Skip to content

Baltimore Washington Airport Guide (BWI)

No reviews yet Airport United States
Concourses A–E, Minute Suites, free WiFi, 24-hour food and trains to Baltimore and Washington: everything for a departure, arrival or long layover. Ask a question
Claim Flag
In short

BWI serves both Baltimore, about 14 km away, and Washington, D.C., about 50 km away, from Concourses A to E. The light rail runs to downtown Baltimore, and a free 24-hour shuttle links the terminal with the BWI Rail Station for MARC and Amtrak. It stays open overnight, but once checkpoints close you wait landside. Wi-Fi is free.

By the bookingMentor Travel Desk · Updated · How we research

Whether you have a short connection, an overnight wait or are just passing through, this guide covers the services inside BWI: lounges, WiFi, charging, food, nearby hotels and the trains and light rail into the city.

Please note: Hotels near the airport and car hire on this page can be booked directly on bookingMentor. We list places on merit, and bookings never affect what we say about them.

What to expect

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, near Linthicum Heights, about 14 km (9 miles) south of downtown Baltimore and about 50 km (30 miles) northeast of Washington, D.C. It is run by the Maryland Aviation Administration and is one of Southwest Airlines' biggest operating bases; Southwest carries most of its passengers.

The airport opened in 1950 as Friendship International Airport and took its current name in 2005. It has one terminal with five concourses: A and B for Southwest, C for Southwest, American and BermudAir, D for other domestic airlines and E for international flights.

BWI is open 24 hours but security closes late at night, so overnight travellers stay landside. Free shuttles run around the clock to the BWI Rail Station, with MARC and Amtrak trains to Baltimore and Washington.

From Friendship to BWI Marshall

Planning for a new Baltimore airport began in 1944, and the site near Linthicum Heights was approved in 1946. President Harry S. Truman dedicated Friendship International Airport on 24 June 1950, and Eastern Air Lines started scheduled flights on 23 July 1950. The airport became Baltimore/Washington International in 1973 and it added Thurgood Marshall's name in 2005 to honour the Baltimore-born Supreme Court justice.

Three runways are in use. Runway 10/28 is the longest, at 10,503 ft (3,201 m); 15R/33L is 9,501 ft (2,896 m); and 15L/33R, at 5,000 ft (1,524 m), mainly serves general aviation and smaller airliners.

Passenger numbers and Southwest's dominant share

In 2025 BWI handled 25,215,520 passengers, 6.8 per cent fewer than in 2024. Southwest Airlines carried almost 73 per cent of them between May 2025 and April 2026, and BWI is one of the airline's 13 operating bases in the United States. The terminal has 78 gates across its five concourses.

The A/B Connector, a project of nearly $500 million announced in October 2022, opened on 9 January 2026. It links Concourses A and B, the two piers used by Southwest.

Landside and airside

Throughout this guide, landside is the public area before TSA security: ticketing, baggage claim, the Observation Gallery and the transport pickups. Airside is after security, with the five concourses and the lounges. Late at night checkpoints close and you cannot get airside until morning.

–/5 No reviews yet
Travelled through Baltimore Washington Airport? Your review helps other travellers.

Good to know

  • IATA / ICAOBWI / KBWI
  • Terminals in useConcourses A · B · C · D · E
  • Open24 hours
  • To city centre~14 km
  • Fastest to the cityMARC and Amtrak trains · 10 – 15 min
  • Free WiFiYes
  • Lounges2
  • Left luggageAvailable
About this guide

How we research this airport guide

This guide is written and maintained by the bookingMentor Travel Desk. We check terminal, transport and service details against the airport's own information and the published sources listed here, and update the page when something changes.

Last updated . Prices for lounges, suites and transport are as published by our sources and can change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
Maryland Aviation AdministrationSleeping in AirportsMTA Maryland, MARC and Amtrak travel information

See all 4 sources
  1. Maryland Aviation Administration (BWI) passenger information
  2. Sleeping in Airports: Baltimore guide
  3. MTA Maryland, MARC and Amtrak travel information
  4. Reports from bookingMentor travellers

Flight board

Departures and arrivals listed on bookingMentor for Baltimore Washington Airport.

No departures from BWI are listed yet Search the airlines' fares for your dates instead. Search flights from BWI

Times are from the flights listed on bookingMentor, not a live departure feed. Always confirm with your airline before travelling.

Airlines at this airport

Airlines with scheduled passenger flights at BWI.

Domestic carriers

11 airlines

CHECK ALL

International carriers

4 airlines

CHECK ALL

Airport lounges

BWI has few lounges; one sells walk-in visits.

