Niagara Falls boat tours at a glance
Two operators run the boats. The Maid of the Mist leaves from the US dock below the Observation Tower at Prospect Point in New York. Niagara City Cruises runs its Voyage to the Falls from Ontario, with access at 5920 Niagara Parkway. Each ride takes about 20 minutes and includes a rain poncho. A ticket for one boat does not work on the other.
Prices are in the currency of the side you board on: USD in New York, CAD in Ontario. They are not converted here, because the two operators set their own prices and fees.
Our picks: Niagara Falls boat tours
Our take: the priority ticket suits busy summer days, when the boat queues are longest. The walking tour links the boat with Journey Behind the Falls, and the short US tour is the simplest way onto the Maid of the Mist.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Priority boat ticket and Journey Behind the Falls
- Niagara City Cruises Priority Plus
- Journey Behind the Falls
- English-speaking guide
The boat to the Horseshoe Falls and the tunnels behind them, with a guide. Early boarding depends on the option.
Check availability →
Boat trip and Journey Behind the Falls walk
- Journey Behind the Falls
- Guide
- Poncho
A guided walk on the Canadian side with Journey Behind the Falls. The boat ride comes with the boat option.
Check availability →
US side with a guide and Maid of the Mist
- Maid of the Mist
- Niagara Falls State Park
- Guide
A short guided tour of the state park with the boat ride to the falls.
Check availability →Niagara Falls boat tours and tickets
Boat rides, evening cruises and combination tours with live prices and availability. Check which options include the boat ticket.
The two boats compared
Prices and dates for 2026, each in its own currency.
| US side (New York) | Canadian side (Ontario) | |
|---|---|---|
| Departure | US dock below the Observation Tower, Prospect Point | 5920 Niagara Parkway, lift or ramp to the Lower Landing |
| Adult price | USD 30.25 | From CAD 47.95 (ages 13 and up) |
| Children | USD 19.75 for ages 6 to 12, free up to age 5 with a paying adult | From CAD 27.95 for ages 3 to 12; young children also need a ticket |
| Season 2026 | 24 April to 8 November | Tickets on sale for 2026; check the calendar for dates |
| Hours | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until 31 October, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from 1 to 8 November; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from 22 June to 9 August | Check the timetable for your date |
| Included | Poncho, observation deck, lift to the dock | Poncho |
| Advance tickets | Online tickets work on any open day of the season; tickets bought on site only on the day | A ticket saves the ticket line, not necessarily the boarding line |
| Parking | Lot 1 for Prospect Point and the boat: USD 10 a day from 12 October 2026 to 31 March 2027 | No car park of its own |
For most visitors, the best choice is the boat on the side where you are staying or spending the day. The two products are priced in different currencies and cannot be compared one to one, and crossing the border only for a boat adds documents and time. See the Rainbow Bridge page before you plan it.
The US boat: tickets, season and boarding
What to know before you queue on the US side.
Tickets
The box office opens 30 minutes before the first departure and closes 15 minutes before the last. Online tickets are valid on any open day of the 2026 season. Tickets bought on site are valid on the day of purchase only.
Boarding
Everyone boards in order of arrival, including visitors with an online ticket. An online purchase does not reserve a place near the front, and no waiting time is guaranteed.
Season and hours
The boats run from 24 April to 8 November 2026 and are closed from 9 November. Daily hours until 31 October are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 1 to 8 November 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In midsummer, from 22 June to 9 August, hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Weather and safety can change the schedule.
On board
The ride takes about 20 minutes and includes a poncho and time on the observation deck. The boats and facilities are accessible. There is no closed, dry interior, so expect spray even in a poncho.
The Canadian boat: tickets, queues and what to expect
The Canadian boat takes about 20 minutes and includes a poncho. Lifts and a ramp lead down to the Lower Landing. Before sunset you can stand in the full mist. After sunset only the outer area is open, with a lighter mist.
Prices start at CAD 47.95 for ages 13 and up and CAD 27.95 for ages 3 to 12. Even very young children need a ticket, so check the child categories when you book. The final total with taxes and fees shows only at checkout.
Queues are most likely from mid-June to Labour Day, on holiday weekends and between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. A ticket bought in advance spares you the ticket line, but not necessarily the lift or the boarding line, and departure inside your booked window is not guaranteed. Outside food and drink and large luggage are not allowed, and trips can be cancelled for weather, even in December.
What to expect on the water
A poncho does not keep you fully dry. Both rides take you into the mist at the falls, where spray and wind are strong. Wear shoes that can get wet, and keep phones and cameras in a bag that closes.
The boat tickets cover the boat and the deck only. They do not include a guided tour, and the Falls Pass packages do not include a boat ride either. If you want a tunnel or a flight as well, see Niagara Falls tours and the page on Journey Behind the Falls.
Evening fireworks cruise
City Cruises also sells an evening cruise of about 40 minutes with a poncho and a lighter mist. The gates close 20 minutes before your booked window. Tickets start at CAD 47.95 for ages 13 and up and CAD 32.95 for children up to 12. The fireworks are not run by the boat company and are not guaranteed. The summer series ran from 15 May to 12 October 2026. In winter, fireworks are announced for Fridays and Saturdays from 14 November to 12 December 2026, for 8 and 9 January 2027, and daily from 18 December to 2 January at 8 p.m. See the falls at night.
More to plan around the boat
Where the ride fits into the rest of the trip.
Niagara Falls boat tour: frequently asked questions
Which is better, the US boat or the Canadian boat?
Neither is better for everyone. Take the boat on the side where you are staying. The two rides are similar in length and both include a poncho. The prices are in different currencies, and the season dates differ.
How long does a Niagara Falls boat tour take?
Each daytime ride takes about 20 minutes. The Falls Fireworks Cruise takes about 40 minutes. Add time for the queue, the lift and boarding.
Does the boat run in winter?
The Maid of the Mist runs from 24 April to 8 November 2026 and is closed from 9 November. City Cruises runs on a seasonal calendar, and trips depend on the weather. Check the calendar for your date.
Will I get wet?
Yes, you should expect spray despite the poncho. There is no closed, dry interior on the Maid of the Mist. On the Canadian boat, only the outer area is open after sunset.
Should I buy tickets in advance?
It can save time at the ticket line, but it does not reserve a boarding spot. On the Maid of the Mist everyone boards in order of arrival. On the Canadian boat, departure in your booked window is not guaranteed.
Is this the official site of the Maid of the Mist or City Cruises?
No. This is an independent guide and is not connected to either boat operator, Niagara Parks or Niagara Falls State Park.