The nearest airport is Salzburg, 50 kilometres from Bad Ischl. Vienna is 250 kilometres by road. From Salzburg, PostBus services run regularly to Bad Ischl (about 70 minutes) and connect to all major towns in the Salzkammergut. The train line from Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim has a junction for the Salzkammergut Lokalbahn (a regional railway), though service is limited.
Driving is the most convenient way to explore the region: roads are good and parking is available at most attractions, though Hallstatt has strict limits (a shuttle bus runs from a car park at Lahn). The Salzkammergut can also be explored by bicycle from Salzburg, following the dedicated cycling routes through the valleys.