Pforzheim is on the main rail line between Karlsruhe and Stuttgart — around 25 minutes from either city by ICE, hourly. The Hauptbahnhof is a five-minute walk from the city centre.
By road, the A8 motorway runs along the northern edge of the city. The nearest international airport is Stuttgart (STR), 50 km east, served by direct S-Bahn and bus connections. Frankfurt is around 200 km north, about 90 minutes by car or ICE plus connection.
The Enztalradweg cycle route follows the Enz river from its source in the Black Forest down to the Neckar; it passes through Pforzheim and is well-signposted for self-supported touring.