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 4 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Amherst include ITA Airways, JetBlue and Delta. The shortest domestic flight to Amherst departs from Orlando and takes around 2h 36m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Amherst. The train journey from Amherst to Syracuse takes 2h 53m and costs around $29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Rensselaer, expect to pay about $47 for a 5h 32m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Amherst is to pick up a car rental from Cleveland, which is about 180 miles from Amherst. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Turo, among others, in Cleveland.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Amherst, including Trailways, FlixBus and OurBus. From New York, the bus ride to Amherst takes 400 miles and will cost you around $70. From Detroit, the ticket costs about $86 for a journey of 555 miles.

Plane

When flying to Amherst, you’ll arrive at Buffalo Airport (BUF), which is located 4 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Amherst include ITA Airways, JetBlue and Delta. The shortest domestic flight to Amherst departs from Orlando and takes around 2h 36m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Amherst. The train journey from Amherst to Syracuse takes 2h 53m and costs around $29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Rensselaer, expect to pay about $47 for a 5h 32m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Amherst is to pick up a car rental from Cleveland, which is about 180 miles from Amherst. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Turo, among others, in Cleveland.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Amherst, including Trailways, FlixBus and OurBus. From New York, the bus ride to Amherst takes 400 miles and will cost you around $70. From Detroit, the ticket costs about $86 for a journey of 555 miles.

Airlines serving Amherst

Lufthansa
Good (4,667 reviews)
KLM
Good (858 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,492 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,602 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,303 reviews)
Air France
Good (978 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (475 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,942 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,127 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,482 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,791 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (229 reviews)
Finnair
Good (880 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,168 reviews)
LOT
Good (683 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (916 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,582 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (713 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,609 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of Amherst

Most booked hotels in Amherst

Salvatores Grand Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (9.1, 511 reviews)
$192+
Hyatt Place Buffalo/Amherst
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 804 reviews)
$156+
The Delavan Hotel & Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 778 reviews)
$154+
Sleep Inn
2 stars
Excellent (8, 604 reviews)
$111+
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Buffalo Amherst
2 stars
Good (7.9, 990 reviews)
$109+
Buffalo Airport Hotel
3 stars
Good (7.7, 903 reviews)
$95+

Renting a car in Amherst

Renting a car in Amherst costs $56 per day, on average, or $112 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 13% cheaper than airport locations in Amherst.

Expect to pay $3.94 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 $47.24 and $62.99. 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 $56 per day, on average, or $112 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 13% cheaper than airport locations in Amherst.

Expect to pay $3.94 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 $47.24 and $62.99. Compact (Chevrolet Bolt or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Amherst, while also 68% cheaper than other types, on average.