Datong is the heart of Shanxi province; and it is closest to Beijing and nearest to the access to the sea in the western region. It is approximately 368 km away from Beijing, 285 km from Hohhot, 355 km from Taiyuan and 460 km from Erlianhaote. As an important traffic hub in the Northern China, a three-dimensional traffic system including railway, highway and aviation has formed in Datong.

By air Datong Beijiazao Airport is located in the northwest of the Beijiazao town, Datong city. It is about 15.2 km from the city center, covering an area of 144 hectares. The Boeing 737 and other medium-sized airplanes can land here. Passenger throughput of Datong airport ranked 106th and cargo throughput ranked 83rd among Chinese 175 domestic civil airports with scheduled flights (save Hong Kong and Macao).

By train Three two-way electrified railways including Jingbao, Daqin and Beitongpu and more than 40 branch lines are accommodated in Datong, connecting the north China, the northwest China and Shanxi hinterland. Datong station is one of the top grade stations of China. There are 14 train lines currently leading to Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an, Shenyang, Taiyuan and other major domestic cities. The construction of the great western railway (Datong - Xi'an passenger dedicated line) started in December 2009 meanwhile the new Datong south railway station was also under construction.

By bus By January 2011, the total length of transportation line in Datong has reached 687 km. Public transportation network has covered an area east to Yuzhoutuan of Yudong new area, west to Jiangjiawan of mining area, south to Maojiazao of Huairen county, north to most area of Puziwan of Xinrong district. The new bus line NO.601 was put into use on January 8, 2011, which is the first and also the only rapid bus line in Datong.