Go to the Correct Level
Passenger pickup is associated with the arrivals lower level, not the upper departures curb.
Airport Taxi Buffalo Buffalo Airport • Niagara Falls • Canada Trips
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BUF Arrivals Pickup Guide
Where to Meet Your Taxi at Buffalo Airport
After landing at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, collect your luggage, check your phone for the driver’s message, exit on the arrivals level, turn toward the far-right curbside area, and proceed to Pole 13 unless your driver gives you a different current meeting instruction.
Arrivals Level Proceed downstairs to baggage claim and passenger pickup.
Pole 13 Standard Airport Taxi Buffalo meeting area unless updated.
Driver Message Check your phone before walking outside.
Flight Monitoring Use the correct airline and flight number when booking.
Standard Meeting Point
13 ARRIVALS POLE
Use Pole 13 as the standard meeting point for Airport Taxi Buffalo, but always follow the latest message from your assigned driver or dispatcher if airport traffic rules temporarily change.
1
Collect All Luggage Do not leave baggage claim until every checked bag has arrived.
2
Check Your Phone Review the driver name, vehicle details, and current instructions.
3
Walk to Pole 13 Exit on arrivals, turn toward the far-right curbside area, and locate the pole.
Avoid Pickup Confusion
Know the meeting process before your flight lands.
Airport pickups can become confusing when passengers walk outside before checking messages, wait on the departures level, use the wrong pole, or assume every taxi and rideshare company uses the same curb. This page explains the standard pickup process for customers who reserved through AirportTaxiBuffalo.com.
Buffalo Airport’s official terminal directory identifies arrivals on the lower level and shows designated passenger-pickup, limousine-waiting, and meet-and-greet areas. Airport operations may change curb access temporarily, so the most recent driver message should take priority over older screenshots or saved directions.
Read the Driver Message
Your message may include the driver’s name, vehicle, plate information, Booking ID, and a location update.
Be Fully Ready
Collect every passenger and bag before telling the driver that your group is ready for curbside pickup.
Step-by-Step Directions
How to meet your Airport Taxi Buffalo driver at BUF.
Follow these steps in order. The process is designed to reduce unnecessary waiting, curb congestion, missed calls, and confusion between unrelated airport transportation companies.
1
Turn On Your Phone After Landing
Disable airplane mode when permitted and make sure the phone number used in your reservation can receive calls or text messages.
2
Proceed to Baggage Claim
Follow terminal signs to the arrivals and baggage-claim level. Wait until all checked luggage has been received.
3
Check the Latest Driver Message
Confirm the driver name, vehicle description, plate information when provided, and the current meeting point.
4
Exit on the Arrivals Level
Use an arrivals-level exit after your entire party and luggage are ready. Do not go upstairs to departures.
5
Turn Toward the Far-Right Curb
After exiting, move toward the far-right side of the arrivals pickup area and look for the numbered curbside poles.
6
Wait at Pole 13
Use Pole 13 as the standard Airport Taxi Buffalo meeting point unless your driver sends a different current instruction.
7
Verify the Correct Driver
Confirm the driver name, vehicle, and Booking ID before loading luggage or entering the vehicle.
8
Load and Depart Safely
Allow the driver to position the vehicle legally and load luggage without blocking active airport traffic.
Save These Instructions
BUF taxi pickup in one sentence.
Collect your bags, check the driver message, exit on the arrivals lower level, turn toward the far-right curbside area, and meet at Pole 13 unless your driver provides an updated location.
Airport Buffalo Niagara International Airport — BUF.
Terminal Level Arrivals and baggage claim on the lower level.
Standard Pole Pole 13 for Airport Taxi Buffalo customers.
Final Authority The latest direct message from your assigned driver.
Pickup Best Practices
What to do—and what causes unnecessary delays.
Do This
- Keep the reservation phone powered on and connected.
- Collect all checked luggage before requesting curbside pickup.
- Keep the whole passenger group together.
- Verify the driver name, vehicle, and Booking ID.
- Tell the driver immediately if you cannot locate Pole 13.
- Follow temporary airport instructions and legal curb rules.
Avoid This
- Do not wait on the departures upper level.
- Do not enter a vehicle only because it has a taxi sign.
- Do not tell the driver you are ready while bags are still missing.
- Do not assume rideshare pickup instructions apply to your reserved taxi.
- Do not block traffic while searching through luggage or messages.
- Do not ignore calls because the number is unfamiliar.
Driver Communication
What information should appear in your pickup message?
The exact message format may vary, but passengers should receive enough information to identify the correct transportation provider and understand where to meet.
Driver Name
Use the assigned driver’s name rather than approaching an unrelated vehicle or airport operator.
Vehicle Details
Review the vehicle type, color, and plate details when they are included in the message.
Booking ID
Use the reservation or Booking ID to confirm that the driver is assigned to your actual trip.
Never rely only on the vehicle’s appearance.
Airport curbs contain many taxis, private vehicles, hotel shuttles, limousines, and rideshare drivers. Confirm the assigned driver and reservation details before entering.
