The Distance Is Real but Manageable

The Finger Lakes region stretches across central New York State, roughly 200 to 280 miles from midtown Manhattan depending on which lake you are heading to. Ithaca, at the south end of Cayuga Lake, is the closest major Finger Lakes destination at about 230 miles. Geneva, at the north end of Seneca Lake, is about 260 miles. Watkins Glen is about 250 miles. These distances translate to 4 to 5 hours of driving under normal conditions — longer on a Friday afternoon in summer.

There is no single fast, direct way to get from New York City to the Finger Lakes. No Amtrak train runs there. No airline flies nonstop. No highway takes you door to door without some two-lane driving at the end. But the options are better than most people assume, and choosing the right one depends on your budget, your destination, and whether you want a car when you arrive.

Driving: The Three Routes

Most visitors drive, and there are three practical routes from the city. Each takes roughly the same time but follows a different path through New York State.

Route 1: I-81 Through Scranton (Best for Ithaca and the Eastern Finger Lakes)

Take the George Washington Bridge or Lincoln Tunnel to I-80 West through New Jersey, then north on I-81 through Scranton and Binghamton. From Binghamton, take Route 17/I-86 West to Route 13 North into Ithaca, or continue on Route 17 to Route 14 North for Watkins Glen. This is the most direct route to Ithaca (about 4 hours, 15 minutes in light traffic) and Watkins Glen (about 4.5 hours). The I-81 corridor through Pennsylvania is interstate highway the entire way — fast and predictable.

Route 2: I-88 Through the Catskills (Best for the Central Finger Lakes)

Take I-87 North (New York State Thruway) to Exit 25A near Kingston, then west on I-88 through Oneonta to Binghamton, and north from there. This route adds about 30 minutes compared to the I-81 route but avoids the New Jersey Turnpike and runs through scenic Catskill terrain. It connects to Ithaca, Watkins Glen, and the central Finger Lakes from the east.

Route 3: I-90 Thruway (Best for Geneva, Canandaigua, and the Northern Finger Lakes)

Take I-87 North (Thruway) from the city all the way to the I-90 interchange near Albany, then west on I-90 to the Geneva or Canandaigua exits. This is the longest route in miles (about 280 miles to Geneva) but is all interstate highway, which some drivers prefer. Drive time is about 5 hours. This is the best approach for Geneva, Canandaigua, Skaneateles, and the northern ends of Seneca and Cayuga Lakes.

Driving Tips

• Timing matters enormously. Leave Manhattan before 6 a.m. on a Friday and you can reach Ithaca by 10:30. Leave at 4 p.m. and you may not arrive until 10. Friday afternoon traffic on the George Washington Bridge, the Holland Tunnel approaches, and the first 50 miles of I-80 can add 90 minutes or more.
• Gas up before the last 50 miles. Gas stations thin out on the two-lane roads approaching the Finger Lakes. Do not count on finding one between Binghamton and Watkins Glen or between Cortland and Ithaca.
• EZ-Pass saves time and money. The New York State Thruway and New Jersey Turnpike are tolled. EZ-Pass is accepted everywhere and avoids the cash lanes.
• The last stretch is two-lane. However you approach the Finger Lakes, the final 30 to 60 miles will be on two-lane state routes through rural countryside. These roads are scenic but slow, with occasional farm equipment, and passing opportunities are limited. Build this into your arrival time estimate.

Bus: OurBus and FlixBus to Ithaca

OurBus and FlixBus both operate direct bus service from New York City to Ithaca. Fares typically range from $30 to $60 one way depending on when you book and the day of travel. The ride takes about 4.5 to 5 hours, departing from midtown Manhattan or the Port Authority area.

OurBus tends to be the more reliable option, with newer buses, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. Schedules run daily with more frequent departures on Fridays and Sundays (the weekend travel pattern). FlixBus is the budget option, often cheaper by $10 to $15 but with more variable scheduling.

The catch: bus service goes to Ithaca only. There is no direct bus from NYC to Geneva, Watkins Glen, Canandaigua, or any other Finger Lakes town. If Ithaca is your destination, the bus works. If you need to get anywhere else in the region, you will need a car once you arrive. Rental cars are available in Ithaca (Enterprise and a few others operate local offices), but availability is limited — book ahead, especially on summer weekends.

