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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Compare car rental prices from major brands in Buffalo, NY with Road Genius. From small economy cars to premium SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at low prices in convenient locations. Pick up at Buffalo Niagara International Airport or a downtown branch and be at Niagara Falls, Lake Erie or the Canadian border in under an hour. Most suppliers allow cross-border travel to Toronto or Niagara-on-the-Lake.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) | • Consolidated facility across from terminal • Short walk from baggage claim • All major companies on-site (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National) • Extended hours aligned to flights |
• 11% concession fee and facility charges • Busier during peak tourist season |
| City Locations (Downtown, Amherst, Cheektowaga) | • Lower base rates (no airport surcharges) • Enterprise has multiple locations across city • Hertz downtown on Pearl Street • Convenient for train/bus arrivals |
• Limited operating hours • Transportation needed from airport • Smaller vehicle selection |
| Niagara Falls Locations | • Convenient for focused Niagara Falls visits • Avoid driving from Buffalo |
• Limited selection • May have higher rates due to tourist demand |
On average, car rentals in Buffalo cost around $80 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $27 per day.
Compare airport vs city pickups. BUF adds an 11% concession fee and facility charge. A short rideshare ($20-30) to downtown or Amherst branches can still save you money, especially on multi-day rentals.
Lock in early for peak weeks, wait for deals in winter. Summer weekends, Bills games and May graduations sell out fast, so grab a cancelable rate early. In January or February prices drop; last-minute bookings often beat early ones then.
Tweak your pickup time. Moving your reservation by a couple of hours can dodge weekend/weekday rate switches and trim a day off the rental clock. Use our comparison tool to play with times.
Use NY's driver rules to your advantage. Spouse/domestic partner = free extra driver, others max out at $5/day by state law. Skip paying for extra drivers elsewhere in your itinerary.
Event parking at KeyBank Center/HarborCenter available during events
Street parking common in Allentown and Elmwood Village
Check signs carefully, some streets have different restrictions on different days
State Park parking available
Arrive early during summer to secure a spot
Standard speed limits: 30 mph city (some residential areas 25 mph)
Rent a car to easily:
Niagara Falls – US side, Canadian side
Lake Erie shoreline – Hamburg Beach, Angola Beach
Letchworth State Park – gorge views, waterfalls
East Aurora and Southtowns – village shops, wineries
Ellicottville – ski area, trails
Toronto or Rochester – day trips
What's the best way to handle tolls with a rental car? If you plan to use toll roads a lot, the rental company's toll pass is an easy option. It costs about $5 a day plus the tolls. If you won't use toll roads much, you can say no to the pass and just pay the tolls online later using the Tolls By Mail NY website or app. For the Grand Island Bridges, it might be cheaper to use the rental's transponder because the company's fee for billing you later could cost more than the small toll itself.
Can I drive my rental car into Canada? Yes, most rental companies let you drive to Canada for no extra charge, but you should let them know when you pick up the car. Make sure everyone in the car has a passport. You must return the car to the U.S. unless you arrange a special one-way rental, which is not common and costs a lot.
What type of vehicle is best for Buffalo winters? We recommend you get an AWD or 4WD vehicle if you're visiting between November and March. Buffalo gets heavy lake-effect snow that can make driving hard. SUVs are higher off the ground, which makes it easier to drive on snowy roads. If a storm is predicted during your trip, you might want to change your travel dates or upgrade to an AWD vehicle.
Is it worth getting a car in Buffalo if I'm only visiting Niagara Falls? If you are only going to Niagara Falls and you're staying nearby, you might not need a car. However, renting a car gives you the freedom to see both the American and Canadian sides, visit attractions around the Falls and explore nearby areas like Lewiston or Niagara-on-the-Lake.
How does parking work at Niagara Falls? Niagara Falls State Park has parking lots that cost about $10–$15 during the busy season. You should get there early in the summer (before 10:00 a.m.) because the lots fill up fast. You can also find parking in city garages a few blocks from the park entrance. On the Canadian side, you'll find several paid lots and garages near the Falls.
Can I take a rental car on the Maid of the Mist or other boat tours? No, you need to park your car and walk to these attractions. At Niagara Falls, you can walk to most sights after you park. You should plan to leave your car for a few hours while you look around.
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