Info on flying out of Buffalo

[petunia]

Now, that we're flying out of Buffalo for the first time, from the GTA, could someone give me any info that may be helpful? I'm curious about crossing the border, we have crossed for weekend trips, but if customs know that we are flying after we cross do they do a more thorough check, as in should we leave more time for crossing? Also, when we get to the airport, do we go through immigration, or just security maybe since technically we'll fly within the US? If our flight is 730 in the evening, what time would you leave the GTA to allow for the drive, border, parking, security etc? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

While I have never flown from Buffalo, I have flown from Syracuse, so I can answer a couple of your questions.

We did not find that there was any difference in the amount of time it took at the border crossing as opposed to any shorter-duration trips we've taken. Just be sure to have all your documentation in hand (passports, etc.), be ready to answer the border guard's questions truthfully, and you'll be good to go.

At the airport before your flight, you will not have to clear customs as you will have done that at the border (and will again going home while at the border crossing). You will only need to clear security prior to your flight.

 

[piraterunner]

Just make sure that you have your flight information and the address of the place you are staying at for US customs. I have always left on the a.m. Flights we usually leave about 4 hours before our flight, we live in Misissisauga. An hour and a half to buffalo airport, we park in the far lot, I think it is $50 for the week. The shuttle takes you right to the front doors. You go through security not customs. If you are checking bags you must do so at least 1 hour before. Have a great time!

 

[bdoyledimou]

we go through Fort Erie, NOT the Peace Bridge -- much faster, less traffic.
We generally give ourselves 2 hours to "cross the border" just in case as it can be unpredictable.

so from Markham, we plan 2.5 hours travel, 2 hours border, 1.5 hours airport time -- so we leave 6 hours before our flight.

better early and have time to grab a bite than be late and miss the flight

We also use the long term parking B (make sure you bring your ticket, and write your location down on the back-- the shuttle driver will ask for it on your return!)

 

[pigletto]

we go through Fort Erie, NOT the Peace Bridge -- much faster, less traffic.
We generally give ourselves 2 hours to "cross the border" just in case as it can be unpredictable.

so from Markham, we plan 2.5 hours travel, 2 hours border, 1.5 hours airport time -- so we leave 6 hours before our flight.

better early and have time to grab a bite than be late and miss the flight

We also use the long term parking B (make sure you bring your ticket, and write your location down on the back-- the shuttle driver will ask for it on your return!)

The Peace Bridge IS in Fort Erie. I think you may be referring to the Rainbow Bridge, which crosses at Niagara Falls.

We cross often for shopping, day trips, longer vacations. In 100 or more trips I can only think of one time we were seriously held up, and that was because it wasn't our vehicle, but a van we had borrowed from my parents. They elected to pull us over and have us wait while they did a search of the vehicle. It was a holiday weekend, and the holding room was PACKED. They put us through quickly after a few not so nice questions and riffling through our stuff.
I think all told it held us up about 90 minutes.

So while that isn't usual at all, I always leave extra time now in case of bridge traffic or unforeseen circumstances. That way we can leisurely make our way through the airport and have something to eat.
We live 30 minutes from the bridge but I always make sure to leave 2.5 to 3 hours ahead of time.

Have your passports ready, answer all questions about where you are going and staying, and 99 times out of 100 that will be it.
If you are going on a holiday or high travel period(Boxing Day for example) give yourself even more time. We've sat in bridge traffic for more than an hour on a holiday weekend.

Oh.. and you will not go through immigration again after the border crossing. We do show our passports again at the airport when we hand our boarding passes to the TSA agent but I think any I.D. would be fine at that point. We just use them because we have them on us.

 

[mom22belles]

We never decide ahead of time which bridge to use. On the drive we call the Niagara Bridge commission and get the up to date wait times. They have a 1-800 number and update the message every 1/2hr.
http://www.niagarafallsbridges.com/index.php3

That being said we have done this for our last 6 trips and every single time we crossed at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie because they had the shortest wait time. Queenston/Lewistown is really bad for long line ups and the have a smaller amount of lanes to use.

 

[petunia]

Thanks all, great info!

 

[pigletto]

Also, the Peace bridge crosses into Buffalo so it's simplest to cross there and very straightforward to get to the airport from there.
Crossing at Queenston Lewiston, or the Rainbow bridge is almost always longer and you still have to make your way to Buffalo.

