BWI Parking (Baltimore Washington Airport)

Baltimore-Washington Airport parking

Baltimore-Washington Airport Transfers

Guide to Baltimore-Washington Airport

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Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), typically known as simply BWI, BWI Marshall or Baltimore-Washington, is the largest of the area's airports (the others being Ronald Reagan and Washington Dulles), handling almost 25 million passengers a year.

A focus city and hub for Southwest Airlines, BWI also hosts American, British Airways, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit and United, with the most popular destinations being domestic destinations in the south such as Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, whilst international routes are limited to Europe, North America and the Caribbean.

The airport has won a number of awards, ranking as the best airport of its size in the world in the Airports Council International Airport Service Quality Survey, the second-best US airport for food and beverages and the second-healthiest airport in the country.

With rapidly increasing customer demand, Baltimore-Washington is currently undergoing a major improvements program, opening new concourse checkpoints, a new air traffic control tower and modernizing and expanding the terminals by 70,000 square feet (6,500 square meters), aimed at establishing new services to Asia and Europe.

Location of Baltimore-Washington Airport

Situated about 10 miles (15 kilometers) from the center of Baltimore and 30 miles (50 kilometers) from Downtown Washington DC, BWI is well-connected by road via the I-95 to most East Coast cities like Philadelphia, New York and Richmond. An MTA light rail service runs direct to Concourse E from Baltimore and MARC and Amtrak trains run to the nearby BWI Marshall station, which has shuttle bus connections to the airport. Numerous bus services drop off at the airport terminals from across the region provided by RTA, ICC Bus, MTA and WMATA.

History of Baltimore-Washington Airport

The first manned flight in the US occurred over Baltimore in 1784 and the city gained an airport in 1906, but it wasn't until the 1940s that a modern commercial airport was planned; namely, the Friendship National Airport, which eventually opened in 1950. Immediately ready for Jet-Age travel, it quickly built a range of transcontinental routes with major carriers and underwent constant development and expansion into and throughout the 1970s - the airport doubled in size over the course of that decade.

Continually investing in the terminal building, concourses, runways and airport parking, BWI was carrying 20 million people a year by 2000, 70% of which came from the Southwest Airlines hub established there in the early 1990s. It finally gained its full title in 2005, adding Thurgood Marshall's name in honor of the Supreme Court Justice and civil rights activist who hailed from Baltimore.

Airport facilities

Baltimore-Washington Airport hotel and parking

A number of hotels within a 10-mile (16-kilometer) radius of BWI offer further parking options that can often work out well for both convenience and cost. Hotel and parking packages vary greatly, but generally revolve around the idea of up to two weeks of free parking, so long as you spend at least one night at the hotel.

For anyone traveling long distance to get an early morning flight or returning late in need of a break before the drive home, a hotel right next to the airport with a courtesy shuttle bus service is a cost-effective and safe idea.

Accommodations vary from local independent motels and hotels to the mid-range chain hotel brands that you often find close to airports, such as Comfort Inn, Best Western and Ramada, through to some higher-end offerings, such as Sheraton and Westin.

Drop-off and pick-up points for hotel shuttle bus services can be found at several points on the main road running between the main terminal building and the hourly parking garage at the airport itself, so you won't have far to carry your luggage either.

Top things to do in Baltimore-Washington Airport

Exercise

BWI has won a number of awards for its range of healthy eating options and it also encourages exercise as a great way to relax and unwind before or after a flight. The BWI Airport Cardio Trail is a 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) series of signposted walks around the various airport concourses, whilst the BWI Hiker-Biker Trail runs around the perimeter of the airport and offers a bicycle hire service. You can also find a ROAM Fitness gym complete with changing rooms and showers post-security in Concourse D/E, if you feel like a workout during a long connection or flight delay.

BWI Observation Gallery

On the upper level of the terminal building between Concourses B and C is the BWI Observation Gallery, which offers a range of aviation exhibits, a youth art gallery, children's play area, charging stations and a cocktail lounge and bistro. It also features a tribute exhibition to Supreme Court Justice and civil rights activist, Thurgood Marshall, who was from Baltimore. It’s a quiet and comfortable place to spend your time on the landside area of the airport and, what’s more, it’s a great place to keep the kids entertained. The observation area is also reported by many passengers to be a good place to sleep overnight if you're affected by flight delays.

