Day trip from Toronto
The best Niagara Falls attractions
The boat to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls, Journey Behind the Falls, the Skylon Tower, Clifton Hill and the nightly lights. Here is a plan by area for a day from Toronto, with honest advice on which tickets are worth the money, what to buy ahead and whether to go by tour, train or car.
See our 6 picks
The top attractions at Niagara Falls are the boat ride to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls, Journey Behind the Falls and the view from the Skylon Tower. On their own sites, adult tickets cost CA$47.95 plus tax, CA$33 and CA$18. The falls are lit every night of the year. From Toronto you can join a tour or go on your own: GO trains run to Niagara Falls every day.
Our picks: Niagara Falls tours and tickets
Combos with the boat, Journey Behind the Falls and the Skylon Tower, two evenings out and a magic show. Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide.
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from €103 per person Our top pick 3.5–4 hours 4.7 (2,066) reviews on GetYourGuide
Skylon Tower, Journey Behind the Falls and boat, guided
A guided walk with tickets for all three big sights. You meet inside the Skylon Tower at 5200 Robinson Street. From January to April, the boat is swapped for the Niagara Takes Flight ride. You walk about 2.5 km, rain or shine.
Best for First-timers who want the big three in one go
Check availability: Skylon Tower, Journey Behind the Falls and boat, guided on GetYourGuide -
from €25 per person 30 min to 7 hours 4.0 (702) reviews on GetYourGuide
Boat, Journey Behind the Falls and tower: pick your options
Choose from 8 options. The cheapest is the Skylon Tower deck; Journey Behind the Falls and the boat are add-ons. You meet inside the Skylon Tower. Guides speak English, French, Spanish and more.
Best for Visitors who want only some parts
Check availability: Boat, Journey Behind the Falls and tower: pick your options on GetYourGuide -
from €16 per person 1 h 30 min 4.6 (700) reviews on GetYourGuide
Niagara Magic Live show
A magic show in a 550-seat theatre near Clifton Hill. Tax is included. Cameras and strollers are not allowed. The show may be moved or cancelled if too few people book.
Best for Families, and a rainy evening
Check availability: Niagara Magic Live show on GetYourGuide -
from €24 per person 1 h 30 min 4.5 (177) reviews on GetYourGuide
Power Station and tunnel at night
Evening entry to the Niagara Parks Power Station, on your own. Walk the 670 m (2,200 ft) tunnel to a deck by the river, then watch the light show. Plan about 1.5 hours.
Best for An evening with no boat queue
Check availability: Power Station and tunnel at night on GetYourGuide -
from €178 per person 4 hours 4.7 (122) reviews on GetYourGuide
Power Station, Illumination Tower and dinner
An evening with hotel pickup in Niagara Falls. You get a 3-course dinner with a view of the falls, the Power Station with its tunnel, and the tower that lights the falls. Up to 7 guests. Not for wheelchair users.
Best for A special evening
Check availability: Power Station, Illumination Tower and dinner on GetYourGuide -
from €325 per person 4 hours 5.0 (6) reviews on GetYourGuide
Small-group day from Toronto: Skylon, Journey and boat
A small group of up to 7, with pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle. Tickets for the Skylon Tower, Journey Behind the Falls and the boat are included, plus 1 hour of free time. It runs rain or shine.
Best for Visitors in Toronto who want a small group
Check availability: Small-group day from Toronto: Skylon, Journey and boat on GetYourGuide
Niagara Falls tours and tickets side by side
| Tour | From | Duration | What it covers | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skylon Tower, Journey Behind the Falls and boat, guided | €103 per person | 3.5–4 hours | Boat, Journey, Skylon | First-timers who want the big three in one go | The most-reviewed pick here: 4.7 from 2,066 reviews. It covers all three top sights. |
| Boat, Journey Behind the Falls and tower: pick your options | €25 per person | 30 min to 7 hours | Skylon; boat and Journey as add-ons | Visitors who want only some parts | The cheapest way in, but the lowest rating of the six: 4.0 from 702 reviews. Check what your option includes. |
| Niagara Magic Live show | €16 per person | 1 h 30 min | Magic show | Families, and a rainy evening | Rated 4.6 from 700 reviews, and the cheapest ticket here. |
| Power Station and tunnel at night | €24 per person | 1 h 30 min | Evening: Power Station and tunnel | An evening with no boat queue | Rated 4.5 from 177 reviews. Niagara Parks runs it. |
| Power Station, Illumination Tower and dinner | €178 per person | 4 hours | Evening: dinner, lights, Power Station | A special evening | Rated 4.7 from 122 reviews. Dinner is included in the price. |
| Small-group day from Toronto: Skylon, Journey and boat | €325 per person | 4 hours | Boat, Journey, Skylon, from Toronto | Visitors in Toronto who want a small group | Rated 5.0, but from only 6 reviews so far. |
Skylon Tower, Journey Behind the Falls and boat, guided
€103 per person3.5–4 hours 4.7 (2,066)
Details
- What it covers
- Boat, Journey, Skylon
- Who it suits
- First-timers who want the big three in one go
- Why we picked it
- The most-reviewed pick here: 4.7 from 2,066 reviews. It covers all three top sights.
