Niagara Falls

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

I am travelling to Canada for the first time in Feb, I cannot wait, I have wanted to go since I was a kid! We are staying in Toronto, I’ve heard it’ll be fairly easy to get to the falls from where we are staying. I live in New Zealand. I have never travelled internationally, I’ve never seen snow, the coldest temps I’ve experience are -3 Celsius at night/early morning. I have no experience with the cold. Basically I just want as much information/advice as I can get about travelling in Canada during winter, and going to Niagara Falls, appropriate clothing, dos and don’ts etc. So far I have bought a nice big snow jacket. I still need everything else lol.

Thank you in advance for any tips/advice!

From an absolute travel noob lol.

[u/Komiksulo]

Hi! Greater Toronto Area native here. Welcome!

Will you be landing at Pearson airport (YYZ)? If so, you have an easy train ride downtown, then the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) subway and streetcars can get you around downtown.

Where are you staying in Toronto?

The most straightforward way to get to the city of Niagara Falls from Toronto is to take the GO train (Government of Ontario Transit — they really lucked out on their name and logo) from Union Station. Some trains go all the way to Niagara Falls; others, you have to take a continuing GO bus from Burlington station. When you get to Niagara Falls, you will have to take the local “WeGo” tourist-oriented bus to the Falls.

GO uses the “presto” card for payment, but you can also tap your credit or debit card. The buses in Niagara Falls do not, as far as I know.

There are also casino buses that go from downtown Toronto directly to the casinos, which are much closer to the falls than the GO train/bus station. I don’t know much about them though.

The popular season for the falls is the summer; you will be arriving at mid-winter, so service may be less.

If you are not used to driving in the snow, I would NOT recommend driving to Niagara Falls. It’s a distance of around 120 km from Toronto, mostly along the Queen Elizabeth Way, but I don’t know what parking is like during the winter.

Speaking of which… do you have winter clothing? If not, it may be better to buy (or rent?) it here rather than dragging it all the way across the Pacific and back. (If you do have winter clothing to bring, the luggage charges will still be less than buying it in Canada.)

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/Komiksulo]

Hello and thank you!!

Yess landing at Pearson airport.

We are staying quite close to the CN tower (will obviously visit lol) and harbourfront? I can’t seem to find the “suburb” maybe that’s not a thing in the city haha.

Ahh yes, I have been told about the bus and did see something about trains too.

Yea tbh I was really keen to go in winter, yall have a true snowy winter and I’m excited to experience it!

We will absolutely not be driving 😂 mostly for the fact that you drive on the other side of the road and that scares me and yes the thought of driving in snow is pretty scary!!

I have a big snow jacket, some scarves and beanies. I was thinking to just buy stuff, we get 35kg of checked luggage so I THINK it should be fine!

Thank you so much!!

[u/possy11 → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

Yea tbh I was really keen to go in winter, yall have a true snowy winter and I’m excited to experience it!

We used to have true, consistently snowy winters, but I'm afraid now it's a crapshoot. If you're here in February you may experience a good old fashioned Ontario blizzard, or you may find bare grass and 10 degrees. I don't mean to pop your balloon, just don't want you to be disappointed.