Hukou Falls is most easily reached from Yan'an, about one hundred and sixty kilometres to the south. Regular buses run from Yan'an to Yichuan County, from where local transport continues to the falls. The journey takes about three hours each way from Yan'an. From Xi'an, the journey by public transport takes half a day in each direction and is most conveniently done as an overnight trip based in Yan'an.
The Shanxi-side access through Jixian County is better developed and gives the more photogenic view of the falls. Reaching it requires crossing the Yellow River, which means either approaching from Linfen or Yuncheng in Shanxi province, or crossing at one of the bridge points near the falls area.
Private tours from Xi'an or Yan'an are available and take the planning burden off the journey. Renting a car and combining Hukou with the Yan'an revolutionary sites makes for an efficient two-day itinerary from Xi'an.