Baalbek is about 85 km northeast of Beirut, roughly 1.5 hours by car across the Mount Lebanon range via the Dahr el-Baydar pass. The road climbs steeply out of Beirut and then descends into the flat Bekaa Valley — the change in landscape is dramatic.
There is no train service. Minibuses and shared taxis (service taxis) run from Cola transport hub in Beirut to Baalbek most days; journey time is around 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic and waiting times. The return trip may require more patience finding a service back in the late afternoon.
Renting a car or hiring a private driver for the day from Beirut is the most flexible option, and allows stops at Anjar (Umayyad ruins) or the Bekaa Valley wineries on the way. The roads are in reasonable condition but Lebanese driving standards require attention.
Travel advice: check the current security situation before going. The Bekaa Valley has historically been controlled by Hezbollah, and while tourists visit without incident most of the time, conditions can change. Most Western embassies issue specific travel advisories for this region.