Zhongwei has a small airport at Shapotou, 9 kilometres northwest of the city centre, with connections to Yinchuan, Xi'an, Chengdu, and a handful of other Chinese cities. Services are limited; check schedules in advance.
The train station on North Street is the most practical arrival point for overland travellers. The Lanzhou-Yinchuan railway runs through Zhongwei, placing the city about three hours from Yinchuan and six from Lanzhou, with several trains daily in both directions. Connecting from the east, trains also run via Guyuan toward Xi'an, though these are slower. Buses from Yinchuan and Guyuan cover the same routes and are marginally cheaper but slower.
From the station, taxis to the city centre take five minutes. Shapotou is 15 kilometres further.