Lae is served by Lae Nadzab Airport, located about 40 kilometres northwest of the city in the Markham Valley. It is the second busiest airport in Papua New Guinea, with regular flights to Port Moresby, Mount Hagen, and other domestic destinations. Air Niugini and PNG Air operate most routes. The drive from the airport into town takes around 45 minutes along the Highlands Highway and can be arranged through your airline or accommodation.
By road, Lae is the coastal terminus of the Highlands Highway, which connects the city to Goroka, Mount Hagen, and the rest of the highlands. PMV (public motor vehicle) buses run this route, but the journey is long, rough, and not without risk — road conditions deteriorate badly in the wet season, and banditry is an occasional concern on remote stretches. By sea, cargo and passenger ships connect Lae to other coastal towns including Madang and Finschhafen, though schedules are unreliable. The port at Voco Point handles most commercial shipping.