Buffalo Airport Question

[mtmbyck]

we always tend to drive night before and stay overnight at a nearby hotel (but we have always flown out of Detroit) but this March, our flight is at noon in Buffalo and we are just north of Toronto so in theory we are thinking if we leave at 7am, we should be at the airport by 10am (buffering weather and bridge delays). Has anyone ever taken this risk??

How far is it LITERALLY from say the SKYWAY to the airport?

 

[brianm27]

We live south of Buffalo and just visited Toronto over Thanksgiving for the Chinese Lanter Festival. We stayed downtown on King, and made it back into the US in under two hours including customs. We crossed at the Peace Bridge, which is about 15 minutes from the airport.

I would think the lines should be shorter at that time of the morning. I know the peace bridge web site has wait times posted, so maybe you could look at what is typical to get a better idea.

 

[Ham Ham]

Is your flight a week-end or week-day?

Not including border delays it's about 40 minutes from the Skyway in Sr Kitts to BUF.

Here's a link taking the Peace Bridge.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sadd...732,-78.800125&spn=0.216718,0.434647&t=h&z=11

 

[NancyK]

We live in the St. Catharines area and it takes us about 1 hour to get to the airport with no wait at the bridge. Be sure to check out the border wait times before you leave.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html
I have to tell you, though, they aren't always 100% accurate, but it should give you an idea. We find that the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie is usually your best bet. Queenston-Lewiston always seems to be busier. And, of course, if you're travelling on March break, the wait-time at the bridges could be over an hour regardless of the time of day.

 

[poohbear7]

We live north of Toronto and when went in Oct we left at 8:30 am and arrived at the border at 10:30am and were at the airport by 11 am.

 

[karters*mom]

we always tend to drive night before and stay overnight at a nearby hotel (but we have always flown out of Detroit) but this March, our flight is at noon in Buffalo and we are just north of Toronto so in theory we are thinking if we leave at 7am, we should be at the airport by 10am (buffering weather and bridge delays). Has anyone ever taken this risk??

How far is it LITERALLY from say the SKYWAY to the airport?

I live in Welland and it took us 48 min from our door to the airport parking lot! Mapquest to Welland than add 48min! that should give you a bit of an idea!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

I had a similar question I just asked this morning in the Buffalo airport thread.
I am in Guelph and I figure it's going to take us just over 2 hrs to get from home to BUF including border crossing time - we will leave right at 5am for a 9:30am Saturday flight on Southwest so hopefully that will leave us enough time - border crossing should be easy at that time of day on Dec 13th I'm hoping.

Can anyone also help me with the best place to park for a short 4 day trip?? There was a coupon for $9 per day in the buffalo airport thread but i'm not sure which lot that would be.

 

[realfam]

We fly out of Buffalo often and also stay the night before. I wouldn't risk it. The border line are way too unpredictable. Plus hotel normally includes you parking. Go the day before!

 

[shoppgirl]

I had a similar question I just asked this morning in the Buffalo airport thread.
I am in Guelph and I figure it's going to take us just over 2 hrs to get from home to BUF including border crossing time - we will leave right at 5am for a 9:30am Saturday flight on Southwest so hopefully that will leave us enough time - border crossing should be easy at that time of day on Dec 13th I'm hoping.

Can anyone also help me with the best place to park for a short 4 day trip?? There was a coupon for $9 per day in the buffalo airport thread but i'm not sure which lot that would be.

Early Saturday morning crossings at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie should be quick and painless. We went for a 5 night trip and parked in preferred long term parking . It's the closest lot to the terminal, and you have the option of even walking from the car to the terminal. When we went, a shuttle bus actually followed us as we were looking for a spot. We were then able to unload all the luggage and strollers right onto the bus from the car. On the way home, we actually walked as we didnt' want to wait for the shuttle. The cheaper lots are further and you will need to wait for the shuttle to get to and from. With only 4 nights, I would recommend the preferred long term parking. I think the $9 price is for the lots furthest from the terminal...I think with the coupon, it costs $10.50 (??) for the preferred long term (It is also the first lot you come across as you enter the Buffalo airport parking.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Great - thanks for the info!!

