Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

BWI Marshall Airport is about 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and the Inner Harbor, in Anne Arundel County. The drive follows I-295 or I-95 and depends on traffic. The Light RailLink runs from beside Concourse E to downtown, and MARC and Amtrak trains from BWI Rail Station reach Baltimore Penn Station.

BWI is about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of downtown Washington, DC. MARC Penn Line and Amtrak trains run from BWI Rail Station, reached by a free airport shuttle, to Washington Union Station. By road, the trip on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway or I-95 depends heavily on traffic, especially at rush hour.

No. The Washington area has three main airports. BWI, in Maryland, is between Baltimore and Washington. Dulles (IAD) is in Virginia, about 26 miles west of downtown Washington, and Reagan National (DCA) is in Arlington, just across the Potomac from the city. Check the code on your ticket before you travel.

BWI stands for Baltimore/Washington International, the name the airport took in 1973. In 2005 it was renamed Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, after the Baltimore-born Supreme Court justice, so it is also called BWI Marshall. It opened in 1950 as Friendship International Airport.

BWI has one terminal with five concourses, A to E. Southwest uses Concourses A, B and C, most other domestic airlines use Concourse D, and international flights use Concourse E. Check-in and security are on the upper level, and baggage claim for every concourse is on the lower level.

International flights arrive at Concourse E, where you clear US passport control and customs and collect your bags before exiting to the lower level. Visitors need an approved ESTA or a US visa. Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control can shorten the line for eligible travelers.

Southwest Airlines carries most passengers at BWI, with routes across the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. American, Delta, United, Alaska, Frontier, JetBlue, Breeze, Avelo and Sun Country add domestic flights, and British Airways, Icelandair, Copa and BermudAir fly to London, Reykjavík, Panama City and Bermuda.

Yes. A free shuttle runs from the lower level of the terminal to BWI Rail Station about every 10 minutes. From there, MARC Penn Line commuter trains and Amtrak trains run north to Baltimore Penn Station and south to Washington Union Station. Check the timetable, as MARC runs less often on weekends.

Yes. The Baltimore Light RailLink station is beside Concourse E on the lower level, and trains run north through Linthicum to downtown Baltimore and beyond. It is the cheapest way into the city, but it makes many stops, so travelers with heavy luggage often prefer a taxi or a pre-booked car.

Taxi stands are on the Arrivals/Lower Level roadway just outside baggage claim, near Doors 5 and 13, and taxis use the meter. Uber, Lyft and other app-based rides pick up on the Departures/Upper Level, along the outer curb between Doors 5 and 12.

Yes. The Club BWI, near gate D10 in Concourse D, is a shared-use lounge open daily from 4:15 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., for Priority Pass and LoungeKey members and day-pass buyers. The USO International Gateway Lounge, next to Baggage Claim 17 before security, serves eligible military members and their families.

BWI has an Hourly Garage closest to the terminal, a Daily Garage, an Express lot and Long Term Lots A and B, with free courtesy shuttles from the Daily, Express and long-term lots about every 10 to 15 minutes. Parking cannot be reserved in advance, and drivers meeting arrivals can wait in the free Cell Phone Lot.

Yes. BWI Marshall offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal building and on the airport shuttles, and charging points are spread through the concourses. Information desks staffed by the airport's Pathfinders are usually open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. if you need help finding your way.