Philly to Ithaca and back, around February 1 -- fly or drive?
January 10, 2010 7:35 PM Subscribe
Philly to Ithaca and back, around February 1 -- fly or drive?
Exactly what it sounds like. I'm in Philadelphia. I'm going to Ithaca for an interview for a postdoc in a few weeks (February 1). Should I fly or drive? Some things to point out:
- I don't have a car but could easily rent or borrow one.
- Tickets for Philly-Ithaca are ridiculously expensive ($600 or so round-trip). Philly-Syracuse appears to be cheaper but might end up taking longer door-to-door than driving. Some airlines seem to want to route me from Philly to Ithaca through Newark or LaGuardia.
- I've done two round trips on this drive before (but as a passenger, not a driver) so the roads are familiar. I haven't flown in years.
- I believe I will be reimbursed, so my sanity at the end of this process is more important than cost.
- I don't have lots of experience driving in the snow.
- I don't like waiting in lines or going through metal detectors. (Yeah, I know, it's kind of obvious which way I'm leaning.)
Your thoughts?
Exactly what it sounds like. I'm in Philadelphia. I'm going to Ithaca for an interview for a postdoc in a few weeks (February 1). Should I fly or drive? Some things to point out:
- I don't have a car but could easily rent or borrow one.
- Tickets for Philly-Ithaca are ridiculously expensive ($600 or so round-trip). Philly-Syracuse appears to be cheaper but might end up taking longer door-to-door than driving. Some airlines seem to want to route me from Philly to Ithaca through Newark or LaGuardia.
- I've done two round trips on this drive before (but as a passenger, not a driver) so the roads are familiar. I haven't flown in years.
- I believe I will be reimbursed, so my sanity at the end of this process is more important than cost.
- I don't have lots of experience driving in the snow.
- I don't like waiting in lines or going through metal detectors. (Yeah, I know, it's kind of obvious which way I'm leaning.)
Your thoughts?
If you take the bus, you appear to have one of two scenarios:
1) Philadelphia to New York City to Ithaca
2) Philadelphia to Scranton to Binghamton to Ithaca
I don't know what you have as far as luggage, accomodations, anything at all is concerned, but there you go.
It appears, at the greyhound website, this will cost you about $122.40 as of my answering.
posted by mephron at 8:05 PM on January 10, 2010
1) Philadelphia to New York City to Ithaca
2) Philadelphia to Scranton to Binghamton to Ithaca
I don't know what you have as far as luggage, accomodations, anything at all is concerned, but there you go.
It appears, at the greyhound website, this will cost you about $122.40 as of my answering.
posted by mephron at 8:05 PM on January 10, 2010
Train to Syracuse, which takes longer but will not involve you driving in snow (much). You will have to change trains in NYC. I go to upstate NY (hour north of Syracuse) every 3 weeks or so and have driven, taken the train, and flown. The train is the most relaxing, flying is the fastest, and driving is the biggest pain in the ass - unless you have a) a travel companion and b) experience driving in a lot of different weather conditions. You also may be able to take a bus to Binghamton and change there for a bus to Ithaca, but I have no personal experience with that.
Early February will undoubtedly be snowy in Ithaca and on the way to Ithaca, so if you're uncomfortable driving in snow it'd probably be best to leave the majority of driving to someone else. That said, you can drive and count this as practice for when you start your postdoc in Ithaca!
posted by bedhead at 8:06 PM on January 10, 2010
Early February will undoubtedly be snowy in Ithaca and on the way to Ithaca, so if you're uncomfortable driving in snow it'd probably be best to leave the majority of driving to someone else. That said, you can drive and count this as practice for when you start your postdoc in Ithaca!
posted by bedhead at 8:06 PM on January 10, 2010
Disclaimer: I am not a driver, so while I've traveled the same route by car that you probably have in the past it was also as a passenger.
...but I've also tried the alternatives. The schedules available to me when I've tried to get to that region of NYS have been infuriatingly slow (I've usually had DC as an origin, fwiw).
