A guide to Bradley International Airport (BDL)
Quick insights
- Bradley International Airport (BDL) serves Hartford, CT and is one of the largest airports in New England.
- It has two terminals with Terminal A housing all departures and most arrivals.
- There are options for garage, long-term and economy parking.
Bradley International Airport is approximately halfway between Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA. The airport has dozens of non-stop, daily flights and a limited number of international flights to countries like Ireland, Canada and Mexico.
Read on for more information about navigating to, from and around BDL.
Navigating to and from BDL
The airport is accessible via a few major highways and is located off Exit 40 on I-91. Transportation options to and from BDL may include:
- Public transportation: The Bradley Flyer bus service connects the airport to downtown Hartford. It typically operates every 40 minutes most days of the week.
- Rental cars: Airport rental companies are located inside of the ground transportation center adjacent to Terminal A. An airport shuttle connects passengers from Terminal B to the main terminal for access to the rental car area.
- Rideshare: There is a designated Rideshare pick up area near door 2 on the arrivals level.
Parking at BDL
BDL has a mix of garage parking, long-term parking and economy parking options for travelers. If using long-term or economy lots, you may want to factor in additional time for shuttle transport to Terminal A.
The airport website displays the cost and availability of parkingOpens overlay. Parking reservations through the airport cannot be made ahead of time, but digital message boards are on-site to direct passengers to open lots upon arriving at the airport.
There is a complimentary cell phone waiting lot that is located only minutes from the main terminal. Electric vehicle charging stations are available at the cell phone lot.
BDL terminals and map
BDL has two main terminals: Terminal A and the International Arrivals Building, also known as Terminal B.
Terminal A services most of BDL’s flights. The International Arrivals Building is used for processing passengers arriving from international destinations, although some international flights arrive in Terminal A.
The BDL website includes the most up-to-date terminal informationOpens overlay, as well as the location of shopping, dining and services throughout BDL.
Security at BDL
Security checkpoints at BDL are in Terminal A, just before passengers enter the gate areas. Security screening and wait times can vary depending on the time of day and the season.
Airport officials generally recommend that travelers arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. The busiest travel times at BDL tend to be between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m., so you may want to arrive at the airport early if you’re flying out during those times.
Getting through airport security faster
Customs and TSA wait times may vary, but there are Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) that may help expedite the security and passport screening processes.
TSA PreCheck® enables members to use designated lanes at airport security checkpoints at many U.S. airports, including BDL. Passengers in those lanes typically do not need to remove light jackets, shoes, belts or jewelry during screening.
Global Entry enables members to bypass the standard customs line and, when available, to use a designated kiosk to scan their passport, provide fingerprints and complete a customs declaration. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits.
Some credit cards offer reimbursement for TTP application fees when the cardmember uses their eligible card to pay the fee.
Things to do at BDL
BDL offers amenities to help make the travel experience more enjoyable and comfortable for passengers. Here are some things travelers may enjoy while waiting for their flight:
- Art: The airport hosts rotating art exhibits featuring local artists, providing a cultural experience for travelers.
- Music: There are regular live music performances at the airport that showcase a variety of local musicians.
- Bradley Buddies: Therapy dogs may be on hand at BDL to make your trip more enjoyable thanks to the Bradley Buddies program.
- New England Air Museum: If you have a little more time at the airport, the New England Air Museum is located nearby. It showcases aviation history and interactive exhibits and can be a great stop if you have a long layover and some time to explore outside the airport.
Dining and shopping
There are a variety of dining options at BDL, including a mix of grab-and-go, sit-down and fast-food restaurants. BDL Market allows travelers to pre-order and pick up food from several airport restaurants.
Shops at BDL offer travel items, food, gifts and items from local artisans. For international travelers, there is a duty-free shop located near Gate 8 in Terminal A.
In summary
BDL offers dozens of domestic and international flights every day. The airport, which is located in Hartford, CT but a short drive from Springfield, MA, has several parking options and a cell phone waiting lot.
BDL is typically busiest between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m., so you may want to arrive at the airport early if your flight is departing during those times. It's generally recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights. Security checkpoints are located in Terminal A, just before entering the gate areas.
