How much time should I allow?

busyshrew

Mouseketeer
Joined
Dec 23, 2009
Messages
403
I have a question for all of you seasoned Buffalo airport veterans. We have an early flight out of BUF (8:30am). We plan to park at the airport, (Long Term A lot w. coupon) and take the quick shuttle in.

What would you recommend would be the best arrival time at the parking lot? I'm currently assuming the following timeframes:

15 minutes to drive from hotel to airport (should be less, but just in case...)
20 minutes to get parked & shuttle to airport
1 hour to clear security (??? Is this enough time???)

By my calculation, we need to leave the hotel at 6:30 am, does this sound right?
 
Sounds right to me. You'll probably have to check in as well if you are checking bags. We fly Southwest and it usually only takes about 15 minutes to check in. Security can vary. The longest we've had to wait is about 45 minutes, usually it's in the 15-20 minute wait from start to finish. We usually allow about an hour though and if we are through early then we have time to get a drink or something to eat before the flight.
 
I usually pull into the parking lot an hour before my flight leaves.

In the last 2 years I have used I have used Buffalo airport for my 12 trips to either Vegas or Disney and have never been late.
 
Make sure your coupon covers Lot A. We got on last year, parked and then realized that it was for Lot B and C?? It didn't cover the one that was walking distance to the airport!
 

That's about what we did in December and it worked fine. We had about a 20 minute wait to check luggage (Jet Blue)- security line was very fast no line at all.

Coming home was another story- sister who flew back a few days ahead said she had long wait (Southwest) to check luggage so we did leave earlier- and it was a good thing- took 45 minutes in line to check luggage there in Orlando- security was faster- maybe 10 minutes. There was a couple beside us checking luggage and the screen came up saying they were too late to guarantee their luggage would get on the plane. It made a loud noise/bell sound which was funny sounded like they had won something.
 
Thank you for the quick answers. We'll definitely plan to leave the hotel at 6:30. Which will mean getting up at 5:45 - eeeewwww.

Thank you too for the warning about the coupon. I just checked and it is for Parking A ($9/day instead of $10). Our luggage is quite small, just one carry-on apiece, so if we're really pressed for time, I guess we could just skip checking the bags (I didn't realize that would be time-consuming, I thought security would be crazy).

One month to go until I'm off to warmer weather!!!!!
 
I agree with 2 hours ahead....you can make your parking easier by not wasting time looking for a spot in the immediate area....meaning the area you enter the lot....after you enter go through the under pass at the end of the lot and get a spot over on that side. There is always a ton of space over there.
 















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