Niagara Falls Travel Essentials

Niagara Falls has a humid continental climate, with average temperatures ranging from -4°C in winter to 22°C in summer.

• The rainiest time of the year is between April and November, with an average of 12 rainy days per month.
• Snowfall can be expected between November and April.
• June-August is the peak tourist season in Niagara Falls as it has the best weather, but hotel and flight prices rising accordingly.
• April-May and September-October are also great times to visit as you’ll avoid the peak season’s crowds, and flight and hotel prices are more affordable. The weather is pleasant, but pack a jumper as temperatures can be brisk after sunset.

• Primary languages: English
• Plug types: A and B
• Electricity: 120 V
• Currency: Canadian Dollar (C$)
• International dialling codes: +1 905 and +1 289
• Emergency telephone number: 911

There are actually 2 Niagara Falls cities: 1 in the province of Ontario on the Canadian side of the border and 1 in the state of New York on the USA side. Passing from 1 to the other is fairly easy as there’s just the Niagara River to cross and there are 3 bridges available in the cities. The 2 closest airports are on the USA side of the border, but you can also get to Niagara Falls from the 2 Toronto airports.

Pearson and Billy Bishop International Airports in Toronto, Canada

You can get to Niagara Falls from the 2 main Toronto airports – Pearson and Billy Bishop. They are roughly 80 km north of Niagara Falls, as the crow flies. There are several transfer options to get you to Niagara Falls:

• A taxicab takes around 60-90 minutes.
• Shuttle buses take around 60-90 minutes.
• Intercity bus services such as Greyhound take around 90 minutes.
• Car rental agencies can be found at the 2 Toronto airports.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport, USA

Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the primary airport serving Niagara Falls. Located in Buffalo, on the USA side of the Niagara River, the airport is 30 km east-southeast of Niagara Falls, as the crow flies. It has 1 passenger terminal, which hosts dining and shopping facilities as well as banking and currency exchange services. There are several transfer options to reach Niagara Falls, Canada, but please note that the time schedules mentioned below are just a rough estimation as the security screening at the border can take time.

• A taxicab takes around 35-45 minutes. The taxi rank is right in front the terminal exit.
• Uber and Lyft apps can be used at Buffalo Niagara Airport. The pick-up area can be found outside the terminal. Just follow the signs.
• Shared shuttle buses take around 35-45 minutes.
• The NFTA-Metro buses take around 40-50 minutes. You can purchase your ticket directly on the bus. It’s the cheapest way to get to Niagara Falls.
• Car rental agencies can be found in the arrivals hall. You need to mention to the company that you’re going to cross the border.

Niagara Falls International Airport, USA

Niagara Falls International Airport is a medium sized airport located 11 km east of the centre of Niagara Falls, Canada. It has 1 passenger terminal, where you’ll find a few dining and shopping options as well as facilities like banking and currency exchange services. There are several transfer options to reach Downtown Niagara Falls, Canada, but please note that the time schedules mentioned below are just a rough estimation as the security screening at the border can take time.

• A taxicab takes around 20-30 minutes. Taxi ranks can be found outside the terminal.
• Uber and Lyft apps can be used to get transferred from Niagara Falls Airport. The pick-up area can be found outside the terminal. Just follow the signs.
• The NFTA-Metro buses take around 20-30 minutes. You can purchase your ticket directly on the bus. This is the cheapest way to get to Niagara Falls.
• Car rental agencies can be found in the Arrivals hall. You need to mention to the company that you’re going to cross the border.

Niagara Falls Centre is quite compact, covering about 5 sq km that can easily be explored on foot. You’ll find many landmarks and attractions within walking distance, such as Horseshoe Falls, The Queen Victoria Park, and the Niagara SkyWheel, just to name a few. The city centre also hosts a great choice of dining, shopping and nightlife entertainment options. For longer journeys, there’s a good choice of public and private transport services.

Run by Niagara Falls Transit and Niagara Parks Commission, WEGO is in charge of public transport in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It operates 3 bus lines, which cover the entire city and the Canadian bank of the Niagara River.

• 24-hour and 48-hour passes are available.
• Passes can be purchased in advance through Niagara Parks or at participating hotel and tourism partners. A downloadable app is also available.

You can easily find cab stands outside hotels and near the main attractions.

• You can directly call popular companies such as Niagara Falls Taxi (905-357-4000), Elite Taxi Ltd. (905-356-9990) or Royalx (289-228-7378), just to name a few.
• Most taxis accept the payment of the fare by credit card, but it’s better to ask the driver before you get in.
• It’s common to give a 10-20% tip to the taxi driver.
• Uber, Lyft and local taxi apps can also be used to hail a taxi in Niagara Falls.

Zoom Bikeshare is the name of Niagara Falls’ bike sharing scheme. It’s a great way to discover this stunning, green area on clear and warm days. Download the Movatic app on your phone, find a bike and enjoy your ride.

Coca Cola Concert Series

• What: Free concerts performed by local and national bands in Queen Victoria Park on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in summer. Each show ends with fireworks at 10pm.
• When: Every weekend from June to September
• Where: Queen Victoria Park

Livestock Niagara Festival

• What: This down to earth festival blends music and arts. It features local artists performing live, local artisans presenting their products, the opportunity to sample locally brewed beers and more.
• When: September
• Where: Taps Brewery, 4680 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario

Winter Festival of Lights

• What: In winter, Niagara Falls is vividly coloured by thousands of sparkling lights and illuminated displays, particularly around the Niagara River, between Clifton Hill and Lundy’s Lane.
• When: From November to January
• Where: In various spots around the city, including Queen Victoria Park, Skylon Tower and the top of Clifton Hill.