Hongcun is 85 kilometers from Tunxi (Huangshan city center) and 11 kilometers from Yixian town. The most common approach is by train or high-speed rail to Huangshan North station (not Tunxi station — they are different places), from which tourist buses and taxis run directly to Hongcun in about an hour. From Tunxi, shared minibuses run to Yixian and onward.
A hired driver for the day is often the most practical option if you're combining Hongcun with Xidi and other villages in the area — the cost shared between a small group is reasonable and the scheduling flexibility is valuable.
Entrance to the village costs around ¥104 (subject to change) and the ticket is valid for multiple days. Arriving before 8am avoids the main tourist rush; the village is significantly more atmospheric before the large tour groups arrive. Accommodation is available inside the village walls in several family-run guesthouses, and an early-morning stay allows access to the village before the crowds.