 

[networktek]

for me and my wife we have always drivin to buffalo the day before
we never leave it to the last day to drive down also we stay at the quality inn across from the buffalo airport

 

[erynsmom]

We flew out of Buffalo on the Sunday of Labour Day weekend. We knew it would be really busy so we opted to drive over Saturday and stay the night. We left Burlington (Burloak and QEW) at 10:30am and we were at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie at noon and that was with a construction detour - not bad at all. The bridge was packed and it took 45 minutes to cross, but I thought we would have been there for hours. The drive to the airport is 10-15 minutes from the border. We stayed at the Holiday Inn right next to the airport and parked our car at the airport for the week. It was $40 or $45 to park for 6 days in Parking Lot B (the furthest from the terminal). Our flight was at 10am on Sunday and because we were so close we were able to sleep a little longer .

 

[talicskai]

I live in Paris (between Cambridge & Brantford). I flew out on the Friday before Thanksgiving and our flight departed 6:50am ~ we left home @ 3am and with a Timmy's run we were at the airport @ 5am. We parked at Fast Track parking across Gennessee Street from the airport. They were great. It is recommended that you prebook your parking spot. Here is their website:

http://www.fasttrack.com/mainpage.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

 

[Ham Ham]

We fly out of Buffalo often and also stay the night before. I wouldn't risk it. The border line are way too unpredictable. Plus hotel normally includes you parking. Go the day before!

Sage advice for morning flights.

Last March break our flight was Sunday at 18:20. We decided to just drive and park at the terminal.
We left our place at 10:00 had a little lunch and shopping in Buffalo before hitting the airport.
However we were lucky.
Does anyone remember the blizzard that hit on Saturday before the start of March break?

 

[talicskai]

Sage advice for morning flights.

Last March break our flight was Sunday at 18:20. We decided to just drive and park at the terminal.
We left our place at 10:00 had a little lunch and shopping in Buffalo before hitting the airport.
However we were lucky.
Does anyone remember the blizzard that hit on Saturday before the start of March break?

Yes I do ~ I had a group of clients (I'm a TA) flying to SanJuan on the Saturday & they nearly missed the ship ~ and it didn't depart until Sunday afternoon! What a stressful weekend that was!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

I do remember that storm.... I was sitting at the pool in San Juan sipping a tall cool drink thinking about my bil and sil that were to catch a flight on the Sunday to get to our cruise!!

So if we're paying $40ish for our 4 days of parking can someone recommend a 'cheap and cheerful' hotel that includes park and fly for Buffalo??

 

[talicskai]

I do remember that storm.... I was sitting at the pool in San Juan sipping a tall cool drink thinking about my bil and sil that were to catch a flight on the Sunday to get to our cruise!!

So if we're paying $40ish for our 4 days of parking can someone recommend a 'cheap and cheerful' hotel that includes park and fly for Buffalo??

Sleep Inn & Suites right behind the Denny's just past the airport. Nothing wrong with it at all

 

[Jackie Psarianos]

We live in Toronto and always spend the night across the street from Buffalo International. We go over to the Galleria Mall eat at the Cheesecake Factory then visit the outlet near Porter Road.

In March as you know the weather is still precarious, look at what's happening this month.

I recommend you play it safe and spend the night in Buffalo.

 

[dgkjh]

Sleep Inn & Suites right behind the Denny's just past the airport. Nothing wrong with it at all

We also stayed at Sleep Inn last year at this time and really liked it, especially the breakfast options. No pool option but the rates were fair. We still have to explore our options for our trip coming in December and Sleep Inn will be likely, but we may consider a place that has a pool so our kids can enjoy that as well.

 

[canadaniagarafamily]

For us, 20 minutes is the average time to the airport once you've cleared US Customs. What I tried for the first time was using the curb side check with SouthWest, then I left the wife and kids at the terminal while I parked the car. A lot less hassle as long as the curb side isn't too busy.
then I reversed the process when we collected our luggage upon return.