Toronto / Niagra Day Trip

[KarlS]

I have a free day Friday, 20 October before flying out in the evening and wouldn't mind doing a quick day trip to niagra falls. I looked at various options with buses etc but to be honest would prefer something bit smaller where I have flexibility in timings. Any suggestions

[Dyim]

Best to rent a car IMO.

[BBL]

Originally Posted by KarlS

I have a free day Friday, 20 October before flying out in the evening and wouldn't mind doing a quick day trip to niagra falls. I looked at various options with buses etc but to be honest would prefer something bit smaller where I have flexibility in timings. Any suggestions

Hey Karl,
you probably have seen the one day trip tour options.
I have used a bus tour to Niagara. Not that bad. But if you rent a car, buy their extra insurance.... speaking from experience.

https://www.niagaratours.ca/

[GB-man]

Honestly the traffic will be miserable on the QEW. Unless you enjoy that sort of thing I would hire a car service or just stay in Toronto.

Are you traveling alone or with family? Is there anything you definitely want to do in the falls or just would like to have a look?

[KarlS]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Honestly the traffic will be miserable on the QEW. Unless you enjoy that sort of thing I would hire a car service or just stay in Toronto.

Are you traveling alone or with family? Is there anything you definitely want to do in the falls or just would like to have a look?

Traveling alone...I was hoping to get a driver or private tour type thing. Not all that keen to be in a bus of 78 people, going on wine tours etc. Hit the falls, quick helicopter flip (did Victoria Falls on Microlight) boat things with bit of close up, head back. I need to be back in Toronto around 18:00.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by KarlS

Traveling alone...I was hoping to get a driver or private tour type thing. Not all that keen to be in a bus of 78 people, going on wine tours etc. Hit the falls, quick helicopter flip (did Victoria Falls on Microlight) boat things with bit of close up, head back. I need to be back in Toronto around 18:00.

Ok yeah I wouldn't dare ride one of those bus tours but I'm a miserable prick

Seems like a car service would be best. I'm sure there are a few options but I've never shopped them myself. I live on the American side about 20 mins from the falls. Sorry I can't be of more help. Hopefully someone in Toronto has some suggestions.

[KarlS]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Ok yeah I wouldn't dare ride one of those bus tours but I'm a miserable prick

Seems like a car service would be best. I'm sure there are a few options but I've never shopped them myself. I live on the American side about 20 mins from the falls. Sorry I can't be of more help. Hopefully someone in Toronto has some suggestions.

Thanks anyway....the Canadians tell me your side sucks

[BBL]

Originally Posted by KarlS

Traveling alone...I was hoping to get a driver or private tour type thing. Not all that keen to be in a bus of 78 people, going on wine tours etc. Hit the falls, quick helicopter flip (did Victoria Falls on Microlight) boat things with bit of close up, head back. I need to be back in Toronto around 18:00.

Well, of course.............
be sure to take photos from the air and show us the Falls! Always a beautiful scene!

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by BBL

Hey Karl,
you probably have seen the one day trip tour options.
I have used a bus tour to Niagara. Not that bad. But if you rent a car, buy their extra insurance.... speaking from experience.

https://www.niagaratours.ca/

I totally agree with that last suggestion. We did that when we rented a car to get out of Boca ahead of Irma. We were hit from behind just north of Savannah on I95. Our rental was totaled, but we walked away. After the local police took our info, one of them drove us to Savannah airport where we were able to pick up another, better, car and were on our way again within an hour.

[randomguy]

You might consider reviewing one of the travel sites such as Trip Advisor, simply to get some ideas on activities (even if you do not wish to do a group excursion).

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractio...s_Ontario.html

Of course there is a local Rolex AD in Niagara Falls - National Jewellery Boutique - 6788 Thorold Stone Road, Niagara Falls.

Happy travels.

[brandrea]

How much time do you have in total for this. I don't think you'll be able to fit much of a visit to Falls with anything less than 8 hours (allowing 4 hours for traffic total).

If you can stay a night, different story IMO.

[KarlS]

Thanks for all the input and yes the timing was very tight and the solution is.....


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[KarlS]

With just 5 of us in the plane and 4 departure slots per day we took the 7:30am

[KarlS]

A 12 min hop across the lake and you done. Painless, no traffic and 10 min from the hotel in Downtown Toronto


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[KarlS]

Oh dear think the Canadians beat the Americans with this one!!

[KarlS]

Took the 9:00 Hornblower


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[KarlS]

Behind the Falls is a waste if time


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[KarlS]

Scheduled 12:00 departure was 11:45 as all 5 of us were in time


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[KarlS]

And we land just before 12.00 ....car waiting and in hotel by 12:20!! Perfect day!


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[GB-man]

Fantastic! I was looking for helicopter rides direct from Toronto but didn't think to look for plane tickets. How long was the flight lol

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Fantastic! I was looking for helicopter rides direct from Toronto but didn't think to look for plane tickets. How long was the flight lol

"A 12 min hop across the lake and you done".

[KarlS]

Private tour by the popular operators was circa C$500 + taxes. A private car arranged by the hotel (Shangri La) was C$600 and normal bus around C$90-130 depending on operator. Flight is C$99 each way but whilst departure is Downtown Toronto you fly into Niagra District which is C$40 taxi to Falls. Helicopter flip in Niagra can also take off from this airport so it's s thought to land take the flip and then go in for Hornblower. Gotta say unless you want the whole wine tour and traffic this was relatively cheap and so hassle free...fantastic day!

[Art 1]

Thanks for the pics very nice. We fly in and out of the area very often and always enjoy the view, especially of the falls. Such a nice area.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by MonBK

"A 12 min hop across the lake and you done".

Missed that

Originally Posted by KarlS

Thanks anyway....the Canadians tell me your side sucks

Missed this as well. It's true. The city of Niagara Falls is a hole. I don't live in Niagara Falls lol and I wouldn't want to live on the Canadian side either. Our side is a run down ghetto with a casino and the Canadian side is a tourist trap filled with a couple subpar casinos, crappy chain restaurants, strip clubs and 2.5 star hotels.

Locals virtually never go to Niagara Falls. There are however nicer areas nearby

[imgped]

Go to Niagara gardens which is a better area to visit ...

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