Heerlen has good rail connections for such a modest-sized city. Direct trains run from Maastricht (about 20 minutes), from Aachen in Germany (about 35 minutes), and from the Randstad via Eindhoven or Roermond. The journey from Amsterdam takes around 2.5 hours with a change. The train station sits in the centre of town, a short walk from the main sights.
By car, Heerlen is easily reached via the A76 motorway. Parking is available in the city centre. The drive from Maastricht takes about 20 minutes; from the German border at Aachen about 25 minutes.
The nearest international airport is Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST), a small regional hub, though most visitors fly into Amsterdam Schiphol or Düsseldorf and continue by train.