Mid-Range Travel Guide: Ithaca

Accommodation

$80-180 per night

Mid-range hotels near downtown Ithaca, private rooms in boutique inns, or entire vacation rental apartments

Food & Dining

$40-85 per day

Mix of casual restaurants, farm-to-table eateries, local breweries, and some upscale dining experiences

Transportation

$15-45 per day

Combination of walking, occasional taxis or rideshares, possible car rental for exploring Finger Lakes region

Activities

$30-75 per day

Paid museum entries, guided tours of gorges and waterfalls, wine tastings, cultural events and performances

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