Cheap flights to Buffalo
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Quick summary
Country
United States
State
New York
Airport
BUF
Population
≈ 276,000
Time zone
UTC-5
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Identity
A Great Lakes port, the American gateway to Niagara Falls
Buffalo grew rich in the 19th century as the western terminus of the Erie Canal, the waterway that linked the Great Lakes to the Atlantic. After decades of industrial decline, the city has renewed its waterfront and historic neighborhoods, with Art Deco architecture and works by Frank Lloyd Wright. It lies about thirty kilometers from the American side of Niagara Falls and around two hours by road from Toronto.
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Buffalo airport
BUF airport, about fifteen minutes from downtown
Buffalo Niagara International
In Cheektowaga, east of Buffalo, about 15 to 18 km from the center: allow 10 to 15 minutes by car or taxi (indicative, outside rush hour). Taxis, ride-hailing and rental companies are in front of the terminal, and NFTA bus lines connect to downtown; the light rail does not go to the airport. To Niagara Falls, allow about 35 to 45 minutes by car.
Toronto Pearson (Canadian alternative)
About two hours by road from Buffalo: an option for travelers who cross the border by car; allow for crossing time and check the entry rules of both countries.
Distances and times are indicative, cross-checked on Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia; they vary with traffic and weather. Fares are not quoted because they change.
Getting around
Light rail, buses and car
Buffalo's light rail, the Metro Rail, has a single line about 10 km long along Main Street between the university's south campus and Canalside; part of it runs underground. NFTA buses complete the network, but service is thinner than in New York. For Delaware Park, outlying museums and Niagara Falls, a car is the simplest option.
In winter
Snow and ice can slow trips from November to March: allow extra time and check the weather. Taxis and ride-hailing are easy to find downtown.
Day trip
Niagara Falls, American side and Canadian side
The American side of the falls lies about 30 km north of downtown Buffalo (17 miles according to Wikivoyage), 25 to 40 minutes by road depending on traffic, with no border crossing. Niagara Falls State Park, created in 1885, is New York's first state park; its viewpoints bring you very close to the American and Bridal Veil Falls, and Maid of the Mist cruises have run since 1846. Horseshoe Falls, with the border running through the middle, are best seen from the Canadian side. To cross, bring your passport, check Canada's entry rules and the rules for returning to the United States for your nationality, and expect variable border wait times.
History
From the Pan-American Exposition to Theodore Roosevelt's oath
Buffalo grew in the 19th century thanks to the Erie Canal, opened in 1825, which made its harbor one of the busiest in the country for grain. In 1901 the city hosted the Pan-American Exposition, a showcase for the new technology of electricity. President William McKinley was shot there on September 6 and died eight days later in Buffalo; Theodore Roosevelt took the oath in the city, at the Ansley Wilcox House, now a National Historic Site open to visitors.
Heritage
Buffalo's German roots
German immigrants, along with the Irish, settled in Buffalo between the 1830s and the 1850s, later joined by other communities from Eastern Europe. Brewers, craftsmen and musicians left their mark on the city, and a local specialty, the "beef on weck" sandwich served on a kummelweck roll, is thought to be of German inspiration (origin to be checked). In the German-speaking world, Buffalo is best known through Theodor Fontane's poem "John Maynard", which recalls a shipwreck on Lake Erie; a bronze plaque was dedicated to it in 1997.
Architecture
Art Deco, Frank Lloyd Wright and Olmsted's plan
Downtown preserves buildings from the prosperous era: the Art Deco City Hall completed in 1931, a 32-story tower and one of the tallest city halls in the United States, and Louis Sullivan's Guaranty Building, an early skyscraper. Between 1903 and 1907, according to Wikipedia, Frank Lloyd Wright built the Darwin D. Martin House, a Prairie-style complex open for tours. From 1868 Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux drew up the city's park system, including the vast Delaware Park; the neighboring Elmwood Village gathers independent shops and cafés.
Museums
Modern art, history and science
The Buffalo AKG Art Museum, formerly the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, sits beside Delaware Park and shows modern and contemporary art. Close by is the Burchfield Penney Art Center. The city also has the Buffalo History Museum, the Buffalo Museum of Science and, at Canalside, the Naval & Military Park. The Darwin D. Martin House is visited on a guided tour.
Waterfront
Canalside, Lake Erie and the skyline
At the foot of downtown, the Canalside district has turned the former Erie Canal terminus into a waterfront promenade, with kayaking and sailing in summer and an ice rink in winter; more than 1.5 million visitors a year according to Wikipedia. The Sabres (hockey) and the Bills (football) play in Buffalo, and game-day atmosphere is part of local life.
Food
Buffalo chicken wings and beef on weck
Buffalo wings, fried and coated in a hot butter-based sauce and served with celery and blue cheese dip, were reportedly invented at the Anchor Bar in 1964 by Teressa Bellissimo (several versions circulate). Beef on weck, thin-sliced roast beef on a kummelweck roll, is the other local specialty, along with sponge candy and the Loganberry drink. A wing festival is held every year on Labor Day, and the Taste of Buffalo in July.
Budget and entry
A moderate budget for a big East Coast city
Price level
Buffalo is generally more affordable than New York or Boston for lodging and meals, which makes it a practical stop on a Northeast itinerary. We give no figures, because prices vary with the season and the exchange rate.
Flights
The long-haul flight is the most variable cost. SniperAir tracks prices to BUF and compares them with the route's history.
Entry, border and precautions
The United States generally requires an electronic authorization (ESTA) or a visa depending on nationality: check the official US government websites well before departure, and your home country's official travel advice. A trip to the Canadian side means following Canada's entry rules and the rules for returning to the United States, in general terms: passport, any authorization or visa, and variable wait times. Service is generally not included in the bill, so tipping is customary in restaurants and for many services. As in any big city, stay alert at night in quiet areas.
By length of stay
What to do in Buffalo depending on how long you stay
The essentials
Niagara Falls on the American side in the morning, then Art Deco downtown and chicken wings for dinner.
Go deeper
Add a day in Buffalo: Darwin D. Martin House, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Delaware Park and Canalside.
Beyond
Plan a day on the Canadian side or a side trip to Toronto, about two hours by road.
Two to three days are enough for Buffalo and the falls; add one or two days for the Canadian side or Toronto.
When to go
When to visit Buffalo?
Spring (March to May)
Rainy and cool through the end of April, with big temperature swings; the falls run high after the thaw.
Summer (June to August)
The most pleasant season: mild heat, outdoor festivals, Lake Erie and Canalside lively.
Autumn (September to November)
Good fall color around the Great Lakes, mild temperatures in September, cooler after.
Winter (December to February)
Cold and snowy. Lake-effect snow arrives from about November, but Buffalo is neither the coldest nor the snowiest city in the country.
The climate is humid continental. Winters are known for being harsh, with lake-effect snowstorms and gusts; the airport averages about 2.4 m (93 inches) of snow per winter according to Wikivoyage. For a first visit, June to September is the most comfortable; in winter, pack warm clothes and leave some margin.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Buffalo
What is Buffalo's airport and how far is it from the center?
Buffalo Niagara International (BUF), in Cheektowaga, about 15 to 18 km east of downtown, or 10 to 15 minutes by car (indicative). NFTA buses, taxis and rental companies serve the terminal.
How much does a flight to Buffalo usually cost?
SniperAir has only just started tracking this route and doesn't yet have enough history for a reliable price range. Create an alert to be notified as soon as a price is detected.
How long is a flight to Buffalo from Europe?
There is usually no direct flight: expect a connection, about ten hours or more in total (indicative, depending on the departure city).
When is the best time to book a flight to Buffalo?
There is no universal rule: the best price depends on your exact route. That is why SniperAir tracks prices for you.
What is the best time to go to Buffalo?
June to September: pleasant weather and the falls accessible all day. Winter is snowy; spring is cool and rainy.
What budget should I plan on site?
A moderate to intermediate level, generally lower than New York or Boston. We give no figures because prices vary.
How many days should I spend in Buffalo?
Two to three days for the city and the American side of Niagara Falls; add one or two days for the Canadian side or Toronto.
Can I manage without a car?
Downtown, yes, with the Metro Rail, buses and taxis. For Niagara Falls and outlying neighborhoods, a car or an organized excursion is more practical.
What should I eat in Buffalo?
Buffalo chicken wings, beef on weck and local sweets such as sponge candy.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Buffalo falls below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Buffalo as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected.
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