Car | Air | Train | Bus | Ferry | Welcome Centers | Helpful Information
State Agencies | Helpful Associations | Climate | Hostels

Connecticut, southernmost of the six New England states, is easy to reach. Its capital, Hartford, is about 100 miles from either New York City or Boston.

By Car

Interstate 95 runs along Connecticut's Long Island Sound shoreline, providing a direct link to all points in the state, whether you come from New York City, Boston, or Providence.

Interstate 91 heads north from New Haven (I-95 interchange) through Hartford, connecting with I-90 (Mass. Turnpike) north of Springfield, Massachusetts. It continues north through New England to Canada.

Interstate 84 enters Connecticut at Danbury (I-684 interchange) and runs northeast through Hartford to its link with I-90 at Sturbridge, Massachusetts. It also interchanges with I-91 at Hartford.

Interstate 395 enters the northeast corner of Connecticut at Thompson and continues south along the eastern border, and through Norwich until it connects with I-95 in Waterford.

The Merritt Parkway (Connecticut 15) links with New York State's Hutchinson River Parkway at Greenwich; it becomes the Wilbur Cross Parkway near Bridgeport and links with I-91 at Meriden.

By Air

Bradley International Airport at Windsor Locks is served on a daily basis by by the following major airlines: American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, jetBlue (service begins November 2010), Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways; and by the following regional airlines: Air Canada, American Eagle, Continental Express, United Express, US Airways Express.  (860) 292-2000

Groton-New London Airport on the state's southeastern coast is served by charter flights from Columbia Air Service and Lanmar Aviation. (860) 445-8549

Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport is served US Airways Express. (203) 466-8833

Other Major Airports That Service Connecticut

John F. Kennedy International Airport at Jamaica, New York
Served by: Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromar, Aero Mexico, AeroSvit, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Jamaica, Air Malta, Air Plus Comet, Alitalia, Allegro, America West (Domestic), America West (International, Canada & Mexico), American (Domestic & Puerto Rico) , American (International & Caribbean) , American Eagle, ANA (All Nippon), Asiana, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, BWIA , Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Continental, Continental Connection, Continental Express, Corsair (seasonal), Czech Airlines, Delta , Delta Connection, Delta Express, Egyptair, El Al, Finnair, Ghana Airways, Iberia, Icelandair, Japan Airlines, JetBlue, KLM, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Lacsa, LAN Chile, LAN Peru, Lot Polish, Lufthansa, Malev Hungarian, Miami Air (charter)+, Nigeria Airways, North American, Northwest, Olympic, PACE Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Qantas, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Saudi Arabian Airlines (Domestic Flights), Saudi Arabian Airlines (International Flights), Singapore Airlines, Song, South African Airways, Sun Country, TACA International, TACV Cabo Verde, Tarom Romanian, Thai Airways Int'l., Turkish, United Airlines, United Express, Universal, Uzbekistan, VARIG, VG Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, World Airways. (718) 244-4444

La Guardia Airport at Flushing, New York
Served by: Air Canada, Air Tran Airways, American , American Eagle , ATA, Colgan, Comair, Continental, Continental Express, Delta, Delta Connection, Delta Shuttle, Frontier Airlines, Midwest Express, Northwest, Spirit, United, United (to DCA & BOS), United Express, US Airways, US Airways Express, US Airways Shuttle. (718) 533-3400.

Newark Liberty International Airport at Newark, NJ
Served by: Air Canada , Air France, Air India, Air Jamaica, Air Tran Airways, Alaska Airlines, Alitalia, America West, American (Domestic Flights), American (International Flights), ATA (Domestic Flights), ATA (International Flights), British Airways, Casino Express (charter), Continental, Continental (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas Flights), Continental (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas Flights), Continental Express, Czech Airlines, Delta, El Al, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Airways, Hooters Air, Jetsgo, Lot Polish, Lufthansa, Malaysia, Mexicana, Miami Air (Charter)**, Midwest Express, North American, Northwest, Qantas, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Song, Southeast, Swiss International Air Lines, Tap Air Portugal, United (Domestic Flights), United (International Flights), United Express, USA3000, US Airways, US Airways Express, Virgin Atlantic. (973) 961-6000.

