<p>You would travel through NYC, using Megabus, Bolt Bus, or commuter trains to get to NY, and Greyhound or Short Line to get from New York to Ithaca. The trip would take 8-10 hours each way, and cost $130-$160 round trip (more if you take Amtrak to NY, but that could cut about 90 minutes out of the trip). You are not going to do this often.</p>
<p>You could knock some of the time and cost off that trip if your friend in Ithaca could borrow a car to pick you up in Binghamton. But not enough time and cost to make a big difference.</p>
<p>Look for someone else with a girlfriend or boyfriend at Cornell or Ithaca, and a car. Offer to pay a big chunk of gas and tolls (probably around $70-80 round trip total). It’s about a 4-hour drive.</p>