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Niagara Falls is one of the most visited attractions in Canada, and I can see why! It is impressively large and powerful and has gained worldwide recognition as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. I have seen a lot of waterfalls in my travels, and Niagara Falls actually made my jaw drop it was so stunning.
Niagara Falls sits right on the Canada-U.S. border in the province of Ontario. Luckily for us, the best views of the falls are from the Canadian side! So while you’re in Eastern Canada, taking a trip to Niagara Falls is a must.
There are some awesome tours from Montreal to Niagara Falls. This will take all the stress out of your holiday, so instead of figuring out the logistics of transportation, booking a hotel, and timing an epic boat cruise at the base of Niagara Falls, the tours take care of it all for you! Plus, there are so many things to do in Toronto so you’ll have time to explore the city while you’re in Ontario.
I’ve put together this guide for the top three tours to Niagara Falls from Montreal and everything you need to know! This way, you can pick your tour and sit back and relax as you experience one of Canada’s most beautiful sights.
Our TOP Niagara Falls Tour from Montreal
If you want to book a tour right this second, we love this particular 2-day tour from Montreal to Niagara Falls. It includes highlights of Toronto like cruising on the St. Lawrence River and the CN Tower. Plus, you get to see Niagara Falls from both the Observation Tower and aboard a Voyage to the Falls Cruise where you’ll feel the spray of these powerful falls!
You can purchase tickets for this tour online here for $279 CAD which includes transportation, a hotel, and your guide!
About Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is made up of three different falls: Bridal Veil Falls, American Falls, and Horseshoe Falls. While all three collectively are wildly impressive forces of water, the largest and most powerful is Horseshoe Falls, which is what you’re looking at on the Canadian side!
Over all three falls, there are about 3,160 tons of water flowing over Niagara Falls per second! Of that, 75,750 gallons are from American and Bridal Veil Falls, and 681,750 gallons come from Horseshoe Falls – again that’s every second!!
These stunning falls were formed over 12,000 years ago from melting glaciers that created freshwater lakes we know today as the Great Lakes. The glacial melt created forceful rivers that carved out the Niagara Gorge and gave us the gorgeous Niagara Falls. The power from the waterfall is still carving out its path at about one foot a year, so over a long period of time you can see how the falls change.
Niagara Falls is a huge source of power and energy for Ontario. In fact, the amount of water flowing over the falls is reduced to about half during the night and is rerouted to power stations on both the U.S. and Canadian sides. But, the falls return to their normal full-fledged force during the day for visiting hours, so you can see how impressive they are and know how they help power both countries.
You can access Niagara Falls from New York via Prospect Point Park or from Queen Victoria Park in Ontario. Luckily for us, the views from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls are way more impressive, which is perfect for tours coming from Montreal!
Rainbow Bridge connects the U.S. and Canadian sides and allows you to walk over the raging river that feeds Niagara Falls. You can stroll across the bridge to catch a gorgeous view of the falls, or even catch a fireworks display if you visit at night! Keep in mind that you will be entering a different country if you go all the way across the bridge, so you’ll need your passport to actually enter the other country.
The best time of year to visit Niagara Falls is between June and August. While it is definitely the high season for tourists, it is also the warmest time of year. If you take a tour that includes a cruise on the water, the mist from the falls gets pretty chilly so you’ll be happy to have a warm sunny day to dry off at the end!
Related Read: While you’re on the East Coast, a trip to New York City is a must! There is truly so much to explore, so we put together the top 33 things to do while visiting NYC!
Why do a tour to Niagara Falls from Montreal?
The journey from Montreal to Niagara Falls is quite long (about a 6.5-hour drive), so most of these are 2 or 3-day tours. This gives you enough time to travel, check out all the fun things to do in Toronto, and spend time at Niagara Falls without having to be rushed.
We love booking tours for destinations that are a little farther away because they take care of all the details such as transportation, finding a hotel, and sightseeing so you can maximize your limited time in Ontario!
While seeing Niagara Falls is the main attraction, these tours also take you to explore Toronto! You’ll often get to experience other parts of the city in a unique way, like taking a sightseeing cruise to Thousand Islands National Park or visiting the iconic CN Tower. And of course, you’ll see Niagara Falls by strolling across the Rainbow Bridge, climbing an observation tower for an aerial view, or taking a cruise around the falls up close!
Visiting Niagara Falls is a must-do activity and taking a tour from Montreal is the easiest way to do so if you’re based in Montreal!
Best Tours to Niagara Falls from Montreal
1. Toronto and Niagara Falls 2-Day Tour
Since Montreal is quite a drive from Niagara Falls, an overnight trip is the way to go! This 2-day tour is perfect for those who want to see the highlights of Toronto, check out the stunning falls, and make it back to Montreal the very next day.
