# Bradley International Airport (BDL)

> Hartford, US · 16 mi (26 km) north of downtown Hartford

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/bdl
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/bdl.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: BDL
- **ICAO**: KBDL
- **Timezone**: America/New_York
- **Runways**: 2
- **Terminals**: 2
- **Passengers**: 4.3M/yr
- **Official site**: https://bradleyairport.com

## Overview

## Welcome

Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford truly punches above its weight for a mid-sized airport in New England. Known for its calm environment and efficient operations, Bradley is a haven for travelers seeking a pleasant travel experience without the overwhelming crowds of larger airports. The airport’s celebrated craft beer presence and new consolidated rental car and ground transportation center make arriving and departing feel closer to a big hub, but with the simplicity of a smaller airport. Travelers enjoy the ability to "park, walk, and board" with ease, often arriving later than they would at Boston's Logan or New York's airports and still making their flights.

## At a glance

Serving approximately 4.3 million passengers per year, Bradley International Airport is conveniently located 16 miles north of downtown Hartford. With two runways and terminals A and B, the airport facilitates both domestic and international travel. Terminal A hosts major U.S. carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue, while Terminal B, or the International Arrivals Building, sees flights from airlines such as Air Canada and Aer Lingus.

## Terminals & layout

Bradley's compact layout makes navigation straightforward. Terminal A houses 30 gates and caters predominantly to domestic flights. It is home to noteworthy spots like Starbucks and the CT River Landing. Terminal B handles international flights and travelers suggest making use of the Ground Transportation Center for easy transitions between modes of transport. The airport's design keeps gate changes manageable, avoiding the lengthy treks found at larger airports.

## Getting to and from the city

Travelers have a variety of options when it comes to getting to and from Bradley International Airport. Local buses like CTtransit Routes 30 and 24 connect the airport to Hartford with fares of $1.75, taking approximately 30 to 40 minutes. For those coming from New Haven, the Amtrak Hartford Line is available, offering roughly 40-minute services with typical one-way fares ranging from $4 to $8. Ridesharers can use Uber or Lyft, with a standard ride taking about 20 to 25 minutes and costing around $20 to $30, depending on traffic and surge pricing.

## Traveller essentials

Essential services are available for travelers. The Paradise Avanti Market in the landside lobby operates 24/7, providing crucial supplies even during late-night arrivals. Parking options include valet service, two economy lots, and EV charging points. Be aware that during peak travel times, these facilities can fill up quickly, so pre-booking is recommended.

## Dining & shopping highlights

The airport offers a solid selection of eateries and shops to keep travelers satisfied. Two Roads Tap Room and Urban Lodge offer a fine selection of Connecticut craft beers. Dining options include Tap & Pour and Pizza Vino. For coffee lovers, Dunkin’ and Starbucks locations pepper both landside and airside areas. Shopping is concentrated in New England Travelmart, Springfield Essentials, and iS Duty Free International Shoppes among others, satisfying last-minute travel needs with a New England flair.

## Lounges

Three lounges are available at Bradley International Airport. The Escape Lounge in Terminal A offers a relaxed environment for $45 per entry, while the USO Lounge and Signature Flight Support Lounge provide additional spaces for eligible travelers to unwind.

## Insider tips

- **Time:** Security is usually a breeze; aim to arrive just 60-75 minutes before your domestic flight during off-peak times for a relaxed start to your journey.

- **Local:** Enjoy a local brew at Two Roads Tap Room or Urban Lodge when you have some spare time; it beats generic airport bars by focusing on Connecticut craft beers.

- **Insider:** The Ground Transportation Center is an efficient hub for rental cars and rideshares—perfect for tight connections.

- **Money:** Economy parking fills up during peak times; consider prebooking or scouting for nearby independent lots to secure a spot.

- **Avoid:** Some food concessions close earlier than expected. If flying late, hit Paradies Avanti Market in the landside lobby, open around the clock.

- **Quiet:** For a peaceful work environment, head towards the charging stations near Gates 21–30 for better access to outlets and a quieter atmosphere.

- **Time:** Early risers can beat the lines by grabbing a coffee at the landside Dunkin’, opening at 3:45 a.m., before security lines build up airside.

- **Local:** Discover New England-centric snacks and sandwiches at Nutmeg Provisions near Gates 1-12 for a distinctly regional taste.

## Terminals (2)

- **Terminal A** — 30 gates · American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines
- **Terminal B (International Arrivals Building)** — Air Canada, Aer Lingus

## Dining (15)

- **Auntie Anne's / Carvel**
- **Beercode Kitchen & Bar**
- **Charter House**
- **CT River Landing**
- **Dunkin'**
- **First Class Deli**
- **New England Travelmart**
- **Nutmeg Provisions**
- **Pizza Vino**
- **Putnam Tavern**
- **Samuel Adams Brewhouse**
- **Starbucks**
- **Tap & Pour**
- **Two Roads Tap Room**
- **Urban Lodge**

## Lounges (3)

- **Escape Lounge** — A · Airside, common‑use · $45
- **Signature Flight Support Lounge** — FBO, private aviation · /research-explicit statement not found/
- **USO Lounge** — Landside, military · /research-explicit statement not found/

