Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Ithaca

Accommodation

$25-60 per night

Shared dorm rooms in hostels, budget motels, or shared Airbnb rooms near Cornell University campus

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

Campus dining halls (if accessible), food trucks, casual cafes, grocery shopping for self-prepared meals

Transportation

$3-12 per day

Walking around downtown and campus, public TCAT buses, occasional rideshare for longer distances

Activities

$5-25 per day

Free campus walks, hiking trails around gorges, free museums, occasional paid attraction entry

Visit during off-peak times like late fall or early spring for 25-40% lower accommodation rates

Take advantage of free activities like hiking the gorge trails and exploring Cornell's campus instead of paid tours

Shop at local grocery stores and farmers markets rather than eating every meal at restaurants to save 60-70% on food costs

Use the TCAT public bus system extensively instead of rideshares to reduce transportation costs by 70-80%

Book accommodation well outside peak graduation and orientation periods when rates can double

Look for restaurant happy hours and early bird specials which typically offer 20-30% savings on dining

Visiting during Cornell graduation or major university events when accommodation rates increase 100-200% and availability is limited

Relying entirely on rideshares and taxis instead of using the comprehensive public bus system, increasing transport costs by 300-400%

Eating only in the downtown Commons area without exploring more affordable options near campus and in residential neighborhoods