jrey

Not sure where to post this. Please feel free to move to an appropriate thread as needed.


I have a 9 hour lay over at YYZ. My flight is from ORD-YYZ arriving around noon, and YYZ-ZRH leaving around 9pm. Would it possible to get out, rent a car and drive to Niagara fall round trip? Wondering if this is realistic. Thanks for any advice.

BTW, our ORD-YYZ flight is operated by Air Canada. Which terminal in YYZ will it be and is there any Priority Pass lounge with a shower?

grlmopz

I would say it's tight, but possible.

If you are able to clear immigration and customs quickly and get in the car by 1:30, you should be able to get to Niagara Falls by 3:00. Wander around for a couple of hours and then hit the road again at 5:00.

You didn't mention the day of the week that you'll be travelling, though -- traffic on the QEW and 401 can be pretty nasty on weekdays, especially near the end of the week.

fangtl

Yes it's possible but I'd reserve a car ahead of time, you never know what their inventory is like if you chance it.

freeloader

day of week is definately important. if its a weekend, and you have your ducks lined up with everything you should be ok. rush hour is tough though during the week. crowds at the falls in winter are low, so parking and traffic around that area is low

grlmopz

Air Canada is terminal 1. The only Priority Pass lounge I've been to at YYZ was pretty cruddy, to be honest. I don't recall a shower there.

travelisfree

9 hours is fine. Allow 2 hours of diving each way and 2 hours for check in (though you should have your tickets!). That still gives you 3 hours at the falls... which is more than plenty. And that to me is playing it safe. Plenty of time IMHO.

chunky649

The biggest variable is traffic leaving the airport to Niagara Falls... Without traffic, the drive is under 1.5 hours (all highways). However, Toronto afternoon traffic is absolutely horrible. Friday afternoon traffic is even worst. Since you need to be at the airport by ~7:30pm, you will encounter the worst part of Toronto rush hour traffic. It may take you 2-3 hours getting back to the airport...

I think traffic going from the airport to Niagara Falls at ~1pm won't be a problem unless there is a big snowstorm or traffic accident. Both of these are a possibility during winter.

Unless you plan to take the Maid of the Mist (boat ride close to the falls), or any other activities (the tunnel behind the falls, crossing over to USA side), gambling at the casino, etc., 30 minutes is more than too much time for visiting Niagara Falls.

Oh, and yes, there is a better forum to ask this question - Try the Destinations forum... :-)

travelisfree

Well, that's certainly something to consider. But that would still 2 hours there.

jrey

Thank you for all responses. It is on Friday in May, unfortunately. How much time should I prepare for the return during rush hour to get back to YYZ?

We won't need much time. 1-2 hours are enough. I just want to show the fall to my wife and child.

amexmuscz

If you really,really want to play it safe and you don't mind spending a few $$ for toll routes and avoid the traffic, take the 407. From the airport, take 427 north to 407 and go west to QEW which will take you to niagara. On the way back, QEW Toronto to 407. Take 407 to 427 south then exit towards the airport. I'm pretty sure you'd be traffic free but then again this is Toronto. People here either think there in a demolition derby or in bumper cars.

grlmopz

If it's Friday, May 17th, forget about it. That's Victoria Day weekend, one of the busiest travel weekends in Canada.

jerryhung

OP - what day/date in May?

Anyway, you shouldn't need to use 407 either way. Fee on a rental car will be insane (you pay Admin fee + km charge + whatever rental company wants)

May weather will be great, so you should be fine, pending traffic and that you have boarding pass already

and for lounge question, it's Terminal 1
PP lounge is Plaza lounge - so so, better hot food, no shower
Only AC MLL lounge (if you're *A Gold) has 2 showers

jrey

This route is interesting. We don't mind paying a few bucks for toll to play safe.

jrey

I just noticed that there are 3 Priority Pass lounges in Terminal 1 at YYZ, Plaza Premium-Domestic, Plaza Premium-USA Transborder and Toronto Pearson Lounge-International Departures. Since my flight is YYZ-ZRH, I think the TPL is the only one I can use, correct? In that case, there is no shower

freeloader

ditto the friday on memorial day weekend. you'll get a lot traffic from the americans driving up to canada for the weekend. i got stuck in this a few years ago driving up to toronto for the weekend from buffalo. it was awful