This tour starts early so you can get to Toronto and begin exploring! You’ll meet at the designated point in Montreal at 6:45 a.m. and settle in for the 6+ hour drive. You will arrive in Toronto in the early afternoon with plenty of time to settle into your hotel and begin exploring.
The Toronto tour part of this experience includes three iconic spots you will check out. The first is an hour-long sightseeing boat cruise on the St. Lawrence River, which has over 1,800 islands!
You’ll then head to downtown Toronto to see the CN Tower, a staple of the Toronto skyline. This tower is 553 meters (1,814 feet) high and has fantastic views of Toronto from the top! Day one will finish with a visit to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, home to the world’s longest underwater tunnel.
The next day is the whole reason for this tour – Niagara Falls! Your tour group will head to the falls in the morning and visit the Observation Tower to get incredible aerial views of all three falls! But the real highlight of this day is hopping aboard the Voyage to the Falls Cruise to get an up-close (and wet) view of Niagara Falls. We thought it was really cool to see the falls from the top, and then feel the sheer power from the bottom.
After a few hours at the falls, you’ll begin the journey back to Montreal. We love that this tour gets you back to Montreal the very next day, but still gives you enough time to enjoy this incredible waterfall and Toronto.
This 2-day experience includes all transportation, the hotel, and your guide! It does not include admission tickets/fees for all of the activities or meals, so be prepared to pay a little more while on the tour. This tour can be reserved for $279 CAD. This tour departs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Check your schedule and book this tour in advance so you can experience Niagara Falls from Montreal!
Related Read: If your travels take you to Toronto, you can still catch an epic tour of Niagara Falls! Check out the best Niagara Falls tours from Toronto so you can see these majestic falls no matter where you’re staying.
2. Toronto and Niagara Falls 3-Day Tour
As the only 3-day tour on the list, we think this one might be the best way to see Niagara Falls from Montreal! While you can certainly experience the falls and Toronto on a 2-day tour, we think that 3 days is a more immersive experience and lets you relax into the beauty of Niagara Falls!
This tour departs from a convenient meeting point in Montreal early in the morning. Similar to the tour above, you’ll have a 6.5-hour drive in a comfy air-conditioned van and arrive in Toronto in the early afternoon. You’ll start with a scenic boat tour with Kingston 1,000 Island Cruises. It takes you past Boldt Castle to the quaint village of Rockport with stunning views the whole time!
You’ll continue exploring the city by visiting Old Toronto City Hall, which is an iconic landmarks due to its intricate architecture. Finally, you’ll visit Ripley’s Aquarium to check out the 20,000 different marine animals here. We thought seeing these unique landmarks was a great way to experience the city, and had a good time just venturing around!
Day two is dedicated to Niagara Falls! You will start by visiting the Skylon Tower for panoramic views. Then you’ll explore the falls at eye level on a 20-minute cruise to the base of the waterfall. Trust me, 20 minutes will be just enough as the mist is powerful and you’ll probably be a little wet and cold after!
But, you’ll have time to dry out as you spend 4 hours at Marineland, which is a themed zoo and amusement park right in Niagara Falls! I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed this experience, especially the marine shows with dolphins, sea lions, orcas, and beluga whales. They also have other animals and amusement park rides, so a few hours here is a fun way to end the day!
Your final day will include a stop at the CN Tower before heading back to Montreal. This staple in the Toronto skyline is a feat of engineering. At 553 meters (1,814 feet) it is the tallest free-standing building in the Western Hemisphere so it’s quite impressive to check out!
There is also a bonus stop at an apple pie-making factory on the way back for a yummy treat when you get home!
This 3-day tour includes all transportation, 2 nights at a hotel, and your guide. It does not include admission to any of the attractions or meals. Overall, we think this tour is totally worth it to experience Niagara Falls and Toronto in a short time. The big perk is that transportation is provided, so you can sit back and relax all the way from Montreal to Niagara Falls!
This experience can be reserved for $502 CAD per adult and about half price for kids. Be sure to reserve this tour in advance, as it typically fills up quickly!
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. Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Thousand Islands VIP 2–Day Trip
It can be challenging to fit in everything you want to do on holiday, so we think this 2-day tour from Montreal to Toronto does a great job of all the highlights!
You will depart from Montreal at 7 a.m., either by meeting at the designated point or requesting hotel pick-up. The ride will go quickly in the comfy air-conditioned bus and before you know it, you’ll be in Toronto!
The first day will be a Toronto city tour, including stops at Thousand Islands National Park for a scenic boat tour, CN Tower, and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Your accommodation is included for the night, so you can relax at a nice hotel in downtown Toronto and have some free time to explore the city.
