Banská Štiavnica has no direct rail connection to the main Slovak rail network — the nearest train station is Hronská Dúbrava, about 14 km away, from which buses connect to the town. In practice, most visitors arrive by bus or car.
Direct buses run from Bratislava (about 2.5 hours) and from Banská Bystrica (about 1 hour). The bus station is at the edge of the old town. By car, the town is about 180 km from Bratislava via the D1 motorway and Route 51; the approach from any direction involves winding mountain roads through the Štiavnica Hills, which are scenic but slow going. Parking in the historic center is limited; there is a larger car park at the entrance to the old town.