Nuoro is not the easiest place to reach, which is part of why it retains its character. There is no airport: the nearest are Olbia (110km northeast, with many European connections) and Cagliari (175km south, the island's main hub).
By bus: ARST buses connect Nuoro to Olbia, Cagliari, Sassari, and Oristano. Journey times are long by Italian standards — Cagliari takes around three hours, Olbia around two and a half. The bus station is at Via Lamarmora, a short walk from the centre.
By train: Nuoro is on a secondary line operated by Trenitalia, connecting to Macomer on the main Cagliari–Sassari line. From Macomer, you can reach Cagliari or Sassari by mainline train. The journey from Cagliari to Nuoro by rail takes around three hours total. The Trenino Verde narrow-gauge tourist train also operates seasonal services from Nuoro into the Barbagia mountains — scenic but slow.
By car: This is the practical option for exploring the Barbagia. Driving allows you to reach the villages (Orgosolo, Mamoiada, Oliena) on your own schedule. The roads are generally good but winding; distances are longer than they appear on a map.