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If you’re ready to visit the iconic Niagara Falls, you’ve come to the right place!
Located only 1.5 hours away, Niagara Falls are a must-see when visiting Toronto. If you’re anything like me and enjoy having someone else do the planning, the best way to visit Niagara Falls from Toronto is as part of a tour. You’ll get to see this amazing place without any of the stress of getting here – I’m looking at you, Toronto traffic jams!
Most tours also include other stops and fun activities, so you can be sure that you’re getting the best experience. I’ve narrowed down the 5 best Niagara Falls from Toronto below (including the one I took) to help you find the perfect tour for you!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE Niagara Falls tour from Toronto was this all-inclusive full-day trip! Everything is taken care of for you from hotel pick-up to transportation, lunch, and activities. A boat trip is also included at the falls!
Check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews and book it here!
Tip: This tour is popular – reserve your spot now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
Best Tours to Niagara Falls from Toronto
1. All-Inclusive Niagara Falls Tour
- Duration: 10 hours
- Time: 9:30 am
- Highlights: Sample Niagara-on-the-Lake’s top-rated wines, enjoy a 3-course lunch overlooking the falls, go on a boat cruise to the falls, and have time to explore independently
- Inclusions: Downtown Toronto pick-up/dropoff, professional guide, A/C transportation, 3-course lunch, wine tasting, Boat Cruise OR Journey Behind the Falls (depending on the season)
- Rating: 4.6 stars (check 1,500+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you want to experience the best of the Canadian side of Niagara Falls without the hassle of planning, this all-inclusive day tour from Toronto is our top pick—we did it ourselves and had the best time!
The day starts with pickup from select downtown hotels and a comfy ride out of the city. The guides are fun, full of great facts, and keep things upbeat during the drive. On the way, we made a stop at one of the region’s best wineries for a tasting—nothing like a little vino at 11 am!
Once we reached the falls, we had time to walk the boardwalk and soak in the views from every angle. Then came lunch: a tasty 3-course meal at a restaurant overlooking the falls (yes, the view is as good as it sounds!).
But the highlight was definitely the Voyage to the Falls boat tour. Get your poncho on, camera ready, and prepare to get misted! If you’re visiting outside the summer cruise season, you’ll do Journey Behind the Falls instead, which gives you an equally powerful view from right behind the waterfall.
To top it off, we visited Niagara-on-the-Lake—a charming little town perfect for strolling, shopping, or grabbing a drink. With so many extras included, this tour is a fantastic value and super stress-free. It’s no wonder it has hundreds of 5-star reviews!
Check availability for this highly-rated tour of Niagara Falls online here!
2. Niagara Falls Budget Day Tour
- Duration: 9.5 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Enjoy 3 hours of free time at Niagara Falls, drive the Scenic Niagara Parkway, visit the Niagara Whirlpool and Floral Clock
- Inclusions: Professional guide, A/C transportation
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 2,600+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
This Niagara Falls day trip is perfect if you want some more flexibility—plus, it’s a bit more budget-friendly as well!
The tour starts with an 8 am pickup outside Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada in Toronto, followed by a scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway (famously called “the prettiest Sunday drive in the world” by Winston Churchill). You’ll stop for photos at iconic spots like the Floral Clock and Niagara Whirlpool before arriving at the falls.
Once there, you’ll get three hours of free time to do your thing—grab lunch, walk the boardwalk, or check out one of the attractions. We recommend the Voyage to the Falls boat cruise (prepare to get soaked!), or head up the Skylon Tower for panoramic views. You can also add Journey Behind the Falls if you want to see the power of the water up close.
Just a heads-up: the boat cruise only runs from May through November, so be sure to check your dates. We recommend adding it when booking to secure your spot ahead of time and keep your day running smoothly.
If you’re someone who likes a bit more freedom to explore without being tied to a tight schedule, this tour is a solid pick. It’s super convenient, totally stress-free, and lets you experience Niagara Falls your own way!
