Book Flights to Buffalo, New York
Buffalo — gateway to Niagara Falls, birthplace of the chicken wing, home of Frank Lloyd Wright's finest Prairie house — is a city of genuine character and remarkable resurgence. The AKG Art Museum, beef on weck, sponge candy, Bills football, and Lake Erie waterfront make Buffalo one of the most authentic and affordable city experiences in the Northeast.
BUF Airport has strong competition: Southwest (dominant), Delta, American, United, JetBlue, and Spirit all serve Buffalo. FareOptic compares all carriers for the lowest Buffalo airfare.
Cheap Flight Deals to Buffalo
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Why Visit Buffalo, New York?
From Niagara Falls and Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House to the birthplace of the buffalo wing and world-class contemporary art, Buffalo is one of America's most authentically rewarding mid-size cities.
Niagara Falls
One of the World's Great Natural Wonders — 30 Minutes AwayNiagara Falls — 30 km north of Buffalo — is one of the most visited natural wonders in the world: three waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls) on the Niagara River between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The US side (Niagara Falls State Park, oldest state park in the US, 1885) offers excellent views of American Falls; the Canadian side (Niagara Falls, Ontario) provides the iconic panoramic view of Horseshoe Falls.
Canadian vs. US Side
The Canadian side of Niagara Falls is more developed and offers the best panoramic view of all three falls (Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, Bridal Veil) from Clifton Hill and Queen Victoria Park. The Maid of the Mist boat tour (US or Canadian side) takes you to the base of Horseshoe Falls — the thundering water and mist are overwhelming at close range. Passport required for Canada crossing
Buffalo Wings at the Anchor Bar
Birthplace of Buffalo Wings (1964)The Buffalo chicken wing was invented at Anchor Bar in Buffalo in 1964 by Teressa Bellissimo, who deep-fried chicken wings (then discarded as scraps) and served them with blue cheese and celery. Buffalo wings are now one of the most consumed foods in America. The Anchor Bar (1047 Main St) is a pilgrimage site for food historians and wing enthusiasts.
Wing Trail
Buffalo has dozens of excellent wing restaurants beyond Anchor Bar — Duff's Famous Wings (on Sheridan Drive) is preferred by many locals for consistent quality; Bar-Bill Tavern in East Aurora serves arguably the best traditional Buffalo-style wings in the region. The classic preparation is plain (no sauce coating, just deep-fried) with cayenne sauce served separately, not tossed
Buffalo AKG Art Museum
Renovated World-Class Contemporary Art CollectionThe Buffalo AKG Art Museum (formerly Albright-Knox Art Gallery, reopened 2023 after a major expansion) is one of the finest modern and contemporary art museums in the United States: extraordinary collections of Abstract Expressionism (Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Clyfford Still), Pop Art (Warhol, Lichtenstein), and European modernism (Picasso, Monet, Matisse), displayed in a landmark 1905 Greek Revival building plus modern addition.
Abstract Expressionism
AKG's Abstract Expressionism collection is one of the finest in the world — the museum acquired many works directly from the artists or in initial exhibitions in the 1950s–60s. The Clyfford Still Collection at AKG includes 33 works spanning Still's entire career, and the Pollock, de Kooning, and Franz Kline holdings are of museum-caliber quality rarely found outside New York City
Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture
Darwin D. Martin House — Wright's Greatest Prairie StyleThe Darwin D. Martin House (1905) in Buffalo is considered Frank Lloyd Wright's finest Prairie Style home and one of the most important works of American residential architecture. The 6-building complex — meticulously restored 1987–2016 — includes the main house, pergola, carriage house, gardener's cottage, and the Graycliff Estate (35 km south on Lake Erie) also designed by Wright.
Guided Tours
The Darwin D. Martin House offers daily guided tours ($22–30 per person) of the restored interiors — Wright's oak furniture, art glass windows (394 pieces of art glass in the main house alone), and the spatial flow between rooms provide the most complete Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie house experience accessible to the public. Book online at martinhouse.org
Canalside and Buffalo's Waterfront
Revitalized Erie Canal TerminusCanalside — Buffalo's revitalized inner harbor district at the terminus of the Erie Canal (which made Buffalo the fastest-growing city in America 1830–1860) — is a waterfront entertainment zone with summer concerts, ice skating in winter, kayak rentals, and event venues. The neighboring Outer Harbor has a long public waterfront with views of Lake Erie and the Peace Bridge to Canada.
