Niagara Falls Boat Tickets, Prices & Schedules
2026 ticket prices, seasons and booking rules for the three Niagara boats: Niagara City Cruises from Canada, the Maid of the Mist from the USA and the Whirlpool Jet Boat in the gorge.
When people search for Niagara Falls boat tickets, they usually mean one of three different boats: Niagara City Cruises, the classic Falls boat from Canada; the Maid of the Mist, the classic Falls boat from the USA; and Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, a high-speed ride through the gorge and its rapids. The first two sail into the mist at the foot of Horseshoe Falls. The jet boat runs downstream and does not go under Niagara Falls. Here are the 2026 prices, seasons and booking rules for all three.
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Ticket Comparison
| Boat | Departure | Adult price | Duration | Main experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara City Cruises | Niagara Falls, ON | From C$47.95 | ~20 min | Horseshoe Falls |
| Maid of the Mist | Niagara Falls, NY | US$30.25 | ~20 min | Horseshoe Falls |
| Whirlpool Jet Boat, Canada | Queenston, ON | C$78.95 | ~45 min | Gorge + rapids |
| Whirlpool Jet Boat, USA | Lewiston, NY | US$68.95 | ~45 min | Gorge + rapids |
These are the operators’ own adult prices. Taxes and fees are added on top, and prices can change.
Niagara City Cruises Tickets
Voyage to the Falls is the Canadian classic. Standard adult tickets start at around C$47.95, and children aged 3 to 12 pay around C$27.95, both before tax.
The trip includes:
- The American Falls
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Horseshoe Falls
- A mist poncho
- About 20 minutes on the water
The bare daytime ticket is sold by the operator, not on GetYourGuide. If you would rather book the boat with a guide, the walking tour with the Hornblower boat is from $72 (4.8★ from 271 reviews), and the premium tour with the boat, Journey Behind the Falls and the Skylon Tower is from $130 (4.8★ from more than 4,300 reviews). Our Niagara City Cruises guide covers the boat, the queues and the ticket plaza in detail.
Niagara City Cruises Schedule
The operator sells from a live booking calendar, not one fixed timetable for the whole season. In 2026 the boat opened on 1 May, later than usual because of ice on the river, with departures every 30 minutes from 9:30am and longer hours from mid-May. It runs into December, weather permitting.
Which departures are available depends on:
- The date
- The season
- The weather
- Demand
On some dates the daytime Full Mist trip is joined by evening Light Mist sailings toward the illuminated Falls. The Evening Fireworks Cruise is the evening version sold on GetYourGuide, from $39 (4.5★ from 2,781 reviews).
Timed Entry
Niagara City Cruises sells tickets for a booking window, but busy periods can still mean a queue to board.
A ticket time does not guarantee the exact minute your boat leaves, so leave yourself some slack in the plan.
Maid of the Mist Tickets 2026
The operator’s 2026 prices, in US dollars:
- Adult: US$30.25
- Child, 6 to 12: US$19.75
- Age 5 and under: free with a paid adult
The ticket includes the elevator down to the landing.
On GetYourGuide the Maid of the Mist is sold inside guided walks of the state park. The small-group Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds tour is from $115 (4.9★ from 658 reviews), and the US Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds tour is the cheaper option, from $99 (4.6★ from 706 reviews).
Maid of the Mist 2026 Season
The 2026 season runs from 24 April to 8 November 2026.
Daily closing times change through the season. At the summer peak, from 22 June to 9 August, the boat runs from 9am to 8pm; in spring and autumn it usually closes at 5pm or 6pm, and in early November at 4pm.
Maid of the Mist Online Ticket Rules
Standard online tickets are not tied to one departure. They are valid on any day the boat is running that season.
Everyone, including online ticket holders, boards on a first-come, first-served basis during opening hours.
That gives you flexibility, but it does not get you past the queue.
Niagara City Cruises vs Maid of the Mist Tickets
| Niagara City Cruises | Maid of the Mist | |
|---|---|---|
| Side | Canada | USA |
| Ticket | Booking window | Any operating day, first come, first served |
| Adult price | From C$47.95 | US$30.25 |
The two boats do the same trip to the foot of Horseshoe Falls, so choose the one on your side of the border. Our comparison of Niagara Falls: Canada vs USA side helps if you have not picked a side yet.
Whirlpool Jet Boat Canada Tickets
From Queenston, the operator’s standard prices for the open Wet Jet and the domed Dry Freedom Jet are:
- Adult: C$78.95
- Child, 12 and under: C$44.95
Taxes and fees are extra. The premium Wet Freedom Jet seats cost C$88.95, adults only.
