Before you make travel reservations, it is very important to consider the scheduled
arrival dates for your enrollment semester. Ground transportation is provided for international
arrivals on select dates and at select locations. If you are traveling by air, please
carefully review the airport options presented here and any associated ground transportation
costs before selecting your destination airport.
Getting to Plattsburgh by Air
The Plattsburgh International Airport is located just miles away from campus and is our preferred arrival airport for new
students. You may also look at flights arriving into larger airports in our region.
In those cases, please take note of the need for you to arrange additional ground
transportation to Plattsburgh. If you would like us to help you with ground transportation
to campus, you must consider very carefully which city you will end your travels in.
Please review our recommended options below well before you make your travel reservations.
Ground Transportation to Plattsburgh from Local Airports
If you would like assistance with ground transportation, it is absolutely critical
that we have your most updated travel information using our arrival form. You must re-submit this form as often as your plans change.
We provide ground transportation from the Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG)
to campus. Simply fill out the International Student Arrival Form and we will schedule
a pick up.
If you arrive between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., on one of the scheduled arrival days, ask our van driver to drop you off at the Kehoe Administration Building at 101 Broad
Street. The staff at the Global Education Office (which is located on the 10th floor)
will assist you upon your arrival. You can find the location of the Kehoe Building
on our campus map.
If you arrive between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., you will need to take a taxi from the airport to the SUNY Plattsburgh University
Police Department. A staff member from the Global Education Office or the staff at
the University Police Department will help you check in to your residence hall room
on campus. You can find the location of the University Police (Public Safety) on our campus map.
The Burlington International Airport (BTV) is located approximately 1.5 hours from campus. Public transportation is not
readily available so you will need to make advance reservations with our office to
arrange ground transportation from the airport to campus
Step 1: Arrange Ground Transportation From Burlington to Plattsburgh
Between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on official arrival days, the Global Education Office (GEO)
provides transportation from Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Burlington,
Vermont to Plattsburgh. Simply fill out the Student Arrival Information Form and we
will schedule a pick up. There are a few pick up options for you to choose:
Option 1: If your flight arrives at BTV between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., GEO will pick you up at Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Burlington, Vermont
and transport you to Plattsburgh by van. You must share your arrival details with
us in advance if you would like to use this service.
Option 2: If your flight arrives at BTV between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. (late night/overnight), you have the option of making an advance reservation to stay overnight at a hotel in Burlington, Vermont. GEO will pick you up at your hotel the next day. You MUST arrange the pickup place
and time with GEO in advance if you require this service.
There are many options for Burlington hotels close to the airport. Some offer airport shuttle service, others do not. Be sure to ask when making your
reservation.
Option 3: Arrange your own ground transportation. We do not recommend choosing this option based on our experience. If you wish to
arrange your own transportation from Burlington, Vermont to Plattsburgh, you may wish
to contact Vermont Tour and Charter directly and at your own expense.
Step 2: After Arriving in Plattsburgh
If you arrive in Plattsburgh between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ask the driver to drop you off at the Kehoe Administration Building at 101 Broad Street.
The staff of the Global Education Office (located on the 10th floor) will assist you
upon your arrival. You can find the location of the Kehoe Building on our campus map.
If you arrive in Plattsburgh between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. (late night/overnight), ask the driver to drop you off at the University Police Department. A staff member
from the Global Education Office or the staff at the University Police Department
will help you check in to your residence hall room on campus. You can find the location
of the University Police (Public Safety) on our campus map.
URGENT update June, 2023: Amtrak has discontinued rail service from New York City
to Plattsburgh until further notice.
If you decide to end your air travel in New York City, you must connect to the Port
Authority Bus Terminal or Pennsylvania (Penn) Station to board a bus or train to Plattsburgh.
Travel time to Plattsburgh via bus or train is approximately 6–8 hours.
Step 1: Ground Transportation from Airport to Port Authority Bus Terminal
There is train and bus service from JFK or LaGuardia to Port Authority, the primary
bus terminal in New York City. Uber and Lyft are also available. Be sure to schedule
yourself adequate time to pass through customs after your plane arrives. If you are
taking public transportation, after passing through customs with your luggage, you
will need to take the AirTrain from JFK or a bus from LaGuardia.
Step 2: Bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Plattsburgh, NY
From Port Authority Bus Terminal, you must take a Greyhound bus to Plattsburgh, NY.
Visit the Greyhound website to view departure times and purchase tickets.
(NA) Step 2 (alternate): Train from New York’s Pennsylvania (Penn) Station to Plattsburgh
(SUSPENDED)
From Penn Station, you must take an Amtrak train to Plattsburgh, N.Y. There is only
one train each day. You can buy tickets or get more information from Amtrak.com.
Step 3: Arriving in Plattsburgh
If you arrive between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., we will pick you up at the bus station or the train station in Plattsburgh. Just
tell us when exactly you will be arriving using the Student Arrival Information Form.
If you arrive between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., take a taxi, Uber or Lyft (at your own expense) from the bus station to University
Police (see our campus map). GEO will have an overnight orientation leader on staff to help you check into your
room.
If you are already in New York, take Interstate 87 (the Adirondack Northway) to Exit
37. Turn right at the light and drive east on Route 3 (Cornelia Street) to the “V”
intersection with Broad Street. Turn right onto Broad Street. At the third light,
you’ll be facing the Kehoe Administration Building.
If you are coming from the ferry (from Vermont), follow the signs to Plattsburgh,
turning left onto Route 9 (south). Continue on Route 9 (Margaret Street) through downtown
Plattsburgh to Broad Street. Turn right onto Broad Street and drive for about one-half
mile to the Kehoe Administration Building.
It is important to coordinate your arrival time on campus with the available hours
of check in at the Global Education Office in advance so that you can get your residence
hall room assignment and have your documents copied for our files.
Travel Tips
Never leave your luggage unattended at the airport, and do not allow strangers to
carry your bags.
Always observe signs and regulations in public places.
Always carry some local cash, in case of an emergency. Keep the equivalent of at least
$75 cash in reserve while traveling. Be discreet about taking out your money and use
credit cards when possible.
Travel by bus, train, local transportation or car (DO NOT HITCHHIKE!). Do not accept rides from strangers. Take only official taxis from the airport to
your final destination.
Be careful of whom you give personal information to (i.e., your name or address).
Be aware of your surroundings. If you are lost, ask a policeman, security officer,
airline personnel or workers in the airport for assistance.
If you are threatened, call 911 from any telephone.
For information regarding what you may legally bring into the U.S., check the U.S. Customs website.
Travel to Canada
Citizens of certain countries are required to obtain a visa before they travel to
Canada (The countries on the list are subject to change. Please follow the Canadian Consulate link for up-to-date information and applying instructions.)
The fee for a Canadian visitor’s visa is $75.00 (U.S.) for a single visit and $150.00
(U.S.) for multiple visits. Payment must be made in cash (if you are applying in person),
by money order or certified bank check, payable to the “Canadian Consulate General.”
Canada currently has bilateral agreements with Iran, Portugal, Turkey, and Yugoslavia
which state that although citizens of these countries are required to obtain a visa
to enter Canada, they are not required to pay the processing fee.
