Terminal AAll commercial airlines
11 Schoephoester Rd, Windsor Locks, CT 06096FAA rank #55 · Medium hub
BDLHartford
Bradley International
Guide reviewed September 1, 2026
The short answer
BDL is easy, but its earliest bank is its busiest. Use two hours instead of the bare 90-minute recommendation for a 4–7:30 AM departure and compare the $7–$12 surface lots.
Arrival planner
When should I be at BDL?
Enter the departure time shown on your ticket.
Recommended airport arrival—:—
Enter your departure time
We’ll work backward from the airport’s recommendation.
90 minutes before departure; use 2 hours during peak periods
This is your airport arrival time—not the time to leave home. Airline check-in and bag-drop cutoffs still apply.
Security peak4–7:30 AM, 3–5:30 PM, Sunday evenings, and holidays
01
Security
What you’re walking into
BDL's expanded main checkpoint handles general screening, while the second checkpoint near the Sheraton hallway serves PreCheck and PreCheck-plus-CLEAR travelers. CLEAR remains available at both.
Check live security wait times before leaving ↗TSA PreCheck● Yes
CLEAR● Yes
Global Entry● Yes
Mobile Passport● No
02
Official parking
What it costs
Economy Lot 4$7/day$42 weekly; shuttle service
Economy Lot 3$8/day$48 weekly; shuttle service
Park & Walk Lot 2$10/dayShort walk to terminal
Express Lot 1$12/day24-hour shuttle
Garage$30/dayCovered and closest
03
Ground transportation
Don’t stand at the wrong curb
Uber and Lyft pick up outside Door 2 on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim level at the signed Ride App curb.
All major rental companies are consolidated in the Ground Transportation Center directly across from Terminal A, within walking distance and without a shuttle.
Commercial airlines use Terminal A; its gate sections connect after security and are walkable.
BDL cell-phone waiting lotFree; less than three minutes from Terminal ABradley International Airport Cell Phone Lot, Light Lane, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
A free attended cell-phone lot is along Light Lane, minutes from the terminal.
04
Airport hotels
Sleep close. Leave the car.
Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport is directly connected to Terminal A by an indoor walkway, making it BDL's true in-airport hotel.
Inside or airport-connected
1 optionsSheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport
Indoor walkway to Terminal A
Find current hotel page ↗Park-and-fly
Confirm terms before bookingSheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport
- Airport ride
- No shuttle needed for the terminal
- Parking
- Select rates may bundle off-site or airport parking; verify the exact package
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bradley Airport
- Airport ride
- Complimentary airport shuttle; confirm current hours
- Parking
- Extended parking requires an eligible park-and-fly rate
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hartford–Bradley Airport
- Airport ride
- Complimentary airport shuttle; verify early and late pickup times
- Parking
- Parking duration is tied to the selected package
Hotel information reviewed September 2, 2026. Confirm current shuttle hours, parking terms, and package availability before booking.
05
Airport essentials
Everything else worth knowing
Free Wi-Fi● Yes
USO lounge● No
Pet relief● Yes
EV chargingCharging is available in selected garage/parking areas; confirm current availability before relying on it.
SmokingSmoking is prohibited inside the terminal.
OvernightBDL is open 24 hours, but checkpoint, concession, and airline-counter hours follow flight activity.
Sources & freshness
Trust the facts. Check the source.
Guide information reviewed September 1, 2026. For today’s operations, rates, and hours, use the live links and official sources below.
BDL security programs↗BDL official parking↗BDL traveler FAQs↗BDL ride-app pickup↗BDL Ground Transportation Center↗