General Information
We are looking forward to seeing you in Niagara Falls for the 24th Photonics North Conference!
We invite you to visit this website regularly, as more information becomes available on our Committees, Speakers and Sponsors.
In the meantime, here are some tips & tools to better prepare your stay in Niagara Falls:
Venue
Niagara Falls Convention Centre6815, Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls
Ontario QC
L2G 3Y9
Canada
Tel.: (905) 357-6222
https://www.fallsconventions.com/our-centre/
Language
The official language of the conference is English. All abstract submissions and presentations must be in English. Simultaneous translation will not be available.
Visa & Letter of Invitation
Some participants may require a visa to enter Canada. For more information click here.
Upon request, the secretariat of the 24th Photonics North Conference will send an invitation letter. This letter is meant only to verify the name, dates, location and purpose of the conference to obtain a visa or travel funds. This letter is in no way a commitment to the participant on the part of the organizing committee.
Insurance
The Conference Secretariat and organizers cannot be held liable for personal accidents, loss of or damage to private property of the conference participants and accompanying persons, either during, or directly arising from the 24th Photonics North Conference. Participants should make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.
Visitors are not covered by Canadian health insurance plans. Check with your personal medical plan before leaving your home country to ensure you have adequate travel insurance.
Clothing & Weather
The dress code for the conference is informal for all occasions.
The average temperatures in Niagara Falls during the month of May are generally 19 °C (day) and 9 °C (night).
Travel Information – Getting Here
Niagara Falls is easily accessible by plane, car and train. It is about four hours from Detroit, Washington or Montréal by plane. From Toronto, it is a less than two hours by car.
By Plane
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
As Canada’s largest and busiest airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport sees nearly 50 million passengers annually. The airport is located 125 km (78 mi) from Niagara Falls, and is about an hour and half drive.
Travel is convenient with flights from Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, and all major U.S. hubs on the east coast: Boston, Detroit, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia (some flights only available seasonally).
There are many flights coming from U.S. cities and from all major Canadian cities, as well as numerous departures every week from many countries with only one connection.
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
Located approximately a 45 minute drive from Niagara Falls, Canada, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport hosts approximately 100 non-stop flights a day. A reminder that even if you flew to Buffalo from a city within the United States, you will need a passport to cross the border into Niagara Falls, Canada.
There is small airport located in the Niagara Region, called the Niagara District Airport. While no large commercial flights charter through there, flights do fly regularly to and from Toronto and approximately 75 aircrafts are based at this airport.
Airport Transfers
The Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is located 125 km (78 miles) from the city Niagara Falls. There car rentals, ride sharing and long-distance travel options to go to Niagara Falls.
Airlines
Air Canada (www.aircanada.com)
Reservations: +1 888 247 2262
Information: +1 888 422 7533
Air France (www.airfrance.com)
Reservations: +1 (800) 667-2747
United Airlines (www.united.com)
Reservations: +1 800 538 2929 (International) / +1 800 864 8331 (Domestic)
WestJet (www.westjet.com)
Reservations: +1 888 937 8538 (+1 888 WESTJET)
American Airlines (www.aa.com)
Reservations: +1 800 433 7300
Delta (www.delta.com)
Reservations: +1 800 241 4141 (International) / +1 800 221 1212 (Domestic)
Air Transat (www.airtransat.com)
Reservations: +1 866 255 4871
British Airways (www.britishairways.com)
Reservations: +1 (800) 247-9297
China Eastern (www.ca.ceair.com)
Reservations: +1 (888) 358-1582
To see all the airlines, click here.
By Train
The GO Train is part of GO Transit, the regional transit provider for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas. GO Transit offers weekday commuter service from Niagara Falls to Toronto in the morning, with one return trip in the evening. Weekend only train service runs from Toronto to Niagara Falls during May long weekend, and then every weekend from July 1st through to Labour Day. The Niagara Falls WEGO transit bus is available at the train station to transport you to your destination, as are taxis and Ubers.
VIA Rail
As Canada’s national passenger rail service, VIA Rail offers direct departures from Toronto, New York City and Cleveland to Niagara Falls once daily with evening return service. Connections from origins throughout Canada, especially Ontario and Quebec are readily available.
By Bus
Niagara Air Bus:
Conference Shuttle Service offered by Niagara Airbus for $94.00 round trip or $68.00 one way per person plus HST, to and from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ)
$103.00 round trip or $73.00 one way per person, to and from Buffalo International Airport (BUF)
Greyhound and megabus charter buses direct from Toronto and Buffalo, NY to the Niagara Falls Bus Terminal (4555 Erie Avenue) in Canada, daily. With bus connections to Toronto from across Canada and Buffalo from across the United States, there are several origin locations to choose from.
By Car
From New York State
If you’re driving from New York State, there are three bridges available to cross into Canada: Peace Bridge, Queenston Lewiston Bridge or directly into Niagara Falls via Rainbow Bridge. There is a limited fee for using each bridge when entering Canada of a few dollars that must be paid in cash – accepted in both Canadian and American dollars. Visit our border crossing page for further information on documentation required to enter Canada.
From Toronto Area
When coming in from the Toronto area, take Gardiner Expressway West until it turns into Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). Continue on the QEW toward Niagara, exiting on the ON-420 to Niagara Veterans Memorial Highway East. The trip should take about an hour and a half, however if travelling during peak traffic (rush hour, weekends) the trip can double. For details on parking lots and pricing, check out our parking information.
All major car rental compagnies have offices both at the Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and in the downtown area (Avis/Budget, Discount, Entreprise, Hertz). All hotels will help you if you need to rent a car.
Parking
There are many parking spaces close to the city, these lots operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please click here to see all the parkings.
Taxi
Taxi Niagara Falls
Tel.: (905) 357-4000
http://www.niagarafallstaxi.com/
Currency, Banking, ATM & Credit Cards
The currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD).
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and at foreign currency exchange offices either at the Airport or at other locations throughout the city.
Bank debit or credit cards are the most convenient means of getting cash at the many Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). ATMs are spread throughout the city and accept cards with the Interac, Plus, and Cirrus networks. Most are in operation 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
Most businesses accept U.S. currency and traveler’s cheque, as well as major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express).
Sales Taxes
There is a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) in effect in Canada and a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 9.975% in the Province of Québec, for a combined tax rate of 14.975%. These taxes are applicable to most items and are not refundable. An additional 3,5% is also applicable on hotel accommodation.
Electricity
The electrical current is the same as in the United States: 110 volts AC at 60Hz. Adapters are required for electrical devices from other countries.
Time Zone
Québec City is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST) (UTC-05:00). Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDST) is in effect from March to November.
Cannabis
On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Act and a number of supporting regulations and ministerial orders came into force, legalizing and strictly regulating the sale, possession and production of cannabis in Canada.
Entering Canada
Cannabis is now legal in Canada. However, the legalization of cannabis in Canada does not change Canada’s border rules. Taking cannabis or any product containing cannabis into Canada is illegal and can result in serious criminal penalties both at home and abroad.
Leaving Canada
if you’re planning a visit south of the border, you should know that having cannabis in your possession is prohibited by law in the United States. And while several states have legalized cannabis, the product remains a controlled substance under federal law. So, be sure your bags and vehicle don’t contain cannabis in any form before heading off to explore Maine’s fine sand beaches or the beautiful views from Interstate 20, which you can travel all the way to California. The same applies if you take a plane. At Trudeau airport, you will find amnesty boxes for disposing any cannabis products you may have on you before going through U.S. customs.