Visiting Buffalo for a Game?

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is about 8 miles from downtown Buffalo, roughly a 20-minute drive under normal conditions. The most affordable option is the NFTA Metro Bus Route 24 Genesee, which costs $2 and takes about 30-40 minutes to reach downtown. Note that the faster limited-stop 24L variant (about 30 minutes) only runs during peak windows of roughly 7–10 AM and 2–10 PM; the regular Route 24 (about 40 minutes) runs throughout the day. Rideshare services (Uber and Lyft are both available) run $25-35 and are a convenient option for late arrivals; taxis are also available curbside and average around $40.

Downtown Buffalo and the area around KeyBank Center are walkable, and the NFTA Metro Rail runs along Main Street connecting key downtown stops. Rides between above-ground stations are free; the $2 fare applies only when traveling to or from underground stations. Rideshare is widely available and inexpensive within the city core, making a rental car unnecessary if you are staying downtown. If you plan to venture to the suburbs, South Buffalo neighborhoods, or Bills games at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, a car becomes much more useful.

Downtown Buffalo is the best base for a sports trip, putting you within walking distance of KeyBank Center and the Canalside waterfront bar scene. The Cobblestone District, just south of the arena, is dense with bars and restaurants and a natural pre- and post-game hub. Downtown hotels generally run $130-220 per night on non-event nights, with prices rising to $180-300+ on Sabres game nights and major events. Booking early is especially important in winter when the NHL schedule overlaps with Buffalo's notoriously high hotel demand.

Buffalo is one of the most passionate sports cities in North America, punching well above its size in fan intensity, particularly for the Sabres and Bills. Sabres fans at KeyBank Center are loud and knowledgeable, and the arena sits right on the downtown waterfront, making it one of the more scenic NHL buildings in the league. The Bills play in Orchard Park (Highmark Stadium), about 12 miles south, so a weekend trip can feasibly include both an NHL game and an NFL tailgate. Buffalo is also a short drive from Niagara Falls and just across the border from Hamilton, Ontario, making it a strong anchor for a broader sports travel weekend.