How to Cross the US Border at Niagara Falls

While there is no doubt that the best Niagara Falls experience is to be had on the Canadian side, considering it is the site of one of the world’s most beautiful border crossings, you’d be remiss to visit without crossing to Niagara Falls, USA. Crossing to the United States from Niagara Falls, Ontario is a very simple process, whether you’re just ducking across to see the Falls from another perspective, or you’re leaving Canada behind to continue your travels into the good old USA. I did the latter, and in this post I’ll be giving you a run-down of everything you need to know to cross to the United States. I’ll also give you a basic rundown of what you can do on the American side of Niagara Falls, and let you know how to continue on with your travels beyond.

• I’ve written a detailed post about the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, including all the fun things I did over the course of my stay there. You should definitely check it out HERE.

The Rainbow Bridge

If you’re crossing into the United States at Niagara Falls (or coming into Canada), chances are you’ll be crossing the Rainbow Bridge. Spanning nearly 300 metres across, construction of the Rainbow Bridge began on May 4, 1940. The steel arch structure links the towns of Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York respectively, and is one of the most frequented crossing points along the United States-Canada Border. The Bridge officially opened on November 1, 1941.

The Rainbow Bridge is closed to commercial trucks and buses (there’s other bridges that allow them to cross the border). You can cross the Bridge either by foot or car. Getting to the Rainbow Bridge from the Falls is easy – its only a 20 minute walk north from the Table Rock Visitor’s Centre (just follow the main Niagara Parkway and you’ll see it just after the turn off to Clifton Hill).

How to Cross the Rainbow Bridge to Niagara Falls, USA

After spending a night on the Canadian side of the Falls, I crossed the Rainbow Bridge on foot (with a suitcase in tow) and the process was very simple. First of all, remember that this is an international border crossing – that means you need to check the entry requirements that apply to you. At the very least, you’ll need your passport. Canadian travellers typically don’t need a visa to come to the US, but if you’re from further abroad, check whether you need this. Most other Western nations (Australians included) will be eligible for an ESTA (electronic system for travel authorisation). Apply at least a few days in advance on the official website to ensure its approved in time for your trip. If you’re not eligible for an ESTA, you’ll need to contact your local US embassy.

Remember that if you plan on returning to the Canadian side of the Falls, you’ll also need to comply with Canada’s re-entry requirements.

• For more details on US entry requirements, check out their official website HERE.
• You can check out Canada’s travel requirements HERE.
• The official website to apply for a US ESTA can be found HERE.

If you’re crossing to the US on foot, you’ll first pass through the Canada departure gate. Here you’ll need to pay a toll of either $1.00 USD or CAD. Note that regardless of which currency you pay in, you’ll need to pay in quarters. From there, pass through the turnstile and you’re on the bridge. While crossing, take your time and stop for photos – this is a very scenic border crossing after all. Halfway across, you’ll even see a sign marking the actual boundary line. At the end of the bridge, you’ll clear US customs (you’ll be asked a few questions and have your passport stamped).

Things to do in Niagara Falls, USA

Once you arrive in Niagara Falls, USA you’ll find a few things to do. I didn’t spend too much time on the American side of the Falls as I had other places to be (and was lugging my baggage around), but if you’ve got a couple of hours, its worth spending some time here. At the very least, walk through the Niagara Falls State Park to Prospect Point. The Observation Point here is right at the top of the American Falls and gives you a whole new perspective from which to see Niagara Falls and the Canadian side across the gorge.

I’ll now outline a few of the more popular attractions at Niagara Falls, USA. While I haven’t covered it in detail, you can also take a cruise to the Falls from this side of the border. It covers pretty much the same route as the Canadian one. They’re run by the Maid of the Mist cruises, and you can find more details on their website. Other attractions on the American side include an aquarium, the site of an old power plant, and various hiking trails.

Niagara Falls Observation Tower

• Where: 332 Prospect Street, Niagara Falls, New York
• When: Times vary throughout the year, but in the summer months, the viewpoint is open from 8.30am – 10.30pm in the summer.
• Admission: $1.25 USD
• Website: https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/attractions-and-tours/observation-tower

One of the best views of Niagara Falls from the American side are those from the State Observation Tower. You can’t miss this structure, even from across the river. The open-air platform extends dramatically over the gorge, providing panoramic vistas of the surrounding area. Its further away from the Horseshoe Falls than Canada’s main viewing area, but the view is still mighty impressive. You can also take an elevator down to the tower’s base to get closer to the river. This is the entry point for the Maid of the Mist Cruises. If you’re taking a cruise, the entry fee to the tower is waived.

Cave of the Winds

• Where: Goat Island Road, Niagara Falls, New York
• When: 9.00am – 8.00pm daily in summer, though hours are more limited during other months of the year.
• Admission: Prices vary by season. In the summer months, you can expect to pay $19.00 USD for adults.
• Website: https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/attractions-and-tours/cave-of-the-winds

The Cave of the Winds is the United States’ answer to Canada’s Journey Behind the Falls. Or rather, it used to be. Located on Goat Island, this attraction used to take guests into a cave behind the Bridal Veil Falls. The cave however collapsed in a rockslide in 1954, so its no longer accessible.

Guests taking part in the Cave of the Winds attraction will instead be given a poncho and guided into a elevator that takes them down to a series of walkways in front of the Bridal Veil Falls. While this is the smallest of Niagara’s three waterfalls, the views are definitely still impressive (and the waterfall will still soak you as well!). I didn’t get time to do the Cave of the Winds experience, however I was able to see the viewing platforms when I did my Voyage to the Falls over on the Canadian side.

While I wouldn’t prioritise the experience over some of the attractions at Niagara Falls, Ontario, if you’ve got the time, I’d head down here for a yet another place to enjoy the view of the natural phenomenon that is Niagara Falls. Make sure you purchase your tickets in advance on the website to ensure you get your desired time slot.

Travelling Beyond Niagara Falls

Assuming you don’t have a car, the best way to continue onwards in your travels from Niagara Falls, USA is to head to the Amtrak Station. Its only about 35 minutes away from the Rainbow Bridge on foot, but if you’ve got all your luggage with you like I did, you’ll want to take an Uber to get there. You should also make sure you’ve booked your train ticket in advance to avoid disappointment when you arrive. You can do that on the Amtrak website. The nearest major US city to Niagara Falls is Buffalo, New York. The train ride to get there takes about 40 minutes, and there are generally three trains a day. Note that the same train will take you all the way to New York City (though its over 9 hours to get there – New York is a deceptively large state!).

If you’re catching a flight from Buffalo Niagara International Airport, be sure to get there with plenty of time to check in before your flight. The closest Amtrak station to the airport is Buffalo Depew Station (two stops into the train trip). Once you get off the train, call an Uber and you’ll be at the airport around 15 minutes later. Speaking of airports, depending where you’re headed, you might want to check if there’s any flights that leave from Niagara Falls International Airport. Its a much smaller airport, but its only a 20 minute drive from the Falls. Chances are flights will be much less flexible and expensive than Buffalo, but its still worth taking a look.

Getting into the United States from Niagara Falls, Ontario is really easy. Hopefully this guide has helped you if you’re planning to do it as well. Whether you’re off to the Big Apple or heading to another destination entirely, this scenic border crossing is a way-stop like no other.