Bradley International Airport (BDL) is in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, about 30 minutes from Hartford, and is the closest airport. For BDL airport transportation, you can choose an airport taxi, an authorized rideshare, a CTtransit bus connection, or a rental car.
- Taxi: Pickup is outside Arrivals/Baggage Claim, between doors 2 and 3.
- Rideshare: Uber and Lyft pick up outside door 2.
- Bus: CTtransit Route 30 runs between BDL and downtown Hartford.
- Hotel distance: Bradley Inn is about a 12-minute drive from BDL.
Bradley Airport and Windsor Locks
BDL is located in Windsor Locks, so your arrival starts close to town rather than in downtown Hartford.
Before choosing a ride, consider where you need to go next and whether you have a car arranged. If you’re heading into Hartford, CTtransit Route 30 serves downtown; for a direct ride, taxis and app-based pickups operate at the terminal. The Bradley International Airport arrival guide covers other useful arrival details.
Taxi and Rideshare Options
Taxi and rideshare pickups are both outside the Arrivals/Baggage Claim level, but they use different curb locations. Follow the relevant airport directions after collecting your luggage.
Airport taxi
On-demand and pre-scheduled taxi service is available at BDL. Taxis pick up between exit doors 2 and 3, where an attendant helps manage traffic and taxi placement. The airport provides (860) 627-3128 for scheduling or fare inquiries.
Rideshare apps
The airport identifies Uber and Lyft as the authorized ride-app companies at BDL. Their pickup point is at the curb outside door 2 on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim level, marked “Ride App Pick-up.”
Drivers are stationed near the terminal and, according to the airport, can arrive 3–5 minutes after you request a ride. Check your app for your ride details and pickup instructions.
Shuttles and Public Transport
CTtransit Route 30 connects BDL with downtown Hartford, including the Connecticut Convention Center and Union Station. Board at Terminal A’s baggage claim/Arrivals level, door 6, at the outer curb marked “Local Buses/CTtransit.”
The limited-stop trip to downtown Hartford takes about 30 minutes, and the one-way fare is $1.75. Service runs seven days a week: buses come about every 40 minutes during the day, with roughly hourly service in early morning, late evening and on Sundays. Route 30 serves Hartford, so check the onward connection for your Windsor Locks destination before boarding.
If you have arranged a limousine, book it in advance. The airport says limousine drivers typically greet passengers inside the terminal and escort them to the vehicle. For more local travel context, this guide to getting around Windsor Locks can help you plan the next leg.
Driving from BDL
A rental car gives you a vehicle for the drive from BDL to Windsor Locks. The airport’s Ground Transportation Center is beside Terminal A at 180 Schoephoester Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096, and a sheltered walkway connects it to the terminal; you do not need a shuttle to reach it from Terminal A.
Rental counters are arranged by floor: Avis, Budget and Payless are on floor 2; Enterprise, National and Alamo are on floor 3; Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty are on floor 4. If you arrive at Terminal B, take the shuttle to Terminal A, then go to door 6 on level 2 for the corridor to the center.
If someone is dropping you off to collect a rental car, follow the Departures signs and use the curb near doors 4, 5 or 6, then follow the signs to the Ground Transportation Center. There is no personal-vehicle parking at the rental-car pickup location, so use an airport parking option if you need to leave a car.
Choosing a Transfer for Your Arrival
Choose based on whether you want a direct ride, a lower-cost bus trip toward Hartford, or a rental car for onward travel. For a direct airport-to-hotel trip, a taxi or rideshare avoids changing vehicles; if you’re continuing to downtown Hartford, Route 30 offers a bus connection. A pre-arranged limousine is another direct option.
If you plan to drive, allow time to reach the rental counters and confirm the pickup instructions for your terminal. The Ground Transportation Center also has 830 public parking spaces, more than half covered, with the remaining spaces in surface parking beside the facility.
Check the official site before you go for current pickup, fare and service details from Bradley International Airport and CTtransit.
FAQs
Where do taxis pick up at BDL?
Taxi pickup is outside the Arrivals/Baggage Claim level, between exit doors 2 and 3.
Where is the rideshare pickup at Bradley International Airport?
Uber and Lyft use the curb outside door 2 on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim level, at the “Ride App Pick-up” sign.
Does a bus run from BDL to Hartford?
Yes. CTtransit Route 30 runs between BDL and downtown Hartford, including Union Station and the Connecticut Convention Center.
Can you walk from Terminal A to the rental-car center?
Yes. The Ground Transportation Center is connected to Terminal A by a sheltered walkway, and the airport says a shuttle is not needed.