Friends and family have been my drivers when its been convenient for me to hitch with them and they vastly prefer driving to other methods when their final destination is near Ithaca or Binghamton and places in between and near there.
And if you want to get about outside of town while you're there, having a car already will be convenient (although I suppose you might rent or borrow after you arrive).
posted by mjb at 8:13 PM on January 10, 2010
...but I've also tried the alternatives. The schedules available to me when I've tried to get to that region of NYS have been infuriatingly slow (I've usually had DC as an origin, fwiw).
Friends and family have been my drivers when its been convenient for me to hitch with them and they vastly prefer driving to other methods when their final destination is near Ithaca or Binghamton and places in between and near there.
And if you want to get about outside of town while you're there, having a car already will be convenient (although I suppose you might rent or borrow after you arrive).
posted by mjb at 8:13 PM on January 10, 2010
Anyone expecting anyone to arrive in Ithaca during early February will understand if the snow delays you, and will likely let you reschedule/postpone slightly if necessary. Whichever option you choose, allow yourself a lot of extra time in case a storm requires you to leave earlier or later.
Philly to Ithaca flights: Notoriously unreliable, even if weather seems to be fine. Don't plan to take the last flight of the night in either direction, unless you don't mind not getting there until the next day.
Driving: Very easy drive if the weather is fine. In snow it isn't fun.
If you fly to Syracuse you'll be subject to the same weather delays as flying to Ithaca, but have over an hour on the road after you land (by rented car or expensive shuttle).
Train is a crazy idea as you would have to take the train Philly to NYC to Albany to Syracuse and then some other transport to Ithaca. The only reasonable version of this would be train to NYC and then bus to Ithaca, but this will take you approximately twice as long as driving.
I would suggest driving. Give yourself a lot of flexibility- plan to arrive the day before the interview. Hopefully you can leave early or stay longer if there's snow coming - just follow the weather closely. The weather forecasts are very reliable and storms will be predicted well in advance. Most storms won't last more than 12 hours, and the roads are cleared quickly. So if you can drive ahead of the storm or wait it out on either side you'll be fine.
Keep in mind, Ithacans are used to out of towners having travel problems in the winter. If things get messed up they will totally understand and it won't reflect badly on you.
posted by cushie at 8:28 PM on January 10, 2010 [2 favorites]
Philly to Ithaca flights: Notoriously unreliable, even if weather seems to be fine. Don't plan to take the last flight of the night in either direction, unless you don't mind not getting there until the next day.
Driving: Very easy drive if the weather is fine. In snow it isn't fun.
If you fly to Syracuse you'll be subject to the same weather delays as flying to Ithaca, but have over an hour on the road after you land (by rented car or expensive shuttle).
Train is a crazy idea as you would have to take the train Philly to NYC to Albany to Syracuse and then some other transport to Ithaca. The only reasonable version of this would be train to NYC and then bus to Ithaca, but this will take you approximately twice as long as driving.
I would suggest driving. Give yourself a lot of flexibility- plan to arrive the day before the interview. Hopefully you can leave early or stay longer if there's snow coming - just follow the weather closely. The weather forecasts are very reliable and storms will be predicted well in advance. Most storms won't last more than 12 hours, and the roads are cleared quickly. So if you can drive ahead of the storm or wait it out on either side you'll be fine.
Keep in mind, Ithacans are used to out of towners having travel problems in the winter. If things get messed up they will totally understand and it won't reflect badly on you.
posted by cushie at 8:28 PM on January 10, 2010 [2 favorites]
I don't think flying is a good option here. If the snow conditions are bad you will end being stuck at an airport due to delays anyway. It's not worth the price and worry.
If there conditions were clear, driving would be the best. If there is heavy snowfall, even just driving from Syracuse to Ithaca can be scary. If you can afford the time and/or wouldn't mind a detour trip to NYC, I say do what melodykramer says. Your best bet for bus from NYC is the Campus to Campus bus which is faster and much more comfortable than Shortline (which is better than Greyhound). C2C is a little more expensive than Shortline, but you will get reimbursed and a lot of people on business take that by default.
