Montreal to Niagara Fall tour

[Cruise To Relax]

Has anybody flown into Montreal or another place and done a tour of Niagara Falls before embarking on cruise from Montreal? Any ideas or experiences would be appreciated.

[LHT28]

It is a long trip from Montreal to N F then back to catch the ship

You might be better to fly into BUF then take the train to Montreal

[Cruise To Relax]

Thanks. Was thinking that might be the case.

[p_mori7]

Montreal -> Niagara Falls = 8 hrs by car (including pit stops, lunch).

 

If seeing Niagara Falls is a must, fly in to Toronto, get a rental car and go spend a night in a hotel around the Falls (Fallsview Hilton / Casino is nice).

 

The drive to the Falls from the Toronto airport is about 1 hour.

 

Then fly to Montreal the next day to board your cruise. The flight to Montreal from Toronto is about 1 hour.

 

:)

[LHT28]

Montreal -> Niagara Falls = 8 hrs by car (including pit stops, lunch).

 

If seeing Niagara Falls is a must, fly in to Toronto, get a rental car and go spend a night in a hotel around the Falls (Fallsview Hilton / Casino is nice).

 

The drive to the Falls from the Toronto airport is about 1 hour.

 

Then fly to Montreal the next day to board your cruise. The flight to Montreal from Toronto is about 1 hour.

 

:)

 

When was the last time you drove from Toronto to Niagara in 1 hr :confused:

 

That is why I suggested flying into Buffalo

Edited December 24, 2013 by LHT28

[Cruise To Relax]

Thanks for the suggestion and concern. Certainly one way that makes sense. Would guess driving on to Montreal is also possible.

[LHT28]

Thanks for the suggestion and concern. Certainly one way that makes sense. Would guess driving on to Montreal is also possible.

 

The possibilities are endless ;)

Fly to BUF drive or take the train to Toronto ...fly Porter to Montreal

take the train all the way

drive all the way

 

Just depends on your time & $$

 

Enjoy whatever you choose

 

Lyn

[RickT]

When was the last time you drove from Toronto to Niagara in 1 hr :confused:

 

That is why I suggested flying into Buffalo

 

Google Maps says 1:12. Flying into Buffalo is not the answer. Although it is closer to the Falls it is more difficult to fly to Montreal from Buffalo and next to impossible to rent a car in Buffalo to drive to Montreal.

 

To the OP. Unless the Falls are on your bucket list I'd take the time to spend an extra day or two in the Montreal area. There are lots of things to do and see and unless you think you'll be back there you may as well make the most of your visit.

Edited December 24, 2013 by RickT

[LHT28]

Google Maps says 1:12. Flying into Buffalo is not the answer. Although it is closer to the Falls it is more difficult to fly to Montreal from Buffalo and next to impossible to rent a car in Buffalo to drive to Montreal.

 

 

Not sure where you see that I suggested to fly from BUF to YUL:confused:

 

In theory it may be 1:12 drive time in reality it is more like 1.5 to 2 + hrs depending on traffic

I have family there & have never made it in under 2 hrs ...not even at 1 am ;)

 

Lyn

[Cruise To Relax]

Thanks to all. We are planning on 3 days in Montreal but were thinking about going early and do the falls. Maybe that is something for another time. Again, thanks.

[RickT]

Not sure where you see that I suggested to fly from BUF to YUL:confused:

 

Fly to BUF

 

Given that you suggested the OP fly into Buffalo I have to assume flying is one of the choices to get to Montreal..... how do you suggest they get to Montreal given that is their final destination?

 

As I see it, the OP has four choices if they fly into Buffalo:

1) Fly from Buffalo. (if you fly into Buffalo this would make sense to be an option, sorry if you don't agree).

2) Drive (as mentioned next to impossible if you start out by arriving in Buffalo)

3) Fly from Toronto/Hamilton. Not a bad idea but how does the OP get to these locations starting out from Buffalo? Very difficult and expensive to rent a car in Buffalo and drop it at either airport.

4) Train, assuming it can be done (no experience with the train)

 

And as far as the drive time, I guess you drive slow :cool:

 

To the OP, good luck with your decision.

Edited December 25, 2013 by RickT

[lex_n_saph]

4) Train, assuming it can be done (no experience with the train)

 

It can be done. There's an Amtrak train which travels from Buffalo to Toronto. It stops in Niagara Falls (both the US and Canadian sides). Then, there is a VIA rail train from Toronto to Montreal (about 5 hours duration).

[LHT28]

Given that you suggested the OP fly into Buffalo I have to assume flying is one of the choices to get to Montreal..... how do you suggest they get to Montreal given that is their final destination?

 

 

 

 

See post #7 :rolleyes:

Edited December 25, 2013 by LHT28

[RickT]

See post #7 :rolleyes:

 

Hmmmmm... I now see how you've gotten over 20k in posts...

 

No more responses. I think the OP has enough ideas without you and I nitpicking what we've each said. Good night.

[LHT28]

Hmmmmm... I now see how you've gotten over 20k in posts...

 

 

HMMMM not sure what that has to do with the information provided :rolleyes:

 

Do have a Merry Christmas

[Mountain53]

Ok, Here is what I see as your best options:

Fly into Buffalo, we live halfway in between Niagara Falls and Toronto and have flown in and out of BUF a couple of times and it's an easy airport to get around.

Airport shuttle BUF into Niagara Falls Ontario, from there you have a number of options depending on time and $. You can rent a car in Niagara Falls Canada and do a one way rental to Montreal, somewhere around 425 miles, all very good expressways so you can judge your own driving time, most traffic on the 401 moves around 75 MPH but the actual speed limit is supposed to be about 60 MPH. Traffic through Toronto can move at a snails pace and it is totally unpredictable.

Other option you can use Via rail (bus from NF to Burlington about 1 hour) to Montreal.

I wouldn't recommend flying out of YYZ, by the time you get there check in and all the rest you could be almost to Kingston, Porter out of the Island might work.

It is possible to fly BUF to Montreal but BUF is a regional airport so you are bound to get some wierd connections.

Depending on the time of year if it's off season there are quite a few good deals on hotels in Niagara Falls, most will offer you a Falls view room at a very good rate.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and best of luck on your cruise.

Edited December 25, 2013 by Mountain53

[lex_n_saph]

I wouldn't recommend flying out of YYZ, by the time you get there check in and all the rest you could be almost to Kingston, Porter out of the Island might work.

 

You`re right about Pearson (YYZ). It'll be too far and not worth the time delay. Porter or Air Canada from Bishop (YTZ) to Montreal (YUL) is certainly feasible.

 

A GO Transit bus from Niagara Falls (or the Amtrak/VIA train) will arrive in downtown Toronto and the island airport (Bishop) is very easy to reach by taxi or public transit. If it was a nice day, one could even walk from the train station.

 

Also, the GO Transit bus has an option to transfer to a GO Train in Burlington.

[Cruise To Relax]

Thanks for all the great ideas - certainly multiple options depending on preferences. Appreciate your thoughts.

[newlaxfan]

If you're interested in wineries, there are over 100 in the Niagara region with yummy yummy wines. A bottle of icewine makes for a great drinkable souvenir!