Checked offer from New York City to Ithaca: Bus, about 4h 20min, from €51. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 6, 2026): FlixBus, Greyhound; main departure point: NY W 31st St Bus Stop.
One option to get from New York City to Ithaca
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
Companies selling this route on 12Go
Offers listed on 12Go on November 6, 2026 for a departure on November 27, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.
| Company | Mode | Departs from | From | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | Bus | NY W 31st St Bus Stop | €51 | 5 |
| Greyhound | Bus | NY Port Authority Bus Station | €61 | 1 |
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Practical tips
A flight looks faster, but add the transfer to the airport, security, the layover and getting into town. For this route the bus often feels just as quick overall, without the stress of a missed connection.
In New York, a bus may leave from a terminal or a street corner. Open your e-ticket the day before, check the address on a map and note the boarding point so you do not end up at the wrong place.
Boarding areas in Manhattan can be crowded and hard to spot. Plan to be there well before departure so you can find the right bay or curb, load your luggage and keep a buffer for city traffic.
Bus fares tend to rise as departures fill up, especially on weekends and around college move-in, break and graduation dates. Booking ahead secures a seat at a lower fare and gives you an instant e-ticket.
If you choose the flight, check which New York airport it leaves from and how you will reach it. Ithaca's airport is small, so options are limited. Leave generous time for the connection and your onward transfer into town.
The journey experience
Getting from New York to Ithaca is a classic upstate trip, and the first thing to know is that it is a bus-versus-flight question with a clear winner for most independent travellers. Ithaca is a small college town in the Finger Lakes region, far from the city grid, so the comparison table on this page is your fastest way to weigh time against cost.
The long-distance bus is the practical choice for most visitors. It runs on a direct road route north-west out of the city, you get a reclining seat, luggage space under the bus and usually Wi-Fi and power outlets, and it drops you in or near the town centre instead of at a remote airport. A flight with a connection exists, but it adds airport transfers, security and a layover, and Ithaca's airport is small, so schedules are limited and you must plan around them.
Our advice: do not assume a flight is automatically better just because it looks shorter on paper. Once you add the trip to the airport, check-in and the connection, the gap narrows a lot. Always check the exact departure stop on your e-ticket, because New York buses often leave from a specific terminal or street location. Book early for the best fares and keep your confirmation on your phone.
Frequently asked questions — New York City → Ithaca
For most travellers the bus is the best option: it is the cheapest, runs on a direct road route and takes you into the Ithaca area without airport transfers. A flight with a connection is shorter in the air, but once you add airport time and the layover, the advantage shrinks considerably.
By bus, the trip takes about 4 h 20 to 4 h 50 depending on traffic and the departure. The flight with a connection takes about 2 h 45 in total travel time, but this does not include getting to the airport, check-in and security, which add noticeably to the real door-to-door time.
Bus tickets start from €51, and the typical fare goes up to about €52, so prices are very stable and low. For a budget-conscious traveller, the bus is a great choice, especially when booked ahead of your travel date.
The bus is the simplest option for this route and is designed for a straightforward trip from New York toward Ithaca. The flight is listed with a connection, so you will change planes along the way. Check your e-ticket for the exact itinerary, departure point and any stops.
Departure points in New York can be a terminal or a street stop, depending on the operator and the departure. Your e-ticket confirmation states the exact boarding location, so check it before you leave your accommodation and look it up on a map to be sure you go to the right place.
Why visit Ithaca?
- ✓ Hike the gorge trails at Robert H. Treman and Buttermilk Falls State Parks, with waterfalls and natural swimming holes
- ✓ Visit Taughannock Falls, taller than Niagara Falls, via an easy gorge-floor trail
- ✓ Sample Finger Lakes wines along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, with lake-view tastings
- ✓ Stroll the Cornell campus, Cornell Botanic Gardens and the Johnson Museum of Art for views over Cayuga Lake
- ✓ Browse the Ithaca Farmers Market on the waterfront and dine in the pedestrian Commons
When to visit Ithaca?
HUMID CONTINENTAL CLIMATE
May to October — warm, green and ideal for waterfalls, swimming and wineries; fall brings vivid foliage
What to do in Ithaca?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Ithaca?
Plan 2 to 3 days in Ithaca: enough to hike the gorges (Taughannock Falls, Buttermilk Falls, Robert H. Treman), stroll Cornell campus and the Commons, and enjoy a Cayuga Lake wine trail tasting. With a fourth day, add a Finger Lakes drive to Watkins Glen or Seneca Lake. Rent a car, since the best sights are spread out and public transport is limited.
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