Buffalo NY to Atlanta GA Flights: How to Plan Your Trip to (or from) Atlanta

Flying between Buffalo, New York and Atlanta, Georgia is a common route for Atlanta residents heading north to visit family, attend school events, or escape the summer heat—and for visitors coming down to explore the city. Understanding your options helps you choose the best Buffalo–Atlanta flight for your schedule and budget.

This guide focuses on what matters specifically if Atlanta is your home base or your destination, including which airport you’ll use, how the route typically works, and how to connect smoothly to the rest of metro Atlanta.

Key Things to Know About Buffalo–Atlanta Flights

Route basics:

• Departure airport: Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) in Buffalo, NY
• Arrival airport (Atlanta):Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Flight distance: Roughly 700–750 miles
• Typical nonstop time: Around 2 hours in the air
• Common airlines on this route: Major U.S. carriers often operate daily or frequent flights, sometimes nonstop and sometimes with connections.

Most travelers going Buffalo NY to Atlanta GA will either:

1. Take a nonstop BUF–ATL flight, or
2. Take a one-stop connection through another hub (often in the Northeast or Midwest) if nonstop options or schedules don’t work.

Using Atlanta’s Main Airport (ATL) for Buffalo Flights

If you’re arriving in Atlanta from Buffalo, or you live in the metro area and are flying Atlanta to Buffalo, you’ll use Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Basic ATL details:

• Official name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Location: South of downtown at 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Main contact (information line): 1‑800‑897‑1910 (widely published airport info line)

ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world and a major hub, so Buffalo–Atlanta flights are usually well integrated with connections to other U.S. and international destinations.

Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights: What Works Best from Atlanta’s Perspective

Nonstop Buffalo–Atlanta Flights

When available, nonstop flights from Buffalo to Atlanta are usually the most convenient option for Atlanta-bound travelers:

• Shorter total travel time
• Less risk of missed connections or delays
• Easier for families, older travelers, and people with tight schedules

For Atlanta residents returning from Buffalo, a nonstop ATL–BUF flight means you can land, grab your bags, and get home or to your hotel more quickly.

Connecting Flights Between Buffalo and Atlanta

Depending on the day, season, or airline, you may see more one-stop options, especially if:

• Nonstop schedules are limited at certain times of day
• You are using loyalty miles that restrict flight choices
• You want a specific airline that doesn’t always run nonstop service on your dates

Common connection patterns might route you through another major hub. This typically adds at least 1–3 hours to total travel time.

If you’re Atlanta-based and flexible, it’s often worth comparing:

• Nonstop BUF–ATL flights vs.
• Connecting flights with a lower fare

Many Atlanta flyers decide that paying slightly more for nonstop service is worth it for the convenience of a direct return to ATL.

Typical Flight Times & When to Fly

How Long Is the Flight from Buffalo to Atlanta?

While exact times vary by airline and weather:

• Gate-to-gate: Around 2 to 2.5 hours
• In the air: Often near 2 hours
• Total door-to-door time from Atlanta home/hotel to Buffalo hotel will usually range from 5 to 8 hours, counting ground transportation and security.

Best Times to Fly for Atlanta Travelers

From Atlanta’s perspective, you’ll likely see:

• Morning and midday departures from ATL heading to Buffalo
• Return flights from Buffalo arriving in Atlanta in the afternoon or evening

If you’re connecting through Atlanta from Buffalo to another destination (for example, Orlando or Dallas):

• Try to allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours for your ATL layover.
• If you’re worried about delays from winter weather in Buffalo, a slightly longer layover in Atlanta can reduce stress.

Seasonality: Buffalo–Atlanta Route by Time of Year

Because Buffalo experiences harsh winters and Atlanta has milder weather, patterns on this route can shift through the year.

Winter Travel (Buffalo Snow, Atlanta Mild)

• Buffalo weather: Lake-effect snow and storms can lead to delays or cancellations.
• Atlanta weather: Typically less severe, but occasional ice or thunderstorms can disrupt flights, especially early mornings.

Atlanta-based travelers visiting Buffalo in winter should:

• Allow some flexibility in their return plans if possible
• Travel with carry-ons when they can, in case of rebooking
• Check weather and flight status before heading to ATL

Summer Travel (Heat in Atlanta, Mild in Buffalo)

• Summer is often a peak time for vacation trips and family visits.
• Afternoon thunderstorms are common in Atlanta and can temporarily affect departures and arrivals.

If you’re returning to Atlanta from Buffalo on a summer afternoon or evening, building in extra time before critical events (like work the next morning or a same-day onward connection) is wise.