Boat, Journey Behind the Falls and tower: pick your options
€25 per person30 min to 7 hours 4.0 (702)
Details
- What it covers
- Skylon; boat and Journey as add-ons
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want only some parts
- Why we picked it
- The cheapest way in, but the lowest rating of the six: 4.0 from 702 reviews. Check what your option includes.
€16 per person1 h 30 min 4.6 (700)
Details
- What it covers
- Magic show
- Who it suits
- Families, and a rainy evening
- Why we picked it
- Rated 4.6 from 700 reviews, and the cheapest ticket here.
Power Station and tunnel at night
€24 per person1 h 30 min 4.5 (177)
Details
- What it covers
- Evening: Power Station and tunnel
- Who it suits
- An evening with no boat queue
- Why we picked it
- Rated 4.5 from 177 reviews. Niagara Parks runs it.
Power Station, Illumination Tower and dinner
€178 per person4 hours 4.7 (122)
Details
- What it covers
- Evening: dinner, lights, Power Station
- Who it suits
- A special evening
- Why we picked it
- Rated 4.7 from 122 reviews. Dinner is included in the price.
Small-group day from Toronto: Skylon, Journey and boat
€325 per person4 hours 5.0 (6)
Details
- What it covers
- Boat, Journey, Skylon, from Toronto
- Who it suits
- Visitors in Toronto who want a small group
- Why we picked it
- Rated 5.0, but from only 6 reviews so far.
- Hotel pickup: the small-group day from Toronto, and the dinner evening (in Niagara Falls). The others start at a meeting point in Niagara Falls.
- All 6 offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Is Niagara Falls worth it? Plan the Canadian side by area
Yes: the falls are worth a day. Most of what you pay for sits along the river near the Horseshoe Falls. Clifton Hill is a few streets inland.
The tourist attractions at Niagara Falls sit in three areas. The WEGO buses link them, and the lines meet at Table Rock Centre. The Blue Line serves Fallsview and Clifton Hill. The Green Line serves the Niagara Parks sights along the river.
- Must-do: the boat. A 20-minute ride to the base of the Horseshoe Falls, from CA$47.95 plus tax.
- Worth it to stand by the water: Journey Behind the Falls. Tunnels in the rock lead to viewing spots behind the Horseshoe Falls. Adults pay CA$33.
- Worth it if you like views: the Skylon Tower. Its decks show the falls from above. Adults pay CA$18 online.
- Skip if you are short on time: Clifton Hill. Its rides and fun houses suit families most.
How to do Niagara from Toronto: tour, train or bus, or by car
A tour is the easiest way; the train is the cheapest. Here are three ways to plan the day.
By tour: no planning
Most day tours from Toronto last 8 to 10 hours, door to door. A guide handles the tickets. The tours stay on the Canadian side, so you do not cross into the US. This suits first-timers and anyone who does not want to drive.
By train or bus: the cheapest way
GO trains run to Niagara Falls 7 days a week, all year. A GO + WEGO combo covers the return train and the WEGO bus for a day. In 2026 it cost CA$22 on weekends and CA$34 on weekdays, and it cannot be refunded.
The WEGO Green Line runs from Niagara Falls GO station to Table Rock Centre. A GO schedule notice lists one train at about 2 hours 20 minutes, so check the live timetable for your day.
On days without a direct train, the Toronto to Niagara Falls bus connection works too. Take the GO train to Burlington and change to GO Bus Route 12.
