posted
Whenever anybody in my office wants info on travel in America, either for business or pleasure, they come to me. Brits don't question using public transport as an option, and I'm tempted to ask Amtrak for commission as I've sent them quite a bit of business over the years.
Anyway, a colleague is taking his wife and two children (13 and 9)to the States. They want to do a "triangle" of Washington - Orlando - Toronto - Washington. I'm afraid I can't talk them into 22 hours on the Silver Meteor but they are interested in visiting Niagara Falls by rail, probably from the Canadian side.
(ok I know this becomes almost a Canadian Rail not Amtrak question!)
The timetable shows a day trip is possible from Toronto but my question is on the practicalities - how far is it from the station to the Falls, is there local transport, are there any "admission charges" etc
If they did it on the US side as a 2/3 day side trip from Washington what are the local hotels like. If they did the Was - Toronto leg by rail, breaking their journey at the Falls en route are there any issues with crossing the border/immigration, etc
posted
I am afraid I cannot really help you, Mr Williams, but I do think it might be a lot easier and more flexible to drive to Niagara Falls from Toronto, esp for 4 people, rather than try a train. The one time I was there, I went from Toronto by car, and went only to the Canadian side. It was an easy day trip, though I did not have time to do some of the things people do when they stay over--ride the boat under the falls, for example (or go over in a barrel--no, just kidding! but if that 3 year old is really cranky . . . )
I don't think I'd try convincing someone to take the Silver Meteor either, not my favorite train, and not particularly scenic. What would be lovely would be to take the train from NYC to Montreal, but then one would have to overnight there and take a train to Toronto, not cheap . . .
I would also try to dissuade someone from going to Orlando in the summer--when are they planning to make their trip? I hope early May the latest!
I have been told by friends who took the train to Toronto since 9-11 that the border crossings in the Buffalo/Niagara area are often slow, slower than for Montreal, because they had a terrorist cell in the Buffalo area a few years back! It is slower on a train than in a car. And even in a car can be slow for foreign nationals, though I don't know anything specific about that. But I think for a day trip I'd definitely stick with the Canadian side.
If they do stay in a hotel, and do take a train, they should find out if the hotel has a free shuttle. I'm told that many of them on the NY side have free shuttles; don't know about the Canadian side.
Sorry I don't know more!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
VIA Rail used to operate three trains a day from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The morning train goes through to New York, and operates with Amtrak equipment. The other two used to be RDCs. Don't know what they're using now, but it's certainly locomotive-hauled.
The last train used to leave the Canadian side station at Niagara Falls in the early evening. This time slot may be covered by the Amtrak train from New York, in which case it's subject to some lateness due to CSX traffic on the American side.
The VIA station is a bit of a distance from the falls, but there is bus service from the station right up the main street, and there are taxis as well. I'd look at VIA's Web site and check out the visitor site for Niagara Falls, Ontario. Lots of good info there, including package deals for admission to the various attractions.
This is an easy day trip by rail from Toronto. And just stay on the Canadian side. It's much the nicer.
Posts: 614 | From: Merchantville, NJ. USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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The morning train is the through service from Toronto to New York using Amtrak equipment. It will be on time as it begins in Toronto.
The evening train returning to Toronto could be late as it is coming in from New York and is subject to delays due to customs etc.
The other trains shown in the schedule run only between Toronto and Niagara Falls using VIA LRC equipment usually.
On weekends you can take the morning train to NF, spend 3 1/2 hours there and return on an afternoon train leaving at 2:15pm on Sat & Sun only.
The VIA station is just across the street from the downtown transit terminal but it's only about a 40 minute walk along the parkway to good viewing areas of the Falls.
The past two summers VIA has run an additional round trip from Toronto to NF geared to the tourist market: to NF in the morning and returning in the late afternoon.
Posts: 239 | Registered: Feb 2004
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