How to Take the Niagara Scenic Trolley

This sure beats walking and is worth the small fee.

How to Take the Niagara Scenic Trolley

The Niagara Scenic Trolley

If you’d rather not spend your day at Niagara Falls State Park trudging from attraction to attraction in the summer heat — or if you’re traveling with kids, seniors, or anyone with limited mobility — the Niagara Scenic Trolley is one of the best deals in the park. For just a few dollars, you get all-day hop-on, hop-off access to every major attraction, plus a narrated tour packed with history and local color.


What Is It?

The Niagara Scenic Trolley is a charming and convenient way to explore Niagara Falls State Park. This eco-friendly transportation system offers a guided tour of the park’s major attractions, providing historical insights, fun facts, and tips for checking out the park’s attractions along the way. It makes a complete circuit of the park — a 3-mile route — approximately every 30 minutes. Knowledgeable guides narrate the entire ride, so even if you stay on board without getting off, you’ll come away having learned something.


a view of a river from a bridge
Photo by Joe Pham on Unsplash. This isn’t the trolley but it’s close.

Cost

The 2026 Niagara Scenic Trolley fare is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 6–12. Your ticket is valid for the entire day, meaning you can hop on and off as many times as you like without paying again. That’s an exceptional value considering the park covers a lot of ground. Tickets can also be purchased as part of the Niagara Falls USA Discovery Pass, which bundles admission to multiple attractions at a discounted rate.


Season & Hours

The trolley operates daily from mid-May to mid-October, with additional services during peak tourist seasons and special events. The last trolley runs 30 minutes prior to closing each day. Check the official schedule before you visit, as hours are subject to change.


The Route & Stops

The trolley follows a circular route from Goat Island to the Aquarium, stopping at many of Niagara Falls State Park’s major attractions, including:

Visitor Center — The starting point for many visitors, offering information, restrooms, and refreshments.

Maid of the Mist — Board here for the world-famous boat ride into the churning waters at the base of the Falls.

Cave of the Winds — One of the trolley’s most popular stops. Get off here to descend to the base of Bridal Veil Falls and walk the Hurricane Deck.

Goat Island — The heart of the park, with access to Terrapin Point, Luna Island, and the Three Sisters Islands.

Niagara Gorge Discovery Center — Learn about the geological history of the Niagara Gorge and how the Falls were formed.

Aquarium of Niagara — A great stop for families, featuring marine animals, sea lions, and penguins.

There is also an express shuttle between Prospect Point and the Aquarium of Niagara/Great Lakes 360 that can be picked up just north of the Maid of the Mist — handy if you want a quick connection between those two ends of the park.


Eco-Friendly by Design

Operating on eco-friendly natural gas, the state-of-the-art Scenic Trolleys are heated in the winter and air-conditioned in summer to ensure the comfort of all visitors. The Niagara Falls Scenic Trolley is an important part of Niagara Falls State Park’s “Green Park Project,” an award-winning program that has been honored with a Clean Air Excellence Award.


Accessibility

The Niagara Falls Trolley makes it easy for those with limited mobility to see all the incredible sights that the park has to offer. The trolleys are wheelchair accessible and can accommodate strollers, and Niagara Falls State Park is fully ADA-compliant throughout.


Tips for Riding

Arrive early or go on a weekday. Due to the popularity of the Trolley, they often reach capacity and service cannot always be guaranteed. Wait times to board can sometimes be long. Please plan to arrive early or visit on weekdays for your best chance to ride.

Take the full loop first. First-time visitors should stay on board for the entire 3-mile loop before getting off anywhere. It gives you a great lay of the land and helps you decide which stops deserve the most of your time.

Buy your wristband early. Trolley wristband purchases are limited to 15 total per transaction to ensure fair access for all patrons, and all members of the party must be present at purchase.

Large groups can go private. If you’re coming with a big party, private trolley rentals are available. Contact the park directly at [email protected] for details.


How It Compares to Other Trolleys

It’s worth noting that the Niagara Scenic Trolley is different from the other trolley services in the area. The Discover Niagara Shuttle is free and covers attractions across all of Niagara County — from Old Fort Niagara to Lockport — but doesn’t operate inside the State Park. NFTA Metro’s Niagara Falls Trolley (Route 55T) is a separate city bus service that runs along Niagara Falls Boulevard and serves local hotels and the airport, and is free for guests of participating hotels. The Scenic Trolley is the one you want for exploring the park itself.