Tapolca lies in the western Balaton hinterland, about 180 km from Budapest by road via the M7 and Route 77. The drive takes roughly two hours. Trains from Budapest (Déli or Kelenföld) run to Tapolca via Székesfehérvár but take three to four hours; the bus from Veszprém or Keszthely is often quicker.
Most visitors combine Tapolca with a stay at one of the Balaton resort towns — Badacsony, Szigliget, or Keszthely are all within half an hour.