the only Corridor route with a cafe car.
- Fares: Starting at $29.38 (book at least a week in advance to save).
- Pros: Fastest train service, cafe car, business class
- Cons: Only operates once per day, returning train often prone to delays at border
- The gist: Via Rail’s Maple Service service is a good option if you are looking for a comfortable day trip to the Falls and back.
Option 2A: GO Transit Lakeshore West Line Train
- Travel time: ~2.5 hours
- Departing three times daily from Toronto Union Station to Niagara Falls Station GO Transit regional rail service makes frequent stops for commuters on route.
- Departing Toronto Union:
- Weekdays at 9:10, 17:21, 22:07
- Weekends at 9:05, 13:05, 17:07 (Sun), 18:23 (Sat)
- Departing Niagara Falls:
- Weekends at 12:04, 16:02, 20:17 (Sat), 21:17 (Sun)
- Fares: Purchase at GO Transit starting at $21.15 CDN ($18.09 with Presto Card)
- Take advantage of the weekend pass offered by Niagara Parks to ride GO Transit and WEGO (Niagara Falls’ tourist bus service connecting the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake) starting at $20.00 CDN.
- Pros: Direct train service, affordable
- Cons: Runs only three (3) times a day, evening returns depart too early, multiple stops on route
- The gist: Departing three times daily the GO Train is a direct and affordable budget option but be careful of departure times.
Option 2B: GO Transit Lakeshore West Train / Route 12 Bus
- Travel time: ~2.5 hours
- If the train departure times above don’t exactly line up for you, GO Transit offers a bus stop-gap supplementing the Lakeshore West train to Niagara Falls. Departing roughly every 30 minutes from Burlington Station to Niagara Falls Bus Terminal (right across the street from the train station). Route 12 fulfils this gap in train service. It’s important to note that Route 12 is divided into local & express services:
- 12: local service stopping at colleges and park & rides
- 12B: express bus service between Burlington and Niagara Falls Stations
- Fares: Same are Option 2A above
- Pros: Good supplementing service if train departures don’t work out
- Cons: Bus can be crowded; frequent stops
- The gist: A good supplement to the train if return timings don’t work out. The 21:26 or 22:22 bus departure on the express 12B route is especially handy if you plan a long day at the Falls.
Option 3: Intercity Bus
- Travel time: ~1.5-2 hours
- Intercity carriers like Megabus,Greyhound USA,Flixbus,Trailways all offer frequent, direct, daily service from Toronto Union Station Bus Terminal to Niagara Falls Bus Terminal.
- Fares: Starting at $15.00 CDN
- Pros: budget friendly, frequent multiple daily service options
- Cons: buses can be crowded, frequent stops
- The gist: A great budget friendly option but be wary of price fluctuations and uncomfortable seats.
Option 4: Drive
- Tags: Fastest
- Travel time: ~1.5-2 hours
- Depart Toronto by taking the Gardiner Expressway westbound (turns into Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW)) toward Hamilton Niagara. Take Exit 30A (Highway 420). Drive on Highway 420 and bear right as the highway turns into Falls Ave. Drive along the Niagara Parkway for exceptionally scenic views of the falls
- Pros: Fastest, Most direct,
- Cons: Gardiner Expressway and the QEW can be very confused during weekends/summer of peak season. Parking by Niagara Falls can be a challenge and prepare to pay.
- The gist: Fast and convenient but traffic in Toronto and pay parking by the falls can become frustrating.