Kelowna Airport (YLW) has direct connections to most major Canadian cities and Seattle. Flying is the most practical option for visitors from outside British Columbia, as the mountain passes make road travel from the coast longer than the map suggests.
By road from Vancouver, the two main routes are the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5), which is the faster option at around 3.5 hours in good conditions, and the slower Trans-Canada via Hope and Manning Park. Both routes cross mountain passes that can be affected by snow from October through April — winter tires are mandatory. A third option, Highway 3 through the Similkameen and Crowsnest Pass, is scenic but very long.
There is no passenger rail to Kelowna. Greyhound Canada has ceased long-distance bus service to Kelowna. Most visitors drive or fly.