Kawartha Lakes is in central Ontario, about 90 minutes' drive northeast of Toronto. The municipality is large and the towns are spread across an area roughly 100 kilometres across, so a car is essentially required unless you are content to stay put in one community.
By car: From Toronto, take Highway 401 east to exit 436 (Highway 35) at Newcastle, then 35 north to Lindsay. The drive takes 90 minutes outside rush hour, two hours on a Friday evening in summer. From Ottawa, take Highway 7 west to Norwood and then to Bobcaygeon (around 3.5 hours).
By bus: Coach Canada runs daily buses between Toronto and Lindsay via Peterborough; journey time is around 2.5 hours. There is no service into the smaller villages.
By air: The closest major airport is Toronto Pearson (CYYZ, 130 km southwest). Peterborough Municipal (CYPQ) handles light aircraft only.