Ithaca, New YorkIthaca

The questions people ask first about Ithaca, New York, 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
• SafetyIthaca is a low-crime college city; the real risks are icy gorge trails in winter, unlit rim paths at dusk, and deer on the rural roads at night.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$3–5
• Sit-down mealSit-down dinner mainTipping 18–22% is expected.$18–32
• Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or bowl lunch$10–16
• BeerDraft beer at a Commons bar$6–9
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or rideshare$12–18
• Museum or sight ticketState park vehicle entry$8–10 per car (check)
• Budget bedHostel or shared-room bed, a night, per personUS$45
• Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
• High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$340

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$165 · High US$280

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

ITH Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (Northeast of the city; Delta to JFK and United to Newark. TCAT Route 32 weekdays and 72 weekends to the Commons and Cornell, about $1.50, last runs around 23:00 (16:00 Sunday) — check.) · SYR Syracuse Hancock International (About 1 h north by car; more airlines and often cheaper fares.) · ELM Elmira-Corning Regional (About 45 min southwest; small, few flights.)ITH Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (Northeast of the city; Delta to JFK and United to Newark. TCAT Route 32 weekdays and 72 weekends to the Commons and Cornell, about $1.50, last runs around 11:00 PM (4:00 PM Sunday) — check.) · SYR Syracuse Hancock International (About 1 h north by car; more airlines and often cheaper fares.) · ELM Elmira-Corning Regional (About 45 min southwest; small, few flights.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$70–110 excl. bed

Mid

$130–200 excl. bed

High

$250+ excl. bed

• Gorge trails close in winter and early spring for ice — Cascadilla Creek Gorge typically shuts from early winter to mid-spring; check park status before you go.
• Swimming in the gorge parks is only allowed when lifeguards are on duty; the season is short.
• Parking on Cornell campus is hard on weekdays: buy a visitor permit or park downtown and ride Route 10.
• Alternate-side street parking rules apply 1 Nov–1 Apr in parts of the city; no parking 02:00–06:00 on the posted side.Alternate-side street parking rules apply 1 Nov–1 Apr in parts of the city; no parking 2:00 AM–6:00 AM on the posted side.
• Winter is colder and snowier than New York City; the first snow can arrive around Halloween.