Lochinver is one of the most remote accessible villages in mainland Britain. There is no direct public transport from the south; the nearest train station is at Lairg, roughly 55 kilometres away by road, and buses connecting them are infrequent and seasonal. Most visitors arrive by car.
The most common approach is via the A837 from Lairg, which follows the Oykel valley and then cuts west through Sutherland. From the east, the route via Ullapool is slightly longer but passes through more varied scenery. The coastal road from Ullapool through Achiltibuie and Achmelvich — sometimes called the "wee mad road" — is single-track, narrow, and winding, but it is spectacular and in good conditions takes about 90 minutes from Ullapool.
From Inverness, the drive takes around two and a half hours. There is no local airport; Inverness Airport is the nearest. Driving to Lochinver from anywhere south requires committing to a long day, which is part of the character of the visit.