6 Best Niagara Falls Tours from New York

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Niagara Falls is one of the most spectacular places in the country, so if you’re visiting the Big Apple, consider taking a Niagara Falls tour from NYC.

If you’ve never been to this natural wonder, an organized bus tour from NYC to Niagara Falls makes things easy by arranging your transportation and itinerary for you. This way, you’ll see all the highlights and learn more about this breathtaking place.

Best Niagara Falls tours from New York

While it’s one of the best day trips from NYC, I recommend staying overnight, if possible. For those who don’t want to drive from NYC to Niagara Falls, there are multi-day tours available. Many of them visit other nearby landmarks and attractions so that you can make the most of your time.

In this guide, I’ll share the 6 best tours to Niagara Falls from New York, from day trips to multi-day tour packages. I also recommend reading our visitor’s guide to Niagara Falls so you know what to expect during your trip.

Best tours to Niagara Falls from NYC

There is a variety of tour options available, so you can find the perfect way to get to Niagara Falls from New York. It all depends on how much time you have and what you want to see during your trip. In this guide, I’ll share the top excursions to Niagara Falls from New York City, including 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5-day tours.

• Day tour to Niagara Falls from NYC by bus
• Day tour to Niagara Falls from NYC by airplane
• 2-day Niagara Falls tour from New York (U.S. & Canadian sides)
• 3-day Niagara Falls tour from NYC (+ Toronto & Thousand Islands)
• 4-day Niagara Falls tour from NYC (+ Philadelphia & Washington D.C.)
• 5-day Niagara Falls tour from NYC (+ Toronto, Thousand Islands, Philadelphia & Washington D.C.)

1. Day tour to Niagara Falls from New York by bus

If you’re only in New York for a brief visit, you can maximize your time with a 1-day trip to Niagara Falls from New York. I recommend this excursion, which departs from Times Square early in the morning and takes you to the U.S.–Canada border.

During the ride there, you’ll learn about the geological history of the falls and some little-known facts and stunts that took place here. Once you arrive at Niagara Falls State Park, you’ll have time to explore the various viewpoints and capture incredible images.

Day tour to Niagara Falls from New York by bus

You’ll visit Goat Island and the famous Terrapin Point lookout for stunning views of the Horseshoe Falls, and if you’re taking the tour between May and October, you may opt for riding the Maid of the Mist to get up close to the falls.

Overall, this bus tour from NYC to Niagara Falls is a cheap alternative to the multi-day tours. You’ll get to admire the majesty of the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls and the awe-inspiring beauty of the Horseshoe Falls. Plus, transportation is taken care of for you, and you’ll be able to get back to NYC late the same day.

• Duration: 19-20 hours
• Price: $240
• Highlights: Round-trip bus; U.S. side of Niagara Falls; optional Maid of the Mist tour

2. Day tour to Niagara Falls from New York by air

If you’re interested in a 1-day trip to Niagara Falls from New York, consider flying there. This day tour by air is a quick and comfortable way to get to the falls, making it ideal for those who don’t have much time to travel.

The tour can depart from JFK or LaGuardia Airport, and you can save yourself the hassle by taking an NYC airport shuttle from your hotel to get there. You’ll take the 1.5-hour flight from New York City to Niagara Falls, landing in Buffalo or Rochester. There, you’ll meet with your guides, who will drive you to Niagara Falls State Park.

Day tour to Niagara Falls from New York by air

You’ll have 4-5 hours to explore Niagara Falls from the U.S. side. From May to October, the tour includes a boat ride on the Maid of the Mist. If you take the tour between November and April, the boat ride is substituted with a visit to the observation deck from which you can see the American Falls, Rainbow Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Goat Island, and Three Sisters Islands.

At midday, savor a delicious lunch at a Niagara Falls restaurant, then enjoy your free time and continue exploring Niagara Falls. You can even cross the border and go see Niagara Falls from the Canadian side on your own (just make sure you check first if you need a visa).

As the afternoon rolls around, board the plane back to NYC. While flying is one of the most convenient ways to travel, remember that it’s more expensive than a bus tour from NYC to Niagara Falls.

