Learn how to get to Niagara Falls by train from Toronto in this detailed post!
If you are visiting Toronto you may be wondering how to take a day trip to Niagara Falls.
It used to be complicated to get to Niagara Falls via public transportation, but I’m happy to report that you can now take a direct train!
Read on to find out exactly how to take the train to Niagara Falls Canada from Toronto.
Three Ways to Get To Niagara Falls From Toronto
There are several ways to get to Niagara Falls from Toronto.
First, if you have a car, you can drive there in about 1 hour 30 minutes if there is no traffic.
But be warned that most hotels charge a parking fee in both Toronto and Niagara Falls.
Next, Megabus Canada operates a frequent bus service from Toronto to Niagara Falls that takes about 2 hours. The cost for tickets is around $40 USD per adult.
However, for less money, you can take an express train that takes the same amount of time!
Normally a train ticket would cost much more than a bus ticket, but not in this situation.
So I strongly encourage you to take the train over the bus – you’ll have more space, be able to walk around, and have access to the dining car. I’ll take a train over a bus ride any day!
Toronto Train to Niagara Falls Route
The train from Toronto to Niagara Falls, Ontario is actually a joint venture between VIA Rail Canada and Amtrack.
Our train left downtown Toronto at 8:20 am and arrived in Niagara Falls, ON at 10:20 am.
The train continues from Niagara Falls to New York City as its final destination.
If you are staying on board past Niagara Falls, ON, you will need to exit the train and go through a passport and customs check before entering the US.
Toronto Train to Niagara Falls Cost
The cost for the train from Toronto to Niagara Falls varies by date.
Our tickets wer $25 CAD for adults and $13 CAD for kids.
After the currency conversion, the total for two adults and one child was only $54 US dollars!
Be sure to pay with a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees, however. Click here for the best travel rewards cards.
I suggest buying your ticket as soon as you are sure of your travel dates to get the lowest price possible.
Click here to go to the VIA Rail Canada site to buy your ticket.
What to Expect on the Toronto to Niagara Falls Train
The train to Niagara Falls departs from Union Station in downtown Toronto.
It’s a very convenient spot that is easy to get to via the subway.
Because our train left at 8:20 am we wanted to stay as close as possible to the train station.
You can’t stay any closer than across the street at the Fairmont Royal York!
It’s a gorgeous historic hotel that once hosted Queen Elizabeth II. Rates were surprisingly affordable and can be made through Booking.com.
We arrived at the train station about 8 am for our 8:20 am train.
You’ll need to have your ticket QR code ready to be scanned on your phone or have the email confirmation printed out to board the train.
The attendant will also check your ID so be sure to have it with you.
There was plenty of room on the train and we thought the seats were comfortable.
You can take a personal item plus one large (up to 50 lbs) or two smaller items onboard at no additional cost.
There were outlets at the seats and tray tables but no wifi until the train entered the US.
The dining car was found at the back of the train and was typical for an Amtrack.
I love getting food on the train so we all got drinks and snacks that helped pass the time.
The 2-hour trip went by quickly and we arrived in Niagara Falls right on time!
Arriving in Niagara Falls by Train
The Niagara Falls, ON train station is located about 2 miles north of the main downtown area.
To get to the falls or your hotel, you can take an Uber, Taxi, or the WEGO Bus that serves the entire area.
We opted to take an Uber to our hotel which was only 5 minutes away from the train station. It cost about $12 USD.
We got free tickets for the WEGO Bus once we arrived at our hotel, The Sheraton Fallsview, so it made sense for us to Uber instead of taking the bus.
WEGO tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for kids for a 24-hour pass, so it’s a nice perk to get the tickets for free.
I recommend booking the Sheraton Fallsview through Booking.com. The location and view from our room were perfect.
Plus it’s right across the street from the Rainbow Bridge, which we walked across to re-enter the US the next day and continue on our journey!
Niagara Falls By Train From Toronto Summary
We had an excellent and very affordable trip to Niagara Falls by train and highly recommend the experience!
If you are looking to take a day trip to Niagara Falls from Toronto, or just for the best way to get to the Falls, you can’t beat the train.
And if you are looking for things to do in Toronto be sure to check out this list of the best Toronto tours from my friends over at Must Do Canada.
Any questions? Leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you ASAP.