On GetYourGuide, the Queenston jet boat tour is from $69 in US dollars (4.8★ from 1,296 reviews). Compare the total at checkout before you decide where to book. Our breakdown of the Queenston tour covers check-in and the height rules.
Whirlpool Jet Boat USA Tickets
From Lewiston, the operator’s standard prices are:
- Adult: US$68.95
- Child, 12 and under: US$39.95
Fees are extra, and the Wet Freedom Jet seats cost US$78.95.
On GetYourGuide, the Lewiston 45-minute jet boat tour is from $73 (4.8★ from 335 reviews). Our breakdown of the Lewiston tour has the details.
Jet Boat Schedule
Jet boat departure times change from day to day, and the boats run from spring through mid-autumn, not in winter.
The live calendar is the most reliable source, because the schedule changes with:
- The season
- The weather
- Demand
The operator recommends booking ahead, and takes walk-ons when there is space. Our Niagara Falls jet boat tours guide covers the route, the docks and the rapids.
Wet Jet vs Dry Freedom Jet Tickets
The standard price is the same for both boats. Choose by the ride you want:
- Wet Jet: open-topped, and you will be completely soaked.
- Dry Freedom Jet: enclosed under a dome, so you stay dry.
Our guide to the Wet Jet vs the Dry Freedom Jet goes through who should pick which.
Which Ticket Should You Buy?
- First visit, staying in Canada: Niagara City Cruises.
- First visit, staying in the USA: the Maid of the Mist.
- For adventure: the Whirlpool Jet Boat.
- For both the Falls and the rapids: take a classic Falls boat and a jet boat.
Our comparison of the best Niagara Falls boat tours sets all three against each other.
Do Tickets Include Other Attractions?
Usually not, unless you buy a package.
Check combination products carefully for:
- Journey Behind the Falls
- Cave of the Winds
- White Water Walk
- Observation towers
- Transport
- A guide
The boat trip and Journey Behind the Falls tour, from $98 (4.6★ from 1,851 reviews), is a common example on the Canadian side. The White Water Walk is sold separately: the White Water Walk entry ticket is from $17 (4.6★ from 161 reviews).
When to Book
- April and May: check the seasonal opening dates first. In 2026 the Maid of the Mist opened on 24 April and Niagara City Cruises on 1 May.
- June: booking ahead starts to pay off.
- July and August: book ahead.
- September: still sensible, especially at weekends.
- October and November: check the closing dates. The jet boats finish in mid-autumn, and the Maid of the Mist closed on 8 November in 2026.
- Winter: do not assume the classic boats are running. Our guide to Niagara Falls in winter covers what stays open.
Our guide to the best time to visit Niagara Falls for boat tours goes through it month by month.
Best Time of Day
In peak season the morning is usually the easiest time to board.
Take the Falls boat early, then move downstream to the White Water Walk and the jet boat later in the day.
Can You Do Two Boat Rides in One Day?
Yes.
On the Canadian side:
Niagara City Cruises → Journey Behind the Falls → White Water Walk → Whirlpool Jet Boat
On the US side:
Maid of the Mist → Goat Island → Whirlpool State Park → Lewiston jet boat
If you are driving between them, our Niagara Falls parking guide shows where to leave the car at each stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Niagara Falls boat tickets in 2026?
About C$47.95 for Niagara City Cruises, US$30.25 for the Maid of the Mist, C$78.95 for the jet boat from Queenston and US$68.95 for the jet boat from Lewiston, for an adult before taxes and fees.
Which boat goes near Niagara Falls?
Niagara City Cruises and the Maid of the Mist. Both sail to the foot of Horseshoe Falls.
Which boat goes through the rapids?
The Whirlpool Jet Boat, which runs the Class 5 Devil’s Hole Rapids downstream of the Falls.
Should I book ahead?
Yes in busy periods, especially for the jet boat.
Is the Maid of the Mist ticket timed?
No. Standard online tickets are valid on any operating day, and everyone boards on a first-come, first-served basis.
Final Verdict
Choose by what you want to see, not by the cheapest headline price.
For the Falls:
- Niagara City Cruises from Canada
- The Maid of the Mist from the USA
For adventure:
For the full Niagara experience, combine a classic Falls boat with a jet boat.
Run the Rapids the Falls Made
Forty-five minutes on Class 5 whitewater in the Niagara Gorge, from Queenston or Lewiston. Choose the open boat and get soaked, or the domed boat and stay dry. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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