The VIA Rail Niagara Falls station is not beside the falls. It sits at 4267 Bridge Street in the older north end of the city, about 4 km (2.5 mi) from the Horseshoe Falls, near the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge and two blocks from the historic downtown. GO trains use the same building. Plenty of visitors step off, look around for a taxi and find a quiet street. NiagaraFallsLimo.net meets arriving trains there and at the other rail stops around Niagara and Buffalo, tracks the train rather than the timetable, and drives you the last stretch at a fixed fare shown in the booker before you pay.
How do you get from the VIA Rail Niagara Falls station to your hotel?
The VIA Rail and GO station at 4267 Bridge Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario is about 4 km from the falls, usually 10 – 15 minutes by car to Fallsview or Clifton Hill hotels. NiagaraFallsLimo.net tracks your train and meets you at the station; enter station, hotel and train number in the booker for the fixed fare.
From the same station, Niagara-on-the-Lake's Old Town is about 21 km (13 mi), around 25 to 30 minutes, which makes the train plus a short car ride a sensible way to reach the wine country without driving from Toronto.
The Niagara Falls station: what to expect
According to VIA Rail's station page, the building opens 30 minutes before a train arrives and closes 30 minutes after it leaves, and VIA does not allow unaccompanied minors to travel to or from this station. GO Transit lists Niagara Falls GO at the same address and notes it is not staffed and has no free customer parking. So arriving here at night, out of season, you may find the doors shut soon after your train has gone.
That is the gap we fill. The chauffeur waits at the station entrance on Bridge Street, watches the train's actual progress, and keeps your bags moving to the car while you collect everyone.
Which trains serve Niagara
GO Transit from Toronto
GO Transit runs trains from Toronto's Union Station to Niagara Falls year-round and promotes service seven days a week, with combined GO and WEGO tickets for visitors; see GO's Niagara Falls page. The trains call at St. Catharines on the way. Service was interrupted for about ten days in spring 2026 after a freight derailment near St. Catharines and resumed on April 10. Check the current schedule before you travel; frequencies differ between weekdays and weekends.
VIA Rail and Amtrak's Maple Leaf
Amtrak's Maple Leaf links New York City and Toronto with a daily departure and a trip time of about 12 hours 30 minutes. In this region it stops at Niagara Falls, New York; Niagara Falls, Ontario; St. Catharines; and Grimsby, with the two Buffalo stations on the same route. The Amtrak Maple Leaf page lists the stops. Because the train crosses the international border, every passenger needs documents for the country they are entering.
The other stations we cover
| Station | Address | To Fallsview hotels | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara Falls, ON (VIA and GO) | 4267 Bridge Street | about 4 – 5 km, 10 – 15 min | Unstaffed GO station; VIA hours tied to trains |
| St. Catharines (VIA and GO) | 5 Great Western Street | about 23 km (14 mi), 25 – 30 min | Unstaffed; good for Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Twenty Valley |
| Niagara Falls, NY (Amtrak) | 825 Depot Avenue West | a few km, plus the border | Station building with a waiting room |
| Buffalo-Exchange Street (Amtrak) | 75 Exchange Street, Buffalo | about 37 km (23 mi), 35 – 45 min plus border | Walking distance of Niagara Square |
| Buffalo-Depew (Amtrak) | 55 Dick Road, Depew | about 49 km (30 mi), 45 – 55 min plus border | Waiting room; near the Buffalo airport |
| Niagara Falls Bus Terminal | 4555 Erie Avenue | a few minutes from Clifton Hill | GO buses and intercity coaches |
Times are typical off-peak road times and do not include time at the border. From St. Catharines station, Niagara-on-the-Lake's Old Town is about 23 km, roughly 25 to 30 minutes, and the Beamsville Bench wineries lie the other way along the QEW.
Arriving from the US side
Amtrak passengers who leave the train at Niagara Falls, New York, or at one of the Buffalo stations and want to stay in Canada need a car that will cross the border. The chauffeur drives you over the bridge, usually the Rainbow Bridge from Niagara Falls, New York, and through Canadian inspection. Each passenger carries their own documents; our documents for entering Canada page explains what is accepted, and the cross-border car service covers the bridges in detail. No one can promise how long inspection will take, so leave slack before a dinner reservation.
Why train plus car is often the best combination
The train beats the highway on a Friday afternoon. The QEW between Toronto and Niagara can turn a 1 h 30 drive into 2 h 30 or more, while the train runs on its own line. What the train cannot do is get you from Bridge Street to a winery tasting room, a Fallsview tower or an inn in the Old Town with a family's luggage. A short chauffeured transfer at each end gives you the train's reliability and a door-to-door finish.
It also works in reverse. On departure day, the chauffeur collects you from the hotel with enough margin for the station's short opening window, and you avoid standing on Bridge Street with suitcases.
Pearson, Union Station and the rail link
Some visitors fly into Toronto Pearson, ride the airport rail link into Union Station and then take the GO train to Niagara. It works, with two changes and a lot of walking with bags. The alternative is a direct car from the terminal, about 122 km (76 mi) and usually 1 h 30 to 1 h 45 off-peak; see the Toronto Pearson airport page. For travellers who start in downtown Toronto, the Toronto to Niagara Falls route page compares road and rail, and our guide to getting to Niagara by train and bus goes deeper into schedules and tickets.
