Hartford Flights

Don't be fooled by Bradley Airport and some hotels calling their location "Hartford." Bradley is actually in Windsor Locks, halfway between Hartford, CT & Springfield, MA, about 20 min. north of Hartford. Many of the hotels in Windsor (between Hartford & Windsor Locks) and Windsor Locks call their location "Hartford." Most of them also have shuttle buses, but just so you're aware you're NOT walking distance to downtown Hartford! (e.g. Cab fare from Bradley to Hartford is $28.)

Also be aware that there are many hotels in the Marriott family in the area, so be sure you know the exact name & location of yours!

One thing about the Beechcraft 1900D is that it has quite a bit of headroom for a small aircraft. The other nice thing about flying a smaller propeller-driven craft is that it flies relatively low. As we approached Hartford, I really enjoyed the view of the rolling forest covered hills dotted with many lakes and rivers. The Connecticut countryside really looked like a lush landscape on a sunny late-afternoon in June!

Had an interesting experience on the way down to Hartford, from Fredericton, NB via Montreal on Air Canada. After arriving in Montreal, I had an almost 4 hour wait for the small twin-prop Beechcraft 1900 aircraft that would take its 20 passengers to Hartford (Bradley International). Suddenly, about 25 minutes before the departure time, the Air Canada rep at the counter announced that the flight was overbooked and he would need 2 passengers to volunteer to take a later flight via Toronto (with a Cad $200 travel voucher as further compensation). He also mentioned that, if there were no volunteers, the flight would be cancelled and we would all have to scramble to re-book whatever we needed! Never being one to sweat the small stuff, I said to myself, let them sort it out - I've already been here for 4 hours! Sure enough, nobody volunteered - so we were told that the flight was cancelled. A few minutes later, a couple stood up to say that they would take the offer - we were airborne again! Nevertheless, I thought that it was quite crude treatment from the airline!

Unlike big city airports in the Northeast, Bradley is easy to locate and easy to access. That's why more and more people who are looking for hassle-free air travel are turning to Bradley International, which is quickly approaching its goal of completing major projects that are part of the $200 million modernization project that began in April 2000.
Bradley lands you in the middle of north central Connecticut, where a full menu of attractions is within easy driving distance. Further proof that Bradley is the ideal gateway to and from anywhere in New England.
It is surrounded by major hotels, all within minutes. Most provide courtesy van service to and from the Airport terminal. Regardless of where you choose to stay, each hotel stands ready to assist you in whatever lodging requirements you may have.
Taxis, rental cars, and limousines are available. There is also local city bus service (CTTransit N3, N5, and Bradley Flyer routes) between the airport and the downtown Hartford bus hub.
Connecticut has venues of every type and size necessary to stage a business meeting or trade event. Adriaen's Landing, a state of the art convention center just 20 minutes away in Hartford, is slated for 2005 completion. Look farther across Connecticut and you'll find world-class casinos, not to mention a variety of towns and cities, each with its own menu of options for hosting gatherings of any size.

The best transportation is by car. Getting around Hartford can be done on foot, as the city is not unmanageable that way, or by car. If you drive, however, and don't like to park on the street, be prepared to PAY for parking
Buses run, but you really don't need them downtown. You can walk easily to most major sites.

Hartford is about halfway inbetween Boston and New York City and is fed by several major highways including the north/south route of I-91 and the east/west route of I-84. I try to avoid I-84 like the plague as it's off and on ramps are so hazardous within the city. Generally I enter the city from Rte 44 which turns into Asylum Avenue and leads to the heart of the city.
Rely on taxi or bus, but even better, drive yourself. It's not a huge city so getting lost isn't too traumatic other than in the area of the city I mentioned in the warnings section of this write-up! There is some sort of method to the madness of traveling there, as there is in any city, but I find it I get lost I get unlost just as easily.

Avoid Rush Hour on I-91 from Exit 34-Exit 20 from 7-9am and I-84 From 4-6pm. Use I-291 from I-84West if looking for a quicker route to Springfield,MA so you avoid the whole I-91-84 merge. Use the Charter Oak Bridge exit CT 15 as a short cut from I-84 west to I-91 South. Avoid Asylum Avenue from 4-6pm in the afternoon on work days the traffic is one way exiting the city.

The main kiosk for getting bus routes & schedules is next to the Old State House on the north side. That general area around the Old State House, the Traveler's tower, and the Gold Building is also a central hub for the buses, where you can probably get your bus to anywhere & where you often have to do any changes between buses.

There is a cab stand right across from the Old State House, and another one at the train/bus station in the block bordered by Asylum St., Spruce St., Church St., & Union Place. It's often easiest to get a cab by calling for one--just ask the front desk at your hotel.

If you're going to drive, & you're here for more than a couple of days, get a map. These old cities' streets aren't neat & straight & laid out on a numbered grid, but developed kind of haphazard. Also watch out for streets that change direction for a few hours during rush hours; there aren't many, the main area that might be confusing at morning rush hour is between the Old State House and the Founders Bridge. Also, don't drive too fast--there are crazy drivers and bad road conditions in Hartford!