Cooperstown is not particularly easy to reach without a car. The nearest Amtrak station is at Albany, about 100 kilometers northeast, and at Utica, about 65 kilometers north. From either, you'll need a car or taxi for the final leg — there is no public bus service running directly to Cooperstown.
By car, Cooperstown is about 5.5 hours from New York City and about 90 minutes from Albany. New York State Route 28 is the main approach from both north and south. Route 80 runs east from Cooperstown to I-88 if you're coming from the Albany direction. During induction weekend in late July, the roads into Cooperstown are severely congested and parking is at a premium — some visitors park in Oneonta (30 kilometers south) and take a shuttle.