T.F. Green Airport at Warwick, Rhode Island
Served by: Air Canada, American Airlines, Cape Air, Continental Airlines/Continental Express , Delta Airlines, Delta Express, Delta Connection, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines/United Airlines Express, USAirways/USAirways Express. (401) 737-8222.

By Train

Metro North - Metro North (New Haven Line) carries passengers between New York City's Grand Central Terminal and New Haven, with connecting service from Stamford to New Canaan, South Norwalk to Danbury, and Bridgeport to Waterbury.

Metro North offers special excursion packages with round-trip rail service from New York City. Getaways include: Mohegan Sun, Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Danbury Railway Museum in Danbury, Sheffield Island Lighthouse tour in Norwalk.  Overnight packages include the Bridgeport Holiday Inn Fishing package, Courtyard by Marriot Stamford Downtown Beach Package, and the Roger Sherman Inn located in New Canaan includes tour of the Philip Johnson Glass House. Tickets are available at Grand Central Terminal, Fordham Station, Harlam-125th Street Station in New York, and all New Haven-line ticket offices. (212) 532-4900 (NY)

Amtrak'sNortheast Corridor runs between Washington D.C’s. Union Station, New York City's Penn Station and Boston, Massachusetts with stops along the shore. It also links, at New Haven, with service to Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts.  Acela Express, Amtrak’s high-speed train, operates, stopping in Stamford and New London. (800) USA RAIL (800-872-7245)

Shore Line East Commuter Rail Service - provides daily, fast and easy access between New Haven, Old Saybrook and New London. Shore Line Express provides service to and from Bridgeport and Stamford, Monday through Friday. Connecting Metro North New Haven line and Amtrak is available at New Haven’s Union Station. (203) 777-7433, (800) 255-7433

By Bus

Regularly scheduled interstate services are provided for most points in Connecticut by Greyhound Bus Line (800) 231-2222, Peter Pan Bus Lines (800) 343-9999 and DATTCO (800) 229-4879.

Connecticut Transit provides services for 26 towns in the Capital Region, (860) 525-9181; Greater New Haven region, (203) 624-0151; Stamford region, (203) 327-7433; I-Bus Express service between Stamford and White Plains, NY, (888) BUS-RIDE (888-287-7433)

Southeast Area Transit provides daily service in the New London County area with 19 fixed service routes within nine towns.  (860) 886-2631

Estuary Transit District provides transportation to Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Killingworth, Essex, Ivoryton, Centerbrook, Chester, Deep River, Lyme, Old Lyme, East Lyme, Niantic and Middletown areas. Departs from the Middletown Area Transit terminal in Middletown. (860) 510-0429

By Ferry

Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Co. Year-round ferry operates daily. Summer season: 6:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., leaving every hour on the half hour. Winter season: 6 a.m.-9 p.m., leaving every 90 minutes. Crossing time approximately 1 hour 15 min. Departs from 330 Water Street Dock in Bridgeport.  (888) 443-3779, (631) 473-0286 (NY)

Chester/Hadlyme Ferry. Selden III, a ferry that crosses the Connecticut River near Gillette Castle State Park, carries 8 to 9 cars per trip. Access from Rte. 148. Apr. 1-Nov. 30, weekdays, 7 a.m.-6:45 p.m.; weekends,10:30-5 p.m.; including holidays except Thanksgiving. (860) 443-3856

Glastonbury/Rocky Hill Ferry, The Rocky Hill ferry has earned a place in history as the nation’s oldest continuously operating ferry service. The Hollister III, an open flatboat is towed across the Connecticut River by the towboat Cumberland.  Access from Rte. 160. May 1-Oct. 31, Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-6:45 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10:30-5, including holidays. (860) 443-3856

New London to Block Island, RI. 160-foot high-speed catamaran passenger ferry. Air conditioned cabins with outdoor seating. Arriving in Old Harbor within walking distance of shops, restaurants, beaches. Departs from 2 Ferry St. May-mid-June and mid-Sept.-Oct. weekends only.  Mid-June-mid-Sept., daily. (860) 444-4624