Enjoy outstanding airport food

A regular winner of awards for the quality and diversity of its concessions, BWI Marshall airport contains some highly-rated restaurants and a lot of healthy food options. Obrycki’s Restaurant and Bar is a local brand with exceptional crab dishes loved by food critics and travelers alike, whilst Gachi Sushi Bar is a favorite amongst airline staff – some have claimed it boasts the best sushi in Baltimore. If you’re looking for some classic comfort food from a diverse, vegan-friendly menu, the Silver Diner is the way forward (particularly if you have kids). If you’re after a mix of unusual flavors and healthy options, The Burger Joint is another favorite amongst visitors to BWI.

Relax at the spa

There are three Be Relax spas based at Baltimore-Washington on Concourses A, C and D, offering a range of treatments that can take anything from 10 minutes to an hour. There are table and chair massages of your back, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, face, head and feet, as well as oxygen and aromatherapy and a full range of beauty treatments like manicures, pedicures and facials. Once your body is fully relaxed, you can also head over to the meditation room to clear your mind in the most peaceful space in the whole airport.

Browse the shops

BWI has won awards for its concessions program, including the range of retail shopping available that is continually developed and improved. The best of the shopping is found with the best of the food and drink options on concourses A and B. There's jewelry from Pandora, Swarovski and Fire and Ice, apparel from Johnston and Murphy, Brooks Brothers and Victoria's Secret, as well as holiday essentials like books, sunglasses, duty free and flight entertainment. Some of the more unique stores and products include the hot sauces from Pepper Palace, olive oil from the Maggio Company and Maryland-made sweet treats from Charm City Candy.

Top things to do near Baltimore-Washington Airport

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

A retro-styled yet modern Major League Baseball (MLB) ballpark and home to the Baltimore Orioles, Camden Yards is popular with baseball fans from all over the world for its friendly atmosphere, architecture and superb views (many people insist that there simply are no bad seats anywhere in the stadium). Based close to the city center of Baltimore less than 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Baltimore-Washington Airport, baseball at Camden Yards is more than watching sport; it's a complete experience for the whole family and Baltimore is one of the best places in the country to experience it. You can reach it within 30 minutes via the various ground transport options available in Baltimore.

Fort McHenry National Monument

Fort McHenry holds a special place in American history for defending Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British Navy in 1814. The sight of the garrison flag flying over the fort to signify victory inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that would eventually become Star Spangled Banner, the US national anthem. Set in beautiful parkland overlooking the harbor, the fort includes a highly-praised visitor center that tells the story of the fort and its famous battle and is a great place to soak in some history. Based just beyond the city center traveling from BWI Marshall International, the fort can be reached by car, by bus or by water taxi in as little as 20 minutes.

The Walters Art Museum

Featuring works from ancient Greece, Italy and Egypt, as well as medieval manuscripts and ivories, The Walters offers free entry to take in the permanent collections and occasional special exhibitions in its museum. You can experience bronzes from the Renaissance alongside paintings by European masters, so it’s one for all tastes. Traveling by car from Thurgood Marshall Airport, the Museum is just beyond the city center and can be reached in 20-30 minutes (the same applies to the public transport options as well).

Fell's Point

An ideal option to check out if you only have a short layover or delay, Fell's Point is a waterfront neighborhood packed with coffee shops, restaurants, antique stores, music shops, pubs and a market - all of which are loved by tourists from around the world. Beautiful architecture, great places to eat, friendly people and a vibrant nightlife can all be found right next door to the historic Inner Harbor. It’s another attraction close to the city center that only takes around 30 minutes to reach from Baltimore-Washington International.

National Aquarium Baltimore

A vast aquarium complex in the Inner Harbor neighborhood with over 750 species to see across a range of huge exhibits, the National Aquarium has won a host of awards as one of the country's best aquariums and best places to take the family for a day out. The exhibits replicate habitats such as the open ocean, coral reefs, the Baltimore marine ecosystem, sea cliffs and forest rivers to house everything from sea turtles to reef sharks to puffins. The museum also operates a marine animal rescue program to further research into environmental issues affecting the marine ecosystem and has won several awards for green business practices and sustainability. Located just outside the center of Baltimore, the aquarium is around a 30-minute drive from BWI Airport.

