TRAVELING
The sections that follow offer information to help you plan your trip to the United States and the CIA campus in Hyde Park, NY. Please note that any toll-free "800" telephone numbers can only be used in the United States.
Please note: You are responsible for yourself and your family with regard to immigration and visa laws. CIA staff will provide assistance and advisement where possible, but ultimately, you are responsible for knowing and complying with the laws of the United States, your home country, and the laws of the countries to which you travel while you are a CIA student. This includes non-immigrant F-1 visa regulations.
- Things to Do Before Leaving
- Arriving in the United States – Stewart Airport
- Arriving in the United States – NYC Airports
- Where to Stay
- What Type of Clothing to Bring
- Vacations
- Make sure you have a valid passport with a F-1 visa stamp from a U.S. Embassy. Canadians do need passports but not visas to enter the U.S. They must present Form I-20 A-B and financial documentation at the Canadian/U.S. border.
- Remember to bring the I-20 form.
- Obtain required health insurance.
- Make your housing reservation.
- Read the travel directions to The Culinary Institute of America.
- Have a medical and dental checkup and mail or fax to the CIA proof that you have had the MMR and Hepatitis A immunization.
- If you are staying in a residence hall, be sure to pack sheets, blankets, and a pillow, unless you plan to purchase these items here.
- Be aware that you may not bring any alcoholic beverages, uncooked food, plants or fruit with you. These items will be seized by U.S. customs.
- If you have a valid driver's license, bring it with an official English translation.
Arriving in the United States—Stewart Airport
The closest airport to the CIA is Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, NY, which is located approximately 30 miles south of the college. Whenever possible, you should take a connecting flight from a major U.S. airport into Stewart. From Stewart, you can travel to the CIA via taxi service or rental car.
Taxi service from Stewart to the CIA costs approximately $18-$30 per person. To reserve a rental car, call Avis at 845-564-4400 or 1-800-230-4898, or Hertz at 845-567-0180 or 1-800-654-3131.
The following are driving directions from Stewart to the CIA:
From the airport, turn left onto Route 207. Proceed to the traffic light and turn left onto Union Avenue. Continue on Union Avenue to the intersection with Route 17K. Turn left at the intersection to Interstate 84 east. Exit onto Route 9W going north. Follow Route 9W north to the Mid-Hudson Bridge entrance (on the right). Cross the bridge and take the first exit to the right. Bear left at the bottom of the ramp to merge on to Route 9 north. Follow Route 9 for three miles. The CIA is on the left.
Arriving in the United States—New York City-area Airports
There are three major international airports in the region located approximately two hours from the CIA: John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia International Airports in New York City, and Newark International Airport in New Jersey. If you need help with your baggage upon arriving at one of these airports, please look for the red-capped porters wearing security badges. Do not accept assistance from anyone else. There are several alternatives for traveling to the CIA from these airports. You may take a connecting flight to Stewart Airport, travel by bus or train, or drive a rental car.
From the NYC-area Airports to the CIA by Bus
Gray Line (1-800-669-0051) offers bus service from JFK and LaGuardia airports to the Port Authority bus station in Manhattan (NYC). From the Port Authority, you can travel via the Short Line bus (1-800-631-8405) to Hyde Park, NY and the CIA.
From the NYC-area Airports to the CIA by Train
Alternatively, you can continue the trip from LaGuardia, JFK, or Newark Airport to the CIA by train. The first step is to travel from the airport to one of two train stations in Manhattan, in the center of New York City. There are several ways to do this:
To Grand Central Station by Bus: Carey Bus (718-707-9658) and Gray Bus (212-315-3006) shuttle passengers from the airports to Manhattan's Grand Central Station. Bus stops are located directly outside each airline terminal. The one-way fare to Grand Central Station is $13.
To Grand Central Station by Subway (Metro): The subway (from JFK airport only) is also an option, although it can be a more complicated one since you must switch subway trains and stations to get to Grand Central. If you do decide on this mode of transportation, you should take the internal airport shuttle to the subway station and then follow the New York City subway map. You may obtain a map at the information desk at the airport or at a newsstand.
To Grand Central or Penn Station by Taxi: There are taxi stands directly outside the airport terminals, usually with a dispatcher on duty. The one-way fare into Manhattan is about $40, but may be higher during rush hours. Fares are calculated by the trip, not by the person. Once you arrive in Manhattan, you can travel by train to the CIA from either Grand Central Station or Pennsylvania Station (Penn Station).
From Grand Central Station to the Poughkeepsie Train Station: You will travel on the Metro-North Railroad to Poughkeepsie, NY (just a few miles south of Hyde Park and the CIA). The train trip is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, and the one-way fare averages $12 off-peak. You can call Metro-North Customer Relations at 212-340-2144 for schedule and fare information, or visit their Web site at www.mta.nyc.ny.us.
From Penn Station to the Poughkeepsie Train Station: Take the Amtrak train to Poughkeepsie, NY. One-way fare is approximately $28. For more information, call Amtrak at 212-630-6400 or 1-800-872-7245, or visit their Web site at www.amtrak.com.