On preview, I agree with everything cushie says.
posted by bread-eater at 8:35 PM on January 10, 2010
If there conditions were clear, driving would be the best. If there is heavy snowfall, even just driving from Syracuse to Ithaca can be scary. If you can afford the time and/or wouldn't mind a detour trip to NYC, I say do what melodykramer says. Your best bet for bus from NYC is the Campus to Campus bus which is faster and much more comfortable than Shortline (which is better than Greyhound). C2C is a little more expensive than Shortline, but you will get reimbursed and a lot of people on business take that by default.
On preview, I agree with everything cushie says.
posted by bread-eater at 8:35 PM on January 10, 2010
Response by poster: cushie: thanks for the point about leaving extra time. Fortunately the only other thing I'll need to do around that time is continue writing my dissertation, and I have a laptop.
posted by madcaptenor at 8:41 PM on January 10, 2010
posted by madcaptenor at 8:41 PM on January 10, 2010
I'm surprised US Air is so expensive (I just checked), and it's a direct flight from PHL to ITH for them. Bizarre...
If you can drive, then it would be much faster to drive yourself. The route is entirely interstate from Phillie to Ithaca, except for the last stretch on route 79. While that's a two lane road, it's not a terrible drive at all. Check the weather a couple of days in advance, and if it looks snow free then just drive.
On the other hand, a bus is probably best if you're expecting snow. I will add that if you're expecting a lot of snow, then no bus will get you there. Just give up and reschedule at that point.
Personally, I recommend taking the Cornell Bus from NYC:
http://www.transportation.cornell.edu/coach/
If that is unavailable, Shortline has several daily buses leaving from the Port Authority with several dropoffs around Cornell and one in downtown Ithaca. While not as comfortable as the Cornell Bus, it does the job and in around 5 hours.
http://www.coachusa.com/shortline/
posted by fremen at 8:47 PM on January 10, 2010
If you can drive, then it would be much faster to drive yourself. The route is entirely interstate from Phillie to Ithaca, except for the last stretch on route 79. While that's a two lane road, it's not a terrible drive at all. Check the weather a couple of days in advance, and if it looks snow free then just drive.
On the other hand, a bus is probably best if you're expecting snow. I will add that if you're expecting a lot of snow, then no bus will get you there. Just give up and reschedule at that point.
Personally, I recommend taking the Cornell Bus from NYC:
http://www.transportation.cornell.edu/coach/
If that is unavailable, Shortline has several daily buses leaving from the Port Authority with several dropoffs around Cornell and one in downtown Ithaca. While not as comfortable as the Cornell Bus, it does the job and in around 5 hours.
http://www.coachusa.com/shortline/
posted by fremen at 8:47 PM on January 10, 2010
Cushie is exactly right: Within a few hours of a snow storm ending, the roads will be plowed and perfectly drivable, at least between 9:00am - 8:00pm. Plan to arrive the day before and you'll be fine. I'm at Cornell, and it's not unusual for visitors to show up late due to inclement weather; your interviewers will understand.
A little dusting of snow isn't bad, but above all, don't push on if you're sliding when you brake. And watch out for deer.
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 8:52 PM on January 10, 2010
A little dusting of snow isn't bad, but above all, don't push on if you're sliding when you brake. And watch out for deer.
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 8:52 PM on January 10, 2010
I do a lot of traveling for work, and my personal rule of thumb is this - if it's less than 5 hours drive, flying isn't worth it. According to the Google, Ithaca's going to be about 4 -4.5, so I would say drive it. If it's too snowy to drive, flying won't get you there, either, so reschedule in that case.
posted by deadmessenger at 9:04 PM on January 10, 2010
posted by deadmessenger at 9:04 PM on January 10, 2010
Just two thoughts to add what everybody else has said:
- Driving (vs. flying) will save you enough money to pay for a hotel room.
- At that time of year, you have a very high chance of encountering snow.
So, go up early, and hang out in Ithaca.
("What do I see during an extra day in Ithaca?" would make another good AskMe)
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 9:55 PM on January 10, 2010
- Driving (vs. flying) will save you enough money to pay for a hotel room.
