There are people who ask me every time they plan a trip. They want to know how to get to the airport from Hartford.

I didn't have a clue at first, but now I have a pretty good idea.

Unlike New York or Boston, there isn't a subway that goes directly to the airport.

The closest airport to Hartford is Bradley International Airport (BDL). It's about 15 miles north of downtown Hartford, taking 20 to 30 minutes by car. It's located in Windsor Locks, near the Connecticut-Massachusetts border.

This airport serves the Connecticut and western Massachusetts areas, primarily with domestic flights and some international flights. While it's not large, major airlines like American, Delta, United, and Southwest operate there, making it quite feasible to travel to major cities in the U.S. Just a note! Bradley has shorter security lines compared to JFK or Logan airports, which is a significant advantage for many travelers.

There are also ways to get to the airport without a car. The Bradley Flyer bus service connects downtown Hartford's Union Station directly to Bradley Airport. It's a limited-stop route that takes about 30 minutes, passing through the Connecticut Convention Center.

On weekdays and Saturdays, it runs approximately every 40 minutes, while early mornings, late nights, and Sundays have about a 1-hour interval. While it's convenient to access the airport via public transportation, the schedule isn't very frequent, so you'll need to plan your time carefully. New York's JFK or LaGuardia airports can also be options, taking about 2 hours by car, and shuttle services are available.

Now, let's talk about the train station. Hartford Union Station is a historic train station located right in the city center. From here, you can take the CTrail Hartford Line to New Haven, where you can transfer to Amtrak's Acela or Northeast Regional trains to reach New York Penn Station and Boston South Station.

It takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to get from Hartford to New York, and about 2 hours and 40 minutes to 3 hours to Boston. The Hartford Line connects New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, operated by both Amtrak and CTrail. All trains and stations are wheelchair accessible, making it easy for seniors and those with mobility issues to use.

In summary, Bradley Airport is the most convenient for domestic flights, while trains are competitive for travel to major eastern cities like New York and Boston. However, it's advisable to check train schedules in advance and make reservations, and also to check the Bradley Flyer bus timetable beforehand for smoother airport transfers. Take advantage of Hartford's geographical location between New York and Boston.