• Duration: 15 hours
• Price: $699
• Highlights: Round-trip plane ticket; U.S. side of Niagara Falls; Maid of the Mist boat tour (May – October) or admission to the observation deck (November – April)

3. The ultimate 2-day trip to Niagara Falls from NYC

I highly recommend spending more than a day at Niagara Falls, so if you have time, check out a multi-day trip like this 2-day tour. You’ll travel in a comfortable bus from NYC to Niagara Falls, but before you get to the falls, you’ll stop at Watkins Glen State Park, a picturesque place in the Finger Lakes region.

Once you arrive at Niagara Falls, you’ll explore the American side of the falls. Admire the rushing waters of the American and Bridal Veil Falls and check out the iconic viewpoints by Goat Island and Three Sisters Island. As it gets dark, you’ll see the ambient lights at the park bathe the falls in various colors.

The ultimate 2-day trip to Niagara Falls from NYC

This 2-day tour package to Niagara Falls from New York includes one night in a cozy hotel and complimentary breakfast the next morning. After eating, you’ll get up close and personal with the falls, either on the Maid of the Mist (May-October) or by walking through the Cave of the Winds (November-April).

After a few hours of exploring the area, you’ll get back on the bus and head back to Manhattan. But first, you’ll have a pit stop at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, one of the best outlets near NYC, where you can go shopping or grab a bite to eat.

This is the perfect 2-day tour from NYC to Niagara Falls that makes the most of your time and allows you to appreciate the falls’ best views.

• Duration: 2 days
• Price: $385
• Highlights: Round-trip bus; Watkins Glen State Park; U.S. side of Niagara Falls; 1-night hotel accommodation; Maid of the Mist boat tour (May – October) or Cave of the Winds (November – April); outlet shopping

4. The best 3-day Niagara Falls tour from New York

Niagara Falls is one of the best places to see in New York State, so if you can dedicate three days to it, I highly recommend doing so. A 3-day Niagara Falls tour from New York will give you enough time to discover everything on the American and Canadian sides, plus some nearby attractions.

I like this 3-day trip, which departs from Manhattan and stops at Watkins Glen State Park, where you’ll take a short waterfall hike. Then, you’ll continue your journey past Seneca Lake and the Finger Lakes region up to Niagara Falls.

Spend the afternoon visiting the American side of Niagara Falls State Park, including Goat Island and Luna Island. Enjoy a ride on the Maid of the Mist and experience the thunderous power of the falls up close. At nightfall, see the waterfalls illuminated in colorful lights before getting some sleep at the hotel.

The best 3-day Niagara Falls tour from New York

The next day, you’ll see the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, with stops at the Horseshoe Falls viewpoints and Niagara on the Lake, a small village on the Niagara River. Afterward, you’ll go to the nearby city of Toronto, home to the CN Tower. At the end of the day, you’ll go to your hotel along the St. Lawrence River, where you can see the Thousand Islands.

On the last day of this trip, you’ll take a scenic cruise along the river and go through part of the Thousand Islands area. Some of the highlights here include Boldt Castle and Heart Island. Then, you’ll board the bus back to Manhattan, stopping at Woodbury Common Premium Outlet in New Jersey for shopping and dinner.

This is one of the best Niagara Falls tours from New York if you want the itinerary, accommodations, and transportation taken care of for you.

• Duration: 3 days
• Price: $460
• Highlights: Round-trip bus; Watkins Glen State Park; U.S. and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls; hotel accommodation for 2 nights; Maid of the Mist boat tour; sightseeing in Toronto; Thousand Islands cruise (May to October); outlet shopping

5. 4-Day trip from New York to Niagara Falls

If you have the time and prefer having someone else organize your itinerary, consider this 4-day package. It starts with bus transportation from NYC to Niagara Falls. Along the way, you’ll pass by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Finger Lakes region, like Watkins Glen State Park and Seneca Lake. As you enter the Niagara Falls area, you’ll see the American side of the falls, as well as Goat Island and Luna Island. After dusk, see the colorful illumination of Niagara Falls at night.

The following day, have breakfast at your hotel before visiting Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian Site. Then, enjoy an exhilarating boat ride on the Maid of the Mist during the summer, or enjoy the Journey Behind the Falls experience in the winter. Around noon, you’ll board the bus to New Jersey, where you can shop at the outlets before heading to the hotel.

