Inform us of your travel plans. Please complete the online Arrival Information Form. Feel free to email us at international@potsdam.edu if you need further clarification or travel suggestions.
When should I arrive & what should I do when I reach the SUNY Potsdam campus? All new international students MUST arrive to campus on Thursday morning August 18, 2024. Once on campus, check in with International Education and Programs staff in 107 Lougheed Learning Commons. View Maps
Please note: If you arrive earlier than we suggest for orientation, you will be responsible for arranging your own housing and meals until the dorms open. Information about local accommodations can be found here.
Getting to SUNY Potsdam
There is NO airport pickup. Students must travel by car, bus, or taxi to Potsdam, NY. Taxi service is not recommended, as it costs roughly $400. Please see recommended bus information below.
The best way to reach Potsdam, New York is to fly to Syracuse, New York, which has good connections from New York City, and then take a bus to Potsdam (see schedules & pricing below). New York City is approximately a 7 hour drive to Potsdam, and Syracuse is about 3 hours. While Montreal and Ottawa are somewhat closer, there is no public transportation across the border, and you might also have visa difficulties entering Canada.
Traveling by Bus to SUNY Potsdam
Adirondack Trailways offers bus service to Potsdam. Visit their website for current fares and schedules. Telephone in the U.S.: 1-800-858-8555
- Syracuse to Potsdam fare = $45 - $55, one-way
- New York City to Potsdam fare = $85 - $95, one-way
If you plan to take a bus, please tell the driver that you would like to stop at SUNY Potsdam.
- Getting to SUNY Potsdam From Syracuse: The Trailways Bus service runs two buses each day, seven days a week, from the Syracuse airport to Potsdam. The boarding location is in front of the main entrance to the Syracuse airport. There is no Trailways bus agent in the airport, but you can buy your ticket when you get to Watertown, NY. As of June 2018, the bus departs Syracuse airport at 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. depending on your day of travel.*
- From New York City: Alternatively, you can take the bus directly from New York. From J.F.K. Airport you can take an Airport Bus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal (625 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10018) Telephone: 1-212-564-8484
Upon arrival at the Port Authority, make your way to the Trailways ticket counter and tell the ticket clerk your destination is Potsdam, New York. As of June 2018, there are three departure times: 12:35 a.m., 11 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. depending on your day of travel.*
*Since bus schedules and fees are subject to change, please check the website for current schedules and fares.
Hotels in Syracuse (near the airport)
If you arrive in Syracuse after the last bus has left, there are a number of hotels with shuttle service to and from the airport: http://syracuse.airporthotelguide.com/airporthotels.html