GangStarr
Dec 28th, 2007, 03:00 PM
Hello All,
I figured I would post this thread to advise of some tips on catching a flight out of BUF Buffalo Niagara International Airport using public transportation from the center of the universe, Toronto. It's easier and more time efficient then one might think, particularly when traveling solo.
1. How do I get to Buffalo ?
There are 2 buses with service to Buffalo downtown bus terminal.
A. Greyhound.ca
B. CoachCanada.ca
>edit greyhound NEON and Megabus.com now do direct trips to BUF airport
I took Coach Canada and they are SLIGHTLY more expensive. ($1 I think). The service is enroute to NYC but only stops in Niagara falls and at this gas station in Fort Erie right next to the border. It has no other stops and both Greyhound and CoachCanada START their service in Toronto, so no waiting for an inbound bus.
For the ladies there is a 10 minute washroom break in Niagara that has flush toilets.
2. What is the border like by bus?
When you board your bus it is wise to ask the driver discreetly if there are any non US / Canadian citizens. The driver asks for some ID before you get on the bus and ensure thats any foreigners have the proper documents.
When you arrive ALL your luggage will be offloaded and in my circumstance a dog came around and sniffed all luggage that was stored under the bus.
Once off the bus you go in through this small door (there are flush toilets)
I crossed with my Drivers License and citizenship and did so hassle free. Took me about 3 minutes of questioning but I had proof of return. Do yourself a favor and have proof of return. They let other people in without it but they do bug you a little bit (the customs officer at the end said "okay so I have to bug you about it but go ahead your clear".
Once you are cleared initially they send you to the next room where they decide if they are screening you.
After that you exit some doors and wait for the rest of the bus to clear.
3. What if someone gets held back or a decision whether to admit the person has not been made?
In our case we had a woman from Taiwan with 9 pieces of luggage and was being interrogated by US customs. After 45 minutes of people waiting for the bus to move, the driver went in and asked if they made a decision. They told us they would within a few minutes and unfortunately did not admit her.
Our bus was on its way, slightly delayed but on our way.
TIP! Sit at the front of the bus, this way YOU are the first one cleared US customs, and if someone is being held back, you can order a taxi to the border. According to our bus driver it can be done and the bonus is that the bus terminal is about 1 or 2km from the border. Or if you are pressed for time you can cab it directly to the airport (I imagine this will cost you around $30 or $40 this is just a guess)
4. Okay so I am in the BEAUTIFUL city of Buffalo, how do I get to the airport?
Now that you are in Buffalo you have 2 options for the bus out to the airport. 204 express service and the
24 local service.
DO NOT TAKE THE 24 DURING THE WEEK. THE 204 is less frequent but makes a few stops downtown and its on the highway to the airport. The bus driver advised us that the 24 is a better option on the weekend when 204 service is limited.
the 204 is a small bus that starts at the bus terminal, it is handicap accessible and there is room for your luggage. Since it appears that this bus terminal is the hub of their transit system, service should be pretty reliable.
5. How much does this bus cost? Where is the bus stop ?
First things first, its $1.75 US dollars to get to the airport. You need a token or exact change. There is a small office that makes change for you or an automated machine that sells tokens. The bus accepts $1 bills but does not give change so don't stick a $5 in there.
Opposite the small office you will find the main exit but DO NOT CROSS THE STREET, if you are looking for 204 express service. Consult the schedule at the below link, or there are pamphlets you can take away with you. There is a small heated seating area that has a view of the bus stop, so you can wait inside for the bus.
204 Airport Express PDF (http://www.nfta.com/metro/schedules_pdfs/204.pdf)
If its the weekend, according to the bus driver the 24 service is better. To catch this bus cross the street and you will see a bus stop on the corner.
24 Local Service PDF (http://www.nfta.com/metro/schedules_pdfs/24.pdf)
6. Other tips
-Avoid checked luggage, this saves so much time. Stop packing the kitchen sink and get it all into your carry on.
-Check in Online, I flew continental and 24 hours prior to departure I chose my seat and printed a boarding pass. When I got to the airport, went right to security, then to the waiting area for the plane. Minimal human contact :)
-Sign up to any frequent flyer programs that are applicable and select the "contact me if my flight is delayed or canceled". Buffalo gets some bad weather and delays and even cancellations do occur. I doubt they are giving you anything free if a flights canceled due to weather. Either here in buffalo or at your destination airport.
-I flew continentals lowest class of flight (500 reward miles) 12 of the shortest round trips they fly gets you a free flight in the states.
-Apparently around continentals "presidental club" you can catch a leaking unencrypted WIFI signal, thats what the person on the flight next to me told me.
-www.seatguru.com got me some sweet exit row seats with PLENTY of room on my 1 hour flight ;)
-www.sleepinginairports.net <-- might not hurt to take a look at especially if you are connecting at other hubs.
-You are not allowed to bring meat or cheese with you across the border.
-make sure you check tsa.org if your brining your bathroom essentials in your carry on. I brought in a huge stick of gel deodorant way above whatever their limit is and they dont care. They insist on using their "zipper top" zip loc bags, which they provide for free. Any prescription liquids or gels of any size are no problem as long as they have the pharmacy sticker on them with your name.
