Chillán is 400 kilometres south of Santiago on the Pan-American Highway. By car the drive takes about four hours; by bus, the main companies (Turbus, Pullman Bus) run frequent services from Santiago's Alameda terminal and take around four to five hours. Trains also connect Chillán to Santiago — the Tren Sur service stops here and the journey takes about four hours. The station is close to the city centre.
General Bernardo O'Higgins Airport (IATA: YAI) serves Chillán but has limited scheduled service. Most visitors arrive by bus or car. The bus terminal is central and has connections south to Concepción, Los Ángeles, and Temuco, as well as north to Santiago.