Buffalo, NY Airport Information
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
Approximate taxi fare: $32.84 USD
The Buffalo Niagara International Airport is located just 10 minutes away from downtown Buffalo. The modern, light-filled airport sees more than five million passengers per year and offers 100 daily non-stop flights with service to 24 cities throughout the United States and Canada.
First opened in 1997, the airport boasts extensive amenities, including restaurants and shops throughout the terminal. Travelers may access wireless Internet for $7.95 per 24-hour period anywhere throughout the departure and baggage claim area. Both short-term and long-term parking can be found among a total of 7,300 spaces.
The airport is not only known for its efficient service, but also for its architecture. Approximately 27,000 square feet of glass exists in the 350-foot-wide lobby. When looked at from the air, the lobby is designed to look like a giant aircraft poised for take-off. The main concourse floor is graced with a 13,000-square-foot multi-colored tile artwork that depicts the history of the Buffalo Niagara region.
Airline carriers serving Buffalo Niagara International Airport
- AirTran Airways
- American Airlines/Business Express
- Comair
- Continental Airlines/Continental Express
- Delta Airlines
- JetBlue
- Northwest Airlines/Mebasa
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines/United Express
- US Airways/US Air Express
- Vanguard Airlines
Buffalo, NY Train Information
Buffalo Amtrak Station
Located at 75 Exchange Street, the Buffalo Amtrak station serves both the Empire Service and Maple Leaf routes. Empire Service provides daily transportation from New York City to Niagara Falls, with additional stops in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. The Maple Leaf route provides daily service to Toronto, Buffalo, Albany and New York City. The Buffalo Amtrak station is open Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 4:15 PM.
Buffalo, NY Public Transportation
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)
Buses
Buffalo's public bus system services more than 60 local, express and shuttle bus routes among Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the surrounding areas of Lockport, Lackawanna, Tonawanda and North Tonawanda. The bus fleet of 332 buses and four trolleys transports approximately 94,000 riders daily. The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center is serviced by the 204 Downtown route with two stops located within a few blocks of the center. The weekday Airport-Downtown Express shuttle offers non-stop service from Buffalo's central business district to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport every 30 minutes.
Buses run daily from 5 AM to 2 AM. NFTA operates on a zone fare system. Youth fares for children ages 5-11 are $0.65 for one zone, $0.75 for two zones, $0.85 for three zones and $0.95 for four zones. Adult fares are $1.50 for one zone, $1.75 for two zones, $2 for three zones and $2.25 for four zones. Bus transfers are $0.15 for youths and $0.30 for adults. Children under 5 ride for free.
Monthly passes, which cover both bus and rail service, are $55 for one zone and $66 for four zones. An all-zone day pass is $3.50 per person and an all-zone weekend pass is $6 per person.
Light Rail
Buffalo's light rail system consists of 27 rail cars that service 15 stops on a 6.4-mile system from the HSBC Arena to the University of Buffalo. Approximately 5.2 miles of the line is underground, while the remaining 1.2 miles are aboveground. The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center is serviced by the Court Street and Franklin Street stop, which is located just one block away from the center.
The rail system runs Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 12:50 AM, Saturday from 7:05 to 12:50 AM and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 7 PM. Trains run as often as once every seven minutes and no less often than once every 20 minutes. Passengers ride free on the light rail's aboveground section, while the fare for the underground section is $0.65 for children ages 5-11 and $1.50 for adults. Children under 5 ride for free.
Monthly passes, which cover both bus and rail service, are $55 for one zone and $66 for four zones. An all-zone day pass is $3.50 per person and an all-zone weekend pass is $6 per person.
Rental Cars
Several rental car agencies, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, National and Enterprise, are represented at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Agency counters are located on the lower level of the terminal, outside of the baggage claim area.
Taxis
Visitors to Buffalo can access several taxi companies at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport outside of the baggage claim area on the ground floor. Once in the city, guests can hail taxis throughout downtown. Visitors should expect to pay about $30 in taxi fare from the airport to downtown Buffalo.