Cold Lake is in northeastern Alberta, about 290 km east of Edmonton on Highway 28.
By car is the standard approach. The drive from Edmonton takes roughly 3 hours. From Calgary, allow around 5–6 hours via Edmonton. Highway 28 is well-maintained and straightforward.
By air, Cold Lake Airport (IATA: YOD) is on the grounds of CFB Cold Lake and handles some commercial and charter traffic, but direct commercial service is limited. Most travellers flying in connect through Edmonton International Airport and drive the final leg.
By bus, there are scheduled coach services between Edmonton and Cold Lake, but they are infrequent and the journey takes several hours. A car is strongly recommended if you plan to explore the lake and surrounding area properly.