Nagrota Surian is best reached by the Kangra Valley Railway from Pathankot (about 4–5 hours, depending on service). Pathankot has rail connections to Delhi, Amritsar, and other major Punjab cities. By road, Pathankot is the usual starting point; the distance is around 90km via NH154.
From Dharamsala (the nearest major tourist hub, around 40km away by road), shared taxis and buses connect to Kangra and onward toward Nagrota Surian. The roads are generally good but slow — the mountain terrain and local traffic mean distances take longer than expected.
For reaching the sanctuary itself, a hired car or jeep gives the most flexibility to reach the best birdwatching spots along the lake margins.