Having a son or daughter at Colgate brings opportunities for visits for Family Weekend, sports events, and Commencement. It is a good idea to make reservations as early as possible for major weekends. The following information is intended to serve as a guide to travel, accommodations, restaurants, and other services in the area. It does not represent recommendations by the college.

The Colgate Travel Agency, located in the Student Union, is a student organization that offers a variety of student travel services including: making airline reservations, planning bus trips, selling tickets for Chenango Valley bus lines, arranging buses for large groups to out-of-town venues and events, arranging charter buses to major cities during school breaks, and providing maps and directions to destinations throughout the U.S. The agency also offers spring break trips to the Bahamas, Florida, Jamaica, Cancun, and other popular destinations.

Town and Gown Travel Inc. will arrange travel to and from area airports and train and bus stations. It is located in Hamilton and can be reached at 315-824-1222. Cost for this service is approximately $50.00.

The Boston Bus is operated by the Colgate Club of Boston. This service runs four times per year: October break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break. The bus leaves Colgate after the last scheduled class and makes requested stops along the Mass Pike at the Lee and Ludlow service areas. Its final stop is the Riverside MBTA station. A mailing with expected travel schedules and rates (one-way or round-trip) is sent to all parents in the New England states in September. Reservations are required and all profits go toward the Colgate Club of Boston Scholarship Fund.

Colgate is located just south of the village of Hamilton, New York on Route 12B, not Route 12 or Route 20; this is the most important fact to remember in locating the university. The following directions may also help.

From New York Metropolitan Area:

Take the Tappan Zee Bridge (Thruway North) to Exit 16; Route 17 west to Exit 84 for Deposit. At Deposit, take Route 8 north to New Berlin, then Route 80 west to Sherburne and Route 12 north. In Sherburne bear left at Route 12B to Hamilton.

From North of Westchester:

Take NYS Thruway to Exit 25A for I-88 (Duanesburg), then I-88 west to Exit 24 for Route 20 west; beyond Madison turn left onto 12B south to Hamilton.

From Boston:

Take Mass. Pike west to NYS Thruway to Exit 25A for I-88 (Duanesburg), then I-88 west to Exit 24 for Route 20 west; beyond Madison turn left onto 12B south to Hamilton. Or, continue on NYS Thruway west to Exit 31 (Utica); follow the Arterial (Routes 5, 8, 12) south to Route 12B south to Hamilton.

From Union County, NJ, and surrounding areas:

Take Route 24 west to 287 North to I-80 west; in the Poconos take I-380 to Scranton, then I-81 north to Binghamton. Take Exit 6 off I-81 for Route 12 north. In Sherburne bear left at Route 12B to Hamilton.

From Philadelphia:

Take Northeast Extension of Pennsylvania Turnpike to I-81 at Scranton, then I-81 north to Binghamton. Take Exit 6 off I-81 for Route 12 north. In Sherburne bear left at Route 12B to Hamilton.

From the West (Buffalo, Ohio, etc.):

Take the NYS Thruway east to Exit 33 (Verona); Route 365 south to Route 5 west in Oneida; south on Route 46 to Route 12B south to Hamilton.

Air Travel to Hamilton:

The best way to reach Colgate by air is to fly into Syracuse (Hancock International Airport). To drive from the airport to Hamilton, see directions above from the West (Buffalo, Ohio, etc); the drive from Syracuse is approximately one hour.