Balasore is on the main Kolkata–Chennai railway line, which means direct trains from both cities. From Kolkata, the journey takes around three to four hours; from Bhubaneswar (Odisha's capital), about two hours. The railway station is well-served and centrally located.
By road, Balasore is on NH-16 (the old NH-5), the main coastal highway between Kolkata and Chennai. State buses connect the town with Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Kolkata. The NH-16 also provides access to the smaller attractions in the district; most require either a private vehicle or an auto-rickshaw from the town centre.