Nagahama is served by Nagahama Station on the JR Biwako Line (琵琶湖線). Special Rapid trains connect directly to Kyoto in around 45 minutes and to Osaka in about one hour — no transfers needed. Ordinary rapid services take a little longer. From Maibara, Nagahama is just one stop, making it easy to combine with a visit by Shinkansen from Tokyo or Nagoya.
Driving, the city is reached via the Meishin Expressway or National Route 8 along the eastern shore of Lake Biwa. Parking is available near the castle and throughout the Kurokabe district.