So, you’re flying out of Buffalo. Maybe you’re a local heading to Orlando for the sun, or perhaps you’re one of the nearly 2 million Canadians who cross the Peace Bridge every year to avoid the madness of Toronto Pearson. Either way, you’re probably sitting there wondering: How early do I actually need to be there?
If you look at the official advice, they’ll tell you two hours. Honestly? Most of the time, that feels like a joke. You end up sitting at your gate for 90 minutes, staring at the Anchor Bar and wondering if it's too early for wings. But—and this is a big but—Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) has a weird personality. It’s a "small" airport that sometimes acts like a big one, especially at 5:00 AM on a Monday or during a Lake Effect blizzard.
Let’s talk about what really happens at the checkpoint.
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The Morning Rush is No Joke
Buffalo is a hub for early morning "commuter" flights. Delta, United, and American all have banks of planes leaving between 5:30 AM and 7:00 AM. This is the one time of day when Buffalo airport security wait times can actually make you sweat.
Around 4:30 AM, the terminal goes from a ghost town to a zoo. I've seen the line snake past the ticket counters and halfway to the baggage claim. Even then, the TSA crew in Buffalo is surprisingly efficient. We’re talking about a peak wait of maybe 20 to 25 minutes during these "busy" windows. If you arrive at 9:00 AM? You’ll likely breeze through in under five minutes.
It’s worth noting that the checkpoint technically opens at 4:00 AM. If you have a 5:15 AM flight, do not—I repeat, do not—roll up at 4:45 AM. The bag drop lines for airlines like Southwest can be even more of a bottleneck than security itself.
The TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Situation
Buffalo finally stepped into the modern era with more expedited options recently.
If you have TSA PreCheck, you’re golden. Even on the worst Monday morning, the PreCheck line rarely exceeds 10 minutes. The real kicker? BUF now has CLEAR lanes too.
Now, is CLEAR worth it for a mid-sized airport like Buffalo? Kinda. If you fly out of here once a year, probably not. But if you’re a regular who values every second of sleep, it’s a lifesaver. CLEAR in Buffalo is located right at the main checkpoint.
Expert Tip: CLEAR also handles TSA PreCheck enrollments at BUF now. They’ve got a spot on the Departures level right in front of the security entrance. If you’ve been putting off that application, you can basically do the whole thing right there between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
The 9:00 PM Shutdown
Here is a detail that catches people off guard: the TSA checkpoint at Buffalo Niagara International closes at 9:00 PM daily.
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Wait, what? Yeah. The terminal stays open 24/7, but if you have a late-night flight or you step outside for a smoke after checking in, you better be back through that line before 9:00 PM. If you miss that window, you’re stuck on the "unsecure" side until 4:00 AM the next morning. There’s a Tim Hortons out there, sure, but it’s not exactly where you want to spend eight hours of your life.
The "Canadian Factor"
If you’re driving down from Ontario, you have an extra layer of math to do. You aren't just calculating the security line; you’re calculating the Peace Bridge or Lewiston-Queenston Bridge wait.
On a holiday weekend, the border can add an hour to your trip. Most Canadians choose Buffalo because it’s "faster" than YYZ, and it usually is. While Toronto Pearson might suggest a three-hour lead time, you can usually do Buffalo in 90 minutes—if the border behaves.
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Real ID and the 2026 Shift
By now, you’ve probably seen the signs. Starting in May 2025, the TSA ramped up the pressure, and as of 2026, the rules are firm. You need a REAL ID compliant license or a passport to get past the Buffalo checkpoint.
If you show up with an old-school non-compliant ID, you might be looking at the new TSA ConfirmID system. It’s a modernized identity verification process, but it costs $45 and takes way longer. Don’t be the person holding up the line because your license doesn't have a star on it.
How to Check Times in Real-Time
Don't just guess. Use the tools available:
- MyTSA App: This is surprisingly accurate for Buffalo. It uses crowdsourced data and historical trends.
- The Official BUF Website: They sometimes post live updates, though honestly, the app is more reliable.
- The "Eye Test": If you see three tour buses pulling up at the same time, run to the line.
The Bottom Line
Buffalo is a breeze 90% of the time. You can show up an hour before your flight and have time to grab a coffee and a newspaper. But if you’re flying between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM, or during the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, give yourself the full two hours.
The security team here doesn't mess around, but they can only move so many people through those scanners at once.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your ID: If you haven't upgraded to REAL ID, bring your passport to the airport today.
- Download MyTSA: Set BUF as your "favorite" airport to see historical wait patterns for your specific flight time.
- Time the Border: if coming from Canada, check the CBP Border Wait Times before you leave the house to see if you need to pivot to a different bridge.
- Book Your Parking: If you’re worried about time, the Daily/Hourly garage is a 2-minute walk to security, whereas the Economy lot requires a shuttle that runs every 15 minutes.