What Atlanta Travelers Should Know About ATL for Buffalo Flights

Terminals: Domestic vs. International

Flights between Buffalo and Atlanta are domestic flights, so you’ll use the Domestic Terminal at ATL.

Main areas:

• Domestic North and Domestic South Terminals
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D (and sometimes others) accessed via the Plane Train

If you are:

• Arriving in Atlanta from Buffalo only: You’ll typically arrive into a domestic concourse and then head to baggage claim in the Domestic Terminal.
• Connecting in Atlanta after arriving from Buffalo: Follow signs to your next concourse; most connections are within the secure area via the Plane Train.

Ground Transportation from ATL into Atlanta

Once you land from Buffalo and arrive at ATL, you have several ways to reach your final destination in the metro area:

1. MARTA Rail (Public Transit)

• Station: Airport MARTA Station, at the end of the Domestic Terminal South baggage claim area
• Connects directly to: Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, Buckhead, and beyond
• Good choice if you’re staying in central city neighborhoods or want to avoid driving.

2. Taxis and Rideshare

• Official taxi stands and rideshare pick-up zones are well marked outside baggage claim.
• Useful if you’re going to areas not easily reached by MARTA or traveling with lots of luggage.

3. Rental Cars

• All on-airport rental agencies operate via the ATL Rental Car Center, located at 2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy, College Park, GA 30337.
• Accessed by the free SkyTrain from the terminal.
• Practical if you’re headed to suburbs like Marietta, Alpharetta, Decatur, or Peachtree City after your Buffalo–Atlanta flight.

Planning Your Buffalo–Atlanta Trip: Timing & Logistics

When to Arrive at ATL for a Flight to Buffalo

For Atlanta → Buffalo departures:

• Domestic flights: Many Atlanta travelers aim to arrive at ATL 2 hours before departure, especially during busy travel periods or holidays.
• If you’re checking luggage, allow a bit more buffer.

When you’re returning to Atlanta from Buffalo, remember that:

• ATL is large and can be busy, especially around holidays, big Atlanta events, or Monday mornings and Friday afternoons.
• If you have a same-day connection beyond Atlanta, consider a generous layover, particularly in winter when Buffalo delays are more likely.

Baggage Tips for the BUF–ATL Route

Because of Buffalo’s winter weather and the possibility of re-routing:

• Using a carry-on when possible can make it easier to rebook or shift flights.
• If checking bags, make sure bag tags show ATL clearly and that your contact info is up to date.
• For Atlanta-based residents, consider how you’ll get home from ATL with your bags—public transit, rideshare, and shuttles are all set up for luggage, but planning ahead helps.

Sample Travel Scenarios for Atlanta Residents

The table below outlines typical situations for Atlanta-based travelers flying between Buffalo and Atlanta:

Using Atlanta as a Connection Point from Buffalo

Many travelers from Buffalo don’t stop in Atlanta—they simply connect through ATL to reach destinations across the South, West, or even international locations.

If you are:

• Arriving from Buffalo and connecting through Atlanta to somewhere else
• Or an Atlanta resident meeting someone who is connecting through ATL

Keep these points in mind:

• Most domestic–domestic connections stay within the secure area.
• Connection times under 1 hour can feel tight in ATL, especially if you need to change concourses.
• For international connections, additional time is usually needed for customs and passport control at the International Terminal.

If you’re meeting someone arriving from Buffalo but continuing onward, arrange to meet either:

• At a concourse food court or gate area inside security, or
• At the Domestic Terminal baggage claim if they’re exiting ATL.

Practical Contacts and Local Help in Atlanta

For Buffalo to Atlanta flights, these Atlanta-based resources can be helpful:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • General info line: 1‑800‑897‑1910

• MARTA Customer Service (for transit from the airport)

  • General info: Widely available through MARTA’s public phone lines and station booths
  • Airport Station: Located inside ATL’s Domestic Terminal

Local residents also often rely on:

• Neighborhood shuttles serving specific hotels near downtown or Midtown
• Park-and-ride lots near MARTA stations for those who prefer to avoid driving directly into the airport area

Flying between Buffalo, NY and Atlanta, GA is a straightforward domestic route, but understanding how it fits into Atlanta’s airport, transit, and weather patterns makes the trip smoother. Whether you live in Atlanta and are heading to Buffalo, or you’re flying in from Buffalo to visit the city, planning around ATL’s layout, local transport options, and seasonal factors will help you move confidently through both ends of the journey.