Flights to Atlanta From Buffalo: How to Plan Your Trip to ATL

Flying from Buffalo, New York to Atlanta, Georgia is a common route for both business and leisure travelers. Whether you’re returning home to Atlanta, visiting friends and family, or planning a quick getaway, understanding how flights from Buffalo work will help you arrive at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) smoothly and on budget.

This guide walks through flight options, timing, airports, ground transportation, and local Atlanta tips so you know exactly what to expect when traveling from Buffalo to Atlanta.

Key Facts About Flights From Buffalo to Atlanta

Here’s a quick overview before you dig into the details:

Understanding the Route: Buffalo to Atlanta

The Main Airports on This Route

• Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
  Located outside Buffalo, this is the main commercial airport for the Buffalo area. If you’re starting in Western New York, this is the airport you’ll most likely use.

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  ATL is the primary airport for Atlanta and one of the busiest in the world. Most flights from Buffalo land in the Domestic Terminal, which is split into:

  • North Terminal – many domestic carriers
  • South Terminal – heavily used by some major airlines

From there, you’ll connect to Atlanta’s Concourse system (T, A, B, C, D, E, F) via the Plane Train or walkways if you have a connection.

Even if you’re connecting onward to another city, Atlanta is the main Georgia gateway for travelers coming from Buffalo.

How Long Is the Flight From Buffalo to Atlanta?

Several factors influence flight timing, but this is what travelers usually see on this route:

• Nonstop flights:
  Expect around 2 to 2.5 hours in the air.
• One-stop flights:
  With a connection (for example through another hub city), total travel time can range from 3.5 to 6+ hours, depending on layover length.

For Atlanta-based travelers returning home from Buffalo, this makes it easy to plan:

• Morning departures from Buffalo often get you back to Atlanta by midday.
• Evening flights can have you landing in Atlanta late night, which still works well with MARTA and rideshare service hours.

When to Fly Buffalo → Atlanta

Best Times of Year for Atlanta-Bound Travelers

Atlanta’s airport is busy year-round, but certain periods can make flights from Buffalo to Atlanta more crowded:

• Early spring and fall: Popular times for conferences, conventions, and sports events in Atlanta.
• Summer: Many families come to Atlanta for vacations, attractions, and connections to beaches or international destinations.
• Holiday periods: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s often see more traffic between Northern states and Atlanta.

If you live in Atlanta and are returning from Buffalo, be aware that winter weather in Buffalo (snow, ice, wind) can cause delays or cancellations that ultimately affect your arrival time at ATL.

Time of Day Considerations

For this route, many travelers prefer:

• Morning or midday flights from Buffalo:

  • Better odds of on-time arrivals into ATL.
  • More options if you need to be rebooked.
  • Easier ground transportation into the city in daylight.

• Late flights into ATL:

  • Can work if you’re familiar with the city or using rideshare.
  • Less ideal if you’re new to Atlanta and still learning the layout.

What to Expect When You Land at ATL

Once you arrive on a flight from Buffalo to Atlanta, your experience will mostly center on ATL’s Domestic Terminal and nearby ground transportation.

Navigating the Terminals and Concourses

Most Buffalo flights arrive at domestic concourses (T, A, B, C, or D). After landing:

1. Follow signs for Baggage Claim.
2. Take the Plane Train or walk to the Domestic Terminal.
3. Collect luggage at the baggage claim area corresponding to your airline.
4. Exit to Ground Transportation if you’re heading into Atlanta or surrounding areas.

If your final destination is not Atlanta and you’re just connecting:

• Follow signs to your next gate or concourse.
• Allow enough time to transfer, especially during airport peak hours.

Getting From ATL Into Atlanta

Once your flight from Buffalo arrives, you have several ways to get into Atlanta and the metro area.

1. MARTA (Public Transit)

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rail system connects ATL directly to the city.

• Airport Station Location: Inside the Domestic Terminal, at the western end of the main terminal.
• Main lines:
  • Red Line (toward North Springs)
  • Gold Line (toward Doraville)

These lines take you to major Atlanta areas such as:

• Downtown Atlanta (Five Points, Peachtree Center, CNN Center)
• Midtown Atlanta (Arts Center, Midtown)
• Buckhead (Buckhead, Lenox, Lindbergh Center)
• Connections to various bus routes

MARTA Customer Information:

• Phone (general info, often listed for riders): (404) 848-5000

MARTA can be especially useful if:

• You’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.
• You want to avoid parking fees or driving after a long travel day from Buffalo.

2. Rideshare and Taxis

Rideshare services and taxis operate from designated airport pickup zones:

• Follow signs for Rideshare or Taxi from Baggage Claim.
• Pickup areas are at the lower level of the Domestic Terminal in Ground Transportation.

These are often chosen by:

• Travelers staying in neighborhoods not directly on MARTA (such as Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, West Midtown, or parts of the suburbs).
• Groups with luggage from extended trips.

