Dege is among the more difficult destinations to reach in Sichuan, and the journey itself is a significant part of the experience.
The standard approach is by bus from Kangding, a journey of roughly two days with an overnight stop in Ganzi. The road climbs over several passes above 4,000 metres and follows the dramatic gorges of the Yalong and Jinsha rivers. Buses run daily from Kangding to Ganzi (about 7–8 hours) and from Ganzi to Dege (about 5–6 hours depending on road conditions). An alternative route runs from Manigango to the north, which adds another option if you are coming from the direction of Yushu in Qinghai.
Dege can also be approached from the Tibetan Autonomous Region side, though this requires a Tibet Travel Permit in addition to any standard travel documents. Check current permit requirements before planning this approach, as rules change.
The bus station in Dege serves routes north to Manigango and south to Ganzi. Onward travel to Tibet requires either a private vehicle with a driver or, in some seasons, minibuses that cover the road to Chamdo. Road conditions between Dege and Tibet deteriorate significantly in heavy rain or after snowfall.
There is no airport within practical range. The nearest functional airport is at Kangding, which has limited services to Chengdu.