## Shops (15)

- **CNBC** — single-terminal airport
- **Convenience Market** — single-terminal airport
- **CT River Landing Retail** — single-terminal airport
- **Farmington Bank ATM Center** — single-terminal airport
- **Gift Shop** — single-terminal airport
- **Hudson** — single-terminal airport
- **InMotion Entertainment** — single-terminal airport
- **iS Duty Free International Shoppes** — single-terminal airport
- **New England Travelmart** — single-terminal airport
- **Paradies Avanti Market** — single-terminal airport
- **Relay** — single-terminal airport
- **Specialty Retail Kiosk** — single-terminal airport
- **Springfield Essentials** — single-terminal airport
- **Travel Essentials Shop** — single-terminal airport
- **Travelmart** — single-terminal airport

## Parking (6)

- **Cell Phone Lot** — Short‑term waiting
- **Economy Lot 1** — Economy parking
- **Economy Lot 2** — Economy parking
- **EV Charging Parking** — Garage EV spaces
- **Parking Garage** — Daily parking
- **Valet Parking** — Covered valet

## Ground transport (10)

- **Amtrak Hartford Line via Windsor Locks** — Train connection · About 30-40 min New Haven–Hartford and 15-20 min Hartford–Windsor Locks by train; plus roughly 10-15 min by car from Windsor Locks station to BDL · $4-8 typical Hartford Line one‑way depending on distance (New Haven – Windsor Locks higher end) · Roughly every 45-90 min during the day; sparser early morning and late night
- **CTfastrak Connection** — Bus rapid transit link · Highly variable; typically 60-90+ min from CTfastrak New Britain to BDL including transfer in Hartford · $1.75 (same local fare; free transfer within fare policy window) · Core CTfastrak routes as often as every 7-10 min at peak; airport‑connecting routes typically every 30-60 min
- **CTtransit Route 24** — Local bus · Roughly 45-60 min between downtown Hartford and BDL on trips that enter the airport · $1.75 · Generally every 30-60 min on weekdays; reduced on weekends
- **CTtransit Route 30** — Local bus · Approximately 30-40 min Hartford Union Station – BDL (per timetable range) · $1.75 · Roughly every 30-60 min depending on time of day
- **Greyhound** — Intercity coach · Hartford–Boston by Greyhound typically 2.5-3 hr scheduled time; add 30-60+ min for the Hartford–BDL leg · Varies widely by route; Hartford–Boston often in the $20-40 range one‑way when booked close‑in · Several buses per day on major corridors like Hartford–NYC and Hartford–Boston, per Greyhound schedules
- **Lyft** — Rideshare · Around 20-25 min BDL–downtown Hartford in normal traffic, similar to Uber · Similar to Uber; user reports suggest roughly $20-30 BDL–West Hartford in normal conditions · On‑demand; typical waits under 10-15 min at BDL per local rider reports
- **Peter Pan Bus Lines** — Intercity coach · Hartford–Boston scheduled about 2.5-3 hr; add 30-60+ min for Hartford–BDL connection · Varies by corridor; Hartford–Boston often around $20-35 one‑way when bought in advance per Peter Pan fare searches · Several departures per day on main routes like Hartford–Boston and Hartford–NYC per posted schedules
- **Rental Car Center Shuttle Walkway** — On‑airport rental car access · User reviews suggest roughly 3-10 min from terminal to rental car center by shuttle or walkway · Varies by rental company and date; no consistent dollar figures in user reviews
- **Taxi Queue** — Metered taxi · Approximately 20-25 min BDL–downtown Hartford in normal traffic, similar to rideshare, per user reports · Yelp review indicates around $35+ tip from BDL to downtown Hartford by metered taxi · Cabs generally waiting at the stand during normal flight banks per multiple Google/Yelp reviews
- **Uber** — Rideshare · About 20-25 min BDL–downtown Hartford in normal traffic according to rider reports · Varies with distance and surge; Reddit reports around $20-30 between BDL and West Hartford under normal conditions · On‑demand; wait times typically under 10-15 min near BDL per Hartford‑area user reports

## Insider tips

- _Time_: Security is usually a breeze; aim to arrive just 60-75 minutes before your domestic flight during off-peak times for a relaxed start to your journey.
- _Local_: Enjoy a local brew at Two Roads Tap Room or Urban Lodge when you have some spare time; it beats generic airport bars by focusing on Connecticut craft beers.
- _Insider_: The Ground Transportation Center is an efficient hub for rental cars and rideshares—perfect for tight connections.
- _Money_: Economy parking fills up during peak times; consider prebooking or scouting for nearby independent lots to secure a spot.
- _Avoid_: Some food concessions close earlier than expected. If flying late, hit Paradies Avanti Market in the landside lobby, open around the clock.
- _Quiet_: For a peaceful work environment, head towards the charging stations near Gates 21–30 for better access to outlets and a quieter atmosphere.
- _Time_: Early risers can beat the lines by grabbing a coffee at the landside Dunkin’, opening at 3:45 a.m., before security lines build up airside.
- _Local_: Discover New England-centric snacks and sandwiches at Nutmeg Provisions near Gates 1-12 for a distinctly regional taste.