By train: Ystad is on the Pågatågen regional rail network. Direct trains run from Malmö (about 55 minutes) roughly every hour. From Copenhagen, change at Malmö Central — total journey around 90 minutes. The station is a short walk from Stortorget.
By car: Ystad is 60 kilometres southeast of Malmö via the E65. From Copenhagen it is about 90 minutes via the Øresund Bridge. Parking in the centre is time-limited but free in most of the old town; the harbour area has a larger lot.
By ferry: Stena Line and Unity Line operate ferries from Ystad harbour to Rønne on Bornholm (2h45m–3h) several times daily, and to Świnoujście in Poland (roughly 7 hours) on an overnight schedule. Walk-on tickets are straightforward. The ferry terminal is a 10-minute walk from the centre or a short taxi ride.
By bus: Regional buses connect Ystad with Simrishamn, Trelleborg, and surrounding towns. Skånetrafiken covers the whole county with a unified ticketing system usable on trains and buses.
The nearest airport is Malmö Airport (Sturup/MMX), about 45 kilometres northwest. Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is larger and better connected; with the Øresund Bridge it is a practical option.