A heat transfer recording medium includes a protective layer containing mainly a polyvinylbutyral resin, phenoxy resin, or polyvinylacetal resin, an adhesive layer having a glass transition point Tg1 falling within the range Tg1.ltoreq.T-80.degree. C., an ink image receiving layer/adhesive layer having a glass transition point Tg2 falling within the range 60.degree. C..ltoreq.Tg2.ltoreq.Tg-50.degree. C., and a hot-melt ink image receiving layer/adhesive layer in which a first resin component having a number-average molecular weight of 16,000 or more and a glass transition point of Tg-80.degree. C. or less and a second resin component having a number-average molecular weight of 16,000 or less and a glass transition point of Tg-50.degree. C. or more are mixed at a weight ratio of 1:9 to 5:5.