Read the THOUSANDS of 5-star reviews and secure your spot here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Early Bird Small-Group Tour of Niagara Falls
- Duration: 9 hours
- Time: 7 am
- Highlights: Early start to beat the crowds; experience the best attractions in the area, including the Skylon Tower, a boat cruise to the base of the falls, and the Journey Behind the Falls
- Inclusions: hotel pick-up/drop-off, professional guide, A/C transportation, ticket for the Skylon Tower, boat cruise, and Journey Behind the Falls
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 150+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If big group tours aren’t your thing, this small-group Niagara Falls tour is a fantastic alternative. With a maximum of just seven people, it feels more relaxed, personal, and way less rushed—no waiting around or getting lost in a crowd.
The tour kicks off with a 7 am pickup from your downtown Toronto hotel. Yes, it’s early, but that means you’ll get to the falls before the crowds, giving you more time and space to enjoy the views. Everything is pre-arranged, so you don’t have to stress about tickets or logistics—just show up and enjoy.
Your first stop is the Skylon Tower, where you’ll take in panoramic views of the falls from both indoor and outdoor observation decks. Next, you’ll head to the Journey Behind the Falls, where you get to wander through cave-like tunnels and get right up close to the thunderous water. It’s loud, wet, and seriously cool!
To wrap up your time at the falls, you’ll board the iconic Voyage to the Falls Cruise—a must-do experience that brings you right up to the base of the falls (don’t worry, the poncho is included!).
With all the top attractions included and round-trip transport handled, this tour is truly one of the most seamless and rewarding ways to experience Niagara Falls!
Make sure to reserve your spot in advance here, as this tour books up quickly!
4. Private Half-Day Niagara Falls Tour with Boat & Helicopter Ride
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: 8, 9, 10, or 11 am
- Highlights: Private chauffeur-driven transportation, customize your itinerary, choose to add on the boat cruise or helicopter experience
- Inclusions: hotel pick-up/drop-off, private tour with licensed tour guide/driver
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to feel like a total VIP, this private tour to Niagara Falls is a pretty amazing way to treat yourself! Not only will you be taken from Toronto to the falls (in a chauffeur-driven vehicle, no less!,) but you can add on a boat tour AND a helicopter ride!
Because it’s just your group on this tour, you can customize it how you like. There are optional stops for maple syrup or wine tastings, but really, it’s up to you. Just tell your driver what you’re after, and they will make it happen. Honestly, the guides here feel more like friends!
Just make sure when you book that you pick the add-ons you’re after. There’s the Voyage to the Falls boat tour past the falls (available from May to November), a 12-minute scenic helicopter ride over the falls for some truly epic views, and a buffet lunch with views of Horseshoe Falls.
If you can, we highly recommend you opt for everything to get the full experience. And keep in mind that this private experience requires a minimum of two people to book and has a maximum of 15 people.
Book your private VIP tour to Niagara Falls here now!
5. Exclusive Private Tour to Niagara Falls
- Duration: 7 hours
- Time: 9 or 9:30 am
- Highlights: Visit top sights and hidden gems with a private guide, customize the day to your liking and choose from a variety of activities, enjoy a wine tasting at a vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Inclusions: hotel pick-up/drop-off, private tour with licensed tour guide/driver, bottled water
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check out the great reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Another option if you’re after a tour you can customize for just you and your family or friends is this Exclusive Private Tour to Niagara Falls. It’s actually a really good value for a private tour, too. You pay a flat rate for a vehicle that fits up to 3 or 6 people, so the more people that go, the more affordable it will be!
The cost includes private transportation from your Toronto hotel with a driver who knows the area so well. We love local guides like this who give you little tidbits and stories about the area as you drive – it makes the time just fly by!
You can choose to add on a Niagara boat cruise (depending on the season) or trip up the Skylon Tower, where you’ll have skip-the-line access, which is a huge bonus! There’s also an optional private wine tasting at a Niagara vineyard after you’ve had your fill of the incredible views of the falls.
This tour is a great way to travel in style and choose your own adventure on what your Niagara Falls experience will be. If you reserve online, you also have the option to book now and pay later as well as cancel for a full refund in case your plans change, which is a huge benefit!
Travel in style and book your exclusive private tour online here before it sells out!
