The Catskills sit about two to two and a half hours north of New York City, which makes them an easy escape for a day or a weekend. The trip is simple once you understand the routes and the traffic patterns. This guide covers how to get there, how to plan a day trip and how to avoid the worst of the weekend jams.
By car
Driving is the most flexible way to see the range. Most visitors take the Thruway north and exit at Saugerties or Kingston for Woodstock and the central Catskills, or continue to Catskill for Hunter, Tannersville and the north. Allow about two hours to Woodstock and two and a half to Hunter or Windham, more in winter and on Friday evenings or Sunday afternoons. Check road conditions in snow season, carry traction aids and fill the tank before you leave the highway, as services thin out in the hills.
By bus
Coach services run from the city to Woodstock, Phoenicia, Hunter and Windham, with seasonal schedules. This is a good option for travelers who prefer not to drive, and it works especially well for ski trips and village weekends. Remember that once you arrive, public transport is limited, so choose a base where you can walk, or arrange taxis or a local driver for the sights. Check timetables early, since some routes run only on certain days.
Transport-only services
For skiers who want to avoid winter driving, a transportation-only service from the city to Windham drops you near the mountain and brings you back in the evening. You buy lift tickets and rentals separately. It is a simple way to turn a long drive into a relaxed ride, and it can be cheaper than a rental car with parking and fuel. Confirm pickup points, luggage rules and the cancellation policy before you book.
By train
There is no direct passenger rail service to the Catskills, but you can take a train to Rhinecliff or Poughkeepsie and arrange a taxi or rental car for the rest. This works for a Hudson Valley and Catskills combination trip, although the final leg adds cost and time. Many travelers find a car or coach simpler.
A realistic day trip
A single day from the city can work if you plan carefully. Leave early, aim to reach Woodstock by mid morning and choose one or two sights, such as the village walk and the hike up Overlook Mountain, or Kaaterskill Falls and lunch in Tannersville. Head home before the Sunday afternoon rush, or stay for dinner and drive back late. A winter day trip by coach to Windham works for skiers who start early.
Weekend timing
Friday evenings are slow on the Thruway and the mountain roads, and Sunday afternoons are worse. If you can, leave Thursday night or early Friday morning, and return Monday. Midweek visits are quiet and cheaper, and hotels often discount. In autumn, plan for heavy traffic on leaf-peeping weekends and book parking-friendly sights early in the day.
Combining regions
The Catskills pair neatly with the Hudson Valley, which lies just across the river. Many visitors spend a night in Saugerties or Kingston and split their time between the two. If you only have a weekend, pick a zone, such as Hunter and the falls, or Woodstock and Phoenicia, rather than trying to see everything. A well-chosen base and a short list of sights beat a rushed tour of the whole range.
Packing and planning for the drive
Fill the car with water, snacks and a phone charger, and download maps and music before you leave, since signal fades in the hollows. In winter, add a scraper, blanket, flashlight and traction aids. Gas stations are plentiful on the Thruway but scarcer in the hills, so top up in Saugerties or Kingston. Plan meals as well, because many small-town kitchens close early on weekdays. If you are driving in the dark, take it slowly on mountain roads, where deer cross without warning and fog can settle in the valleys.
Using the trip to explore the river towns
The drive up the Hudson is part of the pleasure. Stops in Saugerties, Kingston or Catskill break up the journey and add to the day, with waterfront walks, galleries and cafes. Saugerties has the lighthouse trail and Opus 40, Kingston has its historic Stockade district and the Rondout waterfront, and Catskill has the views that inspired the Hudson River School. Building in one such stop on the way up or back turns a commute into an outing, and it spreads out traffic so that you spend less time in the slow lanes.