How to Get From New York City to Niagara Falls

If you’re considering taking a day trip from New York to Niagara Falls, this post contains everything you need to know! As well as clear instructions for traveling from New York City to Niagra Falls I’ve included the best things to do while in Niagra Falls and where to stay in Niagra.

On a recent trip to New York City, I decided I needed to escape the city more. When looking at New York trips, I decided to travel from NYC to Niagara Falls. It’s a bit far for a day trip from Niagara Falls to New York City and vice versa, but you can stay in the city of Niagara Falls overnight.

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?

The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing

Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.

Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies. 

Where is Niagara Falls in New York?

Niagara Falls is located in northwest New York, on the United States-Canada border. The city of Niagara Falls is about 20 miles north of Buffalo.

How Far Is Niagara Falls From New York City?

The city of Niagara Falls is located about 400 miles northwest of New York City, which ends up being about a seven-hour drive.

Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress. 
Best Niagara Falls Tours: Click here to check out the top Niagara Falls tours
Best Niagara Falls Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Niagara Falls
Best Niagara Falls Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Niagara Falls

New York to Niagara Falls: How to Get From NYC to Niagara Falls

1. Take an NYC to Niagara Falls Flight

There are several flights each day from New York to Niagara Falls. Make sure you book through Skyscanner! You can get some great deals—if you book in advance, this can be the cheapest option. The flight time is around one hour.

2. Travel by Car From New York to Niagara Falls

Driving from New York City to Niagara Falls takes about six to seven hours, and it’s pretty easy if you have a car. Plus, there are many great places to stop along the way, like the Finger Lakes. If you have the time, this beautiful area is worth exploring for a night or two. I traveled from Manhattan to Niagara Falls in December, and it snowed frequently on the drive, so check the weather in advance. 

3. Take a Train to Niagara Falls From NYC

You can embark on a New York to Niagara Falls tour via train from Penn Station—it’ll take you about nine and a half hours. You might be able to get a booking discount if you reserve online 14 days in advance on Amtrak and expect to pay around $125 for a roundtrip ticket.  

4. Take an NYC to Niagara Falls Bus

If you take a bus to Niagara Falls from NYC, expect nine to 15 hours of travel. Most public buses leave from the Port Authority Terminal—you can choose whether to arrive in the New York or Canadian side of Niagara Falls. It’s cheaper to book an NYC to Niagara Falls bus in advance, and three leading companies offer New York Niagara Falls tour options: Greyhound, Trailways NY, and City2City.

P.S. You can also walk across the border to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.

5. Browse Niagara Falls Tours From New York

I opted for a private Niagara Falls tour from New York because I paid just $75 for a roundtrip ticket, including an overnight stay in a hotel. There were four in our group, so if you’re traveling alone, it’s $150—still the cheapest option.

Our Niagara Falls tour from NYC took us eight hours to get there (including three comfort stops) and eight hours back from Niagara Falls to New York City. The trip included a hotel for the night in the city of Niagara Falls, which was just a five-minute walk from the falls.

If you’re wondering how to get to Niagara Falls, I recommend checking Viatour for Niagara Falls tours from New York City. They always have discounts and special offers—the app makes booking a tour easy.

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My New York to Niagara Falls Tour Experience

There are a few Niagara Falls tours from New York that you can take—being a budget traveler, I chose the cheapest Niagara Falls tour from NYC (Tours4Fun) and roped my mum and her partner in to make it even more affordable. The typical cost is $150, but if four of you share a room, it’s $576, which is pretty cheap. This price included the roundtrip NYC to Niagara Falls bus and a hotel at Niagara Falls. You’ll have to pay extra to add activities or entertainment options to your tour.

Tour Group

The New York to Niagara Falls tour was run by a Chinese company and departed from/returned to Chinatown. Our tour guide spoke both Mandarin and English since there was a mix of cultural groups embarking on the tour, and he did a great job educating and engaging the group.

Bus to Niagara Falls From NYC

I’ll be honest: the bus that took us from Niagara Falls to New York City and back wasn’t great. There wasn’t much space between the seats, and the windows were partially covered, so you couldn’t see out of them correctly. The bus was uncomfortable for those like me who are tall with long legs—spending the best part of 16 hours over two days feeling that cramped was not fun.

Since I’ve been on worse, I didn’t mind, but I know others were struggling. Expect to spend eight hours each way squished on a bus with little to no views. Thankfully, the bus provided plugins to charge our electronics during the ride.

