We're heading to Toronto for about 9 days in July. From everything we've researched, it's not recommended to get a car for the type of trip we're taking. What's the best way to go to Niagara Falls for just the day? We already have our hotel room paid for, so wanting to take just a day trip. It's quite a drive from Toronto. What's the best way to get there and back for a day trip?
Also, restaurant recs? We like everything from cheap to fancy. I already know I want to spend a lot of time in St. Lawrence Market for lunches, but what are some good dinner places? We are not picky but will be traveling with a typical 14 y/o.
Umm…I would absolutely drive from Toronto to Niagara for a day (or few) trip. I actually don’t know how else you could easily get there…
Are you flying into Toronto? I can see maybe not needing a car to get around within Toronto, as traffic’s pretty bad and they also have good public transportation.
I would include Niagara on the Lake as well if you can; it’s such a pretty town/area that it would be a shame to miss it.
When we go to Toronto we usually hit the North York area for Persian food/groceries; I don’t really have restaurant recs otherwise. The waterfront is really pretty just to walk around if you’ll be near there.
I’ve been going to Niagara Falls my whole life and I love it every time I’m there - I literally never get tired of it. It is quite touristy but there’s a lot to see and do and The Falls are absolutely a beautiful sight to behold.
Keep in mind that the first week of July will be insanely busy due to Canada Day/4th of July.
momin2013 , I guess I'm asking should we rent a car just for that day because we're not going to need a car for the rest of our trip, or is it easier to take a train or bus? I hadn't considered spending a few days in NF, unfortunately it'd be hard at this point with airfare and hotel paid for. And thank you! We're going mid-July so will hopefully miss any holidays.
To just go for one day, yes I’d rent a car for the day. A bus might go to Niagara (?) but honestly I think you’d lose travel time being stuck to a bus schedule. I’d drive there first thing in the morning, spend the day, then drive back in the evening. You’d be looking at 1.5hrs minimum each way (without traffic, which can be crazy cakes depending on where in Toronto you’re staying), so it’ll make for a long day but it’s certainly doable (and worthwhile, IMO).
Post by pinkplasticdoll on Mar 19, 2023 18:39:35 GMT -5
I would rent a car for the day to drive from Toronto to Niagara falls, we visited in September and the drive from the falls to Toronto was like 1.5-2 hours due to traffic and weather so I can't imagine that bus or other transportation would be quicker.
I would rent a car for the day to drive from Toronto to Niagara falls, we visited in September and the drive from the falls to Toronto was like 1.5-2 hours due to traffic and weather so I can't imagine that bus or other transportation would be quicker.
I saw that there's a train that goes back and forth from Toronto to NF, I thought that might be easier than renting a car these days, but we'll look into the car rentals. Thank you!
I would rent a car for the day. Be prepared to pay for parking in Niagra. Depending on the lot it could get pricey for a day. The lot we usually park in (still a decent walk to the falls) is $5/hr. The actual town is pretty small so you might be able to park further out (cheaper) and spend the day on foot, which wouldn’t be different from your days of walking in TO.
A day at the falls is plenty. Maybe I’m too local to appreciate it, but I can’t imagine making it a focus of my vacation. The falls are gorgeous, but I find the town to be kind of kitschy.
If you like wineries, I would choose dinner somewhere between Niagra and TO at a winery. That area is gorgeous.
Also be prepared for travel time to be much longer than predicted. It should be ~1.5 hours from TO to the falls, but last summer it took us 3.5 hours just because summer traffic sucks. I regularly make that drive between h’s family and mine and it’s one of my least favourite areas in Canada.
Post by aprilsails on Mar 19, 2023 21:52:33 GMT -5
The Via Rail train is a good option between Toronto and Niagara if you are staying close to downtown Toronto. Otherwise you might spend an hour just getting out of the town in morning traffic. I just looked at the rates and they are super cheap for dates that far out. Pease note that they go up pretty quickly once you get closer to your dates.
You won’t have the same flexibility in terms of going to wineries and such in between, but I love the ease of the train ride.
The Via Rail train is a good option between Toronto and Niagara if you are staying close to downtown Toronto. Otherwise you might spend an hour just getting out of the town in morning traffic. I just looked at the rates and they are super cheap for dates that far out. Pease note that they go up pretty quickly once you get closer to your dates.
You won’t have the same flexibility in terms of going to wineries and such in between, but I love the ease of the train ride.
Thank you! This is very helpful.
Running the numbers, we can get a train first thing, come back later at night for $250 round trip. We're downtown close to Union Station where the train departs, so this is not an issue. I feel even if we went for economy plus ($450), it would probably still be cheaper than renting a car. I also really prefer the ease of a train if it makes sense.
