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BUF

Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Buffalo, United States

Where to start
Rideshare from the hotel-shuttle lane via Carousel 1 doors / NFTA Route 204 express

All ground transport is on the lower Arrivals level. For rideshare (Uber, Lyft), exit the terminal doors closest to **Carousel 1** and follow signs to the designated pickup spots in the **hotel shuttle bus lane**. Taxis queue outside baggage claim. NFTA Metro Route 24 runs to downtown Buffalo; the **Route 204 express** runs to Metro Rail at University Station. Buses stop after midnight — late arrivals rely on the taxi queue.

Ride Options

Uber

rideshare

Door-to-door with luggage

AvailabilityCommonly available; can crawl after hockey/football crowds downtown
Pickup NoteExit the doors nearest Carousel 1, follow signs to the hotel shuttle bus lane
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Lyft

rideshare

Alternative rideshare option

AvailabilityCommonly available
Pickup NoteSame hotel-shuttle-lane pickup via Carousel 1 doors
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Buffalo Licensed Taxi

taxi

No app needed; the fallback when buses stop

AvailabilityAt the queue outside baggage claim, including late night
Pickup NoteLower-level baggage-claim curb; confirm the meter is running
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

NFTA Route 204 (Airport Express)

transit

Faster budget route downtown via Metro Rail

AvailabilityAirport-Downtown express to Metro Rail at University Station; often quicker than local routes at rush hour; stops after ~midnight
Pickup NoteOutside baggage claim; connects to Metro Rail at University Station
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

NFTA Route 24 (Genesee)

transit

Direct local route to downtown Buffalo

Availability~30–40 min; 24L limited-stop is faster; stops after ~midnight
Pickup NoteOutside baggage claim; runs along Genesee to downtown
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at Buffalo — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Exit the terminal doors closest to Carousel 1 in baggage claim, follow signs to the designated pickup spots in the hotel shuttle bus lane on the lower Arrivals level.

Taxi

Taxi queue outside baggage claim on the lower level. Confirm the meter is running.

Shuttle

Hotel shuttles use the hotel-shuttle lane (shared with rideshare pickup spots). Buffalo Airport Shuttle offers shared/private rides to Niagara Falls, Toronto Pearson and regional destinations, 24/7.

Transit

NFTA Metro Route 24 (Genesee) to downtown Buffalo (~30–40 min); Route 24L limited-stop; Route 204 Airport-Downtown Express runs to the Metro Rail at University Station for a faster downtown connection. Buses stop outside baggage claim. Pay with the NFTA MetGo app or exact change.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked cars and cross-border shuttles use the ground-transportation area; confirm the meeting point.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?
Need bag storage?Nearby storage options available

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Local Tips

  • Rideshare is in the hotel shuttle bus lane — exit by Carousel 1 and follow the signs, not the main curb.
  • The Route 204 express to Metro Rail at University Station is usually faster than the local Route 24 at rush hour — worth it if you're heading downtown.
  • NFTA buses stop after about midnight; if you land late, the taxi queue is your realistic option — make sure the meter is on.
  • BUF is a major cross-border airport: it's about ten miles from the Peace Bridge, and many Southern Ontario travellers use it instead of Toronto Pearson. Allow time for the border crossing.
  • For Niagara Falls, it's roughly a 35-minute drive north via I-190; the Buffalo Airport Shuttle also runs there.

Tarmyq local tip

Head for the Carousel 1 doors and the hotel shuttle lane for your Uber. If you're going downtown, the Route 204 express to Metro Rail beats the local bus at rush hour — and if you're crossing to/from Ontario, remember BUF is the more affordable Pearson alternative, just budget for the border.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I catch an Uber or Lyft at Buffalo Airport (BUF)?

Exit the terminal doors closest to Baggage Carousel 1 and follow the signs to the designated pickup spots in the hotel shuttle bus lane on the lower Arrivals level — not the main baggage-claim curb.

How do I get from Buffalo airport to downtown by bus?

NFTA Metro Route 24 (Genesee) runs directly to downtown Buffalo in about 30–40 minutes, and the Route 204 Airport-Downtown Express connects to the Metro Rail at University Station, which is often faster at rush hour. Both stop outside baggage claim; pay with the MetGo app or exact change. Buses stop after about midnight.

What if I land at BUF after midnight?

NFTA buses stop running after about midnight, so the taxi queue outside baggage claim becomes the realistic option for a late arrival — just confirm the meter is running before you set off. A pre-booked car is the other reliable choice.

Is Buffalo airport a good option for travellers from Ontario, Canada?

Yes — BUF is about ten miles from the Peace Bridge and is widely used by Southern Ontario travellers as a more affordable alternative to Toronto Pearson. Allow extra time for the border crossing in both directions.