If you are planning a trip to Niagara Falls, the boat tour into the mist is the one experience almost everyone agrees you should not miss. But there is a common source of confusion: depending on which side of the border you are standing on, that boat tour has a different name. On the Canadian side it is Niagara City Cruises (which many people still call Hornblower); on the American side it is the historic Maid of the Mist. This guide explains what each one is, what it costs in 2026, and—most importantly—which one is right for your visit.
Niagara City Cruises (Hornblower): the Canadian-side boat tour
Niagara City Cruises is the official boat tour of the Niagara Parks Commission and the only boat tour that departs from the Canadian side of the falls. Its “Voyage to the Falls” tour boards along the Niagara Parkway at the bottom of Clifton Hill, a short walk from the main tourist district in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
The catamarans carry up to 700 passengers and take you past the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls before pushing into the churning basin at the foot of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. You are on the water for roughly 15 to 20 minutes, and you should budget 45 to 60 minutes for the whole experience once boarding is factored in. Every guest is handed a bright red souvenir poncho at the gate.
Here is what to expect in 2026:
- Price: about $47.95 CAD for adults and $32.95 CAD for children ages 3 to 12, plus 13% HST (roughly $54 and $32 at the walk-up window).
- Season: runs seven days a week from spring into late fall — in 2026 it opened later than usual, on May 1 (after a heavy-ice winter), and has been extended to run into December.
- Hours: daily hours shift through the season, running roughly from mid-morning into the evening at the height of summer, so check the official schedule for the date you plan to visit.
- On board: two washrooms and a covered lower-deck viewing area if you would rather stay a little drier, plus an open upper deck for the full soaking. Like the Maid of the Mist, it is a standing-room experience — there are no assigned seats.
A quick note on the name, because it trips people up: the Canadian operator launched in 2014 as Hornblower Niagara Cruises and was renamed Niagara City Cruises in 2021. You will see both names used on signs, tickets, and review sites—they are the same company and the same boat tour.
Maid of the Mist: the original, on the U.S. side
The Maid of the Mist has been carrying passengers to the base of the falls since 1846, making it one of the oldest tourist attractions in North America—the 2026 season is its 141st. It operates only from the American side, departing from a landing at the bottom of the gorge inside Niagara Falls State Park at Prospect Point in Niagara Falls, New York. If you want the deeper history, see our full Maid of the Mist guide.
The route is essentially the same as the Canadian tour—past the American and Bridal Veil Falls and into the Horseshoe Falls basin—so the up-close view is nearly identical. The two current vessels are all-electric, hold 600 passengers each, and depart about every 15 minutes. Passengers stand on open upper and lower decks (there is no enclosed area), and everyone receives a signature blue poncho.
For 2026:
- Price: $30.25 USD for adults, $19.75 USD for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under.
- Season: the 2026 season opens Friday, April 24 and runs into the fall.
- Hours: boats begin at 9:00 a.m. daily, with closing times ranging from about 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. depending on the time of year.
- Duration: roughly 20 minutes on the water; most visitors spend 40 to 60 minutes all in.
Niagara City Cruises vs Maid of the Mist: the key differences
Because both boats run the same route into the same basin, the ride itself is remarkably similar. The real differences come down to which country you board in, price, and the creature comforts on board.
| Niagara City Cruises (Hornblower) | Maid of the Mist | |
|---|---|---|
| Side of the falls | Canada (Ontario) | United States (New York) |
| Boards at | Niagara Parkway, bottom of Clifton Hill | Prospect Point, Niagara Falls State Park |
| 2026 adult price | ~$47.95 CAD + tax | $30.25 USD |
| Poncho colour | Red | Blue |
| Boat capacity | Up to 700 (catamarans) | 600 (all-electric) |
| On board | Standing; washrooms + covered deck option | Standing; fully open decks |
| Time on water | 15–20 min | ~20 min |
Which boat tour should you choose?
For most visitors the answer is simple: take whichever boat departs from the side you are already visiting. The view of the Horseshoe Falls is essentially the same from both, and crossing the Rainbow Bridge between the two countries means clearing customs with border-crossing identification—a passport, or another accepted document such as a passport card, Enhanced Driver’s Licence, or NEXUS card—so it is not worth crossing purely to ride the “other” boat.
If you genuinely have a choice, a few tie-breakers:
- Best value: the Maid of the Mist is noticeably cheaper, and children 5 and under ride free.
- Most comfort: Niagara City Cruises has washrooms on board and a covered viewing area where you can stay a little drier—handy with young kids or in cool weather.
- Best overall falls views from land: the Canadian side is widely considered to have the better panorama of the Horseshoe Falls, so many travellers base themselves there anyway.
- Collect both colours: if you are visiting both sides, riding both leaves you with one blue and one red poncho—a genuinely fun souvenir.
Tips for your Niagara Falls boat tour
- You will get wet. The poncho helps, but wear closed-toe shoes and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch or a zipped bag.
- Go early. Weekday mornings have the shortest lines; midday in July and August can mean long waits at the ticket window.
- You do not usually need a reservation for either tour—tickets are sold at the window—but buying online can save time on the busiest days.
- Check the calendar. Both tours are seasonal and weather-dependent, and prices can change year to year, so confirm the current schedule before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Are Hornblower and Niagara City Cruises the same thing?
Yes. The Canadian boat tour launched as Hornblower Niagara Cruises in 2014 and was renamed Niagara City Cruises in 2021. Same company, same tour.
Does the Maid of the Mist run on the Canadian side?
No. The Maid of the Mist operated on both sides until 2013, but since 2014 it has run only from the American side. On the Canadian side, the boat tour is Niagara City Cruises.
Do I need a passport to ride the boat?
Not for the boat itself. You only need border-crossing identification if you travel between the U.S. and Canadian sides—a passport, or another accepted document such as a passport card, Enhanced Driver’s Licence, or NEXUS card. Each boat tour is reached from its own country.
Which boat tour is cheaper?
The Maid of the Mist, at $30.25 USD for adults in 2026, is generally the cheaper of the two.
How long is the boat ride?
About 15 to 20 minutes on the water for both, or roughly 45 to 60 minutes once you include boarding.
Once you have picked your boat, it is worth planning the rest of your day around it—see our roundup of the top attractions at Niagara Falls, and if you are staying overnight, the best hotels overlooking Niagara Falls.