Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is 5-6 miles from downtown Springfield, Illinois, a quarter-hour's drive with no direct bus: for a dawn flight or an evening arrival, the area north of the airport, with free shuttles to the terminals, remains the most practical choice. Those staying to visit the sites tied to Lincoln gain by sleeping downtown, where the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel is linked by an underground tunnel to the convention center and just steps from the Presidential Museum. A third, more affordable group of hotels is found to the south, along Dirksen Parkway and 6th Street, near the Interstate 55.

Airport area

Free shuttle on request, 4 miles and about 10 minutes from the terminals.

Best for: Travelers with a dawn flight or an evening arrival who don't want to rely on a nonexistent night bus.

Pros

Free airport shuttle, on request
Breakfast included at both hotels in the area

Cons

6 miles from the historic downtown, a car is always needed
Residential area, little else nearby in the evening

Recommended hotels in this area

Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center: Right next to the airport, with an on-site Mexican restaurant and an indoor pool.
Ramada by Wyndham Springfield North: Next door to the Northfield Inn, with breakfast included and an indoor pool.

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Historic downtown

City centre · 15 minutes from the airport by car or taxi, no direct bus.

Best for: To visit the Lincoln Home, the Presidential Museum and the state Capitol on foot.

Pros

Lincoln Home, Old State Capitol and Presidential Museum on foot
Linked by a tunnel to the Bank of Springfield convention center

Cons

No direct public connection to the airport
Quiet in the evening outside of convention center events

Recommended hotels in this area

President Abraham Lincoln Springfield, a DoubleTree by Hilton: The only large hotel in the historic downtown, with a direct tunnel to the convention center and an indoor pool.

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I-55 corridor (south)

Neighbourhood · 10-15 minutes by car from the airport, along Dirksen Parkway and 6th Street.

Best for: For those traveling by car and seeking more affordable hotels near the highway exit, just minutes from downtown.

Pros

Direct access to Interstate 55
Prices averaging lower than downtown and the airport area

Cons

Area of hotels and businesses only along the highway, nothing on foot in the evening
A car is needed even for downtown, 10-15 minutes away

Recommended hotels in this area

Drury Inn & Suites Springfield, IL: On Dirksen Parkway near Interstate 72, with breakfast and an evening reception included every day.
Comfort Inn & Suites Springfield I-55: A heated indoor pool open all year round and a hot breakfast, right at the Interstate 55 exit.

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