Bus to Ithaca

Ithaca sits at the southern end of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region of central New York, the seat of Tompkins County and home to Cornell University and Ithaca College. It's a college town built into the rolling glaciated landscape of the Finger Lakes, with Cornell's Ithaca campus rising from the central downtown to the cliff-edge gorges above and Ithaca College on the South Hill across the central valley. The city is built around a working network of waterfalls — the locals' running joke "Ithaca is gorges" reflects the dozens of waterfalls and gorges that thread through the city. The bus to Ithaca drops you in central downtown at the East Green Street curbside stop or on the Cornell North or West Campus, with the Ithaca Commons, the central historic blocks, the Cornell campus and the surrounding gorges and falls reachable on foot or by short rideshare. People come for the Cornell University and Ithaca College campuses, for the central network of waterfalls (Buttermilk Falls, Taughannock Falls, Cascadilla Gorge, Triphammer Falls), for the Cayuga Lake wine trail running north along the lake, for the central Ithaca Commons restaurant scene, and for an unhurried Finger Lakes weekend. An Ithaca bus ticket lands you within walking distance of the central downtown.

Greyhound stops in Ithaca

Ithaca has three Greyhound stops, all within or adjacent to the central downtown and Cornell campus footprint. The first is the central downtown curbside stop at 131 East Green Street — buses stop curbside in front of Urban Outfitters; do not wait inside the adjacent library. The second is the Cornell University North Campus stop at 121 Jessup Road — buses board from the south side of Jessup Road near Robert Purcell Community Center. The third is the Cornell University West Campus stop at 240 West Avenue — buses board from the west side of West Avenue in front of Mennen Hall.

For most travellers, the East Green Street curbside stop is the most central choice — it puts you within walking distance of the central Ithaca Commons, the central restaurants and the surrounding downtown grid. If your trip ends naturally on the Cornell campus, either the North Campus or West Campus stop saves you the rideshare up the hill from central downtown. As all three stops are curbside flag-style stops, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure to be in position when the bus pulls in.

If you're being met, all three locations are familiar to rideshare drivers. The East Green Street stop has space inside the surrounding downtown buildings if the central New York winter weather isn't cooperating. The most useful first move from the central downtown stop is a walk to the Ithaca Commons, the working pedestrian-only central downtown plaza. Have your ticket ready on your phone or printed for boarding.

Getting around Ithaca after your bus to Ithaca arrives

Ithaca's central downtown is exceptionally compact, with the Ithaca Commons (the working pedestrian-only central plaza) running through the heart of the city. From the East Green Street stop, the Commons, the central restaurants, the historic blocks and the surrounding downtown grid are all within a comfortable walk. The Cornell campus is up the hill east of central downtown, accessible by short rideshare or local TCAT bus.

The TCAT network — Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit — runs the local public-transport service with city buses across the metro. Useful routes connect the central downtown to the Cornell University and Ithaca College campuses, the Wegmans shopping cluster, the surrounding suburbs and the Cayuga Lake area. Service runs through the day on weekdays. Rideshare runs reliably across the city.

For Cayuga Lake and the Finger Lakes wine trail running north along the lake, the surrounding state parks (Buttermilk Falls, Robert H. Treman, Taughannock Falls) and the wider Finger Lakes region — a rental car is the practical option. Cycling is also viable on the central downtown grid and the Cayuga Waterfront Trail running along the southern end of Cayuga Lake. The Ithaca terrain is genuinely hilly — central downtown sits at lake level (around 400 feet), Cornell's central campus at about 800 feet and the Cornell East Hill rising to 950 feet — so walking between districts is part of the Ithaca rhythm.

