Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Hartford Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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it wasn’t that bad, except the cleaning guy hit me with the vacuum, and claimed that he was only doing his job. – a traveller
BDL Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Hartford Bradley Airport (code: BDL).
What to Expect
Hartford Airport has a mid-size terminal with two concourses, 23 gates, and about two dozen eateries and shops, most of which are on the airside. Almost all services close down at about 8:00 PM, so plan accordingly. WiFi is available, and additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s first-class lounges.
Sleeping in Hartford Airport
After security checkpoints close for the night, all passengers are restricted to the landside areas and must re-clear security the next day when the checkpoints open. Travellers report that airport staff are accommodating to overnight sleepers, that the airport is clean, and that some spots on the landside are conducive to sleeping. In particular, benches and chairs in the carpeted hallway leading to the hotel and some couches in lounge areas near the lower-level baggage claim. While the terminal is quiet at night, the lighting can be bright, so bring eyeshades. For uninterrupted sleep, a hotel is connected to the airport, and others nearby provide free shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Hartford Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours. Most airline counters open between 4:00 AM – 5:00 AM.
Remember that TSA, airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the public area (landside), you cannot get through to the secure area (airside) until the morning.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in Bradley Airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Bradley Airport:
Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport – Located inside the airport. » Check Rates
Hotels near the airport with free shuttles:
- La Quinta Inn Hartford Bradley Airport » Check Rates
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Hartford Bradley Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Hartford Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Escape Lounge – Location: Location: East Concourse, Airside, near Gate 1. Lounge Access: Pay at the door.
Related Pages: Hartford Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us that water bottle refill stations are available near the washrooms on the airside. (September 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the terminal operate on varying schedules, most opening between 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
A reader tells us, “There are charging stations in Terminal A (airside) between some of the seats near the gates.” (June 2022)
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free unlimited WiFi is available at Hartford Bradley Airport. Connect to the “BDL Public” network.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations:
» Landside – Baggage Claim, near Door 3 (opposite Delta Baggage Claim Carousel) • Ticketing Level, near Door 3 (opposite Aer Lingus counter).
» Airside – Three ATMs are located near Gates 1-12 (next to Gate 7, Gineva Murano Glass Jewelry, and CNBC Store / Mother’s Nursing Room), and another is located near Gates 20-30 (next to New England Travel Mart). If you need to convert your cash into a prepaid card for cashless payments, you can use a Ready Credit reverse-ATM machine. Rate: $5.00. Two machines are located near Doors 1 and 4 on the Ticketing Level.
Baby Care Facilities – The Mother’s Nursing Room features comfortable seating, a changing table, a sink and power outlets for breast pumps. Location: airside, next to the CNBC store.
Currency Exchange – Not available.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available at International Shoppes. Location: Airside, Concourse 1-12, near Gates 8. Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM (Mon – Fri) and 11:AM 7:00 PM (Sat-Sun). A small variety of shops is also available to pass the time, with a few options open at 4:00 AM.
Information Desk – Located in the Baggage Claim area. Over 60 volunteers assist with airport directions, public transportation, hotel information and more.
Museum – The New England Air Museum offers Interactive displays for kids and aviation enthusiasts. Location: 11 min taxi/car from the airport
Pet Relief Areas – Three locations: Gates A, near iStore • Lower level, outside Door 1 • Lower level, outside Door 6.
Shoe Shine – Services are available Airside at Gates 20-30.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Bus
Bradley Airport is served by bus route 30-Bradley Flyer, an economical and direct route to downtown Hartford, stopping at the Connecticut Convention Center and Union Station in Hartford. The 30-minute ride costs $1.75 one-way and departs every 40 to 60 minutes, seven days a week. For further information, visit the CTTransit website.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are connected to the airport via free shuttle service: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Candlewood Suites Windsor Locks • Days Inn Windsor Locks at Bradley International Airport • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Hartford – Bradley Airport • Fairfield Inn & Suites Hartford Airport • Hampton Inn Hartford/Airport • Hartford/Windsor Marriott Airport • Hilton Garden Inn Hartford North/Bradley International Airport • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bradley Airport • La Quinta Inn Hartford Bradley Airport • Marriott Hartford/Windsor Airport.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Ride Sharing
Uber and Lyft operate throughout the USA. A ride to the city centre will cost you about $25.
Taxis
Taxis are available 24 hours a day in the ground transportation area. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.