Overview
Buffalo sits on the eastern shore of Lake Erie in New York State, a few miles from the Canadian border and around half an hour from Niagara Falls. It is a warm, walkable city with a proud industrial heritage, a genuinely world-class art museum, striking Art Deco architecture and, of course, the chicken wing. For UK travellers it works brilliantly as a base for exploring western New York, the Falls and the Finger Lakes. There are no direct flights to Buffalo from the UK, but one-stop connections through the major US and Canadian hubs are plentiful. For a sense of how fares move through the year, see the price charts on this page.
Best time to fly to Buffalo
Late spring to early autumn (May to September) is the sweet spot, with warm days of around 24-28C, lively festivals and the Falls in full flow. September and early October bring cooler air and beautiful foliage across the city's parks. Winters are cold and famously snowy thanks to lake-effect snow off Lake Erie, so December to March suits only those who do not mind wrapping up warmly. Demand and fares peak in summer and around the late-November Thanksgiving holiday; the When to book chart above shows how prices typically shift.
Airlines and routes
No airline flies non-stop between the UK and Buffalo, so you will connect once. Common routings run via New York (JFK or Newark), Boston, Chicago, Washington, Philadelphia or Charlotte with American, Delta and United, often with the transatlantic leg on British Airways or Virgin Atlantic. Air Canada connects through Toronto or Montreal. Expect a total journey of roughly 11-14 hours from London including the layover, with the transatlantic leg alone taking about eight hours. Many travellers also fly direct to Toronto (around eight hours from London) and drive the final 90 minutes to two hours into Buffalo.
Things to do in Buffalo
Buffalo rewards a few unhurried days, and Niagara is an easy day trip.
- Niagara Falls: One of the world's great natural sights, about 30 minutes from the city by car.
- Buffalo AKG Art Museum: A superb modern and contemporary collection in a recently expanded building.
- Martin House: Frank Lloyd Wright's masterful Prairie-style complex, open for guided tours.
- Canalside: The revived waterfront at the western end of the Erie Canal, with boat trips, events and winter skating.
- Buffalo City Hall: A 1930s Art Deco landmark with a free observation deck and sweeping city and lake views.
At Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
The airport lies about 11 miles (18 km) north-east of downtown in Cheektowaga, usually a 20-30 minute drive. Taxis and ride-hailing apps wait outside arrivals and cost in the region of 20-35 pounds to central Buffalo. NFTA Metro bus route 24 runs into the city and links with the Metro Rail light rail, while all the major car hire firms have desks at the terminal, which is handy if you plan to tour the region or cross to the Canadian side of the Falls.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Buffalo
- Book roughly two to four months ahead for summer travel; last-minute transatlantic fares are rarely kind.
- Fly midweek where you can and avoid UK school holidays and the Thanksgiving peak in late November.
- Keep your dates flexible and use the price charts on this page to pick out the cheaper weeks.
- Compare one-stop fares against flying into Toronto, as the saving can outweigh the extra drive.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism but must hold an approved ESTA before departure, valid for two years and multiple visits. Your passport should be valid for the length of your stay. The currency is the US dollar; cards are accepted almost everywhere and a tip of around 18-20% is expected in restaurants. No special vaccinations are required, but US medical care is very expensive, so comprehensive travel insurance is essential. If you plan to visit the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, check the entry rules for Canada and for re-entering the United States.