Post by DarcyLongfellow on Mar 20, 2023 8:40:40 GMT -5
We just did this last week when we were up there for spring break!
I would 100% rent a car. I researched all the various options for doing a day trip to Niagara Falls, and none of them made sense. We rented a mid-size car for the day for under $100. It was an easy 1.5 hour drive.
When I looked at the train options, they were inconvenient because the train station wasn't close to where you'd want to be in Niagara, so you'd need to factor in a cab or uber ride there in addition to the train fare.
ETA: We picked it up around 10 in the morning, and we returned it that evening around 7 using the after hours drop box. We had the car through 10am the next day, but we didn't want to pay to park it in the city overnight.
We just did this last week when we were up there for spring break!
I would 100% rent a car. I researched all the various options for doing a day trip to Niagara Falls, and none of them made sense. We rented a mid-size car for the day for under $100. It was an easy 1.5 hour drive.
When I looked at the train options, they were inconvenient because the train station wasn't close to where you'd want to be in Niagara, so you'd need to factor in a cab or uber ride there in addition to the train fare.
ETA: We picked it up around 10 in the morning, and we returned it that evening around 7 using the after hours drop box. We had the car through 10am the next day, but we didn't want to pay to park it in the city overnight.
Wow! That is a good deal! We were in California this past September and the car rental was over $300/day so I was expecting something even more expensive in Canada. Did you guys eat anywhere you loved?
You could do a day trip with a company like Viator. You'd still be dealing with potential traffic, but you won't be driving yourself. However depending on how many people in your family, it could be more expensive than renting your own car. I would research if car rental places in Toronto are still dealing with inventory shortages.
We just did this last week when we were up there for spring break!
I would 100% rent a car. I researched all the various options for doing a day trip to Niagara Falls, and none of them made sense. We rented a mid-size car for the day for under $100. It was an easy 1.5 hour drive.
When I looked at the train options, they were inconvenient because the train station wasn't close to where you'd want to be in Niagara, so you'd need to factor in a cab or uber ride there in addition to the train fare.
ETA: We picked it up around 10 in the morning, and we returned it that evening around 7 using the after hours drop box. We had the car through 10am the next day, but we didn't want to pay to park it in the city overnight.
Wow! That is a good deal! We were in California this past September and the car rental was over $300/day so I was expecting something even more expensive in Canada. Did you guys eat anywhere you loved?
I just checked mid-July on Expedia and it's anywhere from $120-$240 CAD, so converting that to USD would be even cheaper still.
You could do a day trip with a company like Viator. You'd still be dealing with potential traffic, but you won't be driving yourself. However depending on how many people in your family, it could be more expensive than renting your own car. I would research if car rental places in Toronto are still dealing with inventory shortages.
We're a family of 3. I'm really mostly wanting "easy" as opposed to affordable. We have no issue driving, I just want what's easiest! The stopping to eat dinner at a winery on the way back sounds really nice, though. I'm just not familiar with the area and when me and H researched it, we got conflicting reviews about what is the easiest way. Sounds like it depends on a few things.
Wow! That is a good deal! We were in California this past September and the car rental was over $300/day so I was expecting something even more expensive in Canada. Did you guys eat anywhere you loved?
I just checked mid-July on Expedia and it's anywhere from $120-$240 CAD, so converting that to USD would be even cheaper still.
Thank you for checking on that. I wonder if the car rental situation has finally calmed down.
I just checked mid-July on Expedia and it's anywhere from $120-$240 CAD, so converting that to USD would be even cheaper still.
Thank you for checking on that. I wonder if the car rental situation has finally calmed down.
I think so? I haven't heard about it like last summer when it was frequently in the news or friends were experiencing problems. But it could also rear up again as summer tourist season hits? Lots of the cars on Expedia are free reservation so I'd pick one for mid-week of your trip and see if it changes/cancels closer to the date.
I have always gone to Niagara Falls by car. Niagara Falls is not really a public transportation type of place like Toronto, unless things have changed in the last 10 years. It's also small.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a cute place.
I did the drive recently and it's under 2 hours. I stopped at the Duty Free where I could see the Falls from the parking lot to get my fill for the year LOL. I feel driving would give the most freedom but I could also swing train transportation with a 14 year old. Just be prepared to walk around Niagara Falls.
I'm going to ask a question on this thread--how much time would you spend at the Falls with 2 kids (9 and 11)? We are visiting family in Buffalo this summer and plan to drive over the border and spend a morning at the Falls. MH and I did this about 18 years ago, but it was winter, so I don't think we spent much time sightseeing--more like "those falls are pretty but it is as cold as hell, let's get back in the car!"
