Have you parked at Buffalo Airport?

[mickeywho?]

We're trying to decide on whether to drive down in the wee hours for an early morning flight and leave our car at the long-term lot at Buffalo Airport - or - drive down the night before and leave our car at the hotel lot.
Has anyone tried both? I've read a lot of threads about the parknfly hotels around the airport but I thought we might try going from home to airport instead...
We haven't booked our flight yet - but we will be taking the earliest flight we can get.
Opinions or suggestions please!
TIA

 

[tink&cinderella]

We've done both

Just this past August we parked at the lot at the airport as we had MIL in a wheelchair and the shuttle from the hotel could not accomodate her. It was fine. There are shuttles to bring you back to the terminal from the lot. Just like Park and Fly here. No issues and car was fine too.

I do have to say that I prefer staying at the days inn and parking there around the front of the hotel - There are lots of lights and people coming and going and it is very reasonable price wise.

If it was just me and my family we would drive down the day before, stay at days inn and park there.

FYI on the Saturday that we went to Buffalo it took us 3 hours to cross the bridge - we did not cross at the falls but the one before that. Total 5 1/2 hours from Ajax to Buffalo- Then the border guy only gave us back 5 of our passports instead of 6 and we noticed when we stopped at Burger King to use the washroom. A lady who also had just crossed came to our car and told us Mr US customs had our passport so we turned around again to get it - this took another 1/2 hour so 6 hours in total to get there. I do not know why it was so painfully slow but the line up was huge.

My friends who also crossed that day and whom we were meeting at TGIF for dinner crossed at the falls with no line up at all.

So, you never know what kind of traffic greets you at the border. For peace of mind I'd go over the night prior, use the hotel parking and be worry free.

Just my opinion.

Tink&Cinderella

 

[Donald - my hero]

EEEW don't ever use the Queenston bridge unless you have an entire afternoon You think it looks like a short line until you are past the point of no return. To go to the Buffalo airport take the Peace Bridge (one past the Rainbow bridge in Niagara Falls) Don't worry lots of directions.

Here are good directions to the strip where all the hotels are


Depart on Peace Bridge (East)
and travel 0.5 mi / 0.8 km

Entering New York


Turn Right onto I-190 [Gov Thomas E Dewey Thruway]
and travel 2.2 mi / 3.5 km

At exit 6, turn RIGHT onto Ramp
and travel 0.3 mi / 0.6 km

Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto SR-33 [Elm St]
and travel 9.1 mi / 14.6 km

Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-33
and travel 0.3 mi / 0.5 km

Bear RIGHT (East) onto SR-33 [Genesee St]


We went down about a month ago to check out rooms and rates and this is route we took . Quick painless and perfect way to go hope this helps

 

[hockey mom]

I have done both and really like the airport parking. The shuttle service is very quick and drops you off right at your car.

 

[tmli]

I have also done both numerous times. Both have pros and cons....what usually makes the choice for me is my schedule the day before my flight. I always stay at the clarion for around $63...Caa rate and use there shuttle. When I drive down the morning of...I cross at lewiston and leave Kitchener at 3:30...arrive at Sunpark by 5:30 and to the airport shortly after. That time of the morning i have never had a wait at the border....often I drive right up to the kiosk, with nobody in front of me.

 

[canron]

we fly out of buffalo 4 times a year never any troublr we drive from kitchener each time my daughter just came home today and no trouble ifn you get the coupon its cheaper long term parking A. get the coupon on line and its $38.00get it at the buffalo airport web site.you will save $15.00its $38.00for the week

 

[sammi]

DS and his girlfriend and her whole family (10 in all) are taking the early flight to WDW from Buffalo this Saturday and plan to leave Hamilton at 3:30......does everyone think they'll have enough time?

I'm a little worried. We head down next month...... but then again we always stay overnight and then we don't get stressed out about getting to the airport on time!

 

[sammi]

DS and his girlfriend and her whole family (10 in all) are taking the early flight to WDW from Buffalo this Saturday and plan to leave Hamilton at 3:30AM......does everyone think they'll have enough time?

I'm a little worried. We head down next month...... but then again we always stay overnight and then we don't get stressed out about getting to the airport on time!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

DH has used Sunpark many times.

http://www.sunpark.com/premierparker/loc_buffalo.asp?location=loc_buffalo

They usually have coupons on their site, and are located right across from the airport.

 

[sammi]

oops...............sorry for the double post....the DIS must have hiccups!

 

[SaraMc]

we have crossed in the middle of the night for our 5:50 flight last year. We crossed at Lewiston with no problems and patked at the airport. Got to say this time we go we are going over a day ahead just so we dont feel like total zombies our first day in the parks.

 

[TimNDansMom]

We always cross at the Peace Bridge and have had no problems. We always take the evening non-stop flight and park at the airport in the Longterm A lot. The current coupon available on the airport's website expires at the end of December.

 

[canron]

we cross queston lewiston 4 times a year we are gone in 5 minits .we cross around 430 or 5 am to get the 720 flight on southwest.

 

[DisneyMedic]

I don't know how many are in your party, there might be too many to consider this option, but whenever I fly from Buffalo or Toronto, I usually use an airport shuttle, be it private car or bus. It takes the stress off of me, as it is their responsibility to get you there on time. Seeing as you are paying for gas to drive to Buffalo, then paying to leave your car, and possibly stay over night, then driving home, think about them driving you, it's much less hassle for you. If that's not up your alley, then I would go the night before, and take the Peace Bridge, much easier, less hassle. AND before you leave, call the bridge authority and ask what the wait times are, that way you know what to expect. AND make sure to get all your documentation back....customs has a habit of keeping stuff. Any other questions, just ask. My brother worked for the bridge commission and I am a Niagara Resident and frequent user. Enjoy your trip Jenn

 

[tmli]

SAMMI,

I leave from Kitchener at 3:30....from Hamilton should be no problem at all!!

 

[Disney5Mom]

We left around 4 from outside if Toronto. We got in the security line about 6 but for some reason barely made it to our flight. We were very tired that day too so next time we are going to stay ay a hotel overnight and park there. We have parked twice in the airport parking and found it to be reasonably priced and convenient. For any trip later than 10 am we will probably stay oin Buffalo overnight again. For later than we will drive that day.Have a super trip!!

 

[sammi]

Thanks so much Tracey for your information! Since there is 10 of them and they are having to take 3 vehicles and then stop at the Park n' Fly, there are some worries but I think leaving at 3:30 shouldn't be a problem either.

Do you go over via the Peace Bridge and if so what is your directions to get there?

 

[rigs32]

I always park at Sunpark. You get to and from your car quicker than long term at the airport, actually, because the shuttles are constant and it's not as spread out. I just printed my coupon and it is $32.74 a week plus $7.12 each additional day plus 8.75% tax, 6% airport tax, $1.50 surcharge per stay. I could only find a 10% coupon for the long term airport parking.

For our 7am flight, if we pull into the Sunpark lot we'll be at the terminal in ~10min. Long term shuttles take longer or you have to walk the whole way, which isn't fun that early.

 

[Torontogal]

subscribing...
We are flying out of Buffalo in a month on Southwest and would love to know where you guys suggest we park. We would be leaving our vehicle for about 7 days and want a safe place.
By the way, I think you can get coupons for Park n Fly online.

 

[dsneygirl]

We have used SunPark many times with no concerns. They also usually have coupons online.

I always cross at the Peace Bridge for the airport. No need to bother going through the middle of both NF, ON and NF USA. You also have to pay a toll over the Grand Island bridge going that way.