1

Sorry, No...First, you go to Buffalo... carracar

2

That is a long-ass detour to visit Niagara Falls. That will take you 12-16 hours out of your way when Montreal really is just a straight shot north from NYC. Niagara Falls is at best a couple of hours gawking, and mainly just a good place for a pee-break on the way to Toronto. Unless you have a really good reason (beyond high expectations), for seeing Niagara Falls, consider skipping it.

3

What do you mean by "in one go?"
Are you asking if you can get on a bus in xNYC, travel via the falls and not get off until you're in xMontreal? Are you asking if you can stop at xNiagara Falls on the way (even though it's very out of the way)? Something else?

4

I've driven it (NYC to the falls) and thought it was one long-assed drive, the kind I sorta regret. This from a travel guy who is accustomed to such things. Maybe I just had a bad day.

I love Niagara Falls and think it is one of the most overlooked destinations in N America, but it's kind of the perfect destination to visit when you get one of those discount airfares.

Oh and yes, when making public transport arrangements Niagara falls should be thought of as a place "near Buffalo" and "nor far from Toronto."

Edited by: LongIslandBob

5

Yep, we want to go from visiting New York to seeing some friends in Montreal, but thought while we were up that way we should take in Niagara Falls. I mean we come from Australia so have never been this way before and may not ever again (first trip to the US and Canada). So considering we have seen Igauzu and Victoria Falls then how can we miss Niagura?

6

Take the train to Montreal...THEN make your decision... carracar

7

You can take Greyhound (bus) or Amtrak (train) from NYC to Niagara Falls, ON. From there you can take Greyhound or Megabus to Toronto. From Toronto you can take Megabus or the train. If you're going all that way you should really spend a couple of days in Toronto. The falls itself is worth only half a day unless you really love tacky wax museums. You can, however, use local transit to access a beautiful hike down to the river and also Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is a pretty (though touristy) town.

You can also look at JetBlue and Southwest for cheap flights from NYC to Buffalo and Porter, Air Canada, or WestJet for flights from Toronto to Montreal.

Good luck!

8

Duplicate.

9

A while back on thorntree, there was a long-running argument about American side vs. Canadian side. I believe the following accurately sums up the gist of the argument errr, agreement:

All of the best views, and most of the best stuff to do is on the Canadian side. Folks travelling with kids (and a car) often enjoy the lower hotel prices and the big grassy lawns on the American side but even the daily plan usually involves “wake up eat breakfast, head to Canada.”

The American side has a kind of lazy resort town feel. Families can (and often do) rent bicycles, tour around and eat ice cream sitting on a bench overlooking the sites. Jumping around on the islands on the American side gives you a sense of the Niagara River you can’t get on the Canadian side but if you are staying on the Canadian side, well, you didn’t come to jump around on island so skip it. The Cave of the Winds tour (or its Canadian side equivalent) is not to be missed. If you are going to take the boat (Maid of the Mist?) up to the foot of the falls do that before not after the “cave” walk. The “cave” walk experience is so intense the boat ride will seem anticlimactic afterward

I’ve hiked the American side of the gorge and found it a very agreeable experience, I assume hiking is the same on the Canadian side.

The Canadian side is more urban. The place has the feel of a mini Las Vegas, or mini Miami Beach. I’d avoid it like the plague during spring break, but again, all of the best views, and most of the best stuff to do is on the Canadian side

I’m the kind of traveler who usually shops at supermarkets and makes sandwiches in my room, but I paid for an over-priced steak dinner for my family in a fancy dining room overlooking the falls and did not regret it one bit.

If I’d had an additional day in Niagara I would have gone downstream and found a whitewater rafting outfitter.

I personally have gone there twice, once with 4 people, once with three. Driving made sense (4 people in a car cost almost the same as 1). I found it a terrific destination both times, but sheesh, it was a long drive.

Edited by: LongIslandBob

10

As to the raft trips...Some years ago a "outfitter" killed three members of the press in a "flip"on a demonstration tour... That event may well have put a end to further such attempts... carracar

11

Niagara is a very distant cousin to Victoria and Iguacu. Very, very distant. It's worth seeing, but not so worth it that I'd spend the time riding uncomfortable buses to go there if it were nowhere near my main route. That's your situation.

Save your money and visit Yosemite some spring/early summer. Or go to Salto Angel. Or, if clever, get your Montreal friends to meet you in Niagara or Toronto, so that your excess travel time is not wasted.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark