Back to Directory
BUF

Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Buffalo, United States

Where to start
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)—follow current airport signage/app / NFTA-Metro Route 24 Genesee

Ground transport is on the lower Arrivals level. For rideshare, follow current airport signs and your Uber or Lyft app to the assigned pickup point. Taxis queue outside baggage claim. NFTA Metro Route 24 (Genesee) runs between the airport and downtown Buffalo. 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 NoteOn the lower Arrivals level, follow current airport rideshare signs and the pickup point assigned in the app.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Lyft

rideshare

Alternative rideshare option

AvailabilityCommonly available
Pickup NoteOn the lower Arrivals level, follow current airport rideshare signs and the pickup point assigned in the app.
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 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

Chauffeur

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

On the lower Arrivals level, follow current airport rideshare signs and your provider app to the assigned Uber or Lyft pickup point.

Taxi

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

Shuttle

Hotel shuttles use the designated hotel-shuttle area. Buffalo Airport Shuttle offers shared/private rides to Niagara Falls, Toronto Pearson and regional destinations, 24/7.

Transit

NFTA Metro Route 24 (Genesee) runs between the airport and downtown Buffalo. 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

Some links may be affiliate links. Tarmyq may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Local Tips

  • For Uber or Lyft, follow current airport rideshare signs and your app to the assigned pickup point on the lower Arrivals level.
  • NFTA Metro Route 24 (Genesee) connects the airport with downtown Buffalo.
  • 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

For Uber or Lyft, follow current airport rideshare signs and your app to the assigned pickup point. If you're going downtown, NFTA Metro Route 24 (Genesee) is the public-transit option — 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)?

On the lower Arrivals level, follow current airport rideshare signs and your Uber or Lyft app to the assigned pickup point.

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

NFTA Metro Route 24 (Genesee) runs between Buffalo Niagara International Airport and downtown. It stops 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.