3. Rental Cars

If you’re heading to locations outside the city center—such as suburban Atlanta, North Georgia, or other Southern states—you may prefer a rental car.

ATL’s Rental Car Center (RCC) is located at:

• 2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy, College Park, GA 30337

Access it using the SkyTrain, an automated train that runs from the airport terminal to the RCC.

This option is especially useful if you:

• Are returning to Atlanta from Buffalo and need a car to get home in the suburbs.
• Plan to continue your trip from Atlanta to nearby destinations like Athens, Macon, or the North Georgia mountains.

Planning Your Timing: From Plane to Destination

When you land in Atlanta from Buffalo, build in time for:

• Taxiing and deplaning: 10–25 minutes, depending on gate location and airport traffic.
• Baggage claim: Often 15–30 minutes after arrival.
• Reaching ground transportation:
  • 5–15 minutes if you know the airport layout.
  • Slightly longer if you are new and taking your time.

From there:

• By MARTA:

  • Domestic Terminal to Downtown: often around 15–20 minutes.
  • To Midtown: around 20–25 minutes.
  • To Buckhead: around 30 minutes.

• By car, rideshare, or taxi (depending on traffic):

  • Airport to Downtown: often 15–30 minutes.
  • Airport to Midtown: about 20–35 minutes.
  • Airport to Buckhead: about 25–40 minutes.

These ranges can widen during rush hour, major events, or bad weather.

Tips for Atlanta Residents Flying From Buffalo Back to ATL

If you live in Atlanta and are coming home from a trip to Buffalo, a few practical points can make the return smoother:

• Watch Buffalo weather:
  Snow and ice in Buffalo can delay your departure and push your Atlanta arrival into late night hours.

• Plan your Atlanta ground transportation ahead:

  • If arriving very late, consider whether you’ll use MARTA, rideshare, or a friend/family pickup.
  • If you park at ATL, note which lot or deck you used (North, South, or a specific park-ride lot).

• Allow time for checked bags:

  • If you’re carrying sports gear, winter clothing from Buffalo, or larger bags, plan for a bit more time at baggage claim.

• Have a backup plan:

  • If your Buffalo flight to Atlanta is significantly delayed, think through:
    • If MARTA is still running late at night for your route.
    • Whether a taxi or rideshare may be a better option at that time.

Tips for Visitors Arriving in Atlanta From Buffalo

If Atlanta is your destination and you’re flying in from Buffalo, you can make your arrival easier with a little planning:

• ✅ Know your Atlanta neighborhood.
  Before you land, know if you’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, near the airport, or in the suburbs. This determines whether MARTA, taxi, or a rental car makes the most sense.

• ✅ Have your hotel address handy.
  Drivers in Atlanta often navigate by neighborhood and major roads, so having the exact street address ready will help.

• ✅ Expect a large airport.
  ATL is busy and spread out, but signage is clear. Follow the step-by-step signs:

  • Baggage Claim
  • Ground Transportation / Rideshare / Rental Cars
  • MARTA

• ✅ Budget time for traffic.
  Atlanta traffic can be heavy, especially on interstates like I-75/85 and GA 400. If you have reservations or timed events soon after arrival, leave a buffer.

Using Atlanta Flights From Buffalo for Connections

Many people who fly from Buffalo to Atlanta use ATL as a connection point for other destinations, especially:

• Domestic flights across the Southeast, Midwest, and West.
• International flights to Europe, Latin America, and beyond.

Key points for connecting travelers:

• Follow “Connecting Flights” signs after landing.
• Check which concourse your next flight departs from.
• Use the Plane Train between concourses—fast and frequent.
• If you’re changing from a domestic arrival (Buffalo) to an international departure, you may need to move to concourses E or F.

Even if Atlanta isn’t your final destination, it’s useful to know that:

• The Domestic Terminal and International Terminal (Concourse F) are connected internally by the Plane Train and shuttles.
• You generally do not exit the secure area for same-day, through-checked connections.

Local Atlanta Contacts and Resources for Air Travelers

While your Buffalo to Atlanta flight is arranged through airlines and booking services, a few local Atlanta resources are helpful once you’re on the ground:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  Main address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  General airport information is available via the airport’s main information lines and service desks inside the terminal.

• MARTA Airport Station
  Located inside ATL’s Domestic Terminal, next to baggage claim and Ground Transportation signs.

• City of Atlanta Visitor Information
  Visitor information desks and kiosks are often available in the airport and key tourist districts like Downtown and Centennial Olympic Park areas, offering maps and directions once you arrive.

These local points of contact help you move from “just landed from Buffalo” to settled, oriented, and ready in Atlanta.

Flying from Buffalo to Atlanta is straightforward once you understand how ATL operates, how to get into the city, and how timing and weather can affect your plans. Whether Atlanta is your home base, your destination, or just your connection hub, knowing these details will make your trip smoother from gate to city.