By car: the most freedom
Niagara Falls is about 130 km from Toronto on the Gardiner Expressway and the QEW. The drive usually takes about 1.5 hours. In rush hour or on weekends it can take twice as long.
Park and ride at Rapidsview Lot C costs CA$10 a day. It is seasonal and closed in winter. From there, the WEGO Green Line takes about 7 minutes to Table Rock.
Staying the night
Most visitors go back the same evening. To sleep in the city instead, see where to stay in Toronto. To see the lights late at night, the hotels further down this page are close to the falls.
Driving gives you the most freedom. Toronto Pearson is an easy place to pick up a car.
More Niagara Falls guides
The boat, the tunnels, helicopter rides, Clifton Hill, wine tours and day trips, each compared on its own page.
Getting close to the water: boat cruise, Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk
The boat gets you closest, and Journey Behind the Falls is open all year. Both are at the Horseshoe Falls.
The boat cruise
Niagara City Cruises sails for 20 minutes to the base of the Horseshoe Falls. Before sunset, the boat goes into the heart of the mist. After sunset, it stays at the edge, with the falls lit up. Everyone gets a free poncho, but you still get wet. Boats run from April to November.
Journey Behind the Falls
You walk down through 130-year-old tunnels in the rock to viewing spots behind the Horseshoe Falls. The entrance is in the Table Rock Welcome Centre. It is open all year and takes about 60 minutes.
Adults pay CA$33 and children 3 to 12 pay CA$21.50. Strollers are not allowed. A covered, heated viewing platform is planned for spring 2027.
White Water Walk
It is open from April to November. Niagara Parks' page lists $21 for adults. Plan about 60 minutes.
Skylon Tower: views, tickets and the revolving dining room
The Skylon Tower is worth it if you want the falls from above for little money. Its decks stand about 236 m (775 ft) above the gorge. The tower is at 5200 Robinson Street and is open all year.
The CN Tower in Toronto is higher: its Main Observation Level is 346 m above the ground. But an adult CN Tower ticket costs CA$47 before tax, against CA$18 here.
Skylon Tower tickets and admission
A ride to the top costs CA$18 for adults and CA$9 for children 4 to 12. Online tickets are cheaper than at the tower, and they stay valid for a year. The Day & Night Pass gives two rides within 24 hours: CA$22 for adults and CA$11 for children.
The contact page lists 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Sunday to Friday, and to midnight on Saturday. It does not say if the decks keep the same hours, so check before you go.
Skylon Tower revolving dining: the view comes with the meal
A table at the Revolving Dining Room includes the elevator ride and both observation decks. The room turns all the way round about once an hour. Early dinner specials start at 4:30 and 5 p.m.
The Summit Suite Buffet is seasonal. In late 2026 it was closed, reopening on New Year's Eve and in mid-May 2027.
Clifton Hill, SkyWheel and the family attractions
Clifton Hill is the street of rides and fun houses, and it suits families with kids best.
The Niagara SkyWheel is 53 m (175 ft) tall and open all year. Its gondolas are closed in and heated. A ride costs CA$15 for adults, plus tax.
The Clifton Hill Fun Pass covers six attractions, the SkyWheel among them. It costs CA$34.95 for adults, plus tax, and you can use it for up to a year.
On a rainy evening, Niagara Magic Live plays in a theatre near the street.
Evenings: Falls Illumination, fireworks and night tours
The falls are lit every night of the year. The lights come on at different times by season: 4:30 p.m. in November and December, and 8:30 p.m. from mid-May to July.
In summer, free fireworks start at 10 p.m. You watch them from Queen Victoria Park. In 2026 they ran from 15 May to 12 October.
In winter, the Winter Festival of Lights is free. It runs from 14 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. Fireworks start at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays until 12 December, then every night from 18 December to 2 January. Niagara Parks describes an 8 km light route.
Journey Behind the Falls also opens at night, with the lit falls. The Power Station reopens at night for a sound and light show called "Currents".
Gardens, the gorge and Niagara Parks sights
If you have a second day, the Aero Car and the Power Station are the two best extras. That is our own view.
The Whirlpool Aero Car runs from April to November at 3850 Niagara Parkway. Niagara Parks' page lists $25 for adults. Plan about 45 minutes.