The Club BWI

Concourse D, near Gate D10 · 4:30–21:00

Pay at the door

Access: Walk-in US$50 per person

USO Lounge

Lower level, International Pier, by Baggage Claim 17 · 6:00–22:00

Rest zone

Access: Free for active-duty US military and families

Water, showers & mobile charging

Drinking water

Water refill stations are spread through the concourses.

Showers

There are no public showers in the terminal. A gym on the Concourse D/E connector has been reported to offer showers airside; check its opening hours and day-pass terms before you rely on it.

Mobile charging

Outlets and USB ports are near the Observation Gallery, with more charging clusters throughout the terminal. The US uses type A and B sockets at 120 V.

Luggage storage & lockers

There is no left luggage or locker service at BWI.

Left luggage rates by bag size
Bag sizeServiceNotes
Lockers and left luggageNot available

WiFi & connectivity

Free WiFi
Yes
Time limit
None advertised
Registration
None
SIM cards
Airport shops

Free WiFi covers the terminal on #MyBWI-Fi.

Food & drinks

Two places are open 24 hours; most other outlets open between 4:30 am and 11:30 pm.

McDonald's
Concourse A/B food court, near Gate A2
Burgers and breakfast
Open 24 hours
Dunkin'
Behind the American Airlines ticket counters
Coffee and doughnuts
Open 24 hours
Other restaurants and cafés
All concourses
A range of outlets
About 4:30–23:30

More airport information

Search for what you need: try "water", "charge", "suite", "rail" or "military".

Car rental shuttleFree, every 10 minutes from the lower level.
ChargingNear the Observation Gallery and in clusters throughout.
Hotel courtesy phonesLower level near doors 3, 7, 10, 14 and 17.
Light rail stationLower level near Concourse E.
Luggage storageNot available at BWI.
Minute SuitesConcourse C near Gate C3.
Observation GalleryOpen 24 hours, with charging.
Rail station shuttleFree, 24/7, every 10–15 minutes from the lower level.
USO LoungeFor US military and families, lower level by Baggage Claim 17.
Water refillThroughout the concourses.
WiFiFree on #MyBWI-Fi.

Airport hours

Terminal
Open 24 hours
Overnight access
Landside only after checkpoints close

The terminal is open 24 hours, but once the checkpoints close late at night you cannot go airside until morning. Most food outlets open between 4:30 am and 11:30 pm.

Arriving and departing, step by step

What happens between the aircraft door and the train, in order, so nothing catches you out.

Arriving

From the plane to the city

  1. 1
    Immigration and customs

    International arrivals at Concourse E (and some D gates) pass US immigration and customs.

  2. 2
    Baggage claim

    Collect your bags on the lower level.

  3. 3
    Ground transport

    The free rail-station shuttle, hotel courtesy phones and the taxi stand are on the lower level; the light rail station is by Concourse E.

  4. 4
    Rideshare

    If you booked a car in an app, go up one floor to meet it rather than waiting at baggage claim.

Departing

From the kerb to the gate

  1. 1
    Check in

    Check in at your airline; Southwest uses Concourses A and B (and C).

  2. 2
    TSA security

    Checkpoints close late at night and reopen in the early morning.

  3. 3
    Concourse

    Walk to your concourse, A to E.

  4. 4
    Gate

    The Club BWI near D10 opens at 4:30 am for early flights.

Getting to & from the airport

BWI sits between Baltimore and Washington. The light rail goes to downtown Baltimore; a free 24-hour shuttle links the terminal with the BWI Rail Station for MARC and Amtrak trains. For downtown Baltimore, the Light RailLink station next to Concourse E is the cheapest option. For Washington, D.C., and Baltimore Penn Station, take the free shuttle bus to the BWI Rail Station, about a mile from the terminal, where MARC Penn Line commuter trains and Amtrak Northeast Corridor and Acela trains run to Washington Union Station and Baltimore Penn Station. With time to wait, the Thomas A. Dixon Jr. Aircraft Observation Area at Friendship Park, opened in the early 1990s, overlooks the approach to runway 33L and has a playground and terrace. It is a good place for children to watch landings.

Car hire

Best for: Baltimore, Washington and Maryland
Book on bookingMentor
ShuttleFree, every 10 min
PickupLower level
BookIn advance

A free shuttle runs to the rental car facility every 10 minutes. Compare and book car hire on bookingMentor.

Book car hire on bookingMentor

MARC and Amtrak trains

Best for: Washington, D.C.
Mid-range
ShuttleFree, 24/7
Every10 – 15 min
StationBWI Rail Station (~1 mile)

Take the free shuttle from outside baggage claim to the BWI Rail Station, served by MARC Penn Line, Amtrak Northeast Corridor and Acela trains to Washington Union Station and Baltimore Penn Station.

