Is Buffalo Safe for Travel in 2024?

Buffalo, United States
Safety Score
66

Buffalo is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of New York and the seat of Erie County. It is located at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of the Niagara River, and is adjacent to the Canadian border in southern Ontario. The city and nearby Niagara Falls together make up the two-county Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which had an estimated population of 1.1 million in 2020, making it the 49th largest MSA in the United States. Buffalo is located in Western New York, the largest population and economic center between Boston, Cleveland, and Massachusetts.

Warnings & Dangers in Buffalo

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM

You need to take special precautions in this city, watch out for your belongings and surroundings, and do not walk alone late at night.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : MEDIUM

Public transport is well-developed and safe. Keep an eye on your wallets on buses to avoid pickpocketing. Use only licensed taxi services.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK : MEDIUM

Pickpocketing happens just like everywhere else - in the area of train stations, in the main squares, and in places where tourists gather. Always keep track of your belongings, do not leave your wallet and phone unattended.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : MEDIUM

Buffalo is a city that is prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and forest fires. The areas of high risk are canyons, hills, and forests.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK : MEDIUM

Serious robberies and armed assaults are rare in Buffalo, but violent car thefts can occur, if you find yourself in this situation, just give your car to the criminals and walk away. It will save your life.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK : MEDIUM

The region has become a target for terrorist attacks in the past, so this risk cannot be completely ruled out. Study the political environment and news before your visit here.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK : MEDIUM

The most common scams in Buffalo are related to street beggars. Be suspicious of anyone who asks or offers you help.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW

Women traveling alone can feel quite safe in Buffalo. The main thing is to adhere to the usual precautions and monitor your surroundings.

How Safe Is Buffalo for Tourists?

Buffalo is a relatively safe city to travel to.

The crime index here is at an average level.

The main problems are associated with petty theft and vandalism.

It is believed that the East Side area of ​​Buffalo is quite dangerous and can be unpleasant for tourists.

The East Side is, generally speaking, the poorest residential area in the city; it is roughly bounded by Main Street to the west and north, the city line to the east, and Seneca Street to the south, with the Greider, Humboldt Park, and Genesee Moselle districts particularly suffering from urban decline.

However, Buffalo’s crime rate has dropped in recent years to levels not seen in half a century.

What violent crimes happen on the East Side are usually drug and gang-related and are not aimed at tourists; Generally speaking, apart from the Science Museum and a few attractions in the relatively safe area of ​​Lovejoy, there is little to see on the East Side.

Follow the general precautions that apply in any urban area – lock your car doors, keep valuables out of sight, keep an eye on your surroundings, etc. – and you’ll be fine almost everywhere.

Beggars can sometimes be found on Chippewa Street in the city center, as well as in Allentown and Elmwood Village, although nowhere near the same as in most other cities.

Almost nothing is known about aggressive begging.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Buffalo?

Visitors to the United States must obtain a visa from one of the United States diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries or Visa Waiver Program countries. A valid passport is a must.

Which Currency Is Used in Buffalo?

The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. It has a sign: $ and a code: USD. Also, it abbreviated US$. One dollar is divided into 100 cents (Symbol: ¢).

How's the Weather like in Buffalo?

In Buffalo, the summers are warm and partly cloudy, and the winters are freezing, snowy, windy, and mostly cloudy. The best time of year to visit Buffalo for warm-weather activities is from late June to early September.

What Do I Need to Know about Airports in Buffalo?

Buffalo Niagara International Airport is located in Chiktovaaga, New York. The airport serves Buffalo, New York, USA, and the southern Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario, Canada. It is the third-busiest airport in New York State and the busiest outside the New York metropolitan area.

Should I Get Travel Insurance for My Travels?

A travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country or city. Make sure you got it before starting your journey; the customs officer may ask for it.

What Are Some Things to Do in Buffalo?

Buffalo is a city in upstate New York on the shores of Lake Erie. It is renowned for its graceful neoclassical, Bose Art and Art Deco buildings dating back to the early 20th century when the city was one of the largest industrial centers in the country. Buffalo attractions include the 120-meter Art Deco City Hall, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Darwin D. Martin House, and the Neo-Greek Albright Knox Art Gallery displaying works by Picasso and Warhol.

Is the Water in Buffalo Safe to Drink?

Tap water is safe to drink.

Is Uber Safe in Buffalo?

There is an Uber taxi in the city; you can call a cab from your smartphone application. The fare will depend on the time of day and the distance traveled.

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