By air: Gondar Airport (GDQ), also called Atse Tewodros Airport, is served by Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa with several flights daily. The flight takes about an hour. Ethiopian Airlines also operates regional connections to Lalibela and Axum, making it straightforward to link Gondar into a northern circuit itinerary without backtracking to Addis. The airport is about 17km south of the city centre, near the town of Azezo.
By bus: Long-distance buses connect Gondar to Addis Ababa (roughly 12–14 hours), Bahir Dar (3–4 hours), and Axum (7–8 hours on an improved road). Selam Bus and Sky Bus are the main operators for the Addis Ababa route and are worth booking in advance. The main bus station is in the centre of town.
By road: The road north from Bahir Dar to Gondar runs along the eastern shore of Lake Tana and is fully paved. The drive takes 3–4 hours in good conditions. The road to Axum continues north and has improved significantly in recent years, though some sections remain rough.