New London to Montauk, NY. Passenger ferry, Viking Superstar carries foot passengers and bicycles to Montauk, NY. Food service and lounge aboard. Departs from State Pier. Memorial Day-Labor Day, Fri. and Sun.  (631) 668-5700

New London to Orient Point, Long Island, NY. Year-round vehicle and passenger ferries (closed Dec. 25). Hourly service during summer months. Crossing time 1 hour and 20 minutes; eating facilities. High-speed passenger service, 40-minute crossing time. Departs from Ferry St. in New London. (860) 443-5281

WelcomeCenters

Unless otherwise noted, Connecticut Welcome Centers are open daily, year-round.
 

I-95:

• North Stonington (southbound)
• Westbrook (northbound)
• Darien (northbound at McDonald's™)

I-84:

• Willington (westbound)

# = open seasonally

Tourism information is also available at the following privately operated centers:
McDonald's´™ restaurants along I-95 (north/southbound) at Fairfield, Milford, Branford and Madison;
East Lyme Information Center, East Lyme (I-95 Exit 72);
Falls Village Visitor Center (Rte. 126N, off Rte. 7);
45 Pratt St., Hartford (I-84 Main St. Exit, I-91 Exit 32B);
Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford
State Capitol/Legislation Office Building, Hartford (I-84 Exit 48, I-91 Exit 29A);
Visitors Welcome Center in Glastonbury (Rte. 2 Hebron Ave. Exit);
Litchfield Hills Information Center on the Town Green#;
Olde Mistick Village in Mystic (I-95 Exit 90);
117 West Main St., New Britain;
Info New Haven (1000 Chapel St.);
Mathews Park – Gatehouse, Norwalk (I-95 Exit 14N/15S)
Norwich Information Center# (I-395 Exit 80);
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce Information Center# (I-95 Exit 67N/68S);
Southbury (I-84 Exit 14)
Windham/Willimantic Visitors Center, 411 Main St.

Helpful Information

Information listed on www.CTvisit.com has been supplied by the operators. While every effort has been made to assure accuracy, you are encouraged to check details in advance of you visit. Facilities are not inspected by the Commission on Culture & Tourism, nor does listing here constitute the Commission’s endorsement.

State Agencies

Connecticut Commission Culture & Tourism
One Constitution Plaza, 2nd Floor
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 256-2800

Bureau of Parks & Forests
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
(860) 424-3200

CT.gov
The Official State of Connecticut Website

Connecticut Department of Agriculture
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 713-2503, (800) 861-9939

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 270-8000

Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161
(860) 263-5700, (800) 842-8222

Connecticut Department of Transportation
2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT  06131
(860) 594-2000

Helpful Associations

Association of Connecticut Fairs
22 Linda Court
Meriden, CT 06450

Connecticut Campground Owners Association
14 Rumford Street
West Hartford, CT  06107
(860) 521-4704 (fax & phone)

Connecticut Humanities Council
37 Broad Street
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 685-7570

Connecticut Lodging Association
127 Washington Avenue
North Haven, CT 06473
(860) 635-5600

Connecticut Marine Trades Association
20 Plains Road
Essex, CT  06426
(860) 767-2645

Connecticut Restaurant
40 Hungerford Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 287-8008, (800) 382-5619 (in CT)   

Connecticut State Golf Association
35 Cold Spring Road
Rocky Hill, CT  06067
(860) 257-4171

Climate

Despite New England's reputation for rugged climate, Connecticut's weather is relatively mild. In the Hartford area, on average, there are just 19 days a year when the temperature goes above 90°, and only six when it falls to 0° or below. As small as the state is, there is some variation in climate, with temperatures in the northwestern hills occasionally as much as 10° lower than those in the central valley.

Average highs and lows in the Hartford area, by month:

Appreciable precipitation (.01"+) is experienced about 127 days a year, rather evenly divided among the months.

Hostels

American Youth Hostels, Inc. offers low-cost accommodations in Connecticut, identified by the “Hostelling International” logo. For further information, contact Yankee Council AYH, 38 Maple Ave., Windsor, CT 06095. (860) 683-2847.