General Rafael Buelna International Airport (MZT) is 20 km south of the city. There are daily flights from Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Tijuana, plus seasonal direct flights from US and Canadian cities — Phoenix, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto. A taxi to the Zona Dorada costs about 350–450 pesos; pre-paid taxis at the airport are the simplest option.
By road, Mazatlan sits on Mexico Federal Highway 15D. The drive from Mazatlan to Durango over the Sierra Madre crosses the spectacular Baluarte Bridge — at the time of opening the highest cable-stayed bridge in the world. Buses run frequently to Guadalajara (six hours), Tepic, and Culiacán.
The Mazatlan–La Paz ferry crosses the Sea of Cortez to Baja California Sur. The crossing takes about twelve hours overnight and is one of the more interesting overland routes in Mexico.