Buffalo Niagara Airport Terminal Guide

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is a single compact terminal about 10 miles east of downtown Buffalo, in Cheektowaga. It handles around five million passengers a year without the walking distances of a hub. Here is how it fits together and where the hotel shuttles wait.

Layout

The terminal has two levels. Departures, check-in kiosks and ticket counters are upstairs, along with the one TSA checkpoint in the centre of the hall. Arrivals, baggage claim, the rental car counters and every form of ground transport are downstairs. Behind the checkpoint two concourses fan out; they are connected airside and the furthest gate is under 10 minutes on foot.

Security opens around 03:30 to 04:00 and closes at 21:00. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR have their own lanes. There are no luggage lockers in the building. The Club BUF lounge is airside between the concourses, open 04:00 to 19:00, with walk-up access for a fee.

Airlines

American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country and United fly from Buffalo. Southwest uses the largest block of gates. Most routes are domestic; seasonal flights serve Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico, which is why the airport draws so many drivers from Ontario. International arrivals clear customs at a dedicated gate area.

Food and shops

Airside options include the Anchor Bar (the Buffalo wing original), Tim Hortons, Bocce Club Pizza, BurgerFi, Queen City Kitchen, Coffee Beanery and The Market on Elmwood, plus newsstands and a barber shop landside. Most close in the evening after the last departures; the landside Meet and Greet area has coffee and vending machines all night. Wi-Fi is free.

Ground transport, all on the lower level

Hotel shuttles: exit baggage claim, turn left, wait at the covered hotel-shuttle bays and call your hotel. Every Genesee Street hotel sends one free; six run 24 hours.
NFTA Metro bus: the 24 Genesee stops outside arrivals and runs to downtown Buffalo every 20 to 30 minutes for $2; weekday 24L and 24X trips are faster. See Buffalo Airport to Downtown Buffalo.
Taxis and rideshare: designated zones outside arrivals. Flat-rate taxis to Niagara Falls are around $85 to $95; see Buffalo Airport to Niagara Falls.
Rental cars: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National have counters in the arrivals hall.
Parking: garage $30 a day beside the terminal, outdoor lots $12 to $17 a day with a free shuttle every 15 minutes, all plus tax. Details in Park, Sleep and Fly at Buffalo Airport.

The hotels opposite

All seven hotels line Genesee Street across from the airport entrance. Buffalo Airport Hotel is the nearest to the doors. Hilton Garden Inn Buffalo Airport, Courtyard by Marriott Buffalo Airport, TownePlace Suites Buffalo Airport, Fairfield Inn & Suites Buffalo Airport and Comfort Inn & Suites Buffalo Airport follow in a row. Aloft Buffalo Airport is about a mile further along the same road. Compare them in Hotels near Buffalo Niagara Airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many terminals does Buffalo Airport have?

One. Check-in and the single TSA checkpoint are on the upper level, baggage claim and all ground transport on the lower level. Two concourses branch from the checkpoint and are connected airside, so you never need to re-clear security.

Where do the hotel shuttles pick up at Buffalo Airport?

On the arrivals (lower) level. Exit baggage claim, turn left and follow signs to the covered hotel-shuttle waiting area. Call your hotel from there; all seven hotels in this guide send a free shuttle on request.

Which airlines fly from Buffalo Airport?

American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country and United serve Buffalo, with Southwest the largest operator. Routes are mostly domestic plus seasonal sun destinations; check the airport site for the current list.

Information last verified: September 13, 2026