Anyways, hope you guys enjoy the write up.
I figured I would post this thread to advise of some tips on catching a flight out of BUF Buffalo Niagara International Airport using public transportation from the center of the universe, Toronto. It's easier and more time efficient then one might think, particularly when traveling solo.
1. How do I get to Buffalo ?
There are 2 buses with service to Buffalo downtown bus terminal.
A. Greyhound.ca
B. CoachCanada.ca
>edit greyhound NEON and Megabus.com now do direct trips to BUF airport
I took Coach Canada and they are SLIGHTLY more expensive. ($1 I think). The service is enroute to NYC but only stops in Niagara falls and at this gas station in Fort Erie right next to the border. It has no other stops and both Greyhound and CoachCanada START their service in Toronto, so no waiting for an inbound bus.
For the ladies there is a 10 minute washroom break in Niagara that has flush toilets.
2. What is the border like by bus?
When you board your bus it is wise to ask the driver discreetly if there are any non US / Canadian citizens. The driver asks for some ID before you get on the bus and ensure thats any foreigners have the proper documents.
When you arrive ALL your luggage will be offloaded and in my circumstance a dog came around and sniffed all luggage that was stored under the bus.
Once off the bus you go in through this small door (there are flush toilets)
I crossed with my Drivers License and citizenship and did so hassle free. Took me about 3 minutes of questioning but I had proof of return. Do yourself a favor and have proof of return. They let other people in without it but they do bug you a little bit (the customs officer at the end said "okay so I have to bug you about it but go ahead your clear".
Once you are cleared initially they send you to the next room where they decide if they are screening you.
After that you exit some doors and wait for the rest of the bus to clear.
3. What if someone gets held back or a decision whether to admit the person has not been made?
In our case we had a woman from Taiwan with 9 pieces of luggage and was being interrogated by US customs. After 45 minutes of people waiting for the bus to move, the driver went in and asked if they made a decision. They told us they would within a few minutes and unfortunately did not admit her.
Our bus was on its way, slightly delayed but on our way.
TIP! Sit at the front of the bus, this way YOU are the first one cleared US customs, and if someone is being held back, you can order a taxi to the border. According to our bus driver it can be done and the bonus is that the bus terminal is about 1 or 2km from the border. Or if you are pressed for time you can cab it directly to the airport (I imagine this will cost you around $30 or $40 this is just a guess)
4. Okay so I am in the BEAUTIFUL city of Buffalo, how do I get to the airport?
Now that you are in Buffalo you have 2 options for the bus out to the airport. 204 express service and the
24 local service.
DO NOT TAKE THE 24 DURING THE WEEK. THE 204 is less frequent but makes a few stops downtown and its on the highway to the airport. The bus driver advised us that the 24 is a better option on the weekend when 204 service is limited.
the 204 is a small bus that starts at the bus terminal, it is handicap accessible and there is room for your luggage. Since it appears that this bus terminal is the hub of their transit system, service should be pretty reliable.
5. How much does this bus cost? Where is the bus stop ?
First things first, its $1.75 US dollars to get to the airport. You need a token or exact change. There is a small office that makes change for you or an automated machine that sells tokens. The bus accepts $1 bills but does not give change so don't stick a $5 in there.
Opposite the small office you will find the main exit but DO NOT CROSS THE STREET, if you are looking for 204 express service. Consult the schedule at the below link, or there are pamphlets you can take away with you. There is a small heated seating area that has a view of the bus stop, so you can wait inside for the bus.
204 Airport Express PDF (http://www.nfta.com/metro/schedules_pdfs/204.pdf)
If its the weekend, according to the bus driver the 24 service is better. To catch this bus cross the street and you will see a bus stop on the corner.
24 Local Service PDF (http://www.nfta.com/metro/schedules_pdfs/24.pdf)
6. Other tips
-Avoid checked luggage, this saves so much time. Stop packing the kitchen sink and get it all into your carry on.
-Check in Online, I flew continental and 24 hours prior to departure I chose my seat and printed a boarding pass. When I got to the airport, went right to security, then to the waiting area for the plane. Minimal human contact :)
-Sign up to any frequent flyer programs that are applicable and select the "contact me if my flight is delayed or canceled". Buffalo gets some bad weather and delays and even cancellations do occur. I doubt they are giving you anything free if a flights canceled due to weather. Either here in buffalo or at your destination airport.
-I flew continentals lowest class of flight (500 reward miles) 12 of the shortest round trips they fly gets you a free flight in the states.
-Apparently around continentals "presidental club" you can catch a leaking unencrypted WIFI signal, thats what the person on the flight next to me told me.
-www.seatguru.com got me some sweet exit row seats with PLENTY of room on my 1 hour flight ;)
-www.sleepinginairports.net <-- might not hurt to take a look at especially if you are connecting at other hubs.
-You are not allowed to bring meat or cheese with you across the border.
-make sure you check tsa.org if your brining your bathroom essentials in your carry on. I brought in a huge stick of gel deodorant way above whatever their limit is and they dont care. They insist on using their "zipper top" zip loc bags, which they provide for free. Any prescription liquids or gels of any size are no problem as long as they have the pharmacy sticker on them with your name.
Anyways, hope you guys enjoy the write up.