4-Day trip from New York to Niagara Falls

The next leg of this Niagara Falls trip from NYC takes you to the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. You’ll tour the historic district and Independence Mall, then walk along the Ben Franklin Parkway to see iconic sites like the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Afterward, you’ll take a short ride to Lancaster County, home to the largest Amish community in the country. From there, you’ll go to Washington, D.C., where you’ll spend the night.

On the final day of this bus tour to Niagara Falls from NYC, you’ll explore Washington D.C.’s top attractions. See the presidential memorials, war monuments, the gorgeous Tidal Basin, and Arlington National Cemetery. Then, continue your tour by passing Capitol Hill and the White House and visiting the National Air and Space Museum. In the evening, you’ll take the bus back to NYC.

• Duration: 4 days
• Price: $765
• Highlights: Round-trip bus; Watkins Glen State Park; U.S. and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls; hotel accommodation for 3 nights; Maid of the Mist boat tour (May – October) or Journey Behind the Falls (November – April); outlet shopping; sightseeing in Philadelphia and Amish Country (with Amish buggy ride) and in Washington D.C.

6. The best 5-day tour to Niagara Falls from New York

Finally, this 5-day tour is an excellent option if you want to combine your trip to Niagara Falls from New York with several other destinations.

This adventure begins with an early bus ride from Manhattan to the scenic Finger Lakes region, stopping at Watkins Glen State Park. Then, head to the U.S. side of Niagara Falls to see the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Goat Island, and Luna Island. You’ll also ride the Maid of the Mist and see the colorful lights at the falls after dark.

The next day, you’ll visit Canada’s Horseshoe Falls, the nearby village of Niagara on the Lake, and the exciting city of Toronto. On day three, you’ll get to know the Thousand Islands with a morning cruise along the St. Lawrence River. Then, board the bus and go to New Jersey, where you’ll have time for some outlet shopping.

The best 5-day tour to Niagara Falls from New York

On day four, you’ll travel to Philadelphia to see the historic area of Independence Mall and the famous attractions along the Ben Franklin Parkway. Afterward, your group will travel to Lancaster County to experience the Amish way of life. The day ends with a bus ride to Washington, D.C., where you’ll spend the night.

The last day is dedicated to Washington, D.C., with stops at the Tidal Basin, Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill, and the National Air & Space Museum. Finish your visit with some time at the Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam Memorials before returning to NYC.

This 5-day Niagara Falls tour from New York is great if you’re short on time and want to see as much of Niagara Falls and the nearby areas as possible. However, if you have more time, consider taking a day trip from NYC to Philadelphia or to Washington, D.C. You can even combine both for one of the best road trips from NYC.

• Duration: 5 days
• Price: $790
• Highlights: Round-trip bus; Watkins Glen State Park; U.S. and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls; hotel accommodation for 4 nights; Maid of the Mist; sightseeing in Toronto; Thousand Islands cruise (May – October); outlet shopping; sightseeing in Philadelphia, Amish Country, and Washington D.C.

Price comparison for Niagara Falls tours from NYC

Check out the chart below to help you find the best Niagara Falls tour from New York. This way, you can compare each option’s prices, durations, and highlights.

You’ll notice that the longer tours are more expensive, and they go to multiple destinations besides Niagara Falls. If you only want to see the falls, you can save money on a one or two-day tour.

Is a Niagara Falls tour from NYC worth it?

If you have limited time in New York and don’t want to organize the visit on your own, then a Niagara Falls trip from NYC is worth it. A guided excursion allows you to relax and enjoy all the attractions since transportation, tickets, and accommodation are taken care of for you.

Is a Niagara Falls tour from NYC worth it?

Plus, if you book one of the multi-day tours to Niagara Falls from New York, you can visit several different places in a short amount of time.

FAQs – Niagara Falls tours from New York

To finish up, here are some frequently asked questions about Niagara Falls tours from NYC:

That’s it from me! I hope you found a Niagara Falls tour from NYC that you’d like to take and that you enjoy this natural wonder to the fullest. There is so much to do here, so I recommend reading our visitor’s guide to Niagara Falls for more information.

If you have any questions, please leave me a comment below so I can get back to you.

Stay safe, and have a wonderful time at Niagara Falls!