City guides United States of America Maryland
Getting Around
Most visitors to Baltimore will head for the compact Inner Harbour and downtown areas, which are easy to navigate on foot or by public transport. Water taxis act like a bus service and are a cheap and convenient way to get around the Inner Harbour, connecting many attractions as well as other districts.
The inexpensive bus network connects all parts of the city and provides an easy way of getting around, although transfers are often necessary. The metro and light rail systems provide limited coverage, mainly aimed at commuters. Taxis are usually ordered by phone, but they can be found at taxi ranks or hailed on the street; Uber is also an option.
Driving in central Baltimore is unnecessary and not recommended due to difficult and expensive parking, but the layout is fairly easy and congestion limited to rush hour. The recommended option for visitors is the Charm City Circulator, which provides a free daily bus service to Baltimore's most popular areas.
Airports
Baltimore-Washington Airport
The airport is situated 10 miles (16km) south of Baltimore and 30 miles (48km) north of Washington.
Baltimore-Washington Airport (BWI)
Location
The airport is situated 10 miles (16km) south of Baltimore and 30 miles (48km) north of Washington.Getting to the city
The MARC train station services both central Baltimore and Washington, D.C., connected to the terminal via shuttle buses. A light rail service is also available to downtown Baltimore, Timonium, and Hunt Valley. The BWI