By air — Oskemen Airport (UKK) sits about 11 km northwest of the city centre. Air Astana operates domestic flights from Almaty and Astana; there are occasional connections to other Kazakh cities. International connections are limited and typically require a transit through Almaty.
By train — Trains from Almaty and Astana arrive at Zashchita station, which is the main station for the city. The journey from Almaty takes around 25–30 hours; from Astana (Nur-Sultan) around 20 hours. Be aware that some timetables show a separate "Ust-Kamenogorsk" stop which is a smaller station where trains may pause briefly — Zashchita is where you want to get off. The train is by far the most comfortable option for long-distance travel and worth the extra time compared to the bus.
By bus — Long-distance buses connect Ust-Kamenogorsk with Almaty, Semey (Semipalatinsk), and other cities. The journey is feasible but long and less comfortable than the train. In winter, road conditions can be poor.