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BUFKBUF

Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Buffalo, US

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BUFKBUFMinor

Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Buffalo, United States · North America

Compact single-terminal Upstate field with a real Priority Pass chair, Anchor Bar wings, and a $2 Metro bus — traded against a 9 p.m. TSA close and lake-effect winters.

Airportist Score

7.4/ 10

Solid

Ease of use8.4
Comfort & amenities7.4
Food & retail7.2
Ground access7.0
Reliability6.6
Lounges7.2

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

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BUFGuide

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All airports Official site

BUFKBUFMinor

Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Buffalo, United States · North America

Compact single-terminal Upstate field with a real Priority Pass chair, Anchor Bar wings, and a $2 Metro bus — traded against a 9 p.m. TSA close and lake-effect winters.

Airportist Score

7.4/ 10

Solid

Ease of use8.4
Comfort & amenities7.4
Food & retail7.2
Ground access7.0
Reliability6.6
Lounges7.2

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare BUF with another airport

Typical security
12 min
editorial average, not live
Fastest to city
20–30 minutes
Uber / Lyft
Cheapest to city
NFTA Metro Route 24 – Genesee
$2 single / $1 reduced / under 10 free; MetGo caps at $5/day · ~40 minutes
Lounges
2
2 rated worth it
On time
79%
of departures
Terminals
1
terminal / ~25 gates (2 international)

6 photos

Alternatives

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km. Scored airports show their Airportist Score so you can weigh a switch.

IAGNiagara Falls International Airport
Niagara Falls
26 km
YCMNiagara District Airport
St Catharines
45 km
DKKChautauqua County/Dunkirk Airport
Dunkirk
67 km
OLECattaraugus County Olean Airport
Olean
83 km
ROCGreater Rochester International Airport
Rochester
89 km
DSVDansville Municipal Airport
Dansville
93 km

Compare BUF vs IAG

IAGNiagara Falls International Airport
Niagara Falls
5.326 km
YCMNiagara District Airport
St Catharines
45 km
DKKChautauqua County/Dunkirk Airport
Dunkirk
67 km
OLECattaraugus County Olean Airport
Olean
83 km
ROCGreater Rochester International Airport
Rochester
7.189 km
DSVDansville Municipal Airport
Dansville
93 km

BUFGuide

BUFGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Checkpoint closes 9 p.m. — the terminal does not

Official FAQ: the building is 24/7, but TSA shuts at 21:00 daily. Ticket counters typically open 90 minutes before the first departure.

Lake-effect mornings and the first Florida/Orlando bank are when the single checkpoint bites. CLEAR+ at the main checkpoint is listed Sun–Fri 04:00–19:00 and Sat 04:00–18:00 on clearme.com — confirm the morning you fly.

Transfers

One hall, one checkpoint, walk the gate number

There is no second terminal and no airside train. After TSA you are already on the concourse — The Club is straight ahead between Gates 6 and 7.

Official dining pins stretch from Gate 4 (Blue Zone) to Gate 20 (JetSet East). Southwest-heavy banks can sit farther from the lounge than JetBlue/Delta — walk the letter, not a hub mental model.

Food

Eat Anchor Bar after security if you want the wing

Official Anchor Bar is airside on the departure level, daily 08:00–21:00 — the original Buffalo wing, not a landside tourist trap.

Bocce Club Pizza, BurgerFi, and Tim Hortons share the food court from 04:30 (Tims 04:00). Landside, Satterfield's (11:00–19:00) is the pre-security bar. The whole terminal is cash-free except vending.

Live checks

Priority Pass is The Club — not an airline club

Live PP USA has exactly one BUF pin. Day pass is about $50 on The Club site. WNY Freedom Lounge is not a pay product.

Official dining still says The Club is 'across from the security checkpoint'; PP and the operator pin it between Gates 6 and 7. Both are true in this compact hall. Confirm hours in the PP app the morning you fly.

