Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), also known as BNIA, caters to just over four and a half million passengers each year. Falling inside the USA’s busiest 60 airports, it sees over 100 daily flights to more than 20 destinations, with non-stop flights to locations throughout the USA, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Southwest Airlines handle over a third of all passenger traffic, with Delta Airlines and JetBlue close behind. Serving the popular tourist destination, the Niagara Falls, it also caters largely to Canadian travelers looking for economical fares.
Location of Buffalo Niagara Airport
Buffalo Airport is located in Cheektowaga, New York, about 11 miles (18 kilometers) east of downtown Buffalo and 26 miles (42 kilometers) from the famous Niagara Falls and the Canadian border. To travel to downtown Buffalo there are various options, by car the journey takes approximately 15 minutes on Route 33. You have the option to rent a vehicle or take a taxi, shuttle, or shared ride all available from outside the Arrivals Level of the terminal.
If you want to take a bus service you can choose between a faster, shuttle service or the normal routes. The shuttle service, number 204, runs non-stop between the airport and the center of Buffalo. Click here to see the schedule. For less direct services you have the option of route 24B, 47 and 68. The bus stops are located just before the Arrivals Level entrance, near Crosswalk 1b.
For those looking to travel further afield, you can catch the Greyhound Bus Lines, Greyhound Canada and the Megabus from BUF. Regular services operate to Toronto, Niagara Falls, New York City and Adirondacks. They can be caught from the Arrivals Level past the hotel shuttles.
Which terminal?
Buffalo Niagara International Airport has one passenger terminal in which departures is located on the upper level. The majority of gates serve national destinations, while gates one and two are for international flights. The terminal itself is easy to navigate and there are monitors throughout to help you locate your departure gate.
Arrive 90 minutes to two hours prior to your departure
Although Buffalo Niagara Airport tries to keep waiting times to less than 15 minutes they do advise getting to the airport between 90 minutes and two hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. This is especially necessary during vacation periods when the airport sees a large increase in passenger numbers.
Opt for an early flight
BUF airport can be subject to delays and cancellations due to weather conditions, especially in the winter months. If given the chance, opt for an early flight as these are less likely to be delayed. With so many hotels close to the airport offering shuttles you can always stay close to the airport the night before your flight so you don’t have such an early start on the day you travel.
Curb-side check-in
For a fast check-in go curb-side and drop your luggage off before you even enter Buffalo Airport. You can then go straight ahead and enjoy the pre-flight time you have to do some shopping or grab a bite to eat. Check with your airline before your trip to make sure they participate in the curb-side service.
History of Buffalo Niagara Airport
Built in 1926 Buffalo Niagara International Airport, or Buffalo Municipal Airport as it was then known, is one of the USA’s oldest public airports. It saw passenger travel commence in 1927 and demand increase through the following decades. The terminal building, as we now know it, was constructed in 1997 at a cost of $56 million and marked the end of a multiple terminal airport. The structure was designed to reflect the importance of aviation in the region and, seen from above, the 27,000 square feet of glass looks like a giant aircraft ready for take off.
BUF is due to undergo further renovation and expansion as part of the airport’s sustainable master plan, which will see a new walkway, more curbside space and a doubling of the capacity to handle baggage by 2019.
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