decetch

Hi Everyone,

First post so I hope I word this correctly. My wife and I, mid sixties, are travelling to Niagara Falls Canada in September. We will be arriving at Buffalo International Airport. From here we intended to take the NFTA #204 bus to the Metro Transportation Centre. From there, we take the #40 bus to the Niagara USA Visitors Centre. Now it starts to get confusing. For the purpose of this exercise we'll say we're staying at the Hilton Hotel Fallsview.
How far is it from Niagara USA Visitor Centre to USA customs and immigration and what options do we have to get there?
Do we have to clear customs and immigration twice, outgoing USA incoming Canada?
Once we clear Canadian customs and immigration, what options do we have for getting to the Hilton Hotel or other Canadian Fallsview hotels?

I hope this isn't too long winded. Thanks for your assistance.

Decetch

garyt22

First of all, your bus choices have you running all over town and will take a long time to get you to Niagara Falls... the bus to Buffalo takes 30 minutes, then waiting for #40 may take 30 minutes at best... then a 30 minute bus ride to the NF bus terminal... at that point you are still a $10 to 12 dollar cab ride to the border and some cabs are not authorized to cross the border...

Your solution is to look at the Buffalo/Niagara International Airport website www.buffaloairport.com and look under the tab for Canadian Info and then Canadian Ground Transportation. There are several choices that will give you the full ride in one 25 minute ride... they will drive you through customs and right to the Hotel... you can get prices from the vendors on the website so you are prepared in advance...

For customs,you just need a passport for each way and answer a few easy questions...

You could also rent a car at the airport and drive yourself... Niagara Falls Canada is part of a great Wine region and a car would allow you to explore...

You didn't mention whether this was a vacation, but it makes no sense to waste all your time in transport when you can pay a bit more and get there quickly... good luck

Brenkjtravel

We drove from Buffalo to the Canadian side of Niagara ( the much better side in my opinion), went through customs just once. Generally you don't even have to get out of your car (as long as passport etc. is in order) I would think a car rental would be the easiest, it is nice to be on your own schedule.

If you rent a car and have time in Buffalo, you can stop by "the Anchor Bar" it is the restaurant that is the home (origination ) of the buffalo wing. Live music and a fun place.

panecott

If you don't want to rent a car, your best bet is a taxi. It costs about $70 US each way, but you may be able to find someone to share on the taxi line. We did when I went. There should be plenty of people going to the same general area as you are.

You will have to show your PP at the end of the bridge from NY to Canada. No hassles, you stay in the taxi.

On the way back, we had to stop somewhere before the airport to go thru' Canadian Customs. The taxi driver knows where to stop.

spaceheartl4

Sorry I can't speak to transportation since I am from Buffalo, but I can help with the border crossing:

"How far is it from Niagara USA Visitor Centre to USA customs and immigration and what options do we have to get there?"

Niagara Falls State Park on the US side is worth visiting, you can get a lot closer to the falls than you can on the Canadian side (though they have the better overall view). From the Visitor's Center you can walk to the Rainbow Bridge where customs is located. You can even walk over the bridge into Canada, if you wanted.

"Do we have to clear customs and immigration twice, outgoing USA incoming Canada?"

No, on the way over, you will stop on the Canadian side, and they will ask a few questions and to see your passport. On the way back, you'll stop on the American side and be asked the same questions.

"Once we clear Canadian customs and immigration, what options do we have for getting to the Hilton Hotel or other Canadian Fallsview hotels?"

Depends on how you've gotten there, but everything is very compact and in walking distance (less than 1.5 miles from customs to the Fallsview hotels, and you can walk along the gorge the entire way with a spectacular view.

Of course you'll have your luggage for all this, so taxis might be a better option, but I just wanted to point out that everything is very close together.

decetch

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for your prompt and informative replies. All very helpful information. We should be able to work things out now.
Thanks again.

Decetch