Can I take a bus to Niagara Falls from New York City?

Yes, you can take a bus from NYC to Niagara Falls. Greyhound and FlixBus run direct routes, usually taking 7-9 hours depending on traffic. One-way tickets start around $40-60 if you book ahead, but last-minute can hit $100+. The bus drops you at the Niagara Falls Transportation Center in downtown Niagara Falls, NY, which is about a 15-minute walk or quick Uber to the falls themselves. No, there's no subway or train option that's faster or cheaper—the Amtrak train takes 8-10 hours and costs way more.

Honestly, unless you're dead set on saving money over flying (round-trip flights from NYC can be $100-150 on budget airlines like JetBlue or Frontier), the bus is a grind. You'll sit in traffic through the Hudson Valley and Syracuse, and the bus bathroom is always a gamble. If you're going for a day trip, don't—it's too long. For an overnight or weekend, it's fine, but bring snacks, a neck pillow, and download movies. The bus has outlets and WiFi, but don't count on the WiFi working past Albany.

Pro tip: If you take the bus, book the earliest departure (like 6 AM) to maximize daylight at the falls. The last bus back to NYC usually leaves around 5-6 PM, so plan for a tight schedule if you're not staying overnight. And skip the "Maid of the Mist" boat tour if you're on a budget—$25 for 20 minutes of getting wet is a hard pass unless you really want the souvenir poncho.