NA61/SHINE uses primary and secondary ion beams, as well as secondary hadron beams provided by the CERN accelerator complex. From the source, the beams of ions and protons pass through a series of accelerators, before they reach the SPS for the final acceleration and subsequent extraction to the North Area and NA61/SHINE. The protons and ions follow a diferent path in the preinjector chain to the PS, required to match the beam parameters for their acceleration.

The extracted beam from the SPS is transported over about 1 km by bending and focusing magnets towards the T2 primary target. Then the beam is transported to the Experimental Hall North 1 and NA61/SHINE.