Baltimore/Washington Airport (BWI) Flights & Information

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is an international airport located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It’s located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and is one of three major airports that serve the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area. It’s a busy airport with more than 500 flights per day and can be difficult to manage when transiting, but our helpful tips will help make your journey stress-free.

Getting to and from BWI

BWI is located 9 miles from downtown Baltimore and 32 miles from Washington, D.C. Many passengers choose to drive to and from the airport, although there are reasonably good public transportation links, especially the trains.

Public transportation

BWI connects to several public transportation networks, including Amtrak and Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) services. Passengers can take the MTA Light Rail to downtown Baltimore, an easy and quick option in my experience. To access the shared MARC and Amtrak station, hop on one of the shuttles from BWI, which run frequently.

Amtrak is the best way to travel onward to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Wilmington, or Alexandria, while MARC accesses Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and several neighboring counties. Those staying locally in Maryland can take one of the MTA buses, MARC trains, or the MTA Commuter Bus 201, which drops off at the Gaithersburg Park and Ride lot.

Taxis, shuttles, and rideshare services

Shared ride shuttles, including hotel shuttles, and taxis pick up and drop off outside BWI’s main terminal. BayRunner Shuttle is a popular shared ride company in Maryland and a great way to save money if you’re not in a hurry. I recommend a taxi if you’re going to downtown Baltimore and have a lot of luggage, but taking one farther out can add up.

Uber and Lyft both operate out of BWI. Shared ride companies pick up and drop off in the same place on the Departures level between doors 5 and 12. Uber and Lyft are typically less expensive than taxis, I always prefer Amtrak or MARC to get into Washington, D.C. with ease.

Parking at BWI

BWI has several parking options for both passengers and visitors: Hourly Garage, Daily Garage, Express Parking, and Long Term Parking. The cost varies between the lots, so it’s best to select one that fits your budget and timeline.

Short-term parking

The Hourly Garage is available for short-term parking, with both hourly and daily charges. It’s the closest parking option to the terminal and has electric vehicle charging stations. Keep in mind that this is best used for quick drop-offs and pick-ups.

Long-term parking

There are several options for long-term parking, including a daily garage and an uncovered lot called Express Parking, which connects to the terminal via shuttle bus. The most budget-friendly choice is the two Long Term Parking lots, which are slightly farther away from the terminal. These are also accessible by shuttle, but passengers should give themselves extra time when departing. Note that the Express Lot, my pick for the most convenient airport parking, only accepts payment by credit card.

Navigating the terminal and concourses

BWI has one main terminal and five concourses. Four of the concourses are dedicated to domestic flights, while one is an international hub. A, B, and C have one security checkpoint while D and E have a separate one.

The main terminal has two levels. The upper floor houses ticketing and check-in counters, as well as several restaurants and shops. It’s connected to the daily parking garage, making it easy if someone is dropping you off for your flight. On the lower level you’ll find arrivals along with a few cafes and shops.

Concourse A

Concourse A has 11 gates and is connected to B and C on foot. Southwest Airlines operates out of A, which has a broad selection of food, drink, and shopping options. Restaurants include Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Flying Dog Tap House, and Arby’s, and there are also a lot of specialty shops. The McDonalds in the food court between A and B is one of the airport’s only 24-hour eateries, so head there if you have an overnight layover.

There are no lounges in Concourse A or B, but passengers can walk to Concourse C to use the Minute Suites. Minutes Suites is accessible to Priority Pass members and the lounge also sells daypasses. Although it can be tempting to pay for lounge access, there are plenty of decent restaurants at BWI. Instead of spending unnecessary cash, I find a quiet corner in the concourse and hang out there.

Concourse B

Concourse B, which has 15 gates, is also primarily used by Southwest Airlines. It has a good selection of food choices, but less shops than A. However, because Concourses A and B are directly connected post-security it’s easy to take advantage of the stores in both. Most of the restaurants are fast food, including Subway and Cinnabon, so if you prefer a healthier choice I recommend bringing something from home.

Concourse C

Concourse C, which is connected to B after security, has 14 gates. It is used by American Airlines, Bermudair, Contour Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. There are fewer food options in C, although passengers can find popular chains like Einstein Bros Bagels and Qdoba. There are also significantly fewer shops, so I often head to A to buy a souvenir or snack for the plane.

Concourse D

Concourses D and E are separate from the first three concourses, but passengers can move between the two after security. Concourse D is the largest concourse, with 22 gates. Airlines that operate out of D include United, Sun Country Airlines, Spirit, Frontier Airlines, Delta, Avelo, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and Allegiant.

Concourse D has the largest choice of restaurants and shops in the airport, as well as a lounge, The Club at BWI, and fitness center passengers can pay to access. The Club at BWI is available for Priority Pass users and travelers can also buy day passes for specific blocks of time. If you’re going to splurge on a lounge at BWI, splurge here.

Food and drink options in Concourse D include Dunkin Donuts, R&R Seafood Bar, Starbucks, and McDonalds. Like the other concourses, D focuses on fast food chains, so those with specific dietary requirements should bring their own snacks.

Concourse E

Concourse E, BWI’s international concourse, only has five gates and is used by British Airways, Condor, CopaAirlines, Icelandair, and Southwest. There is a Hudson News and Passports, a restaurant, but otherwise passengers should head to over the adjacent Concourse D for food and shopping. It is home to the Chesapeake Club Lounge, available for British Airways elite passengers and OneWorld frequent fliers.

Although Concourse E is small, if you are transiting to or from an international flight it can sometimes be stressful. I always make sure to give myself enough time to head through security into the other concourses when arriving from overseas.

Security and immigration at BWI

Security at BWI can be crowded, especially during holiday periods, so it’s best to give yourself plenty of time to pass the security checkpoints. The airport offers expedited security for passengers who are enrolled in TSA Precheck and CLEAR, which are a good way to get through quicker.

Because BWI is a commuter airport for many passengers, the early morning hours (6-8 a.m.) and the evening hours (3-7 p.m.) tend to be busier. I recommend arriving 20-30 minutes early if you’re flying during those times on a weekday.

BWI is an international hub, with many passengers transiting between the U.S. and Europe via the airport. Even if you are switching planes in Baltimore, all international arrivals have to go through passport control. The airport has Global Entry and all flyers can take advantage of Mobile Passport Control. I always use Global Entry, but U.S. and Canadian passport holders can also breeze through the automated kiosks if they’re not registered for the expedited service.

After passport control and customs, onward travelers will need to re-check any luggage. I’ve found it to be a painless process, but don’t forget to pick up and drop off your bags before heading to your connecting flight.

Airport hotels

There are several hotels located near BWI, many of which can be accessed by shuttle from the main terminal. A few popular options include Hilton BWI Airport, Holiday Inn Baltimore Bwi Airport, and Courtyard Baltimore BWI Airport. Check with the hotel directly to ensure they have a courtesy shuttle.

If you prefer to stay closer to Baltimore, the city’s downtown is a relatively easy drive north on Interstate 95. There are a broad range of hotels in every budget, from the high-end Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore to the more affordable Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore Inner Harbor.