The Picos de Europa are accessible from three sides. From the north (Asturias), Oviedo is the main hub with an international airport; Gijón is also close. The A-8 motorway runs east along the Asturian coast, with turn-offs south toward Cangas de Onís (gateway to the western massif and Covadonga). From Cantabria, Santander has an airport and ferry connections; the N-621 from Potes leads directly to Fuente Dé and the southern side of the Central Massif. From the east, León has a train station on the Madrid-Galicia line; the road north from León goes through mountain passes to Posada de Valdeón, gateway to Caín and the southern end of the Cares Gorge.
A car is essentially required for exploring the park. There is no useful public transport within the park itself, and the distances between the massifs are too great for convenient hiking between bases. Car rental in Oviedo or Santander is straightforward. The narrow roads within the park — particularly around Sotres and in the eastern massif — require confident driving.