Buffalo is the closet major airport, I believe, at about 120 miles to the Finger Lakes vacation area.

paging eide!

ha ha ha ha ha... I can get you here, but it will cost you.

You can fly into the airport at Ithaca, but it's pricey. If you haven't got a lot of crap, it might be easier to fly into Newark, take the train to NYC, and then grab a bus here from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. (Shortline Bus).

So maybe suggesting people rent a car in New York, then?

(This is for a travel guide, not for me.)

I think there's an airport in Auburn. Couldn't swear to it, though.

I'd recommend flying into Syracuse or Rochester since there are regular flights and a place to rent a car. I don't know if the smaller regional airports mentioned above have transportation other than cabs.

You can reach the bulk of the lakes fairly easily from the Thruway or from 390/17. Most of the lakes are about 300 miles from NYC, moreso from Newark, so I wouldn't drive from there unless you like to drive.

Rochester is closer to Conesus, Hemlock, Canadaigua and Honeoye lakes. It's a toss-up for Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga (and some of the smaller lakes). Lots of accomodations in the Keuka and Seneca lake areas because of the wineries and Watkins Glen race track. Either would make a good base if you're looking to day trip.

Thanks, Tommasz.

And you should get in touch with the Finger Lakes tourism boards with that info -- none of them saw fit to include anything like it on any of their sites!