Cheap bus tickets from Ithaca, NY to New York, NY

Travel Guide: Ithaca to NYC with FlixBus 

Traveling from Ithaca to New York City with FlixBus is a convenient and comfortable choice, with a journey time of approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes. With daily services, you’ll have plenty of options to suit your schedule. FlixBus provides several departure points in Ithaca, ensuring an easy start to your trip. 

Departing from Ithaca 

FlixBus offers a convenient departure point on Green Street in Ithaca. To guarantee a smooth start to your journey, it's recommended to arrive at your designated stop at least 15 minutes before departure. Here’s how you can reach your FlixBus departure point in Ithaca: 

• Local Buses: The Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) system is Ithaca’s primary public transportation provider. This extensive network of bus routes covers the City of Ithaca and its surrounding urban areas, including major institutions like Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Tompkins Cortland Community College. The central downtown bus stops, located at the Green St. Station and Seneca St. Station near the Ithaca Commons, make it easy to access your FlixBus departure point. 
• Taxis: For a more direct and private transportation option, several taxi companies operate throughout Ithaca, providing services to and from downtown and other areas within Tompkins County. Taxis are a convenient choice if you prefer door-to-door service or are traveling with significant luggage. 
• Ride-Sharing Services: Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are also available in Ithaca, offering a flexible and convenient alternative to taxis and public transportation. These services can be easily booked through your smartphone, making them ideal if you’re looking for a quick and personalized ride to your FlixBus stop. 

Arriving in New York and Navigating the City 

After your journey from Ithaca, you'll be ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of New York City. FlixBus services arrive at several key locations throughout the city, including the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. This central hub provides convenient access to the rest of the city, offering various transportation options to help you reach your final destination, whether it's a hotel, a meeting, or one of New York's many iconic neighborhoods. 

Understanding Manhattan’s Layout 

If this is your first time visiting NYC, getting familiar with Manhattan’s layout will greatly simplify your navigation. Manhattan is organized on a straightforward grid system, with streets running east to west and avenues running north to south. The exception to this grid is Broadway, which cuts diagonally across the island, creating well-known intersections like Times Square and Union Square. Understanding this layout will make it easier to get around! 

NYC’s Urban Transportation Options 

The Subway System 

New York City’s subway system, managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), is one of the most extensive and reliable in the world. Operating 24/7, the subway system includes 27 lines and hundreds of stations, ensuring you can reach almost any destination in the city at any time. 

To use the subway, you’ll need a MetroCard, which can be purchased at any station, or you can opt for OMNY, a contactless fare payment system that allows you to tap your credit or debit card, smartphone, or smartwatch to pay. The MetroCard is also valid for buses, and you can choose between pay-per-ride or an unlimited 7-day pass, which offers unlimited travel on both subways and buses—ideal for extended stays in the city. 

It’s important to stay informed about potential service changes, particularly late at night or on weekends when maintenance work often occurs. These changes can affect train routes and schedules, so it’s wise to check the MTA’s website or use a transit app like Citymapper or Google Maps for real-time updates before you head out. 

The Bus System 

The MTA also operates a comprehensive bus network that covers all five boroughs of NYC. Buses are particularly useful for reaching destinations not directly accessible by subway or for shorter trips where you prefer to stay above ground. The same MetroCard used for the subway can be used for bus fares, and many buses also accept OMNY for contactless payment. Buses are fully accessible, equipped with low floors, ramps, and designated seating for elderly passengers and those with disabilities. 

While buses provide a convenient alternative, especially in areas less served by the subway, they are more susceptible to traffic delays, particularly in busy areas like Manhattan. Plan ahead and allow extra time if you’re on a tight schedule. 

Taxis and Ride-Sharing 

Taxis are abundant in New York City and can be easily hailed from the street. Look for a cab with its rooftop light illuminated to indicate availability. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are also widely used and offer a convenient option, particularly if you have specific pickup and drop-off locations. 

Ferries 

New York’s extensive ferry network offers a unique way to travel around the city, especially useful for trips between boroughs or for enjoying scenic views of the waterfront. While ferries might not be the primary mode of transportation for most visitors, they provide a pleasant and distinctive perspective of the city.  

Find the cheapest buses from Ithaca to New York

Getting from Ithaca to New York is cheap and easy when you travel with FlixBus. The two cities are 228 miles apart and traveling between the two takes as fast as 4 hours 20 minutes.
FlixBus tickets are always good value, but you can save even more money by booking online in advance. Book on the website or our FlixBus App in minutes, then simply use your phone as your ticket to board the bus.
Bus tickets between Ithaca and New York cost $35.99 on average, but you can get tickets for as low as $31.99 if you book in advance and/or outside of busy travel times, like weekends and holidays.

Traveling from Ithaca to New York

It's easy to get from Ithaca to New York with FlixBus, with 4 direct buses per day.
You can expect a minimum of 2 stops on your journey. It can take a minimum time of 4 hours 20 minutes.
Bus travel is the most environmentally friendly way to travel long distances and we're working to make it even greener with high environmental standards across our fleet of buses, the use of alternative drive and fuel technologies, and the option for all passengers to offset their carbon emissions at the point of buying a ticket.
The average cost of bus travel between Ithaca and New York is $35.99, which makes bus travel far cheaper than any other method.

Taking the bus from Ithaca

Traveling from Ithaca and not familiar with it? Here's everything you need to know.
Ithaca is a transport hub with 2 bus station(s); the 14 connections departing from Ithaca every day take travelers both within the state and further afield.

Arriving in New York

Traveling to New York for the first time? Here's what you need to know:
New York is very well connected to other destinations on the FlixBus network, with 177 connections arriving in one of the 7 bus station(s) of the city, giving you easy access to all corners of the country.

What to expect onboard the FlixBus bus from Ithaca to New York

Getting from Ithaca to New York aboard a FlixBus bus means traveling in comfort and style, with all the services you need to keep you occupied. Most of our buses include free Wi-Fi onboard, an entertainment system, toilets and power outlets.
You can bring one carry-on and one check-in piece of luggage per passenger, so even if you're taking a long trip, you don't need to worry about traveling light.
All ticket holders are guaranteed a seat on our buses but if you want to reserve a seat, you can do so at the time of booking. Choose from a classic seat, table seat, panorama seat or extra seat.
Just book online or on our FlixBus App when purchasing your ticket using any of our available payment methods.