Getting between Amtrak Buffalo to Via rail

Can any of you advise on public transit from Amtrak to Viarail? First, where is the Buffalo depot for train #48, Exchange St or Depew? Second, is there a bus from the ATK station to the GO station at Niagara Falls or close to either station? Should be making this trip on a Sunday, arriving @ 9 A.M. if train is on-time.

Mod note: moved to Amtrak, it’ll get more visibility there.

NKP1155 wrote:Can any of you advise on public transit from Amtrak to Viarail? First, where is the Buffalo depot for train #48, Exchange St or Depew? Second, is there a bus from the ATK station to the GO station at Niagara Falls or close to either station? Should be making this trip on a Sunday, arriving @ 9 A.M. if train is on-time.

Amtrak #48 arrives in Depew. Not sure on the public transportation across the boarder. You could always wait for Amtrak 63.

Railjunkie wrote:

NKP1155 wrote:Can any of you advise on public transit from Amtrak to Viarail? First, where is the Buffalo depot for train #48, Exchange St or Depew? Second, is there a bus from the ATK station to the GO station at Niagara Falls or close to either station? Should be making this trip on a Sunday, arriving @ 9 A.M. if train is on-time.

Amtrak #48 arrives in Depew. Not sure on the public transportation across the boarder. You could always wait for Amtrak 63.

Lake Shore Limited 48 also drops you off there at 12:20am (damn near dead of the night). The Maple Leaf 63 will pick up after 3pm. There's no transit until 6am, unfortunately, from NFTA Metro. Google Maps shows a 2h30m transit ride starting around that time, but youll have to walk across the bridge to get to the station.

You read the timetable incorrectly. It's 49 that gets there in the dark. 48 arrives in Buffalo close to 9 AM.

Rockingham Racer wrote:You read the timetable incorrectly. It's 49 that gets there in the dark. 48 arrives in Buffalo close to 9 AM.

That's a little bit better. But you still have to walk across the bridge; no transit exists outside the Maple Leaf to go across the border.

If you're coming from Chicago, I think I'd try the Blue Water to Port Huron then try Lyft or Uber. Alternatively, go to Detroit and do the same.

Take 48 to Rochester, have lunch at the Dinosaur Barbecue (in the old Lehigh Valley passenger station) then take the wb MAPLE LEAF. Just a thought.

bill613A wrote:Take 48 to Rochester, have lunch at the Dinosaur Barbecue (in the old Lehigh Valley passenger station) then take the wb MAPLE LEAF. Just a thought.

I thought of that, too. Shorter connection time, but more expensive ticket.

What is your ultimate goal (or, why Niagara Falls VIA station?)

If you just want Niagara Falls ON generally then it appears Megabus and perhaps others offer a bus across the border.

If you want the station for VIA Rail, well you would be better off waiting and taking the Maple Leaf given that it is the only VIA train that serves Niagara Falls, and if you don't want the VIA train perhaps take a bus from Buffalo to where you want to go.

NKP and Everyone:

Getting from Depew Station to Downtown Buffalo and then Niagara Falls is possible by NFTA Metrobus using Route #46 from Lancaster (to the east) serving BUF/Depew directly
(on Dick Road) and then transferring in Downtown Buffalo to Route #40 to Niagara Falls. http://www.nfta.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There was a now closed pedestrian walkway across the Whirlpool Bridge that was convenient to get to the VIA NFS Station. The Whirlpool Bridge is for NEXUS card
users only. The Rainbow Bridge allows pedestrian access accepting all types of border documentation.

A thought would be to taxi from BUF to the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls depending on how much luggage that is being carried and then after clearing Canada Customs on foot
take a local Niagara Falls,ON taxi up to the VIA Station. Most likely there will be a much higher price to go the distance in one vehicle since the taxi will have to return through
US Customs and then return empty to the Buffalo suburbs.

The best way is to ride Amtrak #63 or #64 to cross the border by rail at Niagara Falls...MACTRAXX