Ellicott City is about 30 minutes by car from downtown Baltimore, via US-40 west. Parking is available at several lots near the top of Main Street; the lower lots near the river tend to flood. On busy weekends the historic district gets crowded and parking can be slow — arriving early or late in the day helps.
There is no convenient train or subway connection to the historic district. The Maryland Transit Administration runs bus service from Baltimore (Route 150 along US-40), but the stop is a walk from the main attractions. Most visitors drive.