- Total budget under $100 USD covers transport, boat and view
- Skip the Skylon if you stand at Table Rock
- Pack lunch, dining at the falls is expensive
- WeGo bus + Park and Ride saves CAD 15 on parking
- Niagara Parkway walks are completely free
What is included in $100
| Cost | CAD | USD approx |
|---|---|---|
| Park and Ride parking | 12 | 9 |
| WeGo bus all day | 12 | 9 |
| Hornblower boat ride | 36 | 27 |
| Skylon Tower observation deck | 16 | 12 |
| Coffee + snack | 15 | 11 |
| Souvenir | 20 | 15 |
| Total | 111 | 83 |
That leaves $17 for a beer or a Beavertail at Clifton Hill.
The plan, hour by hour
9 AM, arrive at Park and Ride
Use the Rapidsview lot at Marineland Drive, CAD 12 per day. Take the WeGo bus from there to Table Rock.
10 AM, walk Niagara Parkway from Table Rock to the Whirlpool
4 km of riverside path, free, with views of the gorge. Allow 90 minutes one way. Stop at the Floral Showhouse (free) and the Whirlpool Aero Car overlook (CAD 16 to ride, free to view).
12:30 PM, packed lunch at Queen Victoria Park
Bring sandwiches, fruit and water from your hotel or a Toronto grocery store. Eat on the lawn with view of the falls. Free.
1:30 PM, Hornblower boat ride
Cheapest reliable boat ride + walking tour combo.
Check availability →The non negotiable spend. Standalone CAD 36, or take the bundle above which includes a guided walking tour of the Canadian side.
3 PM, Skylon Tower observation deck
CAD 16, 52 second elevator. Stay on the deck 30 to 45 minutes. The deck is the cheap alternative to the helicopter ($158).
4 PM, free walk back to your car via Clifton Hill
Window shop the wax museums, the Skywheel and the haunted houses without paying entry. Coffee and Beavertail snack, CAD 15.
5 PM, return to your accommodation
WeGo bus back to Park and Ride, drive back. Total day spend under CAD 100.
Where to save more
- Skip Skylon if you saw the view from your hotel, save CAD 16
- Bring snacks and water from home, save CAD 15
- Walk instead of WeGo if your hotel is in central Niagara, save CAD 12
- Visit in winter, hotel costs drop 40 percent
- Buy the Adventure Pass Plus if you want 4+ paid attractions, saves CAD 30 vs individual tickets
What to skip on a budget
- Helicopter, $158, way over budget
- Fallsview restaurant lunch, $40 per head, out of budget
- Niagara SkyWheel, CAD 18, skip if doing the Skylon
- Wax museum tickets, CAD 25, save for free walks
- Casino, no, just no
Internal links
For free activities see 10 best free things to do. For boat detail see Hornblower vs Maid of the Mist.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A budget day plan covers parking, bus, the boat ride and the Skylon Tower deck for around CAD 76 to 110. Bring a packed lunch and skip premium dining.
From Toronto, the GO Train is cheapest at CAD 31 round trip (Friday to Sunday in summer). From Buffalo, public transport is limited but the Megabus runs 4 times daily for $12 to $25 round trip.
Yes. Walking the Niagara Parkway, watching the nightly illumination, the summer fireworks (Wed and Sun), the Floral Showhouse and Floral Clock, and the Niagara Glen hiking trails are all free.
The Skylon Tower observation deck at CAD 16 is the cheapest paid attraction with a unique view. The Hornblower boat at CAD 36 is the cheapest must do experience.
