Niagara Falls Boat Tour Tickets

Niagara Falls boat tours run from both sides of the river: Niagara City Cruises on the Canadian side costs CA$47.95 for adults, and Maid of the Mist on the US side costs US$30.25 for adults and US$19.75 for children 6 to 12. Both are seasonal; Maid of the Mist runs from April 24 to November 8 in 2026. Tours and tickets from resellers start at $71.48 on Viator (8 compared, checked October 17, 2026).

Canadian side
Niagara City Cruises, CA$47.95 adult
US side
Maid of the Mist, US$30.25 adult
Season
Spring to fall; Maid of the Mist Apr 24 to Nov 8, 2026
Passport
Not needed for the boat on your own side

Niagara Falls Boat Tours tours compared

The 8 most-reviewed Niagara Falls Boat Tours tours and tickets on Viator, with starting prices for one adult. Some of these tours are fully sold out on up to 10 of the next 14 days, so book ahead.

TourFromRatingHotel pickupBook
Best of Niagara Falls Canada Premium Tour: Behind Falls and Boat$161.024.8 (3,505 reviews)yesSee on Viator
All-Inclusive Niagara Falls USA Tour: Boat Ride, Cave & MORE$119.994.8 (2,564 reviews)yesSee on Viator
Niagara Falls Tour with Boat Ride & Journey Behind the Falls$97.484.5 (2,010 reviews)noSee on Viator
Niagara Falls Tour: Boat Cruise, Journey Behind Falls and Skylon$122.034.7 (824 reviews)not statedSee on Viator
Niagara Falls, Canada: Boat Ride, Journey Behind the Falls$103.554.9 (684 reviews)noSee on Viator
Niagara Falls Canada Guided Walking Tour With Boat Cruise$71.484.7 (403 reviews)not statedSee on Viator
Niagara Falls Boat Cruise and Journey Behind the Falls Tour$100.374.6 (364 reviews)not statedSee on Viator
Niagara Falls Canada: Boat & Walking Tour + Bonus Discounts$75.054.9 (220 reviews)noSee on Viator

Prices from Viator, checked October 17, 2026. "Not stated" means the tour listing doesn't say; read it before you book. Prices change by date.

Getting there

Around Niagara Falls Boat Tours:

  • No train, subway or light-rail station within 1.5 km — most people drive, take a rideshare or a bus.
  • 7 bus stops within 500 m
  • 188 public parking lots and garages within 1 km
  • Hotels nearby: Sheraton Fallsview Hotel (390 m), Travelodge at the Falls (460 m), The Brock Niagara Falls-Fallsview, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (490 m)
  • Closest airports: Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) 32.1 km · John C. Munro Hamilton International (YHM) 70.2 km · Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) 79.4 km

Directions in Google Maps · View on OpenStreetMap

Straight-line distances from the venue. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Hotels, food and bars near Niagara Falls Boat Tours

The closest hotel to Niagara Falls Boat Tours is Sheraton Fallsview Hotel, 390 m away (about 7 min walk). 3 hotels are within 500 m. There are 15 places to eat within 500 m, mostly pizza, American and salad.

Hotels

  • Sheraton Fallsview Hotel · 390 m · about 7 min walk
  • Travelodge at the Falls · 460 m · about 8 min walk
  • The Brock Niagara Falls-Fallsview, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (Hilton Worldwide) · 490 m · about 8 min walk
  • Canadian Niagara Hotels · 570 m · about 9 min walk
  • Vittoria Hotel & Suites · 660 m · about 11 min walk
  • The Falls Hotel · 670 m · about 11 min walk
  • Howard Johnson · 680 m · about 11 min walk
  • Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls · 680 m · about 11 min walk

Places to eat

  • Hornblower Concessions · fast food · 70 m · about 2 min walk
  • Starbucks · coffee · 200 m · about 4 min walk
  • Prospect Point · restaurant · 340 m · about 6 min walk
  • Freshii · salad · 370 m · about 6 min walk
  • The Secret Garden Restaurant · restaurant · 400 m · about 7 min walk
  • Rainforest Cafe · restaurant · 410 m · about 7 min walk
  • Wendy's · burger · 420 m · about 7 min walk
  • Hard Rock Cafe · American · 430 m · about 7 min walk

Straight-line distances from the venue. Places from OpenStreetMap contributors; opening hours change, so check before you go.

Official ticket types and prices

Prices as published by the official seller. Prices are in Canadian dollars; tax is added at checkout. “See official site” means the seller only shows that price when you book.

Ticket Adult Child What you get
Niagara City Cruises – Voyage to the Falls (Canada) CA$47.95 CA$27.95 About 20-minute cruise into the Horseshoe Falls basin; recyclable mist poncho included
Niagara City Cruises – Falls Fireworks Cruise (Canada) CA$47.95 CA$32.95 Evening cruise viewing the Falls fireworks from the water
Maid of the Mist (USA) CA$30.25 CA$19.75 20-minute boat tour to the base of the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls; free hooded poncho; price includes the Observation Tower elevator down to the landing

When tickets sell out

Maid of the Mist: first-come, first-served boarding; boats depart about every 15 minutes; 2026 season Apr 24 – Nov 8.

