<p>I've been accepted to Cornell for grad school and am thinking of flying out for a visit to check it out. I'm from San Francisco and was wondering what method is best for getting to the campus, and what price to aim for. A friend told me that it would be wiser if I fly to Syracuse and take a bus to Ithaca rather than flying directly to Ithaca, but she couldn't provide me more details as she never did it herself (she's from Long Island).</p>
<p>If anyone can tell me about the different options and what's the most effective and inexpensive way to get there, that would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>Ithaca has a tiny airport. Syracuse is the most commonly used terminus for planes/trains. However, if I were you, I’d fly Southwest from OAK to Albany, NY, and drive 3 hours – and that’s partly because I like SWA. I haven’t researched other similar options.</p>
<p>Remember that if you fly to Syracuse, there is only one Greyhound bus each day. Otherwise, taxi fares are about $150 ([Ithaca</a> Dispatch, Inc. (out of county pricing)](<a href=“http://www.ithacataxi.biz/outofcounty.html]Ithaca”>http://www.ithacataxi.biz/outofcounty.html)). This may make flying through Ithaca (my preference when flights are available) a better option. Cornell runs a bus for major breaks between campus and Syracuse airport and train station for students, but there is no bus except right before and after breaks. TCAT Routes 32/72 go from the airport to Cornell. Otherwise, the cab is $16. I hope this helps.</p>
<p>If you are a grad student then I would advise you fly into Syracuse or Rochester then rent a car to drive to Ithaca. It would give you an opportunity to drive around Ithaca and look at some housing options.</p>