From the Poughkeepsie train station to the CIA: The Poughkeepsie station is just a short taxi ride from the CIA. Taxi service is located directly outside the station. The average fare to the CIA is $4.25. If you wish to reserve a taxi ahead of time you may call Allen's Taxi Service 845-485-2411 or Del-Roy Taxi Service 845-485-7532.
From the NYC-area Airports to the CIA: by rental car. Rental car service is available at all airports. To make a reservation, call one of the following:
Avis
- at LaGuardia Airport 718-507-3600
- at JFK Airport 718-244-5400
- at Newark Airport 973-961-4300
- Toll-free, within the U.S. 1-800-230-4898
Hertz
- at LaGuardia Airport 718-478-5300
- at JFK Airport 718-656-7600
- at Newark Airport 973-621-2000
- Toll-free, within the U.S. 1-800-654-3131
The following are driving directions from LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark Airports. Please note that many area roads and bridges require a toll.
From LaGuardia and JFK Airports: Follow signs to the Bronx/Whitestone Bridge. Take the Hutchinson River Parkway to Interstate 84 west to exit 13. Follow Route 9 north for 16 miles. The CIA is on the left.
From Newark Airport: Follow signs to the New Jersey Turnpike(I-95). Take I-95 to the Palisades Parkway, then to Route 6 east. Follow Route 6 to Route 9W north. Cross the Mid-Hudson Bridge to Route 9 north. Follow Route 9 for three miles. The CIA is on the left.
OR ...
Take the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) to Route 80 and then to Route 17. Follow Route 17 to the New York State Thruway (I-87) north to exit 18 (New Paltz/Poughkeepsie). Follow Route 299 east to Route 9W south. Cross the Mid-Hudson Bridge to Route 9 north. Follow Route 9 for three miles. The CIA is on the left.
The following list of local hotels and motels is provided in case you and/or your travel companions require overnight lodging. Please call these establishments for current rates and to make reservations. When you call, you should inform the hotel that you are coming to the CIA.
Beekman Arms
Route 9
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
1-800-361-6517
845-876-7077
Web site: www.beekmandelamaterinn.com
Best Western Inn & Conference Center
2170 South Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
1-800-528-1234
845-462-4600
Courtyard by Marriott
2641 South Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
1-800-321-2211
845-485-6336
Hilton Garden Inn
25 Westage Drive
Fishkill, NY
845-896-7100
1-800-445-8667
webstie: www.hiltongardeninn.com
Holiday Inn Express – Free local shuttle
2750 South Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
1-800-465-4329
845-473-1151
Web site: www.hiexpress.com/poughkeepsie
e-mail: expresspou@aol.com
The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel
40 Civic Center Plaza
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
1-800-216-1034
845-485-5300
Web site: www.pokgrand.com
Residence Inn by Marriott
2525 South Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
1-800-331-3131
845-463-4343
Free Local Shuttle
Roosevelt Inn
4360 Albany Post Road (Rte. 9)
Hyde Park NY, 12538
Tel. (845) 229-2443
Fax (845) 229-0026
Web site: www.rooseveltinnofhydepark.com
e-mail: info@rooseveltinnofhydepark.com
miles from the CIA: 3 miles north
Super 8 Motel
4142 Albany Post Road
Hyde Park, NY 12538
1-800-800-8000
845-229-0088
The Village Square
Route 9
Hyde Park, NY 12538
845-229-7141
What Type of Clothing to Bring
The CIA is located in Hyde Park, NY, in the northeastern region of the United States. The Northeast has a varied climate, one that allows residents to enjoy four distinct seasons. During the change of seasons (late spring, summer, and fall), light coats and jackets are appropriate for outdoor wear. Summers can be very warm, with average temperatures between 66 degrees and 82 degrees F (19 degrees to 28 degrees C). For this time of the year (June-August), light clothing is needed. Average winter temperatures range between 20 degrees and 30 degrees F (-7 degrees to -1 degrees C) from December through March. Please note that during these months, the temperature can also be significantly colder. Snow often falls during the winter and you can expect rain during any season of the year. You should bring appropriate clothing such as a warm coat, gloves, hat, woolen scarf, raincoat, umbrella, windbreaker jacket, waterproof boots, and long-sleeved garments.
Casual clothing for everyday wear as well as business-like attire for formal activities and dining in the CIA's restaurants is also recommended. If you plan to take advantage of our Student Recreation Center gym, swimming pool, and other athletic facilities, you should bring appropriate athletic wear. You may also purchase whatever clothing you need in local stores.
The CIA community refers to student vacation periods as winter and summer breaks. The winter break is approximately two weeks long and coincides with the Christmas (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1) holidays. The summer break is about three weeks in duration and usually takes place in July. Because college-wide maintenance and construction projects are performed during these breaks, all students must vacate their on-campus housing. You should therefore plan alternative living or travel arrangements for these vacation periods.
