$104 Cheap Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Buffalo (BUF)

Raleigh (RDU) to Buffalo (BUF) at a glance

Explore a variety of airlines offering weekly flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) on this short domestic route. Whether you’re looking for cheap flights from Raleigh or prefer full-service options, you can compare airfare to find the best fit for your budget and schedule. Get ready to discover Buffalo's iconic attractions and vibrant neighborhoods with ease.

• Fastest flight duration: around 1h 45m non-stop
• Route distance: roughly 500 miles (805 km)
• Flights per week: around 20+ flights with multiple daily departures on average
• Typical fares (one-way): economy tickets often range from $65–$280, depending on seasonality and how far ahead you book

Flights from Raleigh - Durham International Airport (RDU) to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)

If you're planning a trip from Raleigh to Buffalo, take a look at the top airlines favored by travelers for both non-stop and one-stop flights. Common layover options include Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) with a layover of about 55 minutes, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), both featuring roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes of layover time. These choices allow you to balance factors like price, total travel duration, and cabin class to craft the ideal travel itinerary.

• American Airlines: This full-service airline provides one-stop flights, with one-way ticket prices generally between $90 and $315. It represents about 44% of departures on this route, featuring an in-flight duration of 3 hours and an overall travel time nearing 4 hours, including the layover.
• Southwest Airlines: As a budget-friendly option, Southwest offers both non-stop and one-stop services, with one-way fares ranging from $80 to $300. It contributes approximately 14% of flight departures for this route, typically involving 3 hours in the air with an overall journey time of about 4 hours.
• United: Known as a full-service carrier, United provides one-stop flights with prices for one-way tickets typically falling between $90 and $325. It accounts for around 13% of departures on this route, featuring 3 hours of flight time and a total journey duration of roughly 4 hours, including layover time.
• Frontier Airlines: This low-cost carrier offers both non-stop and one-stop options, with one-way fares generally ranging from $65 to $175. Frontier makes up about 10% of departures on this route, with a direct flight taking about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Delta: Operating as a full-service airline, Delta provides one-stop service with one-way fares typically between $80 and $340. It represents around 10% of departures for this route, featuring an in-flight duration of 3 hours and an overall travel time of close to 4 hours, including layover time.

Travelers flying from Raleigh to Buffalo have the option to upgrade their experience, with American Airlines offering first class and Delta providing both first class and premium economy class for enhanced comfort.

Best time to fly from Raleigh (RDU) to Buffalo (BUF)

The most popular months for travelers flying from Raleigh to Buffalo are April, July, and August, when peak temperatures in Buffalo reach up to 72°F in July. If you prefer quieter travel, consider November, the least busy and relatively cheaper time to visit with fewer crowds and temperatures around 41.4°F. For better deals, October usually offers the lowest average one-way fare around $129. Flight availability peaks in July, with approximately 30 flights per week, making it easier to find convenient departure times. January has the fewest flights, with approximately 17 flights per week.

• Cheapest time to fly: October usually offers good deals with average one-way fare around $129, roughly 11% cheaper than the yearly average.
• More budget-friendly months to fly: August, September, and June typically offer average one-way fares of around $133.
• Most flight options: July has the highest number of flights from Raleigh to Buffalo, with approximately 30 flights per week, giving you more flexibility in scheduling your trip.

*Average one-way fare is based on Expedia flight booking data from January 2025 to April 2026 for the specified route and travel class and may change depending on availability, dates, and demand.

How to find the best prices for flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Buffalo (BUF)

Getting some of the best deals on flights from Raleigh to Buffalo is all about timing and flexibility. Here are some key tips to help you save:

1. Best times to book and fly: cheaper fares are usually found when booking 2-8 weeks in advance, which is when most travelers make their reservations. Evening departures (6 PM-12 AM) often offer lower prices, although morning flights (5 AM-12 PM) are more popular. Additionally, flying on Sunday tends to be less expensive, while Thursday remains the most favored travel day.
2. Set up price alerts: stay updated on price changes by using Expedia's Price Tracker. Receive alerts when fares drop for your selected route.
3. Bundle and save: bundle your flight and hotel to save on Expedia, or unlock a hotel deal after booking your flight.*
4. Compare flight options: use Expedia's search tool to compare airlines, routes, direct vs. non-direct flights, and flight times. You can also sort by price to find the most affordable options.
5. Stay flexible with dates: being open to different travel days can sometimes help you find better prices on flights and hotels.
6. Think about luggage: nowadays, it's important to check the airline's baggage policies to find the best value. That may be paying for an additional carry-on bag or booking a ticket with checked luggage included. Either way, double-check your allowance before confirming your booking to avoid excess baggage fees at the airport.

*Members only. Savings vary and are not available on all bundles. Select hotels.

Arriving at Buffalo Niagara International Airport from Raleigh - Durham International Airport

Buffalo welcomes travelers from Raleigh with a range of transport options based on price, convenience, and proximity. For departures, Raleigh - Durham International Airport is roughly a 20-minute drive (covering about 15 miles) from central Raleigh. Here's how to reach Buffalo efficiently:

• Hotel transfer: Transfers offer a convenient way to reach your hotel in Buffalo, with private rides that can be arranged in advance.
• Car rental: Renting a car from Buffalo Niagara International Airport is a great option if you plan to explore and sightsee beyond the city. Browse cheap car rentals at Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Expedia.
• Taxi/ride-hailing: Taxis and ride-hailing services may be available from designated pickup areas outside the terminal, check locally on arrival.
• Public transportation: From Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Buffalo-Depew Station, a train station, is located about 2.6 miles away by car, while University Station, a metro station, is situated approximately 6.5 miles away, also accessible by car.

Raleigh to Buffalo Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Raleigh to Buffalo

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Raleigh to Buffalo are during the month of October. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Raleigh to Buffalo with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Raleigh to Buffalo

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Raleigh to Buffalo: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Raleigh to Buffalo

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Raleigh to Buffalo in 2026. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $104 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Raleigh to Buffalo flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Raleigh to Buffalo airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

*Terms apply.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.