By air: The main gateway is Depati Amir Airport (PGK) in Pangkalpinang, which receives many daily flights from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport — the journey is about one hour, and tickets are cheap. Several carriers operate the route including Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Batik Air; book a day or two ahead and you'll rarely pay much. There are also direct flights from Batam and some other Indonesian cities.
By ferry: Ferries run from Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra, to Muntok on Bangka's west coast. The crossing takes around three to four hours depending on the service. A slower but more scenic option, particularly if you're already in Sumatra. Ferries also connect from Batam.
There is no bridge to the mainland; the island is entirely dependent on air and sea links. Most visitors fly.