If You’re Visiting From Canada

• Cross-border Travel
• Directions to Walden Galleria
• Directions to Boulevard Mall
• Directions to Eastern Hills Mall
• Directions to Buffalo Niagara International Airport
• Directions to HSBC Arena
• Directions to Ralph Wilson Stadium
• Directions to Albright-Knox Art Gallery
• Other transportation methods to Buffalo

Many throughout Ontario know Buffalo for its chicken wings, sports and shopping but few realize the city’s art, architecture and cultural attractions stand with some of North America’s finest.

If your mental image of Buffalo is an out-of-date mixture of old Eyewitness News clips and a half-remembered trip to see the Sabres play in the Aud, we invite you to experience new Buffalo, a city that is reinventing itself as a sophisticated urban center featuring outstanding restaurants, vibrant performing and visual arts and a nightlife scene that doesn’t stop until 4 a.m. Check out what a recent visitor had to say:

“I wanted to let you know about our Friday night trip to Buffalo for the Sabres/Hawks game. There were four of us and we stayed at the Comfort Suites in downtown. It was a great hotel and the staff were very friendly. We took the free rail line down to the Pearl Street Grill but it was really busy so we went to the City Grill and had a great meal – again – very friendly staff there. After dinner, we hopped on the rail line again and went to the game and had a great time. Two of us were Chicago fans and the Buffalo fans were great and we had fun poking fun at each other. After the game we went back up to the bar district and had some more fun there. We were all really surprised how nice downtown was and how it had a nice lively atmosphere. I have been to Buffalo many times for Sabres games and also for minor hockey when my daughter played against the Buffalo Bisons Girl’s teams, but I had never stayed downtown. It was a great time and I will be back again.”
      - Gary Brown, Hamilton, Ontario, December 14, 2009

Driving Here

If you’re coming from Canada, take the QEW to the Peace Bridge. Proceed through U.S. Customs to the traffic light at Porter Avenue. Go left. At Symphony Circle, You will pass Kleinhan’s Music Hall on your right. Proceed around Symphony Circle onto North Street. At Elmwood Avenue turn left to explore the city’s funky Elmwood Village or turn right to head downtown for the Chippewa Street nightlife and HSBC Arena.

Cross-border travel

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, or WHTI, requires U.S. and Canadian travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. For additional information, including document options and requirements for special audiences, please visit GetYouHome.gov.

On June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada will be required to present one of the travel documents listed here:

• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Passport Card
  
• Enhanced Driver’s License
  
• Trusted Traveler Program Cards such as NEXUS, SENTRIU or FAST enrollment cards
  
• Special Audiences (Special documents for U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents,
  U.S. Military, Native Americans, and Boaters; birth certificates for children under
  the age of 16).

On June 1, 2009, Canadian citizens entering the U.S. will be required to present one of the travel documents listed here:

• Canadian Passport
  
• Trusted Traveler Program Cards such as NEXUS or FAST/Express enrollment cards
  
• Enhanced Driver’s License
  
• Special Audiences (Special documents for Native Americans and Boaters;
  birth certificates for children under the age of 16).

AIR TRAVELERS: NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAVEL BETWEEN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES:
Effective January 23, 2007, all Canadian and U.S. citizens traveling by air between Canada and the United States are required to have a valid passport to enter the United States.

PLEASE NOTE: The link below will take you to the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency where updates are provided every two hours to both inbound and outbound movement by category of commercial or travelers flow for all international bridges.

One of Buffalo Niagara's greatest assets is its proximity to Canada. Travel between the U.S. and Canada is quick and convenient via the Peace Bridge, the Rainbow Bridge, Queenston-Lewiston Bridge or Whirlpool Bridge (Nexus Pass holders only). A nominal fee is charged per automobile while individuals can choose to walk or ride a bicycle for a lesser charge. Before traveling, check with your auto insurance carrier to be certain you are properly covered for travel within a foreign country. Information on current crossing times is here. The following link allows you to view the Westbound view into Canada via live web camera provided by the Peace Bridge Authority.

