Frequently Asked Questions About our Niagara Falls Tours
How long is the Niagara Falls tour?
Niagara Falls tours are around 9 hours long. Pickup is around 7:15 – 8 am and return is around 4:30 – 5:30 pm, depending on traffic.
Do I need to pre-purchase tickets for activities like the Hornblower boat ride?
No. We arrive early in Niagara Falls before other tour groups and large groups, so lines are not long. There is no reason to pre-purchase tickets because line skip is not available. You can decide on the day of your tour which activities to participate in. Options include the Hornblower boat ride, a helicopter ride over the Falls, the Skylon Tower or Journey Behind the Falls.
When does the Hornblower boat ride operate?
The Hornblower boat ride usually runs from early May until the end of November. Exact dates vary based on the weather. We cannot guarantee that the boat ride is operational towards the start or end of the season.
How much time do we have in Niagara Falls?
You will have approximately 3 hours of free time in Niagara Falls. This is enough time for one or two activities, plus sightseeing. The Hornblower boat ride will take about an hour in total. The Skylon Tower will take about 1 hour. Journey Behind the Falls will take about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on lines. The helicopter ride is available upon request.
What size are the small group Niagara Falls tours?
We use minibuses with group sizes of up to 13 or 24. We not use large coach buses or take more than 25 guests like other tours.
Winter tour availability (December 1 – February 29)
Please note that we require a minimum of 4 guests for the tour to operate. On rare occasions in the winter we might need to move your tour to another day or refund your payment. If this is the case we will notify you with at least 24 hours notice of the change and offer you an alternate day or full refund. Don’t worry, this rarely happens so your booking is not likely to change.
What is the benefit of departing early?
You will avoid heavy rush hour traffic in Toronto. There won’t be big crowds in Niagara Falls at the time we arrive. You will return to Toronto early enough to enjoy a full evening in the city.
Where is the meeting or pickup point?
We pickup near every central Downtown Toronto location. You can select your hotel or nearest meeting point when booking your tour. If you are not sure which location is closest to you, write in your address and we will find your closest meeting point and email it to you. The walk to meet us is just a few minutes away from every popular tourist area in Downtown Toronto. We offer pickup from an easily accessible Mississauga hotel. We offer pickup from Toronto Pearson Airport from a nearby hotel on Saturday and Sunday for groups of 2 or more.
Is there enough time to do multiple activities in Niagara Falls?
There is time for 1 to 2 activities. Most people choose to do just the Hornblower boat ride in the summer or Journey Behind the Falls in the winter. You can do either of these activities with the Skylon Tower. Doing both the boat ride and Journey Behind the Falls in the same day is not guaranteed. The waitlist for Journey Behind the Falls is sometimes long and they do not sell advance tickets.
Are private tours available?
Yes. Private tours are available for groups of up to 24 (or more in separate buses). We offer custom itineraries upon request. Contact us at reservations@tourstoniagarafalls.com with your request and we will send you a proposed schedule and quote. We often cater to corporate teams, private parties and large groups. Private tours are not recommended for smaller groups as you will need to rent out one of our buses for the day. Smaller groups should consider joining our regular small group tour.
Can I stay in Niagara Falls after the tour?
No. We only offer tours that return to Toronto. If you stay in Niagara Falls you will miss the second half of the tour because we cannot return to the hotel area once we depart in the afternoon.
Can the bus hold luggage?
Large luggage will not fit. Small bags or carry ons can fit.
Is it possible to be dropped off at a different pickup point?
Yes. Tell your tour guide in advance that you wish to be dropped off somewhere else and they will take you.
What is the difference between the winter and summer Niagara Falls tour?
The tour is mostly the same, however in the winter the itinerary will adjust slightly from day to day depending on weather conditions. Niagara Falls is beautiful in the winter and highly recommended.
Is the bus wheelchair accessible?
No. Foldable wheelchairs are permitted if they are thin enough to fit in-between a seat.
Can infants join the tour?
Infants can join. No ticket is needed if they sit on your lap. You can bring a child seat with the purchase of a child ticket. Please let us know in advance if you wish to bring a child seat on board.
