If you are planning to fly to Niagara Falls, you will probably want to fly into Buffalo’s Main Airport:  Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF).  Niagara Falls Airport has very limited passenger service. 

In this article, we will go over all the possible airport options you might want to consider for your flight to Niagara Falls. 

Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) is near Niagara Falls (25 miles) and is the best airport for visiting the Canadian and American sides of Niagara Falls. 

There are a few exceptions to this rule, and we will go over all your options.

Remember, a passport is required if you are flying between the United States and Canada.

infographic of distance to niagara falls from regional airports

Airports Near Niagara Falls

The closest Airport to Niagara Falls is actually Niagara Falls International Airport( IAG).  However, Niagara Falls International Airport does not provide scheduled airline service. Therefore, if you want to take a flight to Niagara Falls on a commercial carrier (American, Delta, Southwest, United, Frontier, Jet Blue, etc.), Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is the best option. 

Currently, the only scheduled air service to Niagara Falls Airport is through Allegiant Air from Florida cities.  (see below for details) 

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) Is the Closest Airport 

If you want to take a commercial flight to Niagara Falls, New York, You will want to Fly into Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF).  Buffalo’s Main Airport is about 25 miles (40 KM) or 30 minutes drive time from Niagara Falls, New York. This is the nearest airport to Niagara Falls.

Buffalo International Airport offers regularly scheduled flights from many commercial carriers, such as :

-American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Jet Blue, Southwest, Sun Country, United, Vacation Express by Sunwing 

From the Buffalo Niagara Airport, you can rent a car, take a Buffalo Airport Taxi, use a ride share such as Uber or Lyft, or schedule a ride with Buffalo Airport Shuttle, which can also take you to the Canadian side of the border. If you travel to Niagara Falls, Ontario, the distance is 27 miles or 43 Km, and the travel time is about 45 min if the border crossing is not to busy.  See  the  7 ways to get from the Buffalo Airport to Niagara Falls

Map showing the possible roads and travel times from Buffalo Airport to Niagara falls
Drive times to Niagara Falls From Buffalo (3 route choices) Google Maps 2023 : Directions for driving from Buffalo NY to Niagara Falls NY

7 Ways to Get From the Buffalo Airport to Niagara Falls: Read Our Post Below

Niagara Falls International Airport : Flights from Florida Airports

Entrance sighn to Niagara Fallls International Airport

Allegiant Air offers a limited schedule air service to Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG)  from a few airports in Florida.

For summer 2023, Allegiant Air offers several flights a week from Tampa/ St. Pete and Punta Gorda / Fort Myers.  As the weather gets cooler, Allegiant adds flights from Orland and Daytona Beach starting in Mid November.  

If you live in Florida and are close to Tampa or Fort Myers, this is by far the best way to travel to Niagara Falls. 

The ticket prices on Allegiant Air are normally very reasonable. 

Allegiant Air Counter at Niagara Falls International Airport. Allegiant is the only air carrier that serves Niagara Falls from airports in Florida
Allegiant Air Counter at Niagara Falls International Airport. Allegiant is the only air carrier that serves Niagara Falls from airports in Florida

Getting from Niagara Falls International Airport to the Falls and attractions is easy. 

A Taxi or rideshare such as Uber or Lyft is a 10-15 minute ride to downtown Niagara Falls.

Many hotels in the area will offer free airport pickup if you arrange a ride ahead of time. 

There is also limited scheduled bus service and the Niagara Falls Red Line Trolly that runs to the airport in season.  Niagara Falls International Airport also has car rental kiosks in the terminal for Alamo, Enterprise, and Hertz.

Car rental Desk at Niagara Falls Internatiional Airport

Nearby Airports to Niagara Falls

If you are arriving from such overseas locations as Europe, India, South America, or Asia, you will want to consider using Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ). 

If you are flying within Canada, You have three Airports in the GTA to consider such as Toronto Pearson, Hamilton International, or Toronto City Airport. 

Finally, It is sometimes possible to get a better airline ticket price or a direct flight from your location to Rochester International Airport in Rochester, NY. 

Rochester is almost 80 miles from Niagara Falls, so you will have to be getting a pretty good deal to make Rochester International a smart option. 