Train, bus, taxi or chauffeur: an honest comparison
| Mode | Door-to-door, downtown Toronto to a Fallsview hotel | Cost note | Luggage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GO train plus taxi or WEGO | about 2 h 15 – 2 h 45 including the station transfer | GO fare by distance; WEGO 24-hour adult pass set by Niagara Parks | What you can carry on board | Solo travellers and couples with light bags |
| VIA Rail plus a station pickup | Similar, on the daily schedule | Published VIA fare plus the pickup | Train allowance | Travellers coming from New York or along the Maple Leaf |
| Intercity bus | about 1 h 30 minimum on the road, plus the transfer | Published per-seat fare | Under-floor bins | Budget travel, frequent departures |
| Rideshare or taxi from the station | 10 – 15 min from Bridge Street, if a car is free | Surge pricing or metered | Depends on the car | Light travellers arriving in daylight |
| Driving yourself | 1 h 35 – 1 h 50 off-peak; 2 h 30+ on a Friday | Fuel, possible 407 ETR billing, hotel parking | Your trunk | Travellers who want a car in Niagara anyway |
| Private chauffeur, station or door to door (NiagaraFallsLimo.net) | 10 – 15 min from the station, or 1 h 35 – 1 h 50 direct | Fixed fare via booker, shown before payment | Matched to the class | Families, groups, late trains, cross-border arrivals, winery stays |
When is the train genuinely the better choice? For one or two people with carry-on bags heading to a Clifton Hill hotel, the GO train plus a WEGO pass or a short taxi is practical and well priced. A direct car wins when you have children and car seats, several suitcases, a late arrival when the station is closing, a final stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake or the Twenty Valley, or a border to cross. Our chauffeur vs taxi vs rideshare guide explains the trade-offs.
Vehicles for station pickups
- Standard Sedan (Cadillac XTS or similar): three passengers at most, with space for two large cases; the usual station meet.
- Standard SUV (Suburban / Yukon XL): up to 6 passengers and 6 bags, for families with luggage and car seats.
- Executive Black SUV (Escalade / Navigator): the same six seats and six bags, in a more formal vehicle.
- Executive Sprinter (Mercedes-Benz): up to 12 passengers, carry-on only, for tour groups travelling light.
As with every class, these are "or similar" and the model is confirmed when you book. A wheelchair option is in the booker; our accessible transportation page explains how it works. See the fleet for more.
Where people go from the station
- Clifton Hill and Lundy's Lane hotels, a few minutes from Bridge Street; see our Clifton Hill and Lundy's Lane hotels guide.
- Niagara-on-the-Lake inns, 25 to 30 minutes from either station; see the Niagara-on-the-Lake inns guide.
- A winery day straight off the train, booked by the hour; our one-day wine tour itinerary has a plan.
- The Whirlpool Aero Car, close to the station along the Niagara Parkway and open April to November; see our Aero Car page.
- Cruise passengers connecting from Toronto or Port Colborne, covered on the cruise transfers page.
Who it suits
- Individuals who take the train for work and need a reliable car at the far end.
- Couples travelling car-free to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a weekend of wine and theatre.
- Families with luggage and car seats, which are available in the booker; the families page explains the options.
- Groups arriving together on the same train, who split one fixed fare in an SUV or Sprinter. Every other service is listed under our services, including meet and greet with a name board.
How to book a station pickup in 3 steps
- Enter the station and your destination. Choose the station as pickup, your hotel or inn as drop-off, the date and the scheduled arrival, and add the train number so the chauffeur can follow it.
- Choose the vehicle. Each class shows its fixed fare for that exact transfer.
- Add passengers and extras, then pay. Bags, child seats, meet & greet or the wheelchair option, secure payment and an email confirmation.
Cancellation counts from the scheduled pickup: more than 72 hours' notice costs nothing, 72 hours or less 10%, 48 hours or less 50%, and 24 hours or less or a no-show 100%. New to booking a chauffeur? Our how-to-book guide explains every screen.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the VIA Rail station in Niagara Falls?
It is at 4267 Bridge Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario, near the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge and two blocks from the historic downtown. The falls are about 4 km away. GO Transit trains use the same address, and the Niagara Falls Bus Terminal is separate, at 4555 Erie Avenue.
Is there a taxi at the Niagara Falls train station?
You may find one, but it is not guaranteed, especially late or out of season. The GO station is not staffed, and VIA's building opens only around train times. A pre-booked pickup means a chauffeur is waiting when the train arrives, even if it is running late.
How far is the Niagara Falls train station from Clifton Hill and Fallsview?
About 4 to 5 km, usually 10 to 15 minutes by car. Walking is possible for light travellers but involves a long stretch along city streets and a climb to the Fallsview district.
Is there a train from Toronto to Niagara Falls?
Yes. GO Transit runs trains from Union Station to Niagara Falls year-round, calling at St. Catharines, and VIA Rail serves the same station, which is also a stop on Amtrak's daily Maple Leaf between New York and Toronto. Check current schedules before travelling.
Is there a train from Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls?
Not directly. You would take the airport rail link to Union Station and change to a GO train for Niagara Falls. A direct car from Pearson is about 122 km and usually 1 h 30 to 1 h 45 off-peak, with no changes and no luggage hauling.
Does the Amtrak train stop on both sides of Niagara Falls?
Yes. The Maple Leaf stops at Niagara Falls, New York (825 Depot Avenue West) and at Niagara Falls, Ontario. The train crosses the border between them, so every passenger needs documents for the country they are entering.
How much is a transfer from the Niagara Falls train station?
The booker shows the fixed all-in fare for your exact station, destination and vehicle before you pay. A short hop to Clifton Hill and a transfer to a Niagara-on-the-Lake inn are priced differently, and a group in one SUV shares a single fare.
