There is a lot to love about Buffalo in upstate New York and renting a car will give you the ability to see and do the most during your trip. If you are planning on making the short 25-mile drive north to Niagara Falls, a car will not only help you arrive quicker than public transport, but will also give you the opportunity to arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds of tourists. If you plan on watching a Buffalo Bills game, having access to a car will make the event far more enjoyable, as New Era Field is located on the outskirts of town and most easily accessed by the NY-5 Highway.
Buffalo Niagara International Airport is host to a number of major car rental companies with plenty of options to help make your decision easy. Browse the thorough list to find the company that best suits your needs using KAYAK, then simply proceed from the baggage claim across the road to the car rental counters to pick up the keys. If you are planning on heading straight to Niagara Falls, consider stopping by the wineries to enjoy the small village charm that Niagara-on-the-Lake has to offer.
The fresh climate and dense parklands around Buffalo make it a popular city for cycling and other leisure activities. Be mindful of bike lanes and cyclists you share the road with; it is always best to provide more room than you think is necessary to create a safer environment.
If you are not used to driving in the snow and are planning a trip to Buffalo, it is smart to familiarize yourself with some winter driving tips sooner rather than later. Heavy snowfall is common in Buffalo during the winter months and it is important that you regularly check the latest weather forecast using radio or online resources. Snow on the roads will mean that your tires have less traction, making it more important than ever to brake early and reduce speed. It is also not advisable to use cruise control in any vehicle while there is snow on the roads.
25% of our users found rental cars in Buffalo for C$ 71 or less
Book your rental car in Buffalo at least 4 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Standard rental cars in Buffalo are around 60% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Buffalo
Some car rental companies in Buffalo which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Dollar, Hertz and Enterprise
On average a hire car in Buffalo costs C$ 102 per day.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Avis (C$ 48/day), Budget (C$ 68/day) and Alamo (C$ 71/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Budget 1477 Main Street 14209 (3 kilometers from city center).
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Buffalo are Alamo (8.8, 220 reviews), Enterprise (8.4, 141 reviews), and Avis (7.9, 73 reviews).
The average gas price in Buffalo is C$ 4.00 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between C$ 48 and C$ 64, depending on the car size.
Intermediate (Hyundai Elantra or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Buffalo.
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Buffalo airport to off-airport locations include Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Avis and National.
A Intermediate car rental in Buffalo costs C$ 83 per day, on average.
A Compact car rental in Buffalo costs C$ 109 per day, on average.
A Mini car rental in Buffalo costs C$ 177 per day, on average.
In Buffalo, cars are most frequently rented at Dollar 4200 Genesee Street (13 km from city centre ).
On average a rental car in Buffalo costs C$ 711 per week (C$ 102 per day).
On average a rental car in Buffalo costs C$ 3,048 per month (C$ 102 per day).
If you are traveling in the warmer months, choose the car that best suits your passenger and driving needs; however, if it is predicted to snow during your trip it is best to rent a four-wheel drive. A compact SUV such as the Toyota RAV4 will give you increased handling and control.
Unless otherwise indicated, the speed limit for roads throughout the city of Buffalo is 30 mph. There are also narrower streets and laneways which have specified speeds as low as 15 mph or 20 mph. Highways near urban areas will have a speed limit of 55 mph, while those in rural areas increase to 65 mph.
You can expect to pay approximately $2.80 per gallon in Buffalo, which is only slightly above the nationwide average. Be careful if you are planning on driving across the border into Canada, as you will notice a considerable price increase for gas.
You can expect to pay approximately $1 per hour for on-street parking in the downtown district of Buffalo; however, in the evenings after 5 pm and all-day during the weekends, it is free. The illustrious Albright-Knox Art Gallery has all-day parking available for $5, or it is entirely free if you come on the first Friday of the month.