Major city · United States
Buford
Skip Buford unless you need Mall of Georgia or Lake Lanier Canopy Tours; a half-day stop from Atlanta (40 min drive) is enough.
Buford is a suburban satellite of Atlanta, best known for the Mall of Georgia (over 225 stores) and Lake Lanier Canopy Tours. Most travellers use it as a shopping or outdoor stop on the way to or from the mountains, not as a destination itself. One afternoon covers the mall and a zipline session.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid)
- Airport
- ATL
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Buford911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- Buford Police (non-emergency)+1 770 945-8995
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Buford, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyBuford is a safe suburban town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 770 945-8995 Buford Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportATL Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (About 50 min drive via I-85; no direct transit).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (Starbucks or local café)$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down restaurant dinner$15–30
- BeerBeer at a bar$5–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi/rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi/rideshare$12–18
- Budget bedSuite (e.g. SpringHill Suites), a night, per roomUS$140
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel room (e.g. Fairfield Inn), a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedBudget hotel room (e.g. Fairfield Inn), a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$130 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ATL Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (About 50 min drive via I-85; no direct transit)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Oct (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Buford: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. I-85 and US 23 run through town; parking is free at the mall and most hotels. No local bus service worth using for visitors.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Atlanta
goDoor to door: 40 min
I-85 south, about 40 min
Full day for museums, food and neighbourhoods.
Lake Lanier
goDoor to door: 15 min
US 23 north, about 15 min
Boating, swimming and parks; check lake levels.
Alpharetta
goDoor to door: 20 min
US 23 south, about 20 min
Avalon mixed-use development and restaurants.
Stone Mountain
goDoor to door: 45 min
I-85 south then US 78 east, about 45 min
Granite monolith with a light show; half-day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mall of Georgia area
Hotels along Buford Drive (US 23) near I-85; walkable to the mall but not to much else.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room (e.g. Hampton Inn)1 × 1 night × US$160 | US$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Rental car, one day (economy)2 × US$45 · check | US$90 |
| Gas for 50 km2 × US$8 · check | US$16 |
| Lake Lanier Canopy Tours, per person2 × US$60 · check | US$120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$65 |
| Trip total≈ US$356 per person per day, bed included | US$711 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and rental car excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (Starbucks or local café) | $3–6 |
| Fast-food meal | $8–12 |
| Sit-down restaurant dinner | $15–30 |
| Beer at a bar | $5–8 |
| 5 km taxi/rideshare | $12–18 |
| Mall of Georgia parking | Free (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mall of Georgia traffic on weekends and holidays; parking decks fill up.
- Lake Lanier Canopy Tours requires a reservation and closed-toe shoes.
- No direct public transport from Atlanta; rideshare or rental car needed.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
- Buford Police (non-emergency)
- +1 770 945-8995
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BufordBuford
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- Buford Police (non-emergency)+1 770 945-8995
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Atlanta (downtown) → Buford, rideshare: about $35–55, 40 min (check)
- Buford → Mall of Georgia, rideshare: about $5–10, 5 min
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the mall? — Where is the mall? (where is the mall)
- I need a ride — I need a ride (I need a ride)
English is universal; no local phrases needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Buford. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Mall of Georgia (store directory, hours, parking) and Lake Lanier Canopy Tours (pricing, booking link).
- Eat pages for the mall food court and nearby independent restaurants.
- Day-trip page from Atlanta to Buford with a shopping + zipline itinerary.
Sources
Ask about Buford
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