To get to Hot Springs National Park from Little Rock, fly into Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) and continue by car or shuttle; the National Park Service identifies LIT as an airport serving the park.
The drive from LIT to the Lotus by Hotel Inn - Hot Springs takes about 57 minutes, so a rental car is one direct way to continue your trip.
- Airport: Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, also called Adams Field.
- Drive to the hotel: About 57 minutes by car from LIT.
- Ground transport: The airport has rental-car options; the National Park Service also mentions shuttle service.
- Public transport: Greyhound serves Hot Springs, but you’ll need to check schedules and fares with the operator.
The drive from LIT to Hot Springs
Driving from Little Rock’s airport is a straightforward way to reach Hot Springs, and the drive to the hotel takes about 57 minutes. The National Park Service puts LIT approximately 60 miles from Hot Springs National Park, and identifies it as one of the airports serving the area.
At the airport, Clinton National Airport links to car-rental options. The National Park Service also says rental cars and shuttle service are available at LIT. If you’re weighing a flight into the smaller local airport instead, the guide to flying into Memorial Field covers that alternative.
Rental cars and ground transport
Rental cars and shuttle service are the ground-transport options identified for reaching Hot Springs from LIT. The airport has a ground-transportation page with car-rental options, while the National Park Service mentions shuttle service without naming operators or giving schedules and fares.
Clinton National Airport says it provides valet parking and free parking shuttles, and notes that many hotels offer airport shuttle service.
Those details may help you plan the airport portion of your arrival, but they don’t establish a shuttle connection all the way to Hot Springs. Confirm arrangements directly with the relevant operator before relying on a shuttle for the full trip.
Public transport options to verify
There is no confirmed public-transit route from LIT to Hot Springs in the cited information, so check each operator’s route and schedule before building your trip around buses or trains.
The National Park Service identifies Greyhound Bus Lines as serving Hot Springs, with a station at 1001 Central Ave, Suite D; it directs passengers to Greyhound for fares and schedules.
Amtrak’s Texas Eagle serves Little Rock. Check Amtrak for train schedules and fares, and plan separately for getting between the airport and the station.
Rock Region METRO describes its local bus service as fixed routes throughout Pulaski County; that does not establish a route from the airport to Hot Springs. Its fares are for local bus service, not a confirmed journey to Hot Springs.
Once you’re in town, Hot Springs Intracity Transit routes begin and end daily runs at the Transportation Plaza in downtown. The City of Hot Springs gives weekday and Saturday service hours, with no Sunday or listed-holiday service; fares and transfer rules vary by rider. Check the official site before you go for current transit details and service information.
Continuing to the hotel
Once you reach Hot Springs, the Lotus by Hotel Inn - Hot Springs is about 11 minutes by car from Memorial Field. If you’re considering that airport for your arrival instead of LIT, this motel in Hot Springs is the hotel destination to use when planning the final leg.
Hot Springs National Park can be reached around town by parking, public transportation, biking or walking, according to the National Park Service. For a guided outing, the Hot Springs Trolley offers tours of the park and city; check with its operator for rates, hours and reservations.
Allowing time for arrival-day plans
Plan your first stop around the transport you’ve arranged, then leave time to get settled before adding a park visit or a trip downtown. The National Park Service’s visitor guide to Hot Springs National Park can help you decide what to fit into your stay.
If you’re driving into downtown, the National Park Service says paid parking is available on major thoroughfares, adjacent side streets and in parking garages. It identifies a city garage at 128 Exchange Street, one block west of the park visitor center. Check current parking arrangements before setting out.
FAQs
Which airport serves Hot Springs National Park?
The National Park Service identifies both Hot Springs Memorial Field and Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock as airports serving the area.
Can you take a train from LIT to Hot Springs?
Amtrak’s Texas Eagle serves Little Rock, but you’ll need to arrange the airport-to-station connection separately.
Does Hot Springs have a trolley?
Yes. The Hot Springs Trolley offers guided tours of the park and city; contact its operator for rates, hours and reservations.