A guide to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
Quick insights
- Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is located near Buffalo, NY and the neighboring Ontario, Canada.
- There are various parking options, including a parking garage and surface lots.
- Ticketing counters, security and all gates are on the second level of the airport terminal.
The Buffalo Niagara International AirportOpens overlay is one of the oldest public airports. It also has the distinction of serving residents of both the U.S. and Canada. BUF is about 11 miles east of downtown Buffalo, NY, but may also be an option for the southern Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario, Canada which includes Toronto and Hamilton.
More than 100 flights per day fly out of BUF, so you may find yourself flying into or out of BUF. Read on to learn more about ways to get to and around BUF.
Navigating to and from BUF
Travelers can reach the airport by taking Exit 33 East from I-90 West. When arriving at the airport, ground transportation is on level one of the terminal.
Ground transportation options may include:
- Rental cars: Rental car counters are located on the lower level of the daily/hourly parking garage. Passengers can reach the car lots via airport shuttle. Shuttle pickup is opposite the terminal’s main entrance.
- Rideshare, hotel shuttles and commercial buses: Pick up for each of these services is just beyond the north end of the terminal.
- Taxis: Taxis are located just outside the north end of the parking garage opposite the transit waiting lounge.
- Public transit: There is a NFTA Metro bus providing service to downtown Buffalo and Niagara Falls and offering connections throughout the region. Travelers can catch the bus just beyond the north end of the terminal.
Ground transportation locations may be available via BUF’s airport map (PDF)Opens overlay.
Parking at BUF
There are multiple parking lots at BUF, offering a mix of short- and long-term parking. There is a 24/7 airport shuttle that goes to all lots except the daily/hourly garage. Shuttles usually run approximately every 15 minutes to and from the terminal.
Parking at BUF may include the following lots and garages:
- Daily/hourly: This covered garage is adjacent to the terminal. It has elevators and stairways connecting to both levels of the terminal. There are also EV charging stations on level one.
- Preferred: This lot is within a short distance of the terminal. It is southeast of the terminal, just beyond the daily/hourly garage.
- Long term: There are two long-term parking lots east of the terminal that are serviced by the airport shuttle.
- Economy: The economy lot is located northeast of the airport, off Holtz Drive. It is located a further distance from the terminal.
- Cell phone lot: The cell phone lot is located across from the airport on Buell Avenue, less than a half mile from the airport.
The BUF website may provide additional maps and details about airport parking optionsOpens overlay.
Those traveling to the airport can reserve a parking spotOpens overlay ahead of time on the airport website. Reserved sports are located on level one of the daily/hourly garage, and space is limited. A reservation fee may be added to your daily parking cost.
There are two programs for those to frequently travel to BUF. They are the:
- Frequent Parker Program
- Corporate Parker Program
Both programs provide dedicated entry and exit lanes and earn points that can be redeemed for free airport parking. Membership is complimentary, and you can sign upOpens overlay for either program on the BUF website.
BUF terminals and map
BUF has one two-level terminal with more than two dozen gates. On the terminal’s lower level, passengers will find ground transportation and baggage claim. The second level has ticketing counters, security screening and all gates.
A map of the airport’s amenitiesOpens overlay, dining and shopping options may be available on the BUF website.
Security at BUF
There is one security checkpoint at BUF. All security screening lanes are just beyond the ticketing counters on the second level.
The average wait time at security during peak travel times is typically no more than 14 minutes, though wait times may vary. Airport officials generally recommend arriving at the airport 2 hours ahead of your departure time for domestic flights and 3 hours ahead for international flights.
Getting through airport security faster
Customs and TSA wait times can vary, but there are Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) that may help expedite the security and passport screening processes.
TSA PreCheck® enables members to use designated lanes at airport security checkpoints. Passengers in those lanes typically do not need to remove light jackets, shoes, belts or jewelry during screening.
Global Entry enables members to bypass the standard customs line and use a designated kiosk to scan their passport, provide fingerprints and complete a customs declaration. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits.
Some credit cards offer reimbursement for TTP application fees when the cardmember uses their eligible card to pay the fee.
Things to do at BUF
There are several dining options just past security and throughout the concourse. Travelers may enjoy a quick bite at a grab-and-go spot or have a more leisurely meal at a sit-down restaurant. There are also a few shops in the concourse that sell gifts, apparel and travel essentials.
In addition, BUF offers the following amenities:
- Three kids’ play areas throughout the concourse
- One airport lounge just opposite of the security checkpoint exit
- A reflection room centrally located in the concourse
- Nursing rooms before and after the security checkpoint
- Two pet relief areas; one outside on the lower level and the other on the second level between Gates 11 and 14
- A barber shop on the upper level near the ticketing counters on the north end
- A lounge for military personnel
There is also free Wi-Fi through the terminal.
In summary
BUF is an airport located near Buffalo, NY and the Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario with generally more than 100 daily flights. The airport consists of one terminal with two levels. Baggage claim and ground transportation are on level one, and passengers will find ticketing counters, security and all gates on the second level.
There are four parking lots at the airport. The daily/hourly garage is adjacent to the terminal and the only lot that is not served by the airport shuttle. Car rental counters and EV charging stations are also in the daily/hourly garage.
This article contains the most up-to-date information at the time of publication and is subject to change Please refer to the airport’s official site.