The next day is the highlight of the tour, Niagara Falls! You will spend the morning checking out the impressively powerful falls and the fun attractions that have been built up around them. One of those is a cruise on a Hornblower Boat where you can see Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls up close or if you’re here in the winter, you’ll experience the Journey Behind the Falls instead where you access observation decks directly behind the waterfall!
Next, you’ll take a unique trip to the Niagara on the Lake Heritage District, which is a cute quaint town across the Niagara River. This was once the capital of Upper Canada and is home to tons of amazing wineries and old charming 19th-century buildings along Queen Street. It is an adorable place to explore and soak in the beauty of the Niagara area.
Finally, you will make your way back to Montreal after a jam-packed 2-day tour!
This tour includes your hotel accommodation, roundtrip transportation from Montreal, the 1,000 Islands Boat Cruise, and the Niagara Falls Hornblower Cruise or Journey Behind the Falls. It doesn’t include entrance fees to other attractions or food and drinks. This experience can be booked for $319 CAD per person. It can only be booked on Saturdays, so be sure to fit in your schedule so you don’t miss out!
Related Read: Moraine Lake is another of my favorite places to visit in Canada, so check out the top things to do in Moraine Lake and plan a trip to Banff, Alberta!
Is Visiting Niagara Falls from Montreal worth it?
Yes, a trip to Niagara Falls from Montreal is totally worth it! While you’re visiting Eastern Canada, hitting Niagara Falls is a must. These waterfalls are sure to impress whether you are taking in the views from the main boardwalk, up in an observation tower, or cruising right beside them.
It is hard to describe the sheer power of these falls – it’s best if you check it out for yourself!
Not only is visiting Niagara Falls a must-do activity, but taking a tour from Montreal also gives you time to explore Toronto! So you can hit two significant attractions in one tour. Plus, the tours from Montreal make all of your planning seamless so you can simply enjoy these incredible sights.
I can’t recommend taking a tour to Niagara Falls from Montreal highly enough!
Related Read: To see another iconic Canada location, you have to take a trip to Jasper, Alberta! This stunning part of the Canadian Rockies won’t disappoint, and with so many things to do in Jasper, you’ll need a few days to explore all of its beauty.
Where to Stay in Montreal
With some fantastic tours of Niagara Falls from Montreal to choose from, you can stay in the city and explore Montreal before and after your trip to Niagara. But, Montreal is HUGE and has an overwhelming number of places to stay.
You need a hotel with both location and great amenities going for it. Keeping that top of mind, I’ve selected a few of the best places to stay in Montreal for all budgets. These accommodations are centrally located so you’re close to the top sights, restaurants, and transportation to get around the city.
Hôtel Birks Montréal (Luxury Stay – $$$)
Treat yourself to a stay at Hôtel Birks Montréal in the heart of the city. From the moment you step into the lobby with its gold decor and chandeliers, you know this place is special. It’s easy to get to downtown restaurants and some retail therapy with all the shops at the Eaton Centre Montreal only steps away. All the rooms feel luxurious, but some even have a private terrace overlooking the city, a claw-foot tub, and a gas fireplace to kick it up a notch. Prices are typically in the $320-$480 CAD depending on your travel dates. You can check prices, availability, and book Hôtel Birks Montréal here!
Hotel Bonaventure Montreal (Moderately-priced Boutique Hotel – $$)
At first glance, Hotel Bonaventure Montreal definitely seems pricier, but it’s luxury on a more moderate budget, which is something I always look for! The showstopper here is the rooftop pool overlooking the city that is open year-round and is especially fun in winter with all the steam rising around you! The rooms are spacious and modern and there are even gardens to wander around. You won’t believe this oasis is only a minute from Montreal Central Station! Rooms here go for as low as $180 CAD in the low season when reserved on Booking.com.
M Montreal Hostel (Budget Option – $)
We often travel on a budget and that doesn’t mean sacrificing style or comfort. M Montreal Hostel is a perfect example of this! It has this “cool” vibe about it with an on-site bar, billiards, and even a stage to catch a comedy show. There’s a shared kitchen and dining area or just relax in one of the two rooftop jacuzzis! You can opt for a more typical hotel room with a private bathroom (not something all hostels offer!) for around $130 CAD or stay in a bunk for more around the $40-$50 CAD mark. You can check all your options on either Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
I have seen a lot of waterfalls throughout my travels, but I was much more impressed by Niagara Falls than I expected! The sheer force and magnitude of these falls took me by surprise and I was blown away by its power. While it is a bit of a drive from Montreal, I think it will be well worth your time.
I hope you found this blog helpful as you’re planning a trip to Niagara Falls from Montreal! You won’t want to skip out on this experience. If you’re looking for travel inspiration, check out our many other blogs about Canada! Here are some of my favorite ones below:
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