Airport NameDistance from Niagara FallsDriving Time from Niagara Falls
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)25 miles / 40 km30 minutes
Rochester International Airport (ROC)78 miles / 125 km90 minutes
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)78 miles / 125 km90 minutes
Hamilton International Airport (YHM)60 miles / 96 km70 minutes
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)83 miles / 134 km90 minutes

Hamilton Airport (YHM) : Toronto’s Low Cost Carrier Airport

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is the next closest Airport to Niagara Falls. It is located 52 miles or 84 km West of Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Airport Offers Commercial Flights and several charter operations. The most efficient way to get to Niagara Falls will be to rent a car at the Airport and drive to Niagara Falls. Direct service by Bus or rail is unavailable and will require some transfers. Find more information about Ground Transportation at Hamilton Airport’s Website. 

Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ): Best Canadian and International Airport

Landing airplane reflects in the modern windoToronto Pearson Internat
Landing airplane reflects in the modern window Toronto Pearson International Airport / Deposit Photos

Torontos’s Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is located in the Greater Toronto Area. As a major world-class airport, the Airport has over 1000 daily departures and daily service to more than 180 destinations across six continents.

Toronto Pearson is the Best choice if you will be arriving from an overseas location or traveling within Canada.   

If you arrive at Pearson International, you will be 78 miles or 127 KM from Niagara Falls. This is, on average, an hour and 15 minutes ride by car or taxi. You will have several options to get to Niagara Falls, Ontario, including taking a cab that will be pretty expensive, ride share, or Niagara Air Bus, and for those on a budget with lots of time, you can transfer to Union Station and find a Bus or Train to Niagara falls. 

You can find more information on ground transportation at Pearson Airport here.

Toronto City Airport (YTZ) : Toronto’s City Center Regional Airport

Porter Airlines lands on Toronto Island. / nycruss / Depositphotos .com

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is Canada’s sixth-busiest airport and located in downtown Toronto. 

Porter Airlines provides the large majority of flights to the City Center Airport from most Canadian cities and few flights from U.S. cities such as Chicago, Boston, New York, and Washington, DC. 

 This airport is located 80 Miles (125km) from Niagara Falls and is 1 hour and a 30-minute drive to Niagara Falls. 

The airport has a shuttle bus to Union Station, where you can catch a GO Bus or Train to Niagara Falls, Ontario.  More information about ground transportation at Toronto City Airport here. 

Rochester International Airport (ROC): Check for Low Fares and Direct Flights

Rochester New York, can be a good idea if you can get a direct flight from your city.  The Airport currently shows direct flights from over 20 cities. The airlines serving ROC include Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines.

If you can snag a good fare or direct flight into Rochester, the extra drive may be worth your time. 

Fredrick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport is located approximately 80  miles from Niagara Falls.  This is a 1 hour and 30-minute drive to Niagara Falls.  The most ideal way to get to Rochesters airport is to drive, as there is no scheduled transit service between these cities.  Using a cab or rideshare will cost around $200+.  

If you will be renting a car or have someone to pick you up, 

Niagara Falls Air Force Base

Niagara Falls International Airport is used mainly as a U.S. Air Force Base. 

The main user of Niagara Falls International Airport is the U.S. Air Force.  The Airbase Host Wing is the 914th Air Refueling Wing controlling the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. The Airbase has a limited BX, All ranks Club, and an appointment-only DEERS-ID office available on limited hours. 

Space Available lodging is available for military-affiliated ID card holders, but rooms fill up fast on weekends and during the summer months. 

The 914th Air Refueling Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station flies KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. / DOD Photo

Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG) FBO

Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG)

Niagara Falls International Airport Private Flights 

If you have a private airplane available, Niagara Falls does have a fixed Base Operator (FBO).   Calispan provides 24/7 service with Jet A and 100LL and repair. The Airport does have a control tower, three runways, Crash Rescue, and U.S. Customs Service. Check with Calspan for times and availability.

FAQ: 

 

What Airport do I fly into for Niagara Falls, NY?: If you plan to fly to Niagara Falls, New York, the best Airport to use is Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The Airport is about 30 Minutes from Niagara Falls, NY. Use can rent a car, take a taxi, use a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft, or use the Buffalo Airport shuttle.

What is the closest City to Niagara Falls:    The Closest city to Niagara Falls is Buffalo, New York, on the American side of the border. On the Canadian side, Niagara Falls is located at the bottom of the Golden Horseshoe, which includes cities such as Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) 

Is it better to fly into Toronto or Buffalo for Niagara Falls?    If you are in the United States, flying into Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is always better. The Buffalo Airport is only a 30-minute ride to Niagara Falls, NY, and just a few more minutes to cross the border into Niagara Falls, Ontario. If you are flying into Niagara Falls from an international location or live in Canada, Toronto Pearson Airport, Toronto City Airport, or Hamilton Airpot may be a  better option. 

Video: Things to know Before You Go to Niagara Falls