About this Location

Facility Overview

The Short Term Parking facility at Elmira-Corning Regional Airport (ELM) provides the most immediate, stress-free vehicle parking for travelers and airport visitors in the Chemung County Southern Tier region. Situated directly in front of the modern ELM terminal building at 276 Sing Sing Road in Horseheads, NY, this open-air, grade-level surface lot places visitors within mere steps of ticketing, security check-in, and baggage claim. Because it is a spacious open surface lot without low overhangs or parking garage ceilings, it features completely unrestricted vertical clearance, making it fully suitable for compact cars, full-size SUVs, extended-bed pickup trucks, high-roof conversion vans, and handicap-modified mobility vehicles.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Conveniently located in the Town of Horseheads and adjacent to Big Flats, the lot sits within rapid driving distance of the premier cultural, business, and leisure destinations across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes wine country. Key regional highlights include:

Wings of Eagles Discovery Center: Located directly on the airport perimeter grounds along Daniel Zenker Drive (under 1 mile, approximately 2 minutes by car), showcasing aviation history and science exhibits.
Arnot Mall & Consumer Square: A major regional retail and dining hub featuring big-box stores, eateries, and shopping venues just 2.5 miles south (5 minutes by car).
Corning Museum of Glass & Historic Market Street: Downtown Corning’s world-renowned glass art galleries, dining, and corporate headquarters are only 11 miles west (approximately 12 to 15 minutes via I-86).
Downtown Elmira & LECOM Event Center: Home to hockey games, entertainment events, the Clemens Center theater, and historic Mark Twain sites just 8 miles southeast (under 12 minutes drive).
Watkins Glen State Park & International Raceway: Gateway to Seneca Lake wineries and motorsports racing, located approximately 18 miles north (25 minutes drive).

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Arriving at and departing from the Short Term Parking lot is straightforward thanks to direct road access off Interstate 86 (NY Route 17 / Southern Tier Expressway). Motorists take Exit 50 onto Kahler Road or Sing Sing Road, turning seamlessly onto the main airport approach and following prominent overhead signage pointing toward Terminal Parking and Short Term lanes. The parking entry uses automated barrier gates with automated ticket dispensers. Ground transportation options connected to the terminal include Chemung County Transit (C-Tran) regional bus connections, designated taxi and rideshare pick-up zones (Uber and Lyft), and full-service rental car counters (including Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Enterprise) located inside the arrivals area.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Unbeatable Terminal Proximity: Located directly across from the terminal front doors, eliminating the need for shuttle buses or extended walks.
Complimentary Grace Period: The first 15 minutes of parking are free of charge, ideal for express drop-offs and passenger pickups.
Accessible Stalls: Clearly painted, ADA-compliant handicap parking spaces situated closest to terminal crosswalk ramps.
Modern Pavement & Markings: Wide parking stalls, clear directional arrows, and high-visibility perimeter night lighting.
Security & Patrols: Monitored around the clock by Chemung County Sheriff airport personnel and 24/7 ELM operations staff.
Flexible Payment Options: Accepts cash and all major credit/debit cards at staffed exit lanes and automated payment machines.

Ideal For

Passenger Pickups & Greeters: Friends and family meeting arriving passengers at the baggage carousel without time pressure.
Quick Departures & Drop-Offs: Escorting departing passengers directly into check-in and through security.
Same-Day Business Travelers: Corporate travelers catching early regional flights to airline hubs and returning later the same evening.
Short-Stay Leisure Flyers: Travelers taking quick weekend getaways who prioritize instant vehicle access upon their return.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Drivers waiting for arriving flights who do not need to enter the terminal can take advantage of the free Cell Phone Waiting Area located on Progressive Drive just off Sing Sing Road, moving into the short-term lot only once passengers have retrieved their luggage. If your travel plans extend beyond three or four consecutive days, consider utilizing the adjacent ELM Long Term or Economy surface lots situated along Progressive Drive, which offer discounted multi-day and weekly rates. During winter months, Chemung County crews promptly clear snow and salt the short-term lanes, but drivers are advised to allot an extra 10 to 15 minutes during heavy snowfall to navigate local access roads safely.