When I committed to Cornell, I did so without ever setting foot on campus. However, upon arriving here, I quickly realized that Cornell was unlike any typical campus. Nestled on a hill and surrounded by nature and waterfalls, it offers a unique setting for exploration. During breaks and weekends, my urge to discover more of Ithaca and its surroundings only grew. In this guide, I will outline the various transportation options available to students for navigating both campus and the wider Ithaca area, enabling you to discover the beauty of this town.

TCAT Services 

One of the most accessible transportation options for students is the TCAT, a bus service that runs through Cornell’s campus and Ithaca. First-year students enjoy free access to TCAT services, which provide convenient routes to shopping centers like the Ithaca Mall, Target, Walmart, Tops, Aldi, and more. Additionally, students can utilize TCAT buses to reach downtown Ithaca, where numerous restaurants and cafes are located. During the weekdays, students take TCAT buses to commute to classes if they do not feel like walking. There are TCAT bus stops all around campus so that you can get to nearby classes efficiently. The most common TCAT bus that students take is the 81 if they want to go to Ho Plaza (Central Campus) or Tower Road from North Campus. Other common ones are 30, 92, and 32 if you want to go to the engineering buildings in Collegetown. There are numerous apps that students use to track the bus in real-time such as Ithaca Transit, an app designed by Cornell App Dev. I also use Google Maps and track the bus in real-time.  

Ithaca BikeShare 

For those who prefer a more eco-friendly mode of transport, Ithaca BikeShare offers a simple and convenient solution. With the BikeShare app, students can easily locate nearby bikes, pay within the app, and start riding. Afterward, bikes can be conveniently left at any suitable location. 

Uber/Lyft 

When it comes to exploring the sights of Ithaca, Uber and Lyft provide a flexible alternative, particularly for destinations not directly accessible by bus routes. With Uber/Lyft you can reach your exact destination without the need for extensive walking.  

OurBus/ MegaBus/ Campus-to-Campus 

For travel beyond Ithaca, students can rely on services such as OurBus and Megabus, which connect to cities like NYC, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Boston, D.C., and more. Although not affiliated with Cornell, these services are popular among students for breaks and travel to airports or home. Additionally, Cornell’s Campus-to-Campus buses provide direct transportation between the university’s campuses in NYC and Ithaca. 

These options are the most common modes of transportation that Cornellians use.  I occasionally daydream about an underground train from NYC to Ithaca, perhaps a future Cornelian will design such a route!