can we go into USA at Niagra falls- we do have ESTA's

no.1swimmum

We are planning a trip to Toronto and a few days in Niagara on the Lake, and would like to go across to the USA side of Niagara, but have no idea if this is possible, or even worth it. We will have a car whilst in NOTL, not sure if we would want to take car. Has anyone done this and can help with the logistics of it, we do have current ESTA's from our New York trip this year.

Also if anyone has been to anywhere nearby that they think worth a visit, have considered a vineyard but DH is not allowed alcohol at all due to a heart condition/medication so not sure if we will do this or not.

Thank you.

duchy

I didn't think it was worth it , the Canadian side is nicer than the US side but yes it's very possible to do so. Biggest issue would be if your car hire company permits it without surcharge.

jackieblack

ESTA is irrelevant for a land border crossing

richardw

Don't forget your ETA for Canada http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp

spud_work

jackieblack wrote: »

ESTA is irrelevant for a land border crossing

Not entirely true. If you have a current ESTA the i-94 completion at the border crossing is simplified and takes far less time.

Murphy_The_Cat

You will need to pay the fee for the I94 land crossing. If my memory is correct it's $6 each, plus the full immigration shennanigans primarily with the CBP.

TheShape

Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread, but I think my question may get answers relevant to the OP.

I'm doing the same/similar trip next April, 4 nights in Toronto and 4 nights in Niagara. I'd like to take a trip to Buffalo for the day, any tips?

EssexExile

TheShape wrote: »

I'd like to take a trip to Buffalo for the day, any tips?

When I was last in the area Buffalo was universally referred to as "The armpit of the nation". So I didn't go & I have no tips.

bagand96

I did a similar thing a couple of years ago. I'd flown to Toronto for a few days then drove down to the USA crossing the border near Buffalo. At this border crossing we had to get out the car, fill in the I94, answer a few questions and pay the fee. Quite easy.

Couple of days later we did Niagara in the US and popped over to the Canadian side too. Crossing the border USA-Canada and then back to the USA was very easy. I don't recall even getting out the car and certainly not paying. Passports were stamped though. Although if it's your first point of US entry I imagine you'd have to do the I94 and pay.

I'm not sure I agree with the commonly held opinion that the US side of Niagara isn't as good as the Canadian. It's certain that Canada has the iconic view of the horseshoe falls which you can't get on the US side. However I found the Canadian side a bit tacky. Just massive hotels and neon lights.

The US side around the falls is a National park area and a lot greener. You also can get much nearer the falls on that side. The biggest problem with the US side is you can see the tacky Vegas-style Canadian side!

Obviously both sides are packed with tourists. But they're both different experiences and both great in their own way. If you've got time and it's feasible I'd recommend going over to the US.

no.1swimmum

Thank you all so much for your replies, I will show DH when he gets home from work, and we can think about whether we still want to go ahead with the plans, we can leave the car in Canada, we weren't sure if we would need it or not.

Thanks

stevie11

To add to what has been posted, you don't need an Esta at a land crossing although you say you already have one. From experience if you landed in Canada and want to go over the border you will be asked to go into the office and answer questions, photo taken and pay the fee etc, this could take 5 minutes or up to an hour as was the case on my last crossing at the Rainbow Bridge. Once I saw the immigration officer I was out after two minutes. Note, depending what time you return into Canada you could get stuck in line for quite a while especially at rush hour, although walking over at the Rainbow you shouldn't have that issue.


If you want shopping the Military Road outlet mall in Niagara (US) and the Galleria Mall nearer to Buffalo were once a great place for Brits and Canadians to get bargains, not so much now with the £ v $ rate. There is now a new outlet mall on the Canadian side just before you get to Niagara on the QEW, I found loads of bargains there (pre Brexit though).


The Niagara parks on the US side would be a fair walk especially if your partner has health issues but good for photo shoots and admiring the scenery of the Canadian horseshoe and skyline. Niagara (Can) can be tacky with cheap tourists shops and amusements whereas Niagara (US) is an industrial town with a smattering of tourist areas/shops etc.


You mention a visit to vineyard, well the Niagara on the Lake region has a number that have arranged visits and sampling etc. The ice wine is meant to be a popular offering;)
Niagara on the lake itself is definitely worth a visit, which you could take a leisurely walk around, a few nice shops and restaurants etc, a far laid back atmosphere compared to the tourist area of the Falls. Then you can take a nice scenic drive to the Fall itself.



I have never had an issue with car rental crossing the border, just check it out when booking the car.

Therefore I would say it depends how long you want there and what you want to do?