Tour Extras

We were the only people on the trip who didn’t do any extra add-ons. The only real issue this caused was we had to check out of the hotel at 7:00 a.m., and there was no way to extend the room stay. I was okay about this as I wanted to see the sunrise, but my mother was not impressed. It took several hours and a few cups of coffee to cheer her up after the early start!

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Are Niagara Falls Tours From New York Worth It?

Besides the bus to Niagara Falls from NYC, we didn’t do much with our tour group. If you prefer something more organized and want to do all of the extras, I suggest going with a different company than we used.

Look at what‘s available through Viatour—I use them a lot and can’t recommend them enough. You can get an all-in-the-tour on a far better coach with WiFi and more legroom for about $320.

If you’re like me and want an ultra-affordable tour, here’s the link to book through Tours4Fun.

Where to Stay in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a popular tourist destination with various accommodations for different preferences and budgets. Here are some areas to consider when deciding where to stay in Niagara Falls:

1. Fallsview District: This area is ideal if you want a room with a view of the falls. You’ll find luxury hotels and resorts like the Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa and the Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel & Suites.
2. Clifton Hill: This is the entertainment and dining hub of Niagara Falls, with numerous family-friendly attractions. There are various hotels, motels, and vacation rentals here, like the Clifton Victoria Inn and the Skyline Hotel & Waterpark.
3. Lundy’s Lane: This area offers more budget-friendly accommodations, including chain hotels and motels. It’s a bit farther from the falls but provides good value. Consider options like Days Inn, Super 8, or Best Western.
4. Niagara-on-the-Lake: If you prefer a quieter, more charming atmosphere, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a picturesque town not far from the falls. It offers boutique inns, bed and breakfasts, and upscale hotels, like the Prince of Wales Hotel.
5. Downtown Niagara Falls, New York: On the U.S. side, you can find hotels like the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, which is close to the falls and offers gaming and entertainment options.

Things to Do in the City of Niagara Falls

I was pretty surprised by how commercialized the city of Niagara Falls is—it looks like a mini Las Vegas! I can imagine it’s very lively during the main tourist season. Here are some fun things to do in Niagara Falls:

Get Up Early and See the Sunrise

The best place to catch the sunrise is from the first bridge as you head to the islands.

Take a Morning Walk

Check out the Niagara Falls viewing platforms in the early morning, just after sunrise.

Stroll Along the River

Head back toward the falls and walk down the river by the old train track. It’s a pretty easy walk, and the path is obvious. There are some stunning views and plenty of good places to take photos along the path.

Visit Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge connects the United States to Canada, so pack your passport! You’ll need it to cross over the border into Canada and back.

How to Get to Niagara Falls From New York City: FAQs

How Much Time Do You Need at Niagara Falls?

This depends on what you want to do in Niagara Falls and what time of the year you visit. I traveled from Manhattan to Niagara Falls in December, one week after all the main attractions closed for the winter.

We had an evening and a morning in Niagara Falls, which felt like plenty for that time of year. We did everything we wanted, including a short hike around the park. However, I would have preferred more time on the second day if it was summer.

When Is the Best Time to Go to Niagara Falls?

I recommend taking a New York Niagara Falls tour in late November if you don’t mind the cold. When we visited in December, we couldn’t access all the viewing platforms at the falls, and the Maid of the Mist wasn’t running. Thankfully, there were hardly any people in the park, which was nice and peaceful.

We got up early to catch a sunrise and then walked over to the falls after—we had the area to ourselves the whole time, which was pretty special. I would love to go back and travel from New York City to Niagara Falls in the summer, but if you go during this time, be prepared for crowds.

Can You See Niagara Falls From New York?

You can see Niagara Falls from New York by visiting Niagara Falls State Park on the United States side of the border.

How Far Is Niagara Falls From New York City by Plane?

An NYC to Niagara Falls flight is usually only one hour in total. This is the fastest option to take a Niagara Falls tour from New York.

USA Travel Guide Planning

🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m in USA?

I strongly recommend using Bookaway. You can book almost all transport in the major tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.

🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in USA?

I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options!

👩‍⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?

I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.

I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here

✈️ Any flight recommendations?

WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.

📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?

I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.

With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.

🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?

The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.

🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?

I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack. 

Final Thoughts on Traveling From New York to Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is one of the best overnight trips you can take from New York City. There are many options for visiting the falls, from taking a NYC to Niagara Falls flight or a bus to Niagara Falls from NYC. I highly recommend taking the time to explore the city of Niagara Falls next time you’re in New York.