Live conditions

Right now at BUF

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Western New York and Southern Ontario trips that should skip YYZ connections
Priority Pass holders who will actually sit in The Club between Gates 6 and 7
Drivers who want official $12 Economy parking 11 miles from downtown
Travelers who will eat the original Buffalo wing at Anchor Bar after security

Watch out for

TSA closes at 21:00 even though the terminal stays open — you cannot reclear
Lake-effect snow is the reliability story; pad the curb, not just security
Wikipedia still lists dead Metro routes 24B / 47 / 68 / 204 — only Route 24 is official
IAG / Niagara Falls is a different NFTA airport and a joint civil-military field

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.4

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.4

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.2

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

7.0

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.6

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

7.2

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

5.02M (2025)

Terminals

1 terminal / ~25 gates (2 international)

On-time departures

79%

Typical security

12 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for BUF.

Updated Sep 9, 2026

One passenger terminal on 4200 Genesee Street (Cheektowaga mailing Buffalo, NY 14225). Official NFTA performance sheet: 25 gates including 2 international. Wikipedia still says 24 after the 2001 expansion — trust FIDS.
5,017,000 passengers in calendar 2025 (Wikipedia box sourced to BTS; +1.13% vs 4,961,000 in 2024). T-100 enplanements ~2.54M. Do not use the NFTA FYE-25 '2,607,722 passengers' KPI or the 5.2M BNIA+NFIA combined figure as BUF-only calendar traffic.
Operator Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. ICAO KBUF. FAA surveyed elev 726.8 ft (Wikipedia box 717 ft / 219 m). Two asphalt runways: 05/23 8,829 × 150 ft and 14/32 7,161 × 150 ft. About 11 miles / 18 km east of downtown via NY-33 Kensington Expressway.
Pure civil NFTA passenger field. Niagara Falls International (IAG) is a different NFTA airport and a joint civil-military field with the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station — not this ticket hall. Signature / Tac Air is the north-side FBO, not the main terminal.
Official commercial-carriers page (trust FIDS): American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country (MSP seasonal), United. Southwest is the largest share (~28% Nov 2024–Oct 2025 BTS). Air Canada is not on the current official partners list.
Live Priority Pass USA (checked 9 Sep 2026) lists one Buffalo pin: The Club, airside between Gates 6 and 7, 04:00–19:00 daily. No Escape Lounge, Sky Club, Admirals Club, United Club, or Centurion. WNY Freedom Lounge is military/veteran/family only.

15 official sources

https://buffaloairport.com/
https://buffaloairport.com/flight-info/air-carriers/commercial
https://buffaloairport.com/traveler-info/in-the-terminal/restaurants-shops
https://buffaloairport.com/airport-info/faqs
https://buffaloairport.com/parking-and-transportation/ground-transportation/public-transportation
https://www.buffaloairport.com/to-from-around/ground-transportation/ridesharing
https://www.buffaloairport.com/parking-and-transportation/ground-transportation/shuttles-vans-and-taxis
https://parking.buffaloairport.com/
https://www.buffaloairport.com/sites/default/files/2025-03/Airport%20Directory%20Map_Update_v.2.pdf
https://metro.nfta.com/fares/fare-info
https://metro.nfta.com/schedules/route/24
https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/buffalo-niagara-international/buf1-the-club
https://theclubairportlounges.com/lounges/buf-the-club-main-terminal
https://www.clearme.com/all-locations/buffalo-niagara-international-airport
https://freedomlounge.nickelcity.net/

Full guide

Explore the BUF guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Map
Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the Buffalo city center
City center
View Map
Getting There
4 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Uber / LyftCheapest: NFTA Metro Route 24 – Genesee
View Getting There
Lounges
2 lounges with access rules, hours, and verdicts. 2 rated worth it.
The ClubWNY Freedom Lounge
View Lounges
Traveler Tips
Walk the gate number, not a hub map. After TSA you are already on the concourse. Official dining pins: Blue Zone at Gate 4, The Club / Coffee Beanery opposite the checkpoint and Gates 6–7, Queen City Kitchen at Gate 10, Market on Elmwood at Gate 18, JetSet East at Gate 20
12 tips & hacks
View Traveler Tips
Amenities
5 rated amenities — food, Wi-Fi, quiet spots, family, and sleep.
Anchor Bar
View Amenities
Water
Where to refill for free, and where a bottle costs the least airside.
4 spots2 free or refill
View Water
Reviews
Editorial and traveler reviews — what people actually complain about.
View Reviews

🌙8°C / 46°F

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 21:27 EDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Oct 25, 01:27 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.