Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or just quickly passing through, our Buffalo Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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It’s a very clean airport and has a decent amount of benches, but on a busy night you should get your bench early before it’s taken. The benches are in the main lobby/check-in counters. -Dennisl
BUF Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
What to Expect
Buffalo Airport (code: BUF) is a small, single-terminal airport with 24 gates. There is a decent variety of shopping and dining options – including the Anchor Bar, the reputed birthplace of the Buffalo chicken wing! After airport restaurants and shops close for the night, vending machines are the only in-airport snack option, so purchase your food and drinks before the concessions close. While amenities are limited, there is free WiFi to help pass the time.
Sleeping in Buffalo Airport
Buffalo Airport isn’t the most sleep-friendly airport. While a few people plan to stay overnight here before early morning flights, more people inadvertently spend the night due to inclement weather – particularly in the winter. The airside closes overnight, so you will be relocated to the landisde until the security checkpoints reopen in the morning. If you’re looking for a nap, padded, armrest-free benches exist throughout the airport. However, reviewers have complained that loud cleaning machines and announcements make noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs necessary. If you must sleep landside, armrest-free benches are available in the Baggage Claim and Check-In areas. Be aware that check-in receives incoming foot traffic at around 4:00 AM when the airport opens. A travel blanket or sleeping bag is a MUST if you sleep in the Check-In area, as the automatic entry doors let the cold air in all night. If you’re looking for uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels nearby that provide shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Buffalo Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours. However, the security checkpoint is open from 4:00 AM – the last flight.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones; however, informal spots with padded benches and recliners exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Buffalo Airport that provide free airport shuttles:
- Aloft Buffalo Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buffalo Airport » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo Airport » Check Rates
- Hilton Garden Inn » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Buffalo Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- The Club – Location: Main Terminal, Airside, between Gate 6 and Gate 7. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs.
Military Lounge
WNY Freedom Lounge – A dedicated lounge is available for military personnel and veterans. Location – Airside, between gates 8 and 9.
Drinking Water
Free water bottle refill stations are available on the airside.
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the terminal operate on varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Most locations are open at 5:00 AM and close at approximately 8:00 PM. Vending machines are available in the baggage claim area.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Mobile charging stations are located at Gates 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23 and 25. Lounge seating with iPad arms and in-seat outlets are available at each gate.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Buffalo Niagara Airport for 45 minutes. Connect to the “BUF Free WiFi” network.
Pro-Tip: Once your free session is over, you can start it again for free after watching another commercial. You can repeat this as many times as you want.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside, Baggage Claim • Landside, Ticket Area • Airside, Gate 4, Gate 7 and Gate 18.
Baby Care Facilities – A Nursing Room is available on the airside, near Gate 14.
Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts (Smarte Cartes) are available on the Lower Level in the Baggage Claim. Rate: unknown.
Barber – Available on the Upper Level, Landside. Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Mon-Fri) 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Sat) Sunday by appt. only.
Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the Fisher-Price branded children’s play areas. Location: Airside, near Gate 2, 9, 19, and 21.
Currency Exchange – Cash-only exchanges of USD to C$, and vice versa, are available at the Canada Currency Exchange, located inside the Fifth & Main gift shop. Location: Airside, opposite Gate 7. Hours: Open daily until 5:00 PM.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-Free shopping is not available. There are two gift shops (both Airside) and an accessories boutique (location: Unknown).
Information Desk – Location: Lower Level, Baggage Claim.
Pet Relief Area – A designated pet relief area is located outside, on the Lower Level, to the right of the terminal exit. An inside pet relief area can also be found airside, between Gates 11 and 14.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Work Stations – Information not available.
Bus
NFTA Metro Route 204 (Airport – Downtown Express) offers nonstop service between BUF airport, Niagara Falls, and downtown Buffalo, including the Central Business District and the Metro Bus station in the Metropolitan Transportation Center. Tickets cost $2.00 one-way. Buffalo Airport is also accessed by regular Metro bus Route 24 Genesee. For route maps, timetables and fares, visit the NFTA website.
For longer distance connections, including Canadian cities, visit the Buffalo Airport website or the airport Information Desk.
Car Rentals
Onsite car rental agencies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, and National. Look for their desks on Arrivals Level, near Crosswalks 3 or 4.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Best Western The Inn at Buffalo Airport • Buffalo Airport Hotel • Courtyard by Marriott Buffalo Airport • Fairfield Inn & Suites Buffalo Airport • Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo Airport • Hilton Garden Inn Buffalo Airport • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buffalo-Airport • Home2 Suites by Hilton Williamsville Buffalo Airport • Quality Inn Buffalo Airport • Sleep Inn & Suites Buffalo Airport • SpringHill Suites by Marriott Buffalo Airport • TownePlace Suites Buffalo Airport • Tru By Hilton Williamsville Buffalo Airport.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Ride Sharing
Rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, are available. A ride to downtown Buffalo will cost you $18 to $30.
Taxis and Shared-Ride Shuttles
Taxis and shared-ride shuttles are available on the Arrivals Level of the terminal, near Crosswalk 3.
Last updated: 2025-04-07
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.