Passport and Visa, Travel Plans, Banking
Passport and Visa
You will need a valid passport and student visa to enter the United States. Once accepted to the program and your file has been processed by admissions, you will receive an I-20 Form which is required to apply for your visa.
Travel Plans
After your acceptance, you will receive information about housing, orientation, courses, etc., so that you may plan accordingly. After you have made your travel arrangements, please notify the Study Abroad and Exchange Advisor of your arrival date and itinerary.
The ISSO publishes a helpful brochure for new international students. Along with all sorts of useful information, it includes a section about preparing to travel to Cornell.
Make sure to have these documents in your carry-on luggage before departing for the U.S.:
- Passport with appropriate travel visa (except Canadians) Student visa certificate of eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019)
- Proof of financial support for entire course of study Sufficient funds in U.S. Dollars to cover expenses, settling-in costs, etc.
- Medical records including a record of immunizations (in English); evidence of adequate insurance coverage (if you are already insured.)
- Valid home country driver's license and a current International Driving Permit (if you plan to drive in the U.S.)
Arriving in Ithaca
The Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport is located ten-minutes from Cornell. There are three airlines that service the Ithaca airport: Continental Airlines (www.continental.com), USAirways (www.usairways.com/), and Northwest Airlines (www.nwa.com/). Once in Ithaca, you may take a taxi from the airport. You may request a taxi at the desk located in the baggage claim area. Reservations are not normally required for ground transportation but are recommended during peak periods of student travel.
Transportation may be reserved ahead of time with one of the following:
Ithaca Airline Limousine (607) 273-3030; (800) 273-9197
Executive Limousine and Sedan (607) 753-9180
Superior Limousine (607) 758-3333
Taxi companies
Blue Light Transportation (607) 277-2227
Cayuga Taxi (607) 277-8294
University Taxi (607) 277-7777
Arriving in Syracuse
Arriving in New York City
You may get a connecting flight from NYC to the Ithaca or Syracuse airport. Or, you may fly into NYC and take a bus to Ithaca. The bus trip takes approximately 5 hours. Greyhound Bus Lines, (607) 272-7930 and Shortline Bus Lines, (607) 277-8800 leave from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. Different routes are offered—some are faster than others. Check schedules before you board your bus! The bus makes several stops and usually stops in Collegetown and the Cornell campus, but you should ask the bus driver about these stops before departure. Taxis at the bus station can take you to your destination on campus.
The Campus-to-Campus Express Coach, offers service between Cornell’s Ithaca and New York City’s campuses. Schedules are limited. Buses are equipped with reclining seats, work tables, wireless and wired Internet service, electric outlets at every seat, and satellite radio service. For more information or to book a trip, go to www.c2cbus.com.
Banking
There are several banks close to or on the Cornell campus. The easiest way to handle money is to open an account in Ithaca and have money transferred or directly deposited. It is also useful to arrive with U.S. currency for buses, phone calls, taxis, etc. There are three banks on campus: CFCU (607) 255-5111; M&T Bank (607) 257-5121; and Tompkins Trust Company (607) 257-5121. More information can be found at www.bursar.cornell.edu/Local_Banking_Services.cfm.