Amherst travel guide

Amherst Tourism | Amherst Guide

You're Going to Love Amherst

With a population of 122 366, Amherst is a must-see destination in New York State, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Amherst deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Amherst

If you’re looking for affordable options, Black & Blue Steak & Crab - Buffalo (5493 Sheridan Drive) and Jazzboline (5010 Main St) are great picks.

When to visit Amherst

Amherst in February
Estimated hotel price
$124
1 night at 3-star hotel
Amherst in February
Estimated hotel price
$124
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Amherst

Plane

When flying to Amherst, you’ll arrive at Buffalo Airport (BUF), which is located 6 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Amherst include Air France, Royal Air Maroc and JetBlue. The shortest domestic flight to Amherst departs from Orlando and takes around 2h 37m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Amherst. The train journey from Amherst to Rensselaer takes 5h 42m and costs around $77 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New York, expect to pay about $8 for a 8h 17m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Amherst is to pick up a car rental from Cleveland, which is about 290 km from Amherst. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Budget, among others, in Cleveland.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Amherst, including Trailways, Greyhound and OurBus. From New York, the bus ride to Amherst takes 644 km and will cost you around $81. From Chicago, the ticket costs about $54 for a journey of 1304 km.

Plane

When flying to Amherst, you’ll arrive at Buffalo Airport (BUF), which is located 6 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Amherst include Air France, Royal Air Maroc and JetBlue. The shortest domestic flight to Amherst departs from Orlando and takes around 2h 37m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Amherst. The train journey from Amherst to Rensselaer takes 5h 42m and costs around $77 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New York, expect to pay about $8 for a 8h 17m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Amherst is to pick up a car rental from Cleveland, which is about 290 km from Amherst. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Budget, among others, in Cleveland.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Amherst, including Trailways, Greyhound and OurBus. From New York, the bus ride to Amherst takes 644 km and will cost you around $81. From Chicago, the ticket costs about $54 for a journey of 1304 km.

Airlines serving Amherst

Lufthansa
Good (4,668 reviews)
KLM
Good (844 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,640 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,251 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,574 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (487 reviews)
Air France
Good (982 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,106 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,424 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,988 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (6,007 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (855 reviews)
LOT
Good (677 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (934 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,165 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (839 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,751 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (732 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,577 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of Amherst

Most booked hotels in Amherst

Salvatores Grand Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (9.1, 519 reviews)
$192+
Hyatt Place Buffalo/Amherst
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 817 reviews)
$168+
The Delavan Hotel & Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 771 reviews)
$150+
Sleep Inn
2 stars
Excellent (8, 627 reviews)
$105+
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Buffalo Amherst
2 stars
Good (7.9, 961 reviews)
$112+
Buffalo Airport Hotel
3 stars
Good (7.7, 933 reviews)
$104+

Renting a car in Amherst

Renting a car in Amherst costs $58 per day, on average, or $117 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 33% cheaper than airport locations in Amherst.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Amherst (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. Compact (Chevrolet Bolt or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Amherst, while also 68% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Amherst costs $58 per day, on average, or $117 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 33% cheaper than airport locations in Amherst.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Amherst (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. Compact (Chevrolet Bolt or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Amherst, while also 68% cheaper than other types, on average.