Mardan is about 70 kilometres northeast of Peshawar on the main Peshawar–Swat road, and is easily reached by bus or minibus from Peshawar's main bus terminal. Journey time is roughly 90 minutes. Mardan also has a railway station on the Peshawar–Nowshera line, with several daily trains.
If you are heading to the Swat Valley, Mardan is a natural transit stop. Most Swat-bound transport from Peshawar passes through or near Mardan, and the Takht-i-Bahi monastery can be visited en route without needing to stay overnight in the city.
As with travel anywhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, check current security conditions before visiting. The area around Mardan is generally calm, but the situation can change.