New Paltz sits about 90 miles north of New York City, making it an easy day trip or weekend escape. By car, take the New York State Thruway (I-87) to Exit 18 (New Paltz) — the drive from Manhattan takes roughly 90 minutes outside rush hour.
By bus, Trailways of New York runs several daily coaches from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan directly to New Paltz, with a journey time of about two hours. The bus drops off in the village center.
The New Paltz train station on North Chestnut Street was historically a stop on the former Wallkill Valley Railroad, but no rail passenger service currently runs here. The nearest Amtrak or Metro-North stations are in Poughkeepsie, about 15 miles east, from which you can take a taxi or rideshare into town.