Other Things to do While You’re in Toronto
Toronto is a city filled with tons of things to do and see. So before (or after!) your trip to Niagara Falls, take some time to explore some of the other top attractions and activities:
- Go sightseeing! – Toronto is a massive city with so much to see and do—from taking in the views at the CN Tower to wandering the stalls at St. Lawrence Market. To make the most of your time, we recommend this popular half-day city tour. It hits all the major highlights (plus a few hidden gems) in just a few hours, making it a great way to get your bearings and dive into what makes this iconic city so special!
- Eat great food! – With so many different cultures and restaurants, Toronto is a foodie heaven! Food tours in Toronto are also top-notch, and we enjoyed this walking food tour to help us try a variety of tasty dishes from butter tarts to pierogies to maple syrup and the chance to explore the iconic St. Lawrence Market.
- Visit the Toronto Islands – These are 15 different islands all connected with bridges and walkways. They are full of beaches, cycling paths, and even an amusement park! You can explore on your own after catching a Toronto ferry or you can hop on a Toronto bike tour like this specific evening bike ride to see the Toronto skyline at sunset and enjoy dessert at a Toronto Island cafe.
- Go sailing – For a unique cruise, climb aboard a 1930s schooner with this Toronto tall ship cruise. You’ll help the crew raise the sails for the journey from Toronto Harbor to Lake Ontario. There are panoramic views to take in and kids love it when the crew fires the ship’s cannons!
Where to Stay in Toronto
Toronto is a huge city with practically endless options when it comes to hotels. But not all hotels are created equal, and when you’re only here for a short time, you want to ensure you book a place with an amazing location, which narrows down your choices.
To make things even simpler, I’ve handpicked some of the best places to stay in the city. The following hotels all have an ideal central location and all the amenities you’ll need for a comfortable stay—just be sure to book early if they still have rooms available, as the good ones tend to fill up fast!
Luxury – $$$
The name “Fairmont” is synonymous with luxury, and so, true to form, the Fairmont Royal York Hotel is one of the most decadent hotels in Toronto. With its historic ballroom, beautiful rooms, and a gorgeous skylit indoor pool, you’ll have to force yourself to leave and explore the city! But once you do, you’re steps from Union Station, so getting around via public transport is really easy. It also means that you can take the train from the airport directly to the hotel!
The Hockey Hall of Fame is a mere two blocks away, and you’re also about a 20-minute walk from both the waterfront and the Distillery District. Rooms usually start from around $500 CAD per night. Check availability and book the Fairmont Royal York online here!
Mid-range – $$
Revery Curio Collection is an excellent choice for anybody looking for a sleek and centrally located hotel. It’s a short walk from major attractions like the CN Tower, and it also has plenty of modern facilities, including a gym, a bar, and private parking.
Room rates typically range from $350 CAD and up. Revery is one of the highest-rated hotels in Toronto, so be sure to book online here well in advance to secure your room.
Budget – $
Toronto isn’t the cheapest of cities, but you don’t have to spend a small fortune to stay here! If you’re on a tighter budget, the Samesun Toronto is a fantastic hostel in a great location. It’s a little bit further from downtown, but you’re close to vibrant areas like the Distillery District and Little Italy, so it’s an awesome way to save money if you don’t mind a little extra walking or making use of Toronto’s extensive public transport network.
Private rooms here typically start from $200 CAD per night, which is a real bargain by Toronto’s standards! Check availability and book your stay here!
Check out all of Toronto’s hotel options here!
Related Read: If you’re looking for more info about where to stay in Toronto, check out our detailed guide here!
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Thanks for reading!
Visiting Niagara Falls in person was so much more impressive than I could have expected. I love waterfalls, but the magnitude of these falls took me by surprise. As it’s only a couple of hours away from Toronto, I highly recommend booking a day trip to Niagara Falls while you’re staying nearby.
I hope this blog helped you find a Niagara Falls tour from Toronto that works for your trip! You definitely don’t want to miss out. If you need more inspiration for your travels, check out our other blogs about Canada, including these popular ones below:
9 Things to Know BEFORE Visiting the Toronto Distillery District
33 BEST Things to do in BC, Canada
Guide to Planning the Most Romantic Honeymoon in Jasper, Canada