 

[bunnybee]

We always cross at Fort Erie/Peace Bridge.. we leave a lot of time and if we get there early, we go shopping or for a meal.. if you cross at Fort Erie and drive towards the Airport, Walden Galleria is one or two exits from the airport and you have to pass right by. We get off at that exit and there is an IHOP/Walmart as well as a lot of other restaurants either on the same road or in the mall.
There are not a lot of food options inside the airport past security but there is a very small food court

 

[slusher]

There is a coupon for the long term parking at the Buffalo airport, http://www.buffaloairport.com/parking_coupon.asp

Also, if you fly JetBlue and have to connect in New York, you don't leave the transit lounge and there is one restaurant and one snack bar which is expensive. Sandwiches are $9 but big, however, think of it as training for WDW pricing.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Woops -- i meant Rainbow and/or Queenston-Lewiston .. Fort Erie is the BEST -- and the Duty Free shop on the Canadian side has awesome staff! (When we were there crossing for my birthday cruise in April, the lady noticed my birth date on my license and gave me a free pair of sunglasses -- and they are great sunglasses!

 

[Tower]

Our typical flights out of Buffalo are early in the morning to make fullest use of the day when we land. To make it easier for us, though some prefer to drive in earlier, we stay at an airport hotel that has parking available for the week we're gone and an airport shuttle. Less hassle that early in the morning about shuttling the car around to the lots etc., and we're better rested in the AM over having to wake up extra early to catch that same flight and driving in (and stressing about border delays.)

 

[jelo]

We go over every week to get groceries and only fly from Buffalo! We cross at the Rainbow, since we live very close to it...either way you have to travel.
Don't forget the coupon, wherever you park, the shuttles pick you up within minutes and drop you off at your designated door. Pain free!
Right now it's tourist season, so it's a little busier, but by Sept. it will slow a bit.

We went in March and I only gave myself 90 minutes to cross and get to the airport because I hate waiting with the kids for hours....and wouldn't you know it...my transmission broke down on the way to the airport and I had to get a plan B really fast!! We got there, cleared security and only waited 20 minutes for our flight...but I was so stressed out!

 

[petunia]

The address for the Buffalo airport is 4200 Genesee, correct? When I mapquest it from the GTA, I don't get an option to go via Fort Erie, yet everyone says it's easier?

 

[damo]

The address for the Buffalo airport is 4200 Genesee, correct? When I mapquest it from the GTA, I don't get an option to go via Fort Erie, yet everyone says it's easier?

Use googlemaps and you can slide the route over to go the right way.

 

[pigletto]

Our GPS does the same thing in certain areas. It wouldn't give us correct directions out of the Orlando Airport until we got there and it updated.
I agree with damo. Just use google maps. It's really fairly easy once you are over the border.

ETA) or even better... set your GPS to go from home to the Peace Bridge. Then program a second trip from the Peace Bridge to Buffalo Airport.

 

[dsneygirl]

The address for the Buffalo airport is 4200 Genesee, correct? When I mapquest it from the GTA, I don't get an option to go via Fort Erie, yet everyone says it's easier?

That's why Queenston/Lewiston is always so busy everyone else using Mapquest/google maps goes that way too.

I prefer Ft Erie as it is so direct from the bridge to the airport. There are signs on the highway. If you cross at Niagara you have to take the scenic route to the airport.

The US border guards are very familiar with Canadians coming to use the airport but have your boarding passes or itinerary with you.

 

[archdandy]

If we have a 6am flight out of Buffalo what time should we arrive at the airport? I know the toronto airport tells you to be there 3 hours before your flight, is there the same type of thing for the Buffalo airport?

 

[pigletto]

It's nowhere near as big as the Toronto airport. Not by a longshot. You could jog from one end to the other in about 5 or 10 minutes.
Now, the only issue is the 6am flight. I have heard the airport is congested in the early morning because flights start running at 6am. So everyone with a 6 or 7 am flight is getting there at the same time. Ours was at 8, and the lines were longer than usual but not terrible. So I would suggest more time in the morning than later in the day.

I would say 2 hours early is ample time. Even if it took you an hour to check your bags and go through security you would still have plenty of time to grab a bite to eat before boarding if anything is open that early.

( I would allow the extra hour if it was Boxing day or the first day of March Break. I like that 30 minutes to sit and relax before we fly. I'd always rather be early than running to catch my plane.)

 

[archdandy]

It's nowhere near as big as the Toronto airport. Not by a longshot. You could jog from one end to the other in about 5 or 10 minutes.
Now, the only issue is the 6am flight. I have heard the airport is congested in the early morning because flights start running at 6am. So everyone with a 6 or 7 am flight is getting there at the same time. Ours was at 8, and the lines were longer than usual but not terrible. So I would suggest more time in the morning than later in the day.

I would say 2 hours early is ample time. Even if it took you an hour to check your bags and go through security you would still have plenty of time to grab a bite to eat before boarding if anything is open that early.

( I would allow the extra hour if it was Boxing day or the first day of March Break. I like that 30 minutes to sit and relax before we fly. I'd always rather be early than running to catch my plane.)

Thanks. We will be going in September so hopefully it shouldn't be too busy.