Discounts and free entry

Niagara City Cruises: infants 2 and under free (still need a ticket); no student or senior discounts; groups of 20+ contact the operator. Maid of the Mist: children 5 and under free with a paid adult.

Opening hours

Maid of the Mist 2026: Sep 28-Oct 31 daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Nov 1-8 daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed from Nov 9 until 2027 opening. Summer peak (Jun 22-Aug 9) 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Ticket office opens 30 min before first departure and closes 15 min before last.

Travel tips

  • Canada: Ticket Plaza at 5920 Niagara Pkwy (white sails next to the Zipline to the Falls tower), a short walk from the foot of Clifton Hill; elevators to the Lower Landing via an AODA-compliant ramp.
  • Canada: no on-site parking – use Niagara Parks/nearby lots such as Skywheel Lot (4960 Clifton Hill), Fallsview Lot (6650 Niagara Pkwy), Bird Kingdom lot (5651 River Rd) or Bender Street public parking; Niagara Parks WEGO hop-on bus also serves the area.
  • USA: Maid of the Mist departs from Prospect Point in Niagara Falls State Park, reached via the Observation Tower elevator.
  • USA: nearest parking is State Park Lot 1 (333 Prospect St): 2026 $10/day, or $15 Fri-Sun May 22-Oct 11; $10/day from Oct 12, 2026.
  • Crossing between the two sides means passing border control at the Rainbow Bridge – carry the right travel documents.

Accessibility

Niagara City Cruises: fully accessible with ramps and elevators; vessels accommodate wheelchairs and strollers; service animals welcome, other animals not permitted. Maid of the Mist: wheelchairs allowed, facilities described as fully ADA accessible; trained service dogs welcome; stroller parking provided.

Before you go

  • You will get wet – ponchos are provided on both boats but do not keep you fully dry; protect phones and wear quick-drying shoes.
  • Niagara City Cruises bag rule: one personal item max 7 x 15 x 16 in (17.8 x 38.1 x 40.6 cm); no suitcases, carry-ons, coolers, large backpacks; no outside food/drink, drones, smoking or vaping; all guests may be screened.
  • Cruises run only when conditions are safe; schedules can change for weather (Maid of the Mist operates rain or shine but may change schedules for weather/safety).
  • Niagara City Cruises tickets are non-refundable within 48 hours unless Ticket Assurance was bought.
  • Border: Maid of the Mist needs no passport (it stays in US waters), but visiting Niagara City Cruises from the US means crossing into Canada with a passport or other accepted document – check entry requirements.

Best time to visit

Niagara City Cruises says peak periods are mid-June to Labour Day plus holiday weekends, with peak hours 11 a.m.-6 p.m. – go early morning, late afternoon/evening, or in spring/fall. Maid of the Mist publishes a historical wait-times chart on its site.

Good to know

Which Niagara Falls boat tour is better, Maid of the Mist or Niagara City Cruises?
Both are about 20 minutes and go into the basin of the Horseshoe Falls. Maid of the Mist leaves from the US side (Prospect Point, NY) and costs USD $30.25 for adults; Niagara City Cruises leaves from the Canadian side and costs CAD $47.95 for adults plus tax.
Do I need a passport for the Niagara Falls boat tour?
No passport is needed for Maid of the Mist from the US side. To ride Niagara City Cruises you must be in Canada, so visitors from the US need valid documents to cross the border.
When does the Niagara Falls boat season end?
Maid of the Mist's 2026 season closes Sunday, November 8. Niagara City Cruises opened May 1, 2026 and runs into late fall depending on weather; check its booking calendar.
Will I get wet on the boat?
Yes. Both operators hand out a free poncho, but you can still get wet from the mist, so protect phones and wear quick-drying shoes.
Are kids free on the Niagara boats?
On Maid of the Mist, children 5 and under ride free with a paid adult. On Niagara City Cruises, infants 2 and under are free but still need a ticket.
Are the boats wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Niagara City Cruises uses ramps and elevators and its vessels accommodate wheelchairs; Maid of the Mist says its facilities are fully ADA accessible.
How do I get to Niagara Falls Boat Tours by public transit?
There is no train, subway or light-rail station within 1.5 km of Niagara Falls Boat Tours, but there are 7 bus stops within 500 m.
What is the closest airport to Niagara Falls Boat Tours?
The closest airport with scheduled flights is Buffalo Niagara International (BUF), 10 m away in a straight line. Also near: John C. Munro Hamilton International (YHM), 70.2 km; Toronto Pearson International (YYZ), 79.4 km.
Is there parking near Niagara Falls Boat Tours?
Yes. OpenStreetMap shows 188 public parking lots and garages within 1 km. Event-day prices are usually higher, and many lots can be booked ahead.

Sources: niagaracitycruises.com, niagarafallstourism.com, maidofthemist.com, niagarafallsstatepark.com. Official facts checked October 17, 2026.