Toronto and Niagara Falls in Two Days: A Realistic Plan

Toronto and Niagara Falls are 130 kilometres apart, which is 90 minutes on a good day and two and a half hours on a bad one. Doing both in two days works if you put the city first and the falls second, so the drive back does not sit in rush hour.

Day 1: Toronto

Use the first day for the centre: Nathan Phillips Square, the CN Tower, the harbour and the Distillery District. Book the tower for late afternoon so you get sunset from the top. Sleep in Toronto rather than driving out at night; hotels near the lake or Union Station keep the next morning simple.

Day 2: Niagara, early start

Leave by 8:00 on the QEW. Stop first at Niagara-on-the-Lake if you want the wine country, then go to the falls: Hornblower cruise from April to November, Journey Behind the Falls year round, and the Skylon Tower for the aerial view. Table Rock is the closest public viewpoint and free. Drive back after dinner to avoid the evening rush.

Practical notes

• Parking near the falls costs 20 to 30 dollars; the lots further up the hill are cheaper.
• Book the Hornblower or Journey Behind the Falls online; weekend slots sell out.
• Bring a light rain layer for the boat: the spray soaks everything within a minute.

With only two days, skip the winery lunch and the outlet mall; both eat the time you need for the falls themselves.