Baltimore Light RailLink

Best for: Downtown Baltimore on a budget
Budget
FareUS$1.60
StationLower level, by Concourse E
ToDowntown, Timonium, Hunt Valley

The light rail runs from next to Concourse E to downtown Baltimore and beyond.

Bus

Best for: Local trips
Budget
RoutesMTA 75, 201
Route 201To Shady Grove (Metro)
OperatorMTA Maryland

MTA route 75 serves Patapsco station and Arundel Mills, and route 201 runs to Shady Grove on the Washington Metro.

Taxi

Best for: Late arrivals
Mid-range
FaresMetered only
StandLower level, doors 5 and 13
Availability24 hours

Taxis are metered; flat rates are not allowed.

Ride-hailing

Best for: Downtown Baltimore
Mid-range
Typical fareUS$20 – 30 downtown
PickupUpper level
Availability24 hours

Uber and Lyft pick up on the upper (Departures) level.

Hotel shuttles

Best for: Airport hotel guests
Free
Hotels1.2 – 1.7 miles away
CallCourtesy phones
PickupLower level

Many nearby hotels run free shuttles; call from the courtesy phones near doors 3, 7, 10, 14 and 17.

Security & safety

There are no recent reports of safety incidents, but landside can be noisy, cold and occasionally unsafe overnight, according to travellers.

1Stay near othersRest near other travellers or security staff rather than alone.
2Keep valuables hiddenKeep valuables secured and out of sight, and stay alert.
3Expect an early wake-upSecurity staff make rounds in the early morning in the public area.
4Use metered taxisTake taxis from the stand near doors 5 and 13; they must use the meter.
Pro tip: the Observation Gallery is open all night and darker than the rest of the terminal, the best free place to rest landside.
Contribute:
Be the first to review BWI Airport Flown through recently? Tell other travellers about the queues, lounges, food and how you got into the city.

Visitors are asking

Still looking?

Get an answer from the bookingMentor travel team and travellers who have flown through BWI Airport.

Sleeping at the airport

BWI is open all night, but checkpoints close late and overnight you stay landside, which can be noisy and cold. There are no dedicated rest areas; the 24-hour Observation Gallery is darker than elsewhere, and security staff do early-morning rounds.

Landside sleep spots

LandsideObservation Gallery

Open 24 hours and less bright than other areas.

Airside sleep spots

AirsideConcourse C

Some armrest-free seating.

AirsideConcourses D and E

Padded benches, narrow couches and quieter corners.

AirsideMinute Suites

Private suites with a daybed near Gate C3.

Rest & relaxation zones

There are no dedicated free rest zones or sleeping areas. The Observation Gallery (24 hours, landside) and the padded benches in Concourses D and E are the best free spots. The USO Lounge has recliners in quiet areas for service members only.

Cots for sleeping

BWI does not provide cots. If your flight is cancelled or badly delayed, speak to your airline about a hotel.

Sleep pods, day rooms & transit hotel

When a bench is not enough, these are the paid options: a suite airside, or a hotel with a free shuttle.

Nearest hotel
~1.2 miles (free shuttle)
Sleep cabins & pods
Yes
Day rooms
Yes
Free shuttles
Yes

Minute Suites Airside

Concourse C, near Gate C3

US$65Per hour (Feb 2025)

Private suites rented by the hour or overnight.

Daybed for twoPrivate room

Hotels with free shuttles Landside

Aloft (1.2 mi), Hilton (1.3 mi), Holiday Inn (1.4 mi), BWI Airport Marriott (1.5 mi) and others

Call from the courtesy phones on the lower level near doors 3, 7, 10, 14 and 17.

Free shuttle

Layover sightseeing

With a long layover, downtown Baltimore is a light-rail ride away, and Washington, D.C. is reachable by MARC or Amtrak from the BWI Rail Station. There is no luggage storage, so travel light.

United States

The White House

The White House stands at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, DC, between Lafayette Square to the north and the Ellipse to the south. It has been the hom...

No reviews yet
More info Explore destination

Washington

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument stands near the centre of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the US Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial and east of the Reflect...

No reviews yet
More info

United States

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Museums Monument

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is America's national memorial to the Holocaust, on Raoul Wallenberg Place SW in Washington, DC, just south of the N...

5.0 1 Review
More info Explore destination
CHECK ALL

Layover planner

Tell us how long you have and whether you can leave the secure area.

How long is your layover?

Immigration, security and United States traffic are already factored in.

Popular car hire destinations

Explore more options to hire a car for cheap

Need help?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying through United States.
Checked against the airport's information and the sources listed below.

Getting there

About 14 km (9 miles) south of downtown Baltimore and about 50 km (30 miles) northeast of Washington, D.C.

General