So getting from Toronto to Niagara with the train is no problem I’d suggest renting a car because Niagara it self isn’t transit friendly. This way you can also check out the Niagara on the Lake area. The drive from Toronto to Niagara can be awful if you are going during rush hours but as long as you avoid those times it should be fine.
Some of my favourite restaurants for finer dining are George, Greta Solomon’s, Alo, Lake Inez. All easy to access with transit. The tasting menu at George can be pricy but is definitely worth it. I’ll come back with more restaurants!
So getting from Toronto to Niagara with the train is no problem I’d suggest renting a car because Niagara it self isn’t transit friendly. This way you can also check out the Niagara on the Lake area. The drive from Toronto to Niagara can be awful if you are going during rush hours but as long as you avoid those times it should be fine.
Some of my favourite restaurants for finer dining are George, Greta Solomon’s, Alo, Lake Inez. All easy to access with transit. The tasting menu at George can be pricy but is definitely worth it. I’ll come back with more restaurants!
This is so helpful, thank you so much. We've decided to rent a car, H even threw out trying to change things to stay a few days at NF (he's visited in the past for work and fell in love with that area). Thanks everyone for the advice!
bears you can see Niagara Falls in one day but I personally prefer to spend 2 days/a weekend so we’re able to spend some time in Niagara-on-the-Lake as well.
Post by dreamcrisp1 on Mar 20, 2023 14:27:11 GMT -5
Definitely go to Niagara on the lake and eat maple fudge. It’s the best.
So much good food in Toronto. Cuban food is probably the thing I miss the most from there. And Caribbean food. So looking forward to going home in June to just eat out 3 times a day and get my fill of home food.
Post by dreamcrisp1 on Mar 20, 2023 14:35:31 GMT -5
Also sorry do I remember that you have dietary restrictions? If so, let me know as I have a bunch of good recs for dairy free stuff, vegan, or gluten free.
Also sorry do I remember that you have dietary restrictions? If so, let me know as I have a bunch of good recs for dairy free stuff, vegan, or gluten free.
I do! Gluten free and dairy free. I don't have celiac, so I can usually work around it at most places.
Post by clairebear on Mar 20, 2023 14:49:51 GMT -5
I met up with a friend and spent the weekened in Toronto in 2015ish. We did a bus to Niagra Falls and it was great! It was nice not having to worry about parking, traffic, or logistics of pick up/return of a rental car. We got the first bus out and came back after dinner and had plenty of time to explore, do Maid of the Mist, and eat a fancy dinner. We did walk across the border and do both sides and found it completely walkable. Now granted, this was pre kids, but I think I would still do it with kids. I'd suggest it as a viable option!
I'm going to ask a question on this thread--how much time would you spend at the Falls with 2 kids (9 and 11)? We are visiting family in Buffalo this summer and plan to drive over the border and spend a morning at the Falls. MH and I did this about 18 years ago, but it was winter, so I don't think we spent much time sightseeing--more like "those falls are pretty but it is as cold as hell, let's get back in the car!"
This really depends on what you want to do.
I know people complain about the American side but I enjoyed doing the Cave of the winds. I just recently did the Journey behind the falls on Canadian side and I preferred the Cave of the winds. We did Maid of the mist on American side.
The Canadian side is super touristy. So how much time you spend could depend on what you like. It’s fun to walk around to see the falls and see some shops. But I recently went with a group that liked to do very different things than I do. They totally wanted to do the touristy stuff and do the cheesy haunted houses and some ride. They also did the zip line next to the falls. We spent way more time there than I would have if it was just my family. We basically spent the full day there. When we did the American side we did more like half a day.
Also it depends on how crowded it will be. We went Labor Day weekend and it was crazy crowded. I’ve gone multiple times in past and it’s the busiest I had ever seen it. We waited obscenely long for journey behind the falls. Just walking was super crowded. Traffic getting in and out took up time. So if you’re going during a potentially busy time add in some extra time.
I'm going to ask a question on this thread--how much time would you spend at the Falls with 2 kids (9 and 11)? We are visiting family in Buffalo this summer and plan to drive over the border and spend a morning at the Falls. MH and I did this about 18 years ago, but it was winter, so I don't think we spent much time sightseeing--more like "those falls are pretty but it is as cold as hell, let's get back in the car!"
If you are going in the summer, walking over the Rainbow Bridge and checking out Clifton Hill would be a fun evening for your kids, yet it might get expensive for you- lol