Golden sits on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), which makes it straightforward to reach by car. It is approximately 262 kilometres west of Calgary (about 2.5 hours) and 713 kilometres east of Vancouver (about 7-8 hours). The drive from Calgary through Banff and over Kicking Horse Pass is spectacular.
The nearest airports with regular commercial service are Calgary International Airport to the east (2.5-3 hours) and Kelowna International Airport to the west (3.5 hours). Shuttle services operate seasonally between Calgary airport and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort during the ski season. Rocky Mountaineer rail service passes through Golden on its east-west route between Vancouver and the Rocky Mountains, though it operates as a touring train rather than a transit service.
Greyhound Canada discontinued its Golden stop, so independent travellers without a car face limited options outside the ski season. The Trans-Canada is a major truck route and hitchhiking is practiced, though not guaranteed.