Winter Ice Skating
Canalside's ice skating complex (typically November–March) is one of the most atmospheric winter activities in upstate New York: skating on historic canal waters surrounded by Victorian-era architecture, with views of the Peace Bridge and Lake Erie. Skating is free (skate rentals available). Buffalo's winters are cold but the city embraces outdoor winter activities unlike many US cities
Buffalo's Restaurant Scene
Chicken Wings, Beef on Weck, and Sponge CandyBuffalo has a distinctive regional food culture: chicken wings (invented here in 1964), beef on weck (rare roast beef on a kummelweck caraway roll, dipped in au jus — a sandwich unique to western New York), and sponge candy (chocolate-covered toffee with a sponge-like interior, made by Fowler's Chocolate since 1910). The Elmwood Village and Allentown districts have Buffalo's most interesting dining.
Beef on Weck
Beef on weck is Buffalo's other great culinary gift to America — rarely found outside Western New York: rare roast beef hand-carved onto a kummelweck roll (caraway seeds and coarse salt on top), dipped in natural jus. Charlie the Butcher's (at multiple locations) is the definitive beef on weck experience. Order it rare; it should be dripping
How to Find Cheap Flights to Buffalo
Southwest Has the Most BUF Departures — Compare First
Southwest is the largest carrier at Buffalo Niagara with the most daily departures to Florida, Midwest, and Western cities. Compare Southwest's all-in price (bags included, no change fee) against Delta, United, and American on FareOptic. Spirit's ultra-low base fares are the cheapest but add bag fees.
Toronto YYZ Is 1.5 Hours North — More International Options
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is 90 minutes north of Buffalo (requires passport for US citizens). YYZ is a major international hub with Air Canada, WestJet, and many Asian and European carriers. For international travel to Europe, Asia, or the Caribbean, compare YYZ fares against BUF connections on FareOptic.
Visit Niagara Falls — Plan Your Side of the Border
Niagara Falls is accessible from both the US (Niagara Falls, NY) and Canada (Niagara Falls, ON) via the Rainbow Bridge. The Canadian side has the best panoramic views. If visiting Canada, bring your passport and check Canadian visa requirements. The Maid of the Mist boat tour operates from both sides.
Bills Home Games Drive Accommodation Demand
Buffalo Bills NFL home games (September–January) fill hotels across the greater Buffalo area. Book flights and hotels simultaneously for fall visits to Buffalo — Bills game Sundays cause area-wide hotel price spikes. If not attending a game, visiting on non-game weekends offers normal hotel pricing.
Airlines Serving Buffalo (BUF)
Southwest Airlines
Largest BUF Carrier — Best for FlexibilitySouthwest Airlines is the largest carrier at Buffalo Niagara with the most departures to Florida, the Gulf Coast, Midwest, and Western US cities. Southwest's no-change-fee policy and two free checked bags make it the most popular airline at BUF for leisure travel.
Key Routes
Buffalo BUF to Orlando MCO; BUF to Tampa TPA; BUF to Fort Lauderdale FLL; BUF to Denver DEN; BUF to Las Vegas LAS; BUF to Nashville BNA; BUF to Chicago Midway MDW; BUF to Houston HOU and 25+ more Southwest cities
Delta Air Lines
Detroit and Atlanta HubsDelta Air Lines connects Buffalo through Detroit (DTW) and Atlanta (ATL), providing excellent Southeast and international connections. Delta offers direct flights from BUF to Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, and select Florida cities.
Key Routes
Buffalo BUF to Atlanta ATL; BUF to Detroit DTW; BUF to Minneapolis MSP; BUF to New York JFK; BUF to Los Angeles LAX; BUF to Salt Lake City SLC; international connections via ATL and DTW
American, United, JetBlue & Spirit Airlines
Comprehensive Coverage from BUFAmerican Airlines serves BUF via Charlotte and Dallas. United connects through Philadelphia and Chicago. JetBlue serves select BUF routes including Los Angeles and Boston. Spirit provides ultra-low fares on selected leisure routes from Buffalo.
