Niagara Falls Boat and Tunnel Tours

The ticketed tours at Niagara Falls fall into three groups: boats, tunnels and cable cars, and flights. Each operator works from one side of the border, so check which country you are in before you buy. US attractions are priced in US dollars and Canadian ones in Canadian dollars, with 13 percent HST added on the Canadian side.

Boat tours

Maid of the Mist sails from Prospect Point in Niagara Falls State Park, New York, and only from the US side. The company has operated since 1846 and runs two all-electric catamarans, the James V. Glynn and the Nikola Tesla. The boat passes the base of the American and Bridal Veil Falls and then enters the mist at the foot of Horseshoe Falls.

  • 2026 season: April 24 to November 8.
  • Adults $30.25, children 6 to 12 $19.75, children 5 and under free.
  • Ticket includes the Prospect Point elevator and a blue poncho.
  • First boat at 9:00. Last departures are 17:00 in spring and autumn, 20:00 from late June to early August, and 16:00 from November 1.

Niagara City Cruises is the boat operator on the Canadian side, at 5920 Niagara River Parkway, Ontario. The 2026 season opened on May 1. Adults pay about $47.95 CAD and children 3 to 12 about $32.95 CAD, with children under 3 free. Fares depend on the date and time, and passengers wear red ponchos. Check the current schedule at the dock or online before you go.

Tunnels and cable car

Journey Behind the Falls at Table Rock Centre is open all year. An elevator drops 125 feet to tunnels with two portals behind the falling water and a lower deck at the foot of Horseshoe Falls. Adults pay $33 CAD and children 3 to 12 pay $21.50 CAD, and yellow ponchos are provided. Timed tickets can be bought on the Niagara Parks site.

Niagara Parks Power Station has the same prices. A glass elevator descends about 180 feet to a tunnel 2,200 feet long that ends at a platform below Horseshoe Falls. The evening show Currents runs nightly.

Whirlpool Aero Car is a cable car over the Niagara Whirlpool, running April to November. Tickets are $25 CAD for adults and $16.50 CAD for children 3 to 12. The ride covers about 3,500 feet and crosses the border four times without any passport check.

Flights and jet boats

Niagara Helicopters flies a 12 minute narrated circuit from 3731 Victoria Avenue. Expect about $185 to $195 CAD for adults and $115 to $125 CAD for children 3 to 11, with daily flights from 9:00 until dusk in good weather.

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours leaves from Lewiston, New York, from late April to mid October. The only boats allowed in the lower gorge are these motorised commercial jet boats. Never swim, wade or paddle in the river or gorge.

Planning tips

  • Maid of the Mist and Niagara City Cruises both close for winter, so late autumn and winter trips should focus on the tunnels.
  • A bundle called Adventure Pass Plus covers several Niagara Parks attractions and WEGO buses. Check the current price on the Niagara Parks site.
  • Children under six can find the roar and drenching spray of the boats overwhelming.

Read more: Sightseeing in Niagara Falls lists free viewpoints that need no ticket.

Where to book

Buy directly from Maid of the Mist or Niagara Parks , or compare combined tours on Viator .