Top things to do in Ithaca

• Cornell University campus, on East Hill above central downtown, with the central Arts Quad, the McGraw Tower (the working chime tower with regular concerts), the Johnson Museum of Art (designed by I. M. Pei in 1973), the Cornell Plantations (now Cornell Botanic Gardens) and the Cornell-style limestone Gothic architecture.
• The Cornell Botanic Gardens, on the central Cornell campus, with themed outdoor gardens, the working Plantation grounds and the surrounding Sapsucker Woods (a working Cornell-managed nature preserve).
• The Johnson Museum of Art on the Cornell campus, the I. M. Pei-designed concrete-and-steel building with strong holdings in Asian art, modern American and European art, and a year-round programme of touring exhibitions. Free entry.
• Buttermilk Falls State Park, on the south side of the city, with the 165-foot Buttermilk Falls (a 600-foot drop in 15 cascades through a glacial gorge), hiking trails along the gorge rim and the swimming hole at the lower falls.
• Taughannock Falls State Park, about 8 miles north of central Ithaca on Cayuga Lake, with the 215-foot Taughannock Falls (a single-drop plunge waterfall), hiking along the gorge floor and the surrounding Cayuga Lake views.
• Robert H. Treman State Park, on the southwest side of the city, with the Lower and Upper Falls, the Lucifer Falls, hiking through the dramatic Enfield Glen gorge and the swimming holes.
• Cascadilla Gorge Trail and the Cornell campus gorges (Cascadilla, Fall Creek, Six Mile Creek), with hiking trails through the gorges that run through and around the central Cornell campus.
• The Ithaca Commons, the central downtown's pedestrian-only plaza, with restaurants, shops, the central rotating outdoor art and the community space.
• The Ithaca Farmers Market, on Steamboat Landing on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, with regional farmers, prepared food, makers and the weekend tradition (running since 1973).
• The Sciencenter, in central downtown, with hands-on science exhibits useful for a rainy-day morning with kids.
• The History Center in Tompkins County, in central historic downtown, with strong galleries on regional Tompkins County history and the Finger Lakes heritage.
• The Ithaca Falls (also known as Stewart Park Falls), on the north side of central downtown along Fall Creek — a working 150-foot waterfall a short walk from the central Cornell campus.
• Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, running north from Ithaca along Cayuga Lake, with a working cluster of small wineries, the working Riesling tradition (Cayuga Lake's microclimate suits cool-climate Riesling and other Finger Lakes whites) and the tasting-room circuit. The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail is the long-running Finger Lakes wine route.

Best time to visit Ithaca

Late spring through early autumn is the long, generous window. From late April through May the trillium and other wildflowers come in across the gorges, the working waterfalls run strong with snowmelt and the temperature sits in a pleasant range for walking. Buttermilk and Robert H. Treman state parks open their swimming holes in late May.

September and October bring the Finger Lakes fall — colour through the surrounding gorges and Cayuga Lake hills, comfortable walking weather, the start of the Cornell academic year and the Cayuga Lake wine harvest. The fall colour through the Cornell campus gorges and at Taughannock Falls is particularly photogenic. The Apple Harvest Festival in late September pulls a regional crowd to the central Ithaca Commons.

Summer is warm and humid, with afternoons regularly in the 80s. The shaded gorge trails work in early morning and the gorge waters provide working swimming relief through the heat. Plan walking and outdoor sightseeing for early morning, lean into the air-conditioned Johnson Museum and the central restaurants in the afternoon, and respect the late-day thunderstorms when they roll in.

Winter is real central New York cold. From December through February temperatures regularly drop into the teens and below, with significant snow events. The Cornell academic year runs full pace through the winter; the central Ithaca Commons stays walkable on most days. The waterfalls take on a striking ice character in deep winter — Taughannock Falls' frozen ice column is a winter draw, with the surrounding ice-climbing scene at the state parks. Daytime temperatures sit well below freezing for stretches — pack for it.

Stand on the Stone Arch Bridge in the central Cornell campus on a quiet weekday morning, with Cascadilla Gorge running 200 feet below and the stone-and-concrete Cornell architecture rising on both sides, and the Ithaca slogan "Ithaca is gorges" stops being a pun and becomes a working description of the campus geography. Cornell built its Ithaca campus on a hilltop bordered by gorges on three sides, and the central walking grounds carry the surrounding falls and creeks through the campus character. It's the kind of detail that doesn't show up in the brochures but defines the working rhythm of the place. Use the search bar on this page to check schedules and book bus tickets to Ithaca when your dates are firm.

Searching for Greyhound Bus Tickets to Ithaca?

Your search ends here! Find all the information you need to book your bus trip to Ithaca! Ithaca hosts 3 Greyhound bus stops. You can find the Greyhound at Cornell University North Campus, Cornell University West Campus, Ithaca. The fare for traveling to Ithaca starts at just $11.48. If you're on the hunt for a cheap ticket to Ithaca, remember to book early. Traveling on weekdays or during non-peak hours can also lead you to some of the most budget-friendly fares available! Greyhound connects Ithaca to 17 destinations, providing ample options for your bus trip.

Why travel to Ithaca with Greyhound

With Greyhound, enjoy a comfortable seat and complimentary Wi-Fi on your journey. Stay engaged and online as we take you to your destination! Enjoy a comfy trip to Ithaca with our onboard facilities like free Wi-Fi and power outlets. Choose your favorite seat while booking and travel with peace of mind rest easy knowing your ticket covers one carry-on and one checked bag.

How to book your bus ticket to Ithaca

Booking a ticket with Greyhound is a breeze: on this website or on the free Greyhound App, you can complete your booking in a few clicks. When purchasing your ticket to Ithaca online, you can choose between different secured online payment methods, such as credit and debit cards. Alternatively, you can pay in cash at a sales point.