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Road Genius makes it easy to find great car rental offers in Ithaca, NY. Compare rates and book in one place. Simple. Pick up your ride at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport or downtown and you're free to chase waterfalls, cruise the Cayuga wine trail or reach Cornell. We pull live rates from Avis, Budget, Enterprise and other major brands so you can lock in a low price before the next graduation rush.
Car Rental Locations & Options
Key Rental Locations and Options
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH) | • Convenient for air travelers • Several rental companies on-site • Direct access after flights | • Limited flight schedule • Higher rates due to airport fees • Smaller vehicle selection |
| Downtown Ithaca | • No airport fees • Central location for exploring • Walkable to Cornell/Commons | • Limited hours compared to larger cities • Transportation needed from airport • Reservations strongly recommended |
| Enterprise (Elmira Rd) | • Larger selection than airport • Potential pickup service | • Away from downtown • Limited weekend hours |
| Alternatives (Syracuse, Elmira) | • Potentially lower rates • Larger selection | • 1-1.5 hour drive to Ithaca • Requires transportation planning |
Major Providers: Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Hertz and National operate in the Ithaca area, at both the airport and select downtown/commercial locations.
Car Rental Prices
Saving Tips
- Compare airport vs downtown pick-ups – ITH tacks on ≈10 % in concession fees. If you'll be in town anyway, a $35 taxi plus a cheaper downtown rate can pay for itself within a couple of rental days.
- Avoid Cornell & IC event spikes – Prices jump for graduation, move-in and parents' weekends. Shifting your pick-up by even 24 hrs or visiting the week before/after can slash costs.
- Test different trip lengths – Weekly rates (5-7 days) often beat paying the daily price for 4–6 days. Toggle your search dates by a day to see if a "weekly" deal unlocks.
- Price out nearby airports – If a road trip is already on the cards, starting in Syracuse or Elmira can be cheaper than tiny-airport fleets. Just factor in the extra 1–1.5 hr drive and fuel.
- Know NY's driver rules – Spouses/domestic partners are free extras and all other additional drivers are capped at $5/day statewide, so share the wheel without nasty surprises.
Car rental prices in Ithaca 2025/2026
Local Parking and Driving
- Metered street parking (enforced Mon-Sat, usually until 6 p.m.)
- Several garages available (Seneca, Green and Cayuga Street garages)
- Free after 6 p.m. and Sundays in most areas
- Mobile payment options available via ParkMobile app
- Cornell University: Limited visitor parking, most lots require permits
- Ithaca College: Visitor lots available but limited during events
- Both campuses have strict enforcement; read signs carefully
- Entrance fees apply at most state parks
- Lots can fill early at popular parks during summer weekends
- Standard speed limits: 25-30 mph in city, reduced in campus areas
- Strict enforcement around campus areas and school zones
- Many one-way streets in downtown Ithaca
- Right turn on red allowed after complete stop unless signed otherwise
- Headlights required when wipers are in use
- Winter restrictions may apply during snow emergencies
Why rent a car in Ithaca
Book a rental so you can see:
- Taughannock Falls State Park – waterfall, gorge
- Buttermilk Falls & Robert H. Treman State Parks – trails, pools
- Cayuga Lake Wine Trail – wineries, tasting rooms
- Seneca Lake Wine Trail – wineries, lakeshore
- Watkins Glen – gorge, racetrack
- Cornell University & Ithaca College – campuses, museums
Local Rental Locations
- Albany, NY
- Binghamton, NY
- Bronx, NY
- Brooklyn, NY
- Buffalo, NY
- Car Rental Albany International Airport (ALB)
- Car Rental Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
- Car Rental Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)
- Car Rental John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Car Rental LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Car Rental Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
- Car Rental Webster, NY
- Car Rental Westchester County Airport (HPN)
- Car Rental Yonkers, NY
- Deer Park, NY
- Hamburg, NY
- Hudson, NY
- ITH Airport
- Kingston, NY
- Lockport, NY
- Long Island City, NY
- Manhattan, NY
- Middletown, NY
- New York
- Newburgh, NY
- Niagara Falls, NY
- Oneonta, NY
- Plattsburgh, NY
- Poughkeepsie, NY
- Queens, NY
FAQs
What's the best route to explore the wineries around Ithaca?
People love taking the Cayuga Wine Trail (Route 89 north of Ithaca on the west side of Cayuga Lake) and the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. For the Seneca trail, you can take Route 414 on the east side of the lake or Route 14 on the west side. A loop around both lakes is a great day trip, but you should rent a driver if you plan to sample wine at several places.
Do I need an AWD vehicle in Ithaca during winter?
You don't absolutely need one, but we highly recommend an AWD vehicle from November through March. The hills in Ithaca get a lot of snow and ice, which makes driving hard, especially near the universities. Road crews may not plow many side streets and rural roads right after it snows.
What are the parking options when visiting Cornell University?
When you visit Cornell, you have several places to park. The easiest spots are the paid garages on Hoy Road and Forest Home. You'll find limited metered parking on the street and you need a permit for most campus lots during business hours. It's easier to park on weekends in most areas, but you should check the current rules before you go.
Are there any toll roads around Ithaca?
No, you won't find any toll roads right around Ithaca. However, if you travel on I-90 (New York State Thruway) to the north, you will have to pay a toll. You can get on I-90 from nearby Geneva, Waterloo or Syracuse.
How difficult is it to find parking in downtown Ithaca?
You can usually find parking downtown in the three city garages on Seneca, Green and Cayuga Street, and your first hour is free. You have to pay for street parking, but it can be hard to find a spot during busy times and events. The Ithaca Commons area is for walking only, so you'll need to park in a garage or on a nearby street.
What's the best way to visit the waterfalls and gorges around Ithaca?
Renting a car is the easiest way to see several falls in one day. Some of the best spots are Taughannock Falls (it's higher than Niagara), Buttermilk Falls and Robert H. Treman State Park. For some falls, you can take a short walk from the parking lot, but for others you'll need to hike. On summer weekends, you should get there early because the parking lots at popular falls can be full by mid-morning.
