Granada is easy to reach from Managua and sits on the main route between the capital and the Costa Rican border.
By bus from Managua: Express minibuses (microbus) run frequently from the Roberto Huembes market in Managua and take about 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. Ordinary buses are slower and cheaper. The bus terminal in Granada is a short walk or taxi ride from the city centre.
By taxi or shuttle: Shared shuttle services run from Managua airport and major hotels — more expensive than the bus but door-to-door and faster. Taxis from Managua to Granada cost roughly 40–50 USD for a private hire.
From the south: Buses from Rivas (near the Costa Rican border) stop in Granada. If you're coming from San Juan del Sur, change at Rivas. The journey from Rivas takes about an hour.
By boat: A slow passenger ferry connects Granada to the islands of Ometepe and San Carlos on the far shore of Lago de Nicaragua, but this is for travellers with time rather than those in transit.