Visiting Buffalo for a Bills Game
Highmark Stadium sits in Orchard Park, about 25 miles west of downtown Buffalo. Here is how to plan the trip: where to stay, what to eat, and how to get around.
Getting to the Stadium
Most visitors fly into Buffalo Niagara International Airport, the region’s main airport. From there, fans typically rent a car or take a rideshare to their hotel, then drive to the stadium on game day. The stadium address is 10 Bills Plaza in Orchard Park, and the main drive from the city runs west on I-90.
If you do not want to drive, the NFTA runs Game Day Express buses on Bills home game days, with the NFTA Transportation Hub at the edge of the stadium campus. Routes and timing are on the NFTA Game Day Express page. Our Highmark Stadium guide covers parking passes, tailgating, and the gate schedule once you are there.
Where to Stay
Three areas make sense for a Bills game, depending on what you want the trip to be:
- Orchard Park is the closest to the stadium. It has the fewest hotels, so availability for big games goes quickly.
- Williamsville sits between the city and the stadium. It has more hotels and a shorter drive than downtown.
- Downtown Buffalo has the widest selection of hotels and the most to do after the game, at the cost of the longest drive to the stadium.
For primetime and rivalry games, book the hotel before you buy the tickets. Lodging in the area fills up around the biggest dates, and prices climb as the game approaches.
What to Eat in Buffalo
Buffalo is the birthplace of the Buffalo wing, created at the Anchor Bar in 1964, and the city still makes a point of it. Wing restaurants are everywhere, from the original to the newer takes on it.
Canalside, the waterfront district, is the usual pregame and postgame spot, with a long stretch of restaurants, bars, and shops along the canal. Allentown, the old bar district, is denser and more low-key, and it is where many locals go for a game night out.
Getting Around Buffalo
Buffalo’s public transit is run by the NFTA, with the Metro Rail connecting the airport and downtown and bus routes covering the rest of the city. For a game trip, most fans rely on a rental car or rideshare, because the stadium is outside the core transit area, but the Metro Rail is a fine way to move around the city itself.
Things to Do Before Kickoff
If you have a morning or afternoon to fill, Canalside is the easiest answer: walk the waterfront, browse the shops, and eat your way through the restaurants. The Anchor Bar is worth a stop if you want the original wing, and Allentown is the place for a longer pregame.
The official Buffalo Niagara tourism site has the full list of events and attractions, and it is the best starting point if you are turning the game into a longer trip.
Where This Information Comes From
- Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau
- NFTA: Buffalo and Erie County Transit Authority
- Buffalo Niagara International Airport
- The Anchor Bar
Last updated: October 1, 2026
Visiting Buffalo Questions
How far is Highmark Stadium from downtown Buffalo?
The stadium sits in Orchard Park, about 25 miles west of downtown Buffalo. Most fans driving from the city use the I-90 west and Big Tree Road route, and game day traffic can add time, so leave earlier than you think you need to.
Where should I stay for a Bills home game?
Orchard Park is the closest area but has the fewest hotels. Williamsville, between the city and the stadium, has more options, and downtown Buffalo has the widest selection. Book early for big games, because the area fills up around primetime and rivalry dates.
Do I need a car to get to the stadium?
A car is the easiest option, but not the only one. The NFTA runs Game Day Express buses on home game days, and the NFTA Transportation Hub sits at the edge of the stadium campus. If you fly in, a rental car or rideshare from the airport also works.
What can I do in Buffalo before the game?
Canalside is the waterfront district with food, shops, and a walk along the canal. Allentown is the old bar district with a high density of bars and restaurants. The Anchor Bar, where the Buffalo wing was created in 1964, is the city's most famous dining stop.
Plan the Trip, Then Get the Tickets
Every home game at Highmark Stadium, with live prices, is on the schedule.
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