Which is the quickest way to get to Toronto from the Buffalo airport? Mapquest directs me south over the Peace Bridge and Mapblast directs me north via Niagara Falls. It's hard to tell which is faster by looking at a map.

And last question. Is there a currency exchange at the Buffalo airport?
Thanks.

And

Why not just fly directly into Toronto?

From the Buffalo airport you can get to Toronto either by going over the Peace Bridge or by going over the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge north of Niagara Falls. Technically both involve a similar drive time and you eventually end up on the same route in Canada, however there tends to be more back ups at the Peace Bridge, therefore I would recommend the other way as you can usually get over the Bridge faster.

I think you basically take Route 33 (?west) from the airport to the Thruway (Route 90) east. Then take Route 290 west (should be the next exit, and then Route 190 towards Niagara Falls. Go over both Grand Island bridges and continue on 190 through the Niagara Falls area; it will run directly into the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge to Canada. After going over the bridge, continue straight and the highway will eventually join the QEW; follow this to Toronto.

Cheryl's advice about the Western New York area is always sound and we have often used the route she suggests. However, during our most recent visit (the weekend following July 4), we were advised by friends and hotel desk folks to avoid the Lewiston-Queenston bridge because of frequent traffic slow-downs.

It seemed counter-intuitive but from Williamsville we headed for the Peace Bridge (instead of going over Grand Island) at 11 am on Saturday--and had no delay at the Peace Bridge. We spent a lovely day at Niagara-on-the-Lake at the theatre and dinner with friends, then made the mistake of using the Lewiston-Queenston bridge to return to New York State. Traffic was bumper-to-bumper the entire length of the bridge; crossing took 45 minutes.

Ellen, you'll find other posts here regarding currency exchange. In general, most advise using the ATM after
you have entered Canada.

Ellen, the posts regarding currency exchange are on the Canada board. Sorry. (I forgot where I was!)

Generally, the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge is quicker than the Peace Bridge. It is usually less crowded and it is a shorter distance. By going the Peace Bridge route, you are really backtracking about 10 or so miles. Both of the bridges actually have little satellite branches of Canadian banks right on the bridges where you can exchange your money. The give a decent exchange. There is also a rest stop just after Queenston that has lots of tourism info and a bank exchange. The very best exchange rate is to charge as much as you can and have your master/visa/etc. card convert the funds. However, you will always need some cash for tips, parking, etc. They also have these new funky parking meters in parts of Toronto where you put in moeny (probably loonies-the Canadian $1 coin) and it gives you a slip of paper which says how long you can park which you have to put inside your dash board so that it's visible to the meter cops.

From another Cheryl:

If you decide to take the Peace Bridge (I was in Toronto last week and drove through customs very quickly both ways) stop at the Fort Erie slots to exchange your money. They give a better exchange rate. The slots are right of the QEW - I think the 2nd exit from the bridge. Very easy on and off exit. I think it's the same distance no matter what bridge you take. Have fun.

I recall that there is a radio station that you can tune into for "bridge reports" regarding the traffic situations at the bridges, but I can't recall the specific station or whether AM or FM ... does anyone know?

As the other posters have mentioned, it sometimes is a matter of luck the traffic that you can expect to run into on the bridges to Canada. I've gotten through both bridges easily at times, and have also gotten stuck in traffic at both. Much depends on the day of the week, and the time of day you are crossing and whether it is a holiday or heavy travel weekend.