Traveling through Buffalo Airport (BUF) anytime soon? Well this amazing in depth review by Jeremy @JRSharpsMan will surely make your trip that much better, without further adieu , here you go!
Parking at the Airport
Upon arrival the most noticeable parking will be on site short term and preferred long term provided by the airport. I personally avoid these 2 lots due to lack of perks programs. $11.00 a day for long term preferred and roughly 23/25 a day for short term. Short term is in a parking garage directly across from baggage claim attached by a connecting road. You will also find the rental car programs all in this building as well. Though it is accessible easily within a minute from baggage claim, the price is not worth it for me. You can find me on Monday mornings parking at the Parking Spot ( the yellow and black spotted busses ). They are located on Genesee Street directly across from the airport. $10.00 a day and a great rewards program for frequent parkers. Also they post 10-20% discount coupons in the back of the United Hemispheres magazines which always helps. Fliers also have the option of Thrifty airport parking just down the street from the Parking Spot located behind Tim Horton’s with a rewards program as well. The cheapest parking is approximately ½ miles from the terminal also owned by the BUF airport at $ 8.00 a day. Long term D is the lot and if you down Genesee Street and hang a left at the NOCO gas station you will see it on the left. Usually 1-2 busses at a time, but can be slow at times so I avoid that lot.
Departing at the Airport
Upon arrival to the only terminal at BUF, there are 4 airline kiosks on the right side and 3 on the left side. BUF has just 6 airlines that services the airport. On the right side you have JetBlue, Southwest, American and United. On the left, Delta, USAir and Air Tran. Preferred check in is located at all major airlines, though the lines are rarely long enough to backup. In the center between the check in decks is the entrance to the TSA. The far right lane is reserved for Military and handicap travelers, the second lane for elite members and the third for general travelers. If you are up with technology and utilize the mobile boarding pass option, the far right and far left TSA stations are the only ones that have the mobile device scanners. If you forget and you have waited a long time in line ( rare except Monday mornings ) the TSA usually escorts you to one of these to assist you through. The downfall of TSA at BUF when busy is the lack of space between the TSA desks and security machines. There is not a lot of space here and can often become cluttered with people when backed up.
Once Thru Security
The left side of the main terminal ( only terminal ) are gates 1-8 reserved for US Air flights only. You do have a restaurant called the Blue Zone located halfway down for pre flight food. Try the bacon Panini for breakfast! If you are not on USAir, you will hang a right after TSA and find JetBlue occupying the first few gates before you reach United on the left. A large gift shop is one the right with all your magazines, luggage, a lot of BUF memorabilia and even jewelry is open roughly around 5:30am. The most popular coffee stand the Coffee Beanery is across the hall and most always has lots of caffeine addicts grabbing pre flight Java. Behind these two areas is the food court. The most popular stop is the Anchor Bar for those famous Buffalo wings and a pint pre or post flight. I have found the prices to be a bit high, but we all know how airport prices go, when they got ya they got ya! There is a Freshens smoothie stand, an Italian fast food stop as well. Moving on down the terminal if you are lucky enough to be on my airline United, we have another grab and go bar and grille called the Landmark. Just past Southwest’s gate 18 on the left is a Hudson News with soda and snacks as well for those passengers at the far end of the terminal nearing gates 18 – 26. Delta and Continental occupy the far right end of the terminal a good ways away from check in. Imagine walking 20 some gates back to TSA for a lost item!
Airport Luxuries
For those of us lucky enough to have Star Alliance lounge access, the USAir club is located right after you clear TSA. Though small, the lounge most always has enough seats to pass the time and check email with a cup of coffee and a muffin In the morning. Feeling tense? Check out the massage room across from the Anchor Bar. Not the best hours, but if you are lucky enough to catch the masseuse on duty, it’s a reasonable price for a quick rubdown pre or post flight! Traveling with little ones? Next to Gate 15 is a Fisher Price sponsored play area with books, toys and all the amusements your little one needs before sitting quietly in their seat the next couple hours.
Arriving at BUF Airport
Once you exit security keep an eye out for the escalators and head downstairs to the 3 baggage claims. Luggage is most always out in a reasonable manner and the lost luggage offices are all right there within a few seconds to walk to. Once you have your bags and head outside, if you are lucky enough to have someone pick you up, the curbside pickup is right there. Your chauffeurs will NOT have the option of sitting curbside as the BNIA police keep the traffic moving like no tomorrow. Cabs are on the left while off site shuttles are on your right. When utilizing the offsite parking like myself, just walk to the next curbside pickup across the covered road and you will see the variety of shuttles awaiting you. Tip ; keep your parking card handy to give to the driver with your parking spot on it to avoid a delay. Some drivers will not take you if you don’t have your parking card on you!
Lodging Near the Airport
Most all hotel chains are located on Genesee Street all with shuttles to run you across the street to the terminal. The newest hotels are the Fairfield Inn and Hilton Garden Inn and the older are the Holiday Inn and Days Inn. Passengers also have the option of a Holiday Inn Express as well. You can usually snag a great rate if staying on Saturday or Sunday night!
Thanks Jeremy for the great review!
