Travel from Boston to Niagara/Toronto
 

Happy Holidays to all !!

We are coming to Boston and would like to take in Niagara and Toronto at the same time over a 9/10 day period.

It seems we can go by train via New York to Buffalo for around $90 each but the Jet Blue flights to Buffalo are more expensive than we want to pay. Then on to Toronto somehow that I do not know at the moment !

Would the best option be to drive and, possibly, stop once each way i.e. Niagara en route to Toronto. Any ideas for the stop off on the return journey ? Also, roughly how long to drive from Boston to Niagara and Niagara to Toronto ?

Alternatively, are there any other options that anybody is aware of like fast ferries to cover large expanses of water etc.

Any help will be greatly appreciated !

From Boston to Niagara Falls (there is no place called just "Niagara") is about 8 hours, then on to Toronto is just another hour or two.

There are lots of things to do in between Boston and Niagara Falls/Toronto, so you can take your time along the way.

Also, have you checkd a map of your proposed itinerary? There are no "large expanses of water" between Boston and Niagara Falls. The route is entirely inland, almost directly westward, through lovely countryside.

The stop-offs between Boston and Niagara include the Berkshire region in Mass. and the Finger Lakes Region in NY. The Finger Lakes are only about 3 or 4 hours from Niagara and Niagara to Toronto about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Thank you for the assistance given.

It is much appreciated !!!

We drove one day from Boston to Cooperstown (Baseball Hall of Fame) and spent 2 nights/ 1 day there. Then onto Niagara Falls (Canadian side) for another 2 nights. Drive to Toronto from there was about 90 minutes. Spent about 4 days there and then drove back to Boston, taking a more northerly route thru Canada. This itinerary worked for us.

I live near Boston and go to Niagara Falls every year. It is one of my favorite places in the world. I highly recommend driving. The drive is scenic and there is nothing like driving over the Grand Island Bridge, looking to the left, and seeing the mist rising from the falls over the niagara river as you arrive in town. If you have time visit Niagara On The Lake, a quaint town about 20 minutes from niagara falls filled with shops, restauants, wineries, etc.
Toronto is only 90 minutes away unless you hit heavy traffic and it is well worth the trip.
If you have the time and don't mind driving you could take the 401 east from Toronto and visit Montreal, another beautiful Canadian city, and then return to Boston via Vermont/New Hampshire. It all depends on how much time you have and how much you like to drive.

Enjoy your trip!

You don't mention when you plan on doing this trip. If it's in good weather you have receied good advice. If it's the winter almost the entire area you're talking about is in the middle of the snow belt and travel - esp by road - can be extremely problematical. (Major highways usually - but not always remain open - but drive times are MUCH longer.)

Thanks again for the replies.

We are thinking of travelling at the middle to end of March 2006.

We had not considered continuing our journey to Montreal or whether the weather would affect our plans. Any further information will be much appreciated on both topics especially from euclid and nytraveler.

As always, the Fodors forum has assisted us because of the diversity of the knowledge base of those participating.

March is dicey. This is mud season in much of the northeast - at best. And substantial snow storms - while not at likely as Jan or Feb - are still possible (a few years ago we had almost 20" of snow in NYC in late March).

Also - I would check the web sites for Niagara Falls - many of the attractions - esp Maid of the Mist boat ride - are shut in the winter - and I'm not sure when their seaason starts.

Thank you nytraveler.

Things are easily forgotten. I went to New York after these snows and there were piles of snow as high as our 747 on landing at Newark.

I think it best we delay our trip to later in the year or pick an alternative for that time of year.

Thanks again for your help as well as the others that replied to our query.