Flying: Three Airports, Each With Trade-Offs

Three regional airports serve the Finger Lakes. None has direct flights from the New York City area (the drive is short enough that airlines do not serve the route), but all three connect through major hubs.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)

Best for: Skaneateles, Auburn, the east side of Cayuga Lake, and Geneva.
Drive times: 25 minutes to Skaneateles. 35 minutes to Auburn. 1 hour to Geneva. 1 hour 10 minutes to Ithaca.
Airlines: Delta, American, United, JetBlue, Allegiant, Breeze. Multiple daily flights from major hubs including JFK (Delta), Newark (United), and LaGuardia (American, Delta).
Pros: The largest airport near the Finger Lakes with the most flight options and rental car companies. Good highway connections (I-90, I-81) to most Finger Lakes towns.
Cons: It is on the eastern edge of the region, so it adds driving time if your destination is Watkins Glen, Hammondsport, or the western Finger Lakes.

Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)

Best for: Canandaigua, Geneva, and the western Finger Lakes.
Drive times: 30 minutes to Canandaigua. 55 minutes to Geneva. 1 hour 20 minutes to Hammondsport. 1 hour 40 minutes to Ithaca.
Airlines: Delta, American, United, JetBlue, Southwest, Allegiant, Frontier. Good selection of direct flights from East Coast hubs.
Pros: Southwest Airlines flies here, which often means lower fares. The airport is well-connected to the western Finger Lakes via I-90 and Route 332.
Cons: Adds significant driving time to Ithaca and the eastern side of the region.

Elmira-Corning Regional Airport (ELM)

Best for: Watkins Glen, Hammondsport, Corning, and the southern Finger Lakes.
Drive times: 20 minutes to Corning. 30 minutes to Watkins Glen. 35 minutes to Hammondsport. 45 minutes to Ithaca.
Airlines: Delta (to Detroit), Allegiant (seasonal routes). Very limited service.
Pros: The closest airport to Watkins Glen and Corning. Small, easy to navigate, quick in and out.
Cons: Extremely limited flight options. Fares are often higher than SYR or ROC because of the lack of competition. Connecting through Detroit adds travel time.

Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH)

Worth mentioning but not usually cost-effective from NYC. Ithaca’s small airport has connections primarily to Newark (United), Philadelphia (American), and Detroit (Delta). Fares tend to be high for the short distance. If price is not a concern and you want to land directly in Ithaca, it saves driving time. Otherwise, flying into SYR or ROC and renting a car is more practical.

Rental Car Logistics

A rental car is effectively required for a Finger Lakes trip unless you are spending the entire time in Ithaca. Public transit between Finger Lakes towns does not exist in any practical sense. Wineries, state parks, and restaurants are spread across rural two-lane roads, and rideshare availability outside of Ithaca is unreliable.

Rental cars are available at all three regional airports (SYR, ROC, ELM) and at Ithaca’s airport. The major companies — Enterprise, Hertz, National, Budget — all have counters at SYR and ROC. Availability at ELM and ITH is more limited.

Book early for summer and fall weekends. The Finger Lakes are a popular getaway from both NYC and the upstate cities, and rental car availability tightens from June through October. Booking two to four weeks in advance is reasonable; booking the week before a July weekend may leave you with limited or expensive options.

What About Amtrak?

There is no direct Amtrak service to the Finger Lakes. The nearest Amtrak stations are in Syracuse (on the Empire Service and Lake Shore Limited routes from Penn Station) and Rochester (same lines). From Syracuse, you still need a rental car or a bus connection to reach any Finger Lakes destination. The train from Penn Station to Syracuse takes about 5 to 5.5 hours — roughly the same as driving — and costs $50 to $90 depending on booking time and class. It is a viable option if you dislike driving and can arrange a car in Syracuse, but it is not faster or cheaper than driving directly.

The Bottom Line: Which Option to Choose

• If you want maximum flexibility: Drive from NYC. You will need a car in the Finger Lakes regardless, and the 4- to 5-hour drive on a Friday morning is straightforward.
• If Ithaca is your only destination: Take the OurBus or FlixBus. It is cheap, painless, and drops you in a walkable town with gorges, restaurants, and the farmers market all accessible without a car.
• If you are flying from somewhere other than NYC: Fly into SYR or ROC depending on your destination. SYR is better for the eastern Finger Lakes and Ithaca. ROC is better for Canandaigua, Geneva, and the western side.
• If Watkins Glen or Corning is your focus: Consider ELM if the limited flight schedule works. Otherwise, SYR is the best airport option, with a 75-minute drive to Watkins Glen.

For help deciding which part of the Finger Lakes to target once you arrive, our Seneca Lake vs. Cayuga Lake comparison breaks down the two largest lakes. And our month-by-month visit guide helps you pick the right time of year for your interests.