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Traveling to Ithaca
Ithaca, New York
Cornell University is located in Ithaca, a small city in central New York State (see map at left). It is approximately 250 miles (400 km) northwest of New York City, and 60 miles (100 km) south of Syracuse, New York.
For more information: MAPS, DIRECTIONS AND LOCAL INFORMATION
Travel by Air
Ithaca and Cornell University are served by the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport and these airlines and locations:
USAirways: Philadelphia Airport and New York City’s LaGuardia Airport
(Note: Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington, DC, is expected to be added at the beginning of 2010)
Northwest/Delta Airlines: Detroit Metro Airport
Continental Airlines: Newark Liberty Airport
As you will see, the most expedient way to arrive in Ithaca is through the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. The Cornell campus is a ten-minute drive from the Ithaca Airport. Executive Education staff members will be meeting every local flight in Ithaca, and will direct you to the shuttle van provided by The Statler Hotel.
If you cannot arrange a direct flight to Ithaca, you will find that the Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, New York, offers more airline options. Ithaca is about a 90-minute drive from Syracuse. Ground transportation to and from the Hancock Airport can be arranged through a local service, Ithaca Airline Limousine (phone 1-607-273-3030 or 1-800-273-9197). You must call for a shuttle reservation, based on their scheduled times, at least 48 hours in advance. The cost is $80/one-way, or $110/round-trip (subject to change). (You also have the option of reserving a private shuttle, at a time you choose, for a higher cost.)
As an alternative to the shuttle service, you may choose to take a taxi from Syracuse to Ithaca. The taxi service is located in the Hancock Airport terminal. There are no schedules or advance reservations required, and you can usually depart for Ithaca as soon as you arrive. The cost is approximately $170/one-way. Another possible option is to rent a car at the Hancock Airport and drive to Ithaca.
Travel by Bus, Car and Train
Bus: The following companies provide bus service between New York City and Ithaca (a 5-6 hour trip):
-Cornell Campus-to-Campus (phone 1-607-227-6307)
New York City stops: The Cornell Club (2 blocks from Grand Central Terminal), and Weill Medical College
Ithaca stop: Sage/Statler Hall at Cornell (1 block south of the Statler Hotel)
-Greyhound (phone 1-607-272-7930 or 1-800-231-2222)
New York City stop: Port Authority Terminal
Ithaca stop: Ithaca Bus Terminal
-ShortLine (phone 1-607-277-8800 or 1-800-631-8405)
New York City stop: Port Authority Terminal
Ithaca stops: Ithaca Bus Terminal, and Cornell Theater Arts Center (a 10 minute walk to the Statler Hotel, or call for the hotel shuttle)
If you need to go from an area airport to a New York City stop location, you can take a taxi, bus or shuttle. One shuttle option is New York Airport Service.
If you will be getting off at the Ithaca Bus Terminal, about 30 minutes before your bus arrives you can call the Statler Hotel to request a shuttle pick-up at the terminal (hotel phone 1-607-257-2500). Local taxi service is also available (phone 1-607-277-7777 or 1-888-321-1149). Please note that the Ithaca Bus Terminal building is shut at night from 6:45 pm - 4:30 am, therefore if you arrive during that time, you will be let off in the parking lot. You should plan to have the shuttle/taxi there when you arrive.
Car: If you will be driving to Ithaca, maps and directions can be found here. If you wish to rent a car, some of the companies that have local service outlets are:
-Avis (phone 1-607-257-0441 or 1-800-831-2847)
-Enterprise (phone 1-607-275-9000 or 1-800-736-8222)
-Hertz (phone 1-607-257-8677 or 1-800-654-3131)
-National (phone 1-607-272-2575 or 1-888-868-6207)
Train: Amtrak train service is also possible, but the nearest station to Ithaca is in Syracuse. You could arrange shuttle transportation with Ithaca Airline Limousine from the Syracuse train station to Ithaca.
Entry/Visa Questions
You will need to determine the appropriate method of admission into the United States. Here are some general information websites for your reference:
US Customs and Border Protection
US Department of State: Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. NOTE: Effective January 12, 2009, all VWP travelers are required to obtain an electronic travel authorization before boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is available online to apply for this advance authorization.
If a visa is required, we can send you a B-1 Visa Certification Letter that you can submit with an application to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. You should confirm that the letter is sufficient with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
Please note that the General Managers Program is a non-credit program, therefore your attendance does not qualify you for a student visa. It is important to know that you will be a professional attending a conference at the university, not a matriculated student.
Also, if you plan to take a trip into Canada during your stay, it is your responsibility to determine whether you need a visa from the Canadian government and/or a re-entry visa to return to the U.S.
Weather in January
Flight delays or cancellations due to January’s winter weather are not uncommon in the Northeastern U.S. With this in mind, you should plan ample overall travel time and time between connecting flights. (Based on anecdotal information, there seem to be fewer delays at Philadelphia than at LaGuardia.) Road travel can also be affected. This does not apply to the June program. Ithaca weather information can be found here.
