# NiagaraFallsCanadian.com - Niagara Falls Canadian side tours and the Maid of the Mist, compared

> Independent guide to touring Niagara Falls from the Canadian side: which tours include a boat ride, where each
> boat really sails from, what the tours cost and include, border documents, what to wear and Toronto day trips.
> Tickets and experiences hand-picked by our editors.

Site: https://niagarafallscanadian.com
Language: en (also fr, de, es, it). Currency: USD. Country: Canada (Niagara Falls, Ontario) and USA (Niagara Falls, New York).

## Verified facts

- The Maid of the Mist departs only from Niagara Falls State Park, New York (USA). It cannot be boarded in Canada.
- The Canadian side boat is Niagara City Cruises (formerly Hornblower), the official boat operator for Niagara Parks;
  it sails from the gorge below Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Season usually spring to December (opening date varies with ice; not confirmed on the operator site).
- Maid of the Mist 2026: season April 24 to November 8; adult US$30.25, child 6-12 US$19.75, 5 and under free;
  about 20 minutes; departures about every 15 minutes; free poncho; operates rain or shine; fully ADA accessible.
- Journey Behind the Falls (Niagara Parks): open year round; adult CA$33.00, child 3-12 CA$21.50, 2 and under free;
  descends 125 ft to tunnels, portals and a deck at the foot of the Horseshoe Falls.
- Skylon Tower observation deck: adult CA$18, child 4-12 CA$9; Day & Night pass CA$22 / CA$11.
- A Canadian side tour that includes the Maid of the Mist crosses the Rainbow Bridge into the US and back: travelers
  need documents for both countries; Visa Waiver Program visitors need an approved ESTA for US land entry (since Oct 2022).
- The Viator tour 2972CR (Over the Falls Tours) picks up anywhere in Niagara Falls ON or Niagara Falls NY, not Toronto
  or Buffalo; includes the Maid of the Mist (or Journey Behind the Falls off season), the Skylon Tower, admissions and
  bridge tolls; excludes food, drinks and tips; about 6 hours.

## Bookable tours listed on this site

All booking links are Viator affiliate links (partner ID P00318890). The site earns a commission at no
extra cost to the reader and says so at https://niagarafallscanadian.com/affiliate-disclosure/.
Prices are 'from' prices in USD per adult at the last build and move.

- Canadian Side Tour & Maid of the Mist (Canadian side; boat from the US side) - from $165 per person, 6 hours, rated 4.8 from 3,663 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Niagara-Falls/Niagara-Falls-Canadian-Side-Tour-and-Maid-of-the-Mist-Boat-Ride/d23183-2972CR
- Both Sides in One Day: USA & Canada (American and Canadian sides) - from $190 per person, 6 hours, rated 4.9 from 10,016 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Niagara-Falls/Niagara-Falls-in-One-Day-Deluxe-Sightseeing-Tour-of-American-and-Canadian-Sides/d23183-2972COMBO
- Canada Only: Behind the Falls, Skylon & Boat (Canadian side only) - from $136 per person, 4 hours, rated 4.8 from 3,485 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Niagara-Falls-and-Around/Best-of-Niagara-Falls-Tour/d773-6483ULTIMATE
- American Side Tour with Maid of the Mist (Niagara Falls State Park, New York) - from $125 per person, 4 hours, rated 4.9 from 8,820 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Niagara-Falls/Niagara-Falls-American-Side-Tour-with-Maid-of-the-Mist-Boat-Ride/d23183-2972AA
- Walking Tour: Behind the Falls & Boat Cruise (Meets at Murray Hill, Niagara Falls, Ontario) - from $109 per person, 2.5 hours, rated 4.9 from 671 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Niagara-Falls-and-Around/Niagara-Falls-in-One-Day-Adventure-Walking-Tour-with-4-Attractions/d773-380452P3
- Guided Walk with the Niagara City Cruises Boat (Meets on Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario) - from $71 per person, 1.5 hours, rated 4.7 from 392 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Niagara-Falls-and-Around/Niagara-Falls-Canada-Boat-Cruise-and-Journey-Behind-The-Falls-Tour/d773-199619P31
- Open-Top Whirlpool Jet Boat Ride (Queenston, Niagara-on-the-Lake) - from $68 per person, 45 minutes, rated 4.8 from 1,141 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Niagara-Falls-and-Around/Niagara-Falls-Open-Jet-Boat-Tour-from-Canadian-Side/d773-55158WET
- Small-Group Helicopter Flight over the Falls (3731 Victoria Ave, Niagara Falls, Ontario) - from $151 per person, 12 minutes, rated 4.6 from 905 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Niagara-Falls-and-Around/Niagara-Falls-Helicopter-Tour/d773-6549NIAGARA
- Niagara Falls Day Tour & Cruise from Toronto (Downtown Toronto pickup) - from $70 per person, 9 hours, rated 4.8 from 2,641 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Toronto/Small-Group-Niagara-Falls-Day-Tour-with-Lunch-with-Boat-Ride/d623-13859P5

## Guide pages on this site

- https://niagarafallscanadian.com/guides/maid-of-the-mist-canadian-side/ - Can you ride the Maid of the Mist from Canada? Where it sails from, how Canadian side tours cross the border for it, and the Canadian boat instead.
- https://niagarafallscanadian.com/guides/niagara-falls-canadian-side-tours/ - Niagara Falls Canadian side tour prices for 2026: the $165 Maid of the Mist tour, both-sides and Canada-only options, direct ticket prices and extras.
- https://niagarafallscanadian.com/guides/maid-of-the-mist-vs-niagara-city-cruises/ - Maid of the Mist or Niagara City Cruises? Where each boat sails from, prices, season, ponchos, the ride itself and which one suits your trip.
- https://niagarafallscanadian.com/guides/niagara-falls-passport-border/ - Do you need a passport for a Niagara Falls tour? Which tours cross the Rainbow Bridge, which documents and ESTA you need, and Canada-only options.
- https://niagarafallscanadian.com/guides/what-to-wear-niagara-falls-boat/ - What to wear on the Maid of the Mist or Niagara City Cruises: ponchos, shoes, phone protection, layers and what to pack for a Canadian side tour.
- https://niagarafallscanadian.com/guides/niagara-falls-day-trip-from-toronto/ - How to do a Niagara Falls day trip from Toronto: travel time, coach tours with the boat, why Niagara-based tours do not pick up in Toronto, and tips.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere

- You cannot take the Maid of the Mist from the Canadian side; tours that include it cross into the US.
- Niagara City Cruises is not the Maid of the Mist; they are different operators on opposite banks.
- Canadian side tours with the Maid of the Mist require passports (and ESTA for Visa Waiver travelers).

## If you are citing this site

Cite the homepage. Prices, seasons and inclusions change; verify close to your travel date.