This page has been written for people in the Pioneer Valley who are interested traveling to/from Bradley International Airport (BDL) on public transit.
If you wish to use public transit to reach Bradley from points within Connecticut, please visit the Public Transit page on the Bradley Airport website.
On August 22nd, 2021, the Connecticut Department of Transportation inaugurated its new CTtransit Route 24 bus service between the Windsor Locks CT train station and Bradley International Airport.
This new bus route makes it possible — for the first time in many years — to use public transit to reach Bradley Airport from the Pioneer Valley region of western Massachusetts.
On this page we’ve outlined the available public transit options for travel to Bradley Airport from our region, how to get tickets, and what it costs to travel to the airport from our region.
How to finding a public transit connection to Bradley
The easiest way to find a way to Bradley Airport using public transportation is with Google Maps.
As example, here’s what Google Maps shows for early morning departures from Northampton to Bradley Airport.
For help finding transit connections on Google Maps click on this link.
Step-by-Step guides
Traveling to Bradley by public transit
- Plan your journey to Bradley Airport using Google Maps.
- Take the train to Windsor Locks (the first stop after Springfield)
- Step off the train and look for the CTtransit Route 24 bus, which should be waiting at the station
- Step on the bus and pay the fare of $1.75 (using $1 bills and/or coins)
- Enjoy the 13 minute ride to the airport
Important Notes
CTtransit Route 24 (between Windsor Locks station and Bradley) only operates on weekdays at the moment.
Route 24 buses will hold at the station in Windsor Locks for up to 10 minutes for late arriving trains.
The southbound Valley Flyer, Vermonter and Hartford Line trains arrive in Windsor Locks in time to make the bus connection over 95% of the time. If for some reason you miss the bus connection you will need to contact Uber, Lyft or a taxi to get to the airport. (The taxi fare between the station and the airport is about $16.)
Returning home from Bradley Airport by public transit
1. Plan your journey home from Bradley Airport using Google Maps.
2. Upon arrival proceed to the lower level/baggage claim.
3. Collect your bags and exit the terminal through doorway 4.
4. Proceed to the CTtransit bus stop, which in on the outer roadway on your right as you exit the terminal.
5. Step on the CTtransit Route 24 bus (Be sure that the destination sign on the bus reads “24 Windsor Locks RR Stn“)
6. The fare is $1.75 (only $1 bills and/or coins are accepted), however, currently the service is being provided free of charge until November 30, 2022
7. Enjoy the 12 minute ride to to train station.
8. Board the northbound Amtrak or CTrail train at Windsor Locks.
Important Note
Keep in mind that if you are taking an Amtrak train at Windsor Locks you will need to purchase your ticket before you board the train.
The options for traveling to/from Bradley Airport
If you coming from . . .
Greenfield
Take an Amtrak train to Windsor Locks and transfer to the CTtransit Route 24 bus to Bradley.
Holyoke
Option 1: Take an Amtrak train to Windsor Locks and transfer to the CTtransit Route 24 bus to Bradley.
Option 2: Take a PVTA bus to Springfield Union Station, then take a Hartford Line train to Windsor Locks and transfer to the CTtransit Route 24 bus to Bradley.
Northampton
Option 1: Take an Amtrak train to Windsor Locks and transfer to the CTtransit Route 24 bus to Bradley.
Option 2: Take a PVTA Route G73E express bus to Springfield Union Station, and then take a Hartford Line train to Windsor Locks and transfer to CTtransit Route 24 bus to Bradley.
Springfield
Take a Hartford Line train to Windsor Locks and transfer to CTtransit Route 24 bus to Bradley.
A schedule that shows the trains/bus combinations for travel to/from Bradley can be found on this link:
Amtrak Valley Flyer and Vermonter Timetable
Important notes
The CTtransit Route 24 bus only operates on weekdays at the moment.
How to purchase a train ticket to/from Windsor Locks
There are a couple of options for purchasing you train ticket for this journey.
For travel between:
Greenfield, Holyoke or Northampton and Windsor Locks station
Option 1: Purchase a ticket using the Amtrak app
Option 2: Purchase a ticket using the Amtrak website
Option 3: Purchase a ticket by calling Amtrak on 1-800-USA-Rail
For travel between:
Springfield and Windsor Locks station
Option 1: Purchase a ticket using the Amtrak app
Option 2: Purchase a ticket using the CTrail eTix app
Option 3: Purchase a ticket from at the Hartford Line ticket vending machine at either Springfield Union Station or Windsor Locks station.
Train and bus fares
Sample train fares to/from Windsor Locks
Amtrak
Greenfield to/from Windsor Locks – $20
Northampton to/from Windsor Locks – $15
Holyoke to/from Windsor Locks – $14
Lower fares are available if you purchase your ticket more than 14 days in advance.
Hartford Line (Amtrak or CTrail trains)
Springfield to/from Windsor Locks – $4
Sample bus fares
CTtransit Route 24 — $1.75 ($1 bills or coins)
PVTA – $1.50 ($1 bills or coins)
Comparable costs
The cost to drive to Bradley
The cost to drive your vehicle to Bradley from Northampton (as example) is $25
This cost was calculated using a distance of 40 miles and the standard mileage rate (for 2023) of $0.635/mile.
The cost to park at Bradley
The cost to use Uber to get home from Bradley
The estimated UberX rate between Bradley and Northampton (as example) is $62. The peak UberX rate for this journey has been reported to be as high as $160.
Printable schedules
CTtransit Route 24 bus information
PVTA Route G73E (PDF)
Express bus between Northampton and Springfield Union Station
Valley Flyer & Vermonter schedule
See also
Further information
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA)
Page last updated: January 8, 2024
Page last reviewed: September 12, 2021