Transportation in Buffalo

Buffalo keeps it simple: NFTA-Metro buses and the single light-rail line are the everyday workhorses, covering downtown, the university corridor, and most neighborhoods you're likely to visit. The Metro Rail is the only rail option, straight down Main Street from University Station to Canalside, and it's cheap enough that locals treat it like a hop-on, hop-off shuttle. Buses fill the gaps. But service thins out after about midnight, so plan accordingly. First-timers should grab a 1-Day or 7-Day pass from any Metro vending machine or the NFTA mobile app; it's cheaper than paying per ride and spares you the exact-change dance. Skip the idea of walking everywhere, blocks are long and winters bite. Yet rideshares downtown can crawl once the hockey or football crowds spill out. If you're staying near Main Street, the rail is almost always faster than a rideshare for short hops. From Buffalo Niagara International, the 204-Airport, Downtown express bus runs straight to the Metro Rail at University Station; it's a fraction of a taxi fare and usually quicker during rush hour. If you land late, the bus stops running, so the taxi queue outside baggage claim becomes your only option, just confirm the meter is running before you set off.