walking from Niagra Falls NY to Canada? (Buffalo, Niagara Falls: hotel, casino)

[manthechange]

Is that possible? How close are the two cities?

We've decided to take the train from Buffalo to Niagra NY on our upcoming trip...but I've heard that NY Niagra is awful and that it's better to stay on the Canadian side? So, is it close? Or, should we just bite the bullit, and book in NY? We're taking the train to Toronto the next day.

...and please no comments about "research it, is that too hard?" from Moderator cut: Personal Attack. I AM RESEARCHING IT BY ASKING THIS.

[FedupWNY]

It might be more cost-effective in driving from Buffalo to Niagara Falls (USA side) instead of taking a train. It's only about 20 minutes drive(1) via the Grand Island bridges.

From downtown Buffalo, take the 190 North (through Grand Island) (2) and get off at the Robert Moses, follow that all the way into the city of Niagara Falls, and follow the signs to get you to the Rainbow Bridge to cross the border into Canada.

Staying on the American side, the hotel at the Seneca Niagara Casino is great, there is a seperate enterence voiding the casino gaming floor (if it's desired not to gamble), a little pricey, but it's a higher class hotel... and always clean. The Casino is about 5 minutes from the Falls park area, which is where the Rainbow bridge is.... you can visit both sides of the Falls in one trip, and yes, you can walk over the Rainbow bridge border (3).

This picture gives an idea of how close the USA & Canada are, that's the Rainbow Bridge. It's less than a mile.



As per asking about what to do on the American side, I created a post of pictures of my day at the Falls. It is beautiful on the American side.

Click here.

Hope this is helpful. Enjoy your trip.

(1 depending on traffic/rush hour)
(2 there's a $1.00 toll charge in each direction)
(3 make sure you have passports/current US identification readily available)

[BuffaloTransplant]

I assume you mean you are going to NF NY on Amtrak and crossing over to Canada anyway to take the Canadian ViaRail to Toronto?

No matter how you look at it, you will get stopped and have to go thru Customs. It also doesn't matter when. It sure would be easier the first day to cross and stay in Canada so you can just jump on ViaRail.

Unless I missed something, you already booked the trains and it appears you intended to cross the border on your own. Do it first, simply since you will not have a hassle getting to the train if caught in traffic.

If you are getting off Amtrak in the US and getting back on for direct to Canada ( a link to ViaRail), then why do Customs twice?

Have the passport ready!

[If you decide to stay in the US and walk over to Canada, you should opt for a US hotel as close to Rainbow Bridge as possible. That is the one you need to cross. You still need your passport, you still go thru Customs.]

[manthechange]

thanks for the help guys...We're taking a multi-stop tour on Amtrak. We have one day scheduled at the falls, then we head to toronto. It sounds like staying on the American side would be best so we don't have to go through customs twice (our train leaves the next day from the American side).

[BuffaloTransplant]

Amtrak from NF, NY to Toronto? Or does ViaRail stop in NF, NY?

You can get a multi-stop rail / 2 country pass for a much lower price from Amtak. One stop or more has to be on the other country's train system.

If you didn't get that kind of a deal, I would look up the Amtrak site and then ask them why they didn't inform you about it ( usbstantial differences in prices)

[Atlantis]

I’ve walked across the Rainbow Bridge from Niagara Falls, NY to Niagara Falls, Ontario. I’ve walked there from the Seneca Niagara Hotel that FedupWNY mentioned. I agree that's a great location.