The Niagara Parks Power Station is open all year. Plan about 2 hours. General admission needs no booking, and Niagara Parks' page lists $33. Its tunnel is about 670 m (2,200 ft) long and 55 m (180 ft) underground. It ends at a deck by the river.
The Butterfly Conservatory and the Floral Showhouse are part of the Niagara Falls Pass. The WEGO lines meet the Niagara-on-the-Lake shuttle at the Floral Clock.
Beyond the falls: Niagara-on-the-Lake and wine
Niagara-on-the-Lake is the next stop for wine and theatre. No GO train goes there directly.
In season, the WEGO shuttle runs from the Floral Clock to Fort George. In 2026 it ran every day from 4 April to 3 October. The last bus back left Fort George at 7 p.m.
The Shaw Festival has three theatres in the town. Its holiday shows run in November and December 2026.
The region is known for Icewine. It is made from grapes frozen on the vine and picked at about −8 °C or colder.
Niagara Falls tickets: what to buy ahead and what you can walk up to
Book the boat ahead in summer, and Journey Behind the Falls on busy days. You can walk up to most other sights.
| Attraction | Our advice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Boat (Niagara City Cruises) | Book ahead in July and August | Peak season is June to Labour Day. Everyone, babies too, needs a ticket. |
| Journey Behind the Falls | Timed ticket on busy days | It holds a one-hour window to join the queue. |
| Skylon Tower | Buy online | Online tickets are cheaper than at the tower. |
| Power Station | Walk up | General admission needs no booking. |
| Helicopter ride | Walk up | No booking needed, and no fly, no pay. |
| SkyWheel and Fun Pass | Either | The Fun Pass stays valid for a year. |
| WEGO bus | Either | Sold online, at attractions and at Welcome Centres. |
Is a Niagara Falls attractions pass worth it?
Niagara Parks sells the Niagara Falls Pass in three levels: Classic at CA$89, Plus at CA$109 and Premium at CA$129. Each one includes Journey Behind the Falls and WEGO bus days. Premium adds the most, with the Power Station, the Aero Car and the Butterfly Conservatory.
Our sum: Journey Behind the Falls (CA$33), the White Water Walk ($21) and a 48-hour WEGO pass ($20) come to $74 bought one by one. The Classic pass costs CA$89. Niagara Parks' page says it also covers the Butterfly Conservatory and one more attraction, though the page is not consistent. So it pays off only if you use those too.
In 2026 the passes were valid from 20 April to 1 November. Prices for 2027 are not out yet.
Tips for Niagara Falls
Check where you meet
Two picks start inside the Skylon Tower. The Power Station evening starts at the Power Station, 7005 Niagara River Parkway.
Leave the stroller
Strollers are not allowed in Journey Behind the Falls. Bags larger than 56 × 36 × 23 cm are not allowed either.
Dress for the mist
The boat gives you a poncho, but bring a jacket and waterproof shoes. You will get wet.
Cancel up to a day ahead
Each of the six picks has free cancellation up to 24 hours before it starts.
Niagara Falls: questions and answers
Is the Skylon Tower worth it?
Is Niagara Falls worth visiting, and what should I do there?
Do you need a ticket to see Niagara Falls?
Where can I buy Niagara Falls tickets?
Should I buy Niagara Falls tickets in advance?
More Niagara Falls tours, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
See every tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.
Browse all on GetYourGuideSources (25)
- Niagara Parks: Journey Behind the Falls
- Niagara Parks: White Water Walk
- Niagara Parks: Whirlpool Aero Car
- Niagara Parks: Power Station
- Niagara Parks: Niagara Falls Pass
- Niagara Parks: WEGO bus
- Niagara Parks: getting around and parking
- Niagara Parks: deals from Toronto
- Niagara Parks: Falls Illumination
- Niagara Parks: fireworks series
- Niagara Parks: Queen Victoria Park
- Niagara Falls Tourism: Winter Festival of Lights
- Niagara Falls Tourism: getting here
- Niagara City Cruises: Voyage to the Falls
- Skylon Tower: tickets
- Skylon Tower
- Clifton Hill: Niagara SkyWheel
- Clifton Hill: ticket prices
- Niagara Helicopters: book your flight
- GO Transit: Niagara service
- GO Transit: weekday trips to Niagara Falls
- GO Transit: Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Shaw Festival
- VQA Ontario: Icewine
- CN Tower: tickets