PEACE BRIDGE AUTHORITY

(716) 884-6744
www.peacebridge.com

NIAGARA FALLS BRIDGE COMMISSION

Rainbow/Queenston-Lewiston/Whirlpool Bridges
(716) 285-6322 or (800) 715-6722
www.niagarafallsbridges.com

U.S. CUSTOMS AT PEACE BRIDGE

(716) 881-5225
www.customs.gov

CANADIAN CUSTOMS AT PEACE BRIDGE

(905) 994-6330
www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

CANADIAN CONSULATE GENERAL

(716) 858-9500
www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/buffalo/

SUGGESTIONS FOR CROSSING THE BORDER

• Have proof of citizenship (birth certificate or passport) readily available.
• Have birth certificate for each child in your vehicle.
  If traveling with children who are not a part of your family, have a note or proof that the child has permission to cross the border with you.
• Turn off radios and car phones when talking to border agents.
• Declare all fruits, vegetables, plants and plant products, animals, birds, eggs, meat and meat products.
• Declare all items acquired for personal use.
• Resident aliens must carry residency cards at all times.
• Dogs and cats must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to humans. Dogs older than three months must have proof of a rabies vaccination.
• Don't fool around. Customs and Immigration Agents on both sides of the border are law enforcement officials who take their duties very seriously.
• Don't drive under the influence of alcohol.
• Be patient. Additional security has been instituted for safety on both sides of the border.
• For import dollar limits, contact U.S. Customs.

Foreign Currency Exchange & Other Services

You can usually exchange money at Exchange stands in airports or travel terminals around the world. But beware, just like anything else that is available for ease of use at the airport, there may be a fee attached.

Sometimes it is smart to wait until you are in the country whose money you want. Depending on the exchange rate, you may get more for your dollar this way.

Another way to get foreign currency without having to actually exchange it, it to use an ATM machine in the foreign country. This won’t work everywhere, but some banks have international access, and all military bases do.

You can also use your credit card internationally, your bank will automatically convert the currency for you.

BUFFALO NIAGARA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - MONARCH NEWSTAND AND GIFT SHOP

Upper Level, just inside Security
(716) 565-9333

KEYBANK

(716) 847-7743
Note: Canadian exchange only

DUTY FREE AMERICAS

1 Peace Bridge Plaza
Buffalo, NY 14213
(716) 886-5000

ENVOY

Fashion Outlets of Niagara
1900 Military Road
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
(716) 297-0933

WESTERN UNION

(800) 325-6000

Peace Bridge to Walden Galleria

Start out going east on Peace Bridge (.3 miles).  Turn slight right (.1 miles).  Merge onto I-190 S/NYS Thruway toward Downtown Buffalo/I-90/NYS Thruway (6.6 miles).  Merge onto I-90 E/NYS Thruway E via Exit 1-52 on the left toward Buffalo Airport/Albany (2.9 miles).  Take the Walden Avenue East Exit-Exit 52E toward Cheektowaga (.3 miles).  Merge onto Walden Avenue (<.1 miles).  End at Walden Galleria (One Walden Galleria Drive, Cheektowaga, NY  14225).   Estimated travel time: 14 minutes.  Total estimated distance: 10.57 miles.  

Peace Bridge to Boulevard Mall

Start out going east on Peace Bridge (.3 miles).  Turn slight right (.1 miles).  Turn left onto Baird Drive (.3 miles).  Turn slight right onto Porter Avenue (<.1 miles).  Merge onto I-190 N/NYS Thruway toward Niagara Falls (6.3 miles).  Merge onto I-290 E/Youngmann Expressway (4.9 miles).  Merge onto Niagara Falls Boulevard/US-62 via Exit 3A (1 mile).  Turn left onto Maple Road/CR-192 (.2 miles).  Turn right onto Alberta Drive (.1 miles).  End at Boulevard Mall (730 Alberta Drive, Amherst, NY 14226).  Estimated travel time: 19 minutes.  Total estimated distance: 13.7 miles.      

