Getting To The Finger Lakes

Ontario County is located just 30 miles south of Rochester in the Finger Lakes region. You can travel here by plane, train or car - with multiple airport options and 4 Thruway exits, you will be out of the city and into our oasis in no time. 

BY PLANE:

Flying is one of the ways that people from all over the country choose to access the Finger Lakes region. There are four main airports that will provide the best access to the area. If you are flying in for a meeting or plan to visit the city attractions, consider extending your stay to the nearby Finger Lakes that will still give you easy access back to the airport for your flight home. The region is a hub of great restaurants, scenic wineries, beautiful natural attractions and much more that you won’t want to miss! If you are flying into the area solely for the region and all that it has to offer, these airports will allow for ease of access to your Finger Lakes escape!

Canandaigua Airport (KIUA):

This general aviation airport is located three miles northwest of the central business district of the city of Canandaigua, a hub that offers a taste of everything while allowing for ease of travel to other points in the Finger Lakes. The airport is within easy driving distance of the greater Rochester area (40 minutes), Victor, NY (20 minutes), Geneva, NY (35 minutes), and interstate I-90. It features a 24-hour FBO that offers many customer-service oriented aircraft handling and fuel options, a 5,500 foot runway, and long/short-term hangar rental options. There is a pre-arrival form that should be filled out when planning your trip to the airport, that allows them to prepare for you fuel and ramp needs. Once you arrive in Canandaigua, you'll need a way to get around to all of the restaurants, attractions and shops that can be found within a couple of miles of the airport - not to mention Canandaigua Lake! Eastview Mall and Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack are also only a short drive away. Canandaigua Airport offers ground transportation through airport courtesy cars (contact the airport for more information), car rentals through Enterprise, taxi service via Pat's Taxi, and rideshare pickup locations for Uber and Lyft.  Although it is a small, non-commercial airport, Canandaigua Airport is the perfect fly-in location for small and private planes to the Finger Lakes region!

Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC):

Just a 45-minute drive away, this commercial airport has a lot to offer. The location is perfect for those wanting to experience a little bit of the city before heading to the serene region of the Finger Lakes. On your way from the city of Rochester to the scenic lake and wine country, you will drive through the town of Victor, NY (25 minutes) where you will not only find great shopping and dining, but also miles of scenic trails and a one-of-a-kind Native American historical site. Of course you will need a way to travel from the airport to your destination. The Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International airport provides a plethora of ground transportation options. If you plan to travel by car, they offer car rentals through Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. If you would prefer to have someone else drive you, there is a taxicab stage curbside, rideshare access through Uber and Lyft, and even several limousine services that will take your to your next destination. Other features of the airport include general aviation access (for those flying themselves), FBO services, Wi-Fi access, service animal relief areas, play zones for children, and meeting/space rentals. This airport is great place to start your Finger Lakes vacation!

Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR): 

Although farther away from the Finger Lakes to the east (1 hour 15-minute drive), Syracuse Hancock International Airport still offers access to the region. It is conveniently located north of the City of Syracuse with direct access from Interstate 81(north-south), which connects to Interstate 90, the New York State Thruway (east-west) just a few miles from the airport. With major highway connections to all areas of New York State and the entire Northeast, including Canada, the airport is easily accessible to passengers from all over the area. In order to get to the Finger Lakes, take advantage of the airport's many ground transportation services. Rent a car through Alamo/National, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, and Hertz or grab a ride from the airport's taxi service or ridesharing pickup areas (Uber and Lyft). On your way, traveling west, to the hub of Canandaigua, consider driving through Geneva, NY (50 minutes from the airport), where you can stop into the Finger Lakes Welcome Center, soak up the beauty of Seneca Lake, and indulge in the great food and wine of the area. Features of this airport include general aviation operations (FBO, hangars, tiedowns, and aircraft parking), Wi-Fi access, service animal relief areas, and more. 

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF):

Located about an 1 hour 30-minute drive west of the Finger Lakes is Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Although farther away than the Rochester airport, flying into Buffalo Niagara International Airport will provide perfect access to those seeking to visit the western lakes. On your way east, you will pass over the more rural and serene areas of Hemlock Lake, Canadice Lake, and Honeoye Lake. This airport features Wi-Fi access, FBO, transportation services and more. Their transportation services include rental cars, shuttles, vans, taxis, limos, and ridesharing. You can book a rental car through Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, or National, and you can access ridesharing options through Uber and Lyft. 

BY TRAIN:

Amtrak Maple Leaf Train: Rochester, Buffalo & Syracuse stations
Amtrak Empire Service Train: Rochester, Buffalo & Syracuse stations

BY CAR:

Driving to the Finger Lakes is the way most people prefer to get here and experience the area. The roads are great, and the scenic vistas draw you from one destination to the next. In Ontario County, traffic jams are practically non-existent, and parking is easy and free. The Finger Lakes Region is located within a five-hour drive of most east coast metropolitan areas including New York City, Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Ottawa, Cleveland, and Hartford.