Delayed and Changed Flights
What to do when your itinerary changes.
Flight monitoring works best when the original booking contains the correct airline and flight number. Airlines can cancel, renumber, reroute, or rebook passengers onto a different flight, and those changes may not automatically match the original reservation.
| Situation | What You Should Do | Information to Send |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Delay | Keep your phone available and watch for updated pickup instructions. | Usually no change unless the flight number or date changes. |
| Flight Cancelled | Contact the company as soon as the airline confirms the cancellation. | Booking ID, cancelled flight, and replacement plans. |
| Rebooked Flight | Send the replacement itinerary instead of assuming it is visible automatically. | New airline, flight number, date, arrival time, and airport. |
| Arriving at Another Airport | Request a booking update because the original BUF pickup cannot simply be assumed. | New airport, arrival details, destination, and passenger contact. |
| Phone Not Working | Use airport Wi-Fi, email, or another passenger’s phone to contact support. | Traveler name, Booking ID, and current location. |
Groups and Luggage
Do not request curbside pickup until everyone is ready.
The driver may have limited legal waiting time at an active airport curb. Your group should leave baggage claim together, with all luggage counted and every traveler ready to load.
Count Every Bag
Verify checked bags, carry-ons, strollers, wheelchairs, sports equipment, and oversized belongings before exiting.
Keep the Group Together
Do not send one passenger outside while other travelers remain at baggage claim or in the terminal.
Use the Assigned Vehicle
The passenger-and-luggage information in your booking determines whether a sedan, van, or other arrangement is appropriate.
Accessibility and Assistance
Tell the company about mobility needs before arrival.
Passengers using a wheelchair, walker, service animal, or other mobility aid should include accurate information during booking. Vehicle accessibility and storage capacity must be confirmed rather than assumed.
Include in the Reservation
- Whether the wheelchair folds or remains occupied.
- Whether the passenger can transfer into a standard seat.
- Size and type of mobility equipment.
- Service-animal information when relevant.
- Additional assistance or loading requirements.
Do Not Assume
- Every vehicle has a wheelchair ramp or lift.
- All mobility equipment fits in a standard trunk.
- The curb can be blocked for extended loading.
- A last-minute vehicle change will always be available.
- The driver knows about a need not listed in the booking.
Official Airport Information
Use Buffalo Airport’s official ground-transportation directory for airport-wide information.
AirportTaxiBuffalo.com provides instructions for its own reserved customers. For general airport maps, terminal operations, public transportation, rideshare, shuttles, vans, and airport-listed taxi companies, consult Buffalo Niagara International Airport’s official transportation pages.
View official BUF shuttles, vans, and taxis information → Pickup Questions
Buffalo Airport taxi pickup FAQs
These answers cover the arrivals level, Pole 13, baggage claim, driver messages, flight delays, wrong-level mistakes, groups, accessibility, and identifying the correct vehicle.
Where do I meet Airport Taxi Buffalo at BUF?
After collecting all luggage, check the latest driver message, exit on the arrivals lower level, turn toward the far-right curbside area, and proceed to Pole 13 unless your assigned driver provides a different current meeting instruction.
Is Buffalo Airport taxi pickup on arrivals or departures?
Passenger pickup is associated with the arrivals lower level. Do not wait on the upper departures curb unless your assigned driver specifically directs you there because of a temporary operational change.
Should I go outside before collecting my luggage?
No. Retrieve every checked bag and gather the entire passenger group before proceeding outside. Active airport curbs are not intended for extended waiting while passengers remain inside.
What if I cannot find Pole 13?
Stay on the arrivals level, review the driver’s message, and contact the assigned driver or company. Share the door, pole, or landmark you can currently see rather than walking between levels.
How do I know which taxi is mine?
Confirm the assigned driver’s name, vehicle description, plate details when provided, and your Booking ID. Do not enter a vehicle only because it displays a taxi sign or stops near you.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Use the correct flight number and keep your phone available after landing. Contact the company promptly if the flight is cancelled, rebooked, renumbered, moved to another date, or redirected to a different airport.
What if my phone does not work in the United States?
Connect to airport Wi-Fi and check email or messaging apps. You may also use another passenger’s phone to contact support. Provide your name, Booking ID, and current terminal location.
Can the driver wait while I am still at baggage claim?
Airport curb access and included waiting terms are limited. Tell the driver when your entire party and luggage are ready, and review your reservation terms for any applicable waiting-time policy.
What should a large group do at pickup?
Keep the group together, count all luggage, confirm the assigned vehicle arrangement, and send one clear readiness message. Do not split the group between baggage claim, different doors, and multiple curbs.
Are these instructions the same as Uber or Lyft pickup?
No. Rideshare platforms, airport-listed taxis, hotel shuttles, limousines, and prearranged transportation providers may use different procedures. Follow the message for the company and reservation you actually booked.
Ready for a Smoother Arrival?
Reserve your Buffalo Airport taxi before landing.
Submit your flight number, destination, passengers, luggage, and mobile contact information online. After arrival, collect your bags and follow the latest driver instructions to the meeting point.