By air is the most practical approach. Quelimane Airport (UEL) has regular connections to Maputo on LAM Mozambique Airlines, and there are also connections via Beira. The airport is a short taxi ride from the city centre.
By road, Quelimane sits on the main north–south highway connecting Beira (450 km south) and Nampula (550 km north). The roads are paved but in variable condition, and long-distance travel by bus or chapa (shared minibus) is slow — allow a full day from Beira or Nampula. The Licungo River crossing north of the city has a ferry that can cause delays.
By ferry, boat connections along the coast were historically important but are now unreliable and not recommended as a primary transport option. The Zambezi delta geography makes road access indirect; the airport is almost always the better choice for travellers with limited time.