Lower Hutt is easily reached from Wellington by train on the Hutt Valley Line. Services run frequently throughout the day from Wellington Railway Station, taking about 20 minutes to Lower Hutt Central (Waterloo station). Trains continue north to Upper Hutt. The Melling Line is a short branch that terminates at Melling station near the civic centre.
By car, Lower Hutt is about 15 kilometres northeast of Wellington via State Highway 2 through the Ngauranga Gorge. The drive takes 15–30 minutes depending on traffic. There are bus services from Wellington as well, operated by Metlink.