Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)

Overview

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is located 30 miles (50km) from Washington DC, and just 10 miles (16km) from Baltimore. The airport is lauded as a stress-free alternative to the far busier Dulles International and Washington National Airports also located in the region. As a major hub for Southwest Airlines, Baltimore/Washington International Airport offers a wide range of options for connecting flights to destinations right across the United States. The airport has been used as a set for several Hollywood films - take a walk around and see if you can recognise any bits of it from movies such as Goldfinger and The Silence of the Lambs.

Location

The airport is situated 10 miles (16km) south of Baltimore and 30 miles (50km) north of Washington.

Getting to the city

The airport train station has trains going to both central Baltimore and Washington DC; the station is connected to the terminal by shuttle buses. A light rail service is also available to downtown Baltimore and Hunt Valley. There are also various bus services to both cities, some dropping off at the central hotels. Taxis are available and cost around $32 to Baltimore and $79 to Washington DC. Shuttle vans and Private cars are available and run by three major companies, namely CityHoppa, Shuttlefare and Super Shuttle.

Time

GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).

Contacts

Tel: +1 410 859 7111.

Car rental

Car rental companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz and National.

Airport Taxis

Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall at the airport and cost around $32 to Baltimore and $79 to Washington DC. The journey to Baltimore takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes while the journey to Washington DC will take around 45 minutes.

Transfer between terminals

Walkways connect the four terminals.

Facilities

There are restaurants, bars, shops, duty-free and ATMs throughout the airport. Other facilities include currency exchange desks, postal services and information help desks. There is a business centre in the International Terminal and fax and Internet facilities at the top of Piers C and D. Facilities for the disabled are good.

Parking

Short- and long-term parking is available at the airport. The Hourly Garage charges $2 for the first 30 minutes, $2 for the next 30 minutes, and then $4 for 2-6 hours, with a daily maximum of $22. The Daily Garage charges $12 per day; the Express Parking area charges $10 per day; and the Long-Term Parking area charges $8 per day.

Departure Tax

None.

Website

www.bwiairport.com

Airlines

Most flights to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport are domestic flights. International flights to BWI Airport include British Airways flights from London, Air Canada flights from Toronto and AirTran flights from the Caribbean. Domestic operators with flights to Baltimore/Washington International Airport include AirTran, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, US Airways and many others.

Internet

Wi-Fi internet access is available in Concourses A-E of the airport, as well as in the Observation Gallery. The service is provided by Boingo, and passengers will have to purchase either a daily or monthly access plan in order to get connected.

Business Lounges

Conference facilities, including a meeting room with a 72-person capacity and an optional catering service, are available within the terminal building. Airline lounges have faxing, printing, internet and other business facilities on-site.

Baltimore-Washington Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.