Crossing the border at Niagara
 

I'm flying into BUF in about 10 days and arrive around 7:30pm. I'll be staying at Niagara Falls,Canada on my way to Toronto.
About how long can I expect it will take me from my arrival? What can I expect at the border (timewise)? Thanks

The border is about 35 minutes from the airport. You can hop right on the highway from the airport (33 to 290 to 190). Border traffic is unpredictable. Niagara Falls has the casinos now, which can add more time to border crossing. If it's a Friday or Saturday night, the wait can be long- like 45 minutes to an hour. Otherwise, you might be across in 10 to 15 minutes or less.

Baggage collection in Buffalo is quick, so that should not be a problem.

fuzz

P.S. I miss home... :)

I've done this a few times. Most recent was on a Sunday afternoon last month (about 3:30pm). About a half hour to the border....about ten minutes to get across and clear Canada customs. Pretty much the same deal with U.S. customs on a Thursday afternoon return (around 2pm).

As has been said, however, this can vary, I've waited over a half hour in each direction. Also factor in the possibility of hitting a delay between the border and Toronto. It was smooth sailing each direction on my trip (a little over an hour), but traffic on the QEW is notorious for getting sticky around both Hamilton and Toronto, especially around rush hour.

I cross the border quite often. Your best bet is usually the Peace Bridge (Buffalo/Ft. Erie). Unless there's a large event happening in Buffalo (i.e. football or hockey game), crossing the Peace Bridge should be a breeze. From the Peace Bridge, you just have to stay on the same highway (QEW)until you reach Niagara Falls (about 20 mins). Your second best option is the Rainbow Bridge (Niagara Falls). This bridge can be hit or miss trafficwise, but with a little luck, you should be able to clear it in less than 20 mins. The worst option is the Queenston/Lewiston bridge. I don't know why, but it always seems to backed up. Once you get in your car, tune your radio to 610 AM. They give expected wait times at all three bridges every half hour. If you have internet access from the airport/car, go here:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html

Good luck

I agree about the Peace Bridge. That's the way to go.
I've NEVER had any sort of significant wait going into Canada. Coming back home, the longest I've had to wait was 30 minutes and that was an anomoly. I was shocked. Normally, no more than 10 minutes.

Oh, and btw, coming back home... take the 407 from right outside Mississauga rather than the QEW all the way. Again, catch the 407 at Mississauga and take to Hamilton whereupon you will rejoin the QEW and continue on as normal. The QEW between Totonto and Hamilton can be a real bear.

The 407 is a toll road and only payable using a transponder. I don't have the transponder. I've just driven through the toll areas w/out issue. NEVER received a ticket or bill for the toll in the mail. Canadians I know say that there is no fine for doing this, just an invoice is sent to you for the toll amount. Whatever.

I agree with others to keep your options open with respect to taking the Peace Bridge or the Rainbow Bridge (and avoid the Queenston Lewiston Bridge at all costs). You may want to consider calling the Niagara Bridge Commission Traffic Report upon arrival at 1-800-715-6722. This number takes you to a recorded message that is updated every hour, and it is pretty accurate.

If you have an E-Z Pass transponder you may want to consider taking it with you because the Peace Bridge allows to use it to pay for your tolls. Alas, with respect to the Rainbow Bridge you must use either cash or a token (purchasing tokens is only reccomended for frequent travelers of the Rainbow and Queenston-Lewiston Bridges.

I hope this information is useful.

Sorry, duplicate post (it was an accident, I swear)

I got on the 407 near Hamliton a few years ago and took it to the 400, and got a bill for $25!! (They had some kind of fee to get occasional users, a first time monthly fee, etc) (The bill was for using the highway in both directions, coming home the opposite way)

I would also avoid Lewiston coming back, I have had terrible luck there the last few times. Peace Bridge into Canada I've also never had a problem

I've probably taken the 407 from Mississauga to Hamilton 6 or 7 times. Nary a bill! Surprised you got one. Given the traffic at times on the QEW from Miss. to Hamilton, $25 is darned near worth it.

From BUF to Niagara Falls, ON I would take the Rainbow Bridge. I find the wait times much shorter than Queenston-Lewiston or the Peace Bridge. However, if you were continuing on to Toronto, I would avoid the Rainbow because you have to get off of the highway to reach it. Since you are staying right over the bridge, in my opinion it is the best way for you to go.

Thanks all!

I'll be flying in on a Monday evening ,spending the night at Niagara,Ca ,driving to Toronton and flying out from there.

Just tell the Candian border guard you're going to the casino and they'll wave you through like you're on the last lap of the Indy 500.

Getting in at that hour after you check in and have dinner, make time to go to the public promenade along the river (follow Clifton or Murray). There are few crowds at that hour and you feel like you have the falls to yourself.

Yep. Did that. Was out of the gate in less than :30. Coming back into the United States......well.......that took a little longer (maybe a minute). They're all business on the American side. I've seen more emotion on a guard at Buckingham Palace.

Count me in for the Peace bridge. Construction is a little screwy, but it was still pretty fast.