Key Routes
Buffalo BUF to Charlotte CLT (American); BUF to Dallas DFW (American); BUF to Philadelphia PHL (American); BUF to Chicago ORD (United/American); BUF to Boston BOS (JetBlue); Spirit serves ultra-low routes from BUF on competitive leisure routes
Things to Do in Buffalo, New York
Essential Info for Your Buffalo Trip
State
New York (NY) — Erie County seat
Currency
USD — US Dollar
Time Zone
EST (UTC-5) / EDT (UTC-4) in summer
Airport Code
BUF — Buffalo Niagara International Airport (15 km northeast)
Niagara Falls
30 km north (30 min drive) — US and Canadian sides
Canada Border
Peace Bridge to Canada: 5 min from downtown, passport required
Bills Football
Highmark Stadium (East Orchard Park): NFL September–January
Emergency Number
911
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Buffalo
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Buffalo, New York
What airport serves Buffalo, New York?
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (IATA: BUF) is located 15 km northeast of downtown Buffalo and serves both Buffalo and the Niagara Falls area. Southwest, Delta, American, United, JetBlue, Spirit, and other carriers serve BUF. Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ, 90 min north in Canada) offers more international service.
How far is Niagara Falls from Buffalo?
Niagara Falls, NY (US side) is 30 km north of downtown Buffalo — about 30 minutes by car. The Canadian side (Niagara Falls, Ontario) is accessible via the Rainbow Bridge pedestrian crossing (passport required). BUF Airport is 20 minutes from the US falls. Many visitors fly into Buffalo specifically to visit Niagara Falls.
Who invented the Buffalo chicken wing?
The Buffalo chicken wing was invented in 1964 at Anchor Bar (1047 Main St, Buffalo) by Teressa Bellissimo, who deep-fried chicken wings and served them with a cayenne-butter sauce, blue cheese dip, and celery. Buffalo wings are now consumed by the billions annually across the US. The Anchor Bar is a food history pilgrimage site.
What is beef on weck?
Beef on weck (or beefamundo) is a Buffalo regional sandwich: rare roast beef hand-carved and piled high on a kummelweck roll (a hard roll topped with pretzel salt and caraway seeds), dipped in the natural beef jus. It's almost unknown outside Western New York. Charlie the Butcher's is considered the definitive beef on weck specialist.
What is the Buffalo AKG Art Museum?
The Buffalo AKG Art Museum (formerly Albright-Knox Art Gallery, reopened after a major 2023 expansion) is one of the finest modern art museums in the US. The collection is particularly strong in Abstract Expressionism (Pollock, Rothko, de Kooning, Clyfford Still), Pop Art (Warhol, Lichtenstein), and European Modernism, displayed in a landmark 1905 Greek Revival building plus a new contemporary wing.
What is sponge candy?
Sponge candy is a Buffalo specialty: a chocolate-covered toffee with an aerated, sponge-like interior (similar to a Violet Crumble or Crunchie bar) made by cooking sugar and corn syrup with baking soda to create air bubbles, then coating in chocolate. Fowler's Chocolate (in business since 1910) and Watson's are the most beloved Buffalo sponge candy makers.
What is the best time to visit Buffalo?
June–September: warm summers, baseball (Bisons AAA team), outdoor events, and Canalside activities. October: stunning fall foliage in the Finger Lakes and Allegany State Park. Winter (November–March): Bills football, Canalside ice skating, and snowy landscapes. Buffalo winters are cold (−15 to 5°C) with significant snowfall but the city functions normally through winter weather.
Is Toronto accessible from Buffalo?
Toronto, Ontario is 140 km north of Buffalo (90 minutes by car on QEW via the Peace Bridge; US passport required). Toronto is one of Canada's great cities — the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, ROM (Royal Ontario Museum), Art Gallery of Ontario, and Kensington Market are within easy reach for a Buffalo day trip or overnight. Check current Canada border crossing requirements before your trip.
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