- At that time of year, you have a very high chance of encountering snow.
So, go up early, and hang out in Ithaca.
("What do I see during an extra day in Ithaca?" would make another good AskMe)
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 9:55 PM on January 10, 2010
That drive is really painless, and a very clear route. I regularly made a slightly longer trip to my family's hometown north of Syracuse when I lived in Philly. Very simple trip on well-traveled roads which are really quite well cared for in winter months. No reason to make this one more complex than it has to be.
posted by greekphilosophy at 11:07 PM on January 10, 2010
posted by greekphilosophy at 11:07 PM on January 10, 2010
Driving it is best. The bus to Ithaca is extremely painful on a good day. Flying is always super expensive for some reason and the planes are really small and turbulent. Like others said, as long as you drive on a weekday during business hours, the roads should be fine (Ithaca usually has some delay in plowing roads on Sundays).
posted by melissasaurus at 11:34 PM on January 10, 2010
posted by melissasaurus at 11:34 PM on January 10, 2010
I would also try the Cornell rideshare board and the Craigslist rideshare site to see if you can get someone else to drive you. I've had luck with those in the past.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:38 PM on January 10, 2010
posted by melissasaurus at 11:38 PM on January 10, 2010
Drive!! When I lived in Ithaca, I spent many a night stuck in the Philly airport. Ithaca's airport has its own little bizarre microclimate and planes don't land even when weather in the surrounding area is just fine. One time the plane was delayed 4 hours, finally took off, flew all the way to Ithaca, decided they couldn't land after all, and flew back to philly. We then rented a car and drove and still beat the next plane. Plus, there is some really pretty country on that drive.
You'd spend more time on small 2-lane roads if you do any of the travel routes out of Syracuse. And I doubt any of them would save you any time, money, or stress.
posted by munichmaiden at 12:35 AM on January 11, 2010
You'd spend more time on small 2-lane roads if you do any of the travel routes out of Syracuse. And I doubt any of them would save you any time, money, or stress.
posted by munichmaiden at 12:35 AM on January 11, 2010
Doesn't it depend a little on whether the OP has a reliable car and good tires for winter conditions? Even a little dusting of snow will send you in the ditch on summer tires. I liked the train idea. Great writing dissertations in trains. And I'd hate arriving at an interview all hyped by a snow drive.
posted by Namlit at 2:17 AM on January 11, 2010
posted by Namlit at 2:17 AM on January 11, 2010
As a Cornell alum and a frequent flyer in and out of many airports, let me just note that the Ithaca airport is by far the most unreliable I've ever dealt with. It seemed like they had a policy of making sure something always went wrong with your flight, whether it's an epic delay or not having your checked luggage. It's as if there's some specific quota of screw-ups that applies to all airlines regardless of size, so the Ithaca airport has to get everything wrong because they do so little business.
posted by Jaltcoh at 7:05 AM on January 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Jaltcoh at 7:05 AM on January 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
FWIW/FYI from the Chronicle:
On Hiring: Practical Advice for Handling Bad-Weather Interviews
posted by jgirl at 12:44 PM on January 11, 2010
On Hiring: Practical Advice for Handling Bad-Weather Interviews
posted by jgirl at 12:44 PM on January 11, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks! I'll probably be renting a car and driving up on Sunday (for the Monday interview). Want to keep helping me? Answer this question about what I should wear.
posted by madcaptenor at 2:43 PM on January 20, 2010
posted by madcaptenor at 2:43 PM on January 20, 2010
Response by poster: I did end up driving. Sunday was a beautiful day for a drive. Tuesday, not so much -- I ran into some snow flurries. But it went well.
Actually, the most stressful part of the drive was dropping off the rental car in downtown Philadelphia in the middle of a day on a Tuesday.
posted by madcaptenor at 12:07 PM on February 3, 2010
Actually, the most stressful part of the drive was dropping off the rental car in downtown Philadelphia in the middle of a day on a Tuesday.
posted by madcaptenor at 12:07 PM on February 3, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by melodykramer at 7:45 PM on January 10, 2010