Peace Bridge to Eastern Hills Mall

Start out going east on Peace Bridge (.4 miles).  Turn right onto the ramp to I-190 S/New York State Thruway.  Keep left at the fork, follow signs for New York State Thruway/Downtown Buffalo/I-90/I-190 S and merge onto I-190 S/New York State Thruway (6.6 mi).  Take exit 1-52 to merge onto I-90 E/New York State Thruway East toward Albany/Buffalo Airport (partial toll road, 9.0 mi).  Take exit 49 for RT-78 toward Depew/Lockport (partial toll road, 0.6 mi).  Turn left at RT-78/Transit Road (1.7 mi).  End at Eastern Hills Mall (4545 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY 14221).  Estimated travel time: 24 minutes.  Total estimated distance: 18.3 miles.      

Peace Bridge to Airport

Start out going east on Peace Bridge (.3 miles).  Turn slight right (.1 miles).  Merge onto I-190 S/NYS Thruway toward Downtown Buffalo/I-90 NYS Thruway (6.6 miles).  Merge onto I-90 E/NYS Thruway E via Exit 1-52 on the left toward Buffalo Airport/Albany (4.5 miles).  Merge onto NY-33 E via Exit 51E toward Airport (1.6 miles).  Turn slight right onto Genesee Street/NY-33 (.4 miles).  End at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (4200 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY 14225).  Estimated travel time: 18 minutes.  Total estimated distance: 13.8 miles. 

Peace Bridge to HSBC Arena

Start out going east on Peace Bridge (.3 miles). Turn slight right (.1 miles). Merge onto I-190 S/NYS Thruway toward Downtown Buffalo/I-90 NYS Thruway (2.2 miles). Take the Elm Street Exit-Exit 6 (.3 miles). Turn slight left to take the Seneca Street ramp (less than .1 miles). Turn slight right onto Seneca Street/NY-16 S (.1 miles). Turn right onto Harriest Tubman Way/Michigan Avenue (.2 miles). Turn right onto Scott Street (.3 miles). Turn left onto Main Street/Seymour H. Knox III Plaza (.1 miles). End at HSBC Arena (One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14203). Estimated travel time: 8 minutes. Total estimated distance: 3.98 miles.

Peace Bridge to Ralph Wilson Stadium

Start out going east on Peace Bridge (.3 miles). Turn slight right (.1 miles). Merge onto I-190 S/NYS Thruway toward Downtown Buffalo/I-90 NYS Thruway (1.8 miles). Merge onto NY-5 W via Exit 7 toward Lackawanna (6.5 miles). Take the Exit toward NY 179 (.1 miles). Enter next roundabout and take 3rd exit onto NY-179 E/Milestrip Expressway (.3 miles). Stay straight to go onto NY-179 E/Milestrip Expressway. Continue to follow NY-179 E (2.7 miles). Turn right onto Abbott Road/CR-4 (1.2 miles). End at Ralph Wilson Stadium (One Bills Drive, Orchard Park, NY 14127). Estimated travel time: 21 minutes. Total estimated distance: 13.32 miles.

Peace Bridge to Albright-Knox Art Gallery

Start out going east on Peace Bridge (.3 miles). Turn slight right (.1 miles). Turn left onto Baird Drive (.3 miles). Turn slight right onto Porter Avenue (less than .1 miles). Merge onto I-190 N/NYS Thruway toward Niagara Falls (1.9 miles). Merge onto NY-198 E/Scajaquada Expressway via Exit 11 (1.6 miles). Take the exit toward Elmwood Avenue/Art Gallery/History Museum (less than .1 miles). Turn right onto Iroquois Drive (less than .1 miles). Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue (less than .1 miles). End at Albright-Knox Art Gallery (1285 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222). Estimated time: 7 minutes. Total estimated distance: 4.74 miles.

Other transportation methods to Buffalo

Amtrak

Amtrak offers several unique routes from Buffalo to Toronto and from Toronto to Buffalo.  For more information on Buffalo to Toronto routes, click here.  For more information on Toronto to Buffalo routes, click here.

Greyhound

Greyhound offers several daily buses to/from Buffalo.  For information on routes, click here.

Megabus

Beginning May 30th, 2008, Megabus will offer daily bus service from Buffalo to Toronto and Toronto to Buffalo.  For more information on prices and schedule, click here.