Which terminal?

Getting the right terminal at Baltimore-Washington Marshall Airport is straightforward as there is only one, but it is divided into several concourses labeled A, B, C, D and E, with the various airlines found on the upper level of the terminal. Southwest is the dominant carrier at the airport and mostly utilizes Concourse A/B, but Concourse C does carry a certain number of its flights. Flights with Boutique Air are seasonal, so the concourse varies for arrivals and departures.

The airport has an ambassadors program and translation services to help you find your way around if you need assistance. You can request special assistance before you arrive if, for example, you need a wheelchair during your time there – visit the official website for contact details here.

How to get to Baltimore-Washington Airport

Useful tips

Pick your travel times

Delays are relatively rare at BWI with things running smoothly most of the time, but early mornings are usually the busiest times, so it’s important to factor this into the time you choose to set off for your flight. If you haven’t booked your flight yet, you might find it easier to choose one that departs in the afternoon or evening to avoid queues.

Check your flight times

It's always worth checking your flight times before setting out in case there has been a delay. The BWI website has a live flight tracker so you can easily look up your flight and check departure times.

Travel light if you can

One of the few complaints from regular travelers through BWI concerns lengthy waits for baggage when coming into arrivals. If possible, travel with hand luggage only to avoid unnecessary waiting after your flight.

Avoid the worst security queues

You can't always work around the security lines, but Concourses A, B and C are all connected post-security airside, so if you're flying out of C and it has huge waiting lines, simply head through the checks at Concourse A or B instead to save yourself some time.

Staying the night at BWI

There are plenty of good hotel options nearby and many of them offer shuttle bus services to and from the terminal with a couple of pick-up points just outside, but many travelers report that BWI isn't a bad place for staying the night. There are plenty of comfortable couches and quiet areas to settle down, but keep in mind that airside closes overnight and there are fairly limited 24-hour eating options. The Observation Gallery is often recommended as a good place to sleep.

Picking up your rental car can take a while

Another complaint from frequent travelers is the shuttle bus service to the car rental area of the airport. Whilst renting a car doesn't take any longer than normal, the shuttle buses can be quite irregular and sometimes slow, so don’t count on a fast collection of your vehicle.

Baltimore-Washington Airport FAQs

Does BWI Airport have free WiFi?

Baltimore International has a basic WiFi service available across the entire terminal area, but you're required to watch a short ad each time you want a 45-minute slot of free access. A premium service is available for a small fee with a much higher bandwidth.

How far is Baltimore Airport from DC?

BWI is closest to Baltimore, but very close to Washington DC, too. Taking the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, which is the most direct route from BWI Airport into downtown DC, it is about a 30-mile (50-kilometer) journey that typically takes about 40-50 minutes. Alternative routes are available, such as the I-95 by car, bus or train, but even the quickest journey by public transport takes around 90 minutes, so driving yourself to and from Baltimore-Washington Airport and parking there is often one of the quickest and most convenient options.

What is BWI Airport?

BWI Airport is the same as Baltimore Washington International Airport; the “BWI” is a simple abbreviation of the name. Three-letter codes are assigned to every airport by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to simplify flight schedules, communications and air traffic control systems. Other coding systems are applied by ICAO and the FAA, but follow a similar naming system; KBWI and BWI respectively.

Does Uber pick up at BWI Airport?

There are no issues with using Uber to get to and from the airport; your driver can pick you up at the arrivals area of the terminal.

What time does BWI Airport open?

Baltimore-Washington is open 24-hours, but security and airside are closed overnight, so only the landside public areas can be accessed during the early hours. Visit the airport website for hours of operation of the ticket counters and Concourses at BWI.

Where is the BWI Marshall rail station?

A BWI railway station served by MARC and Amtrak is just outside the airport property to the west, with regular shuttle buses connecting to the terminals within a few minutes. The WMATA rail network is also connected via shuttle bus, but the nearest station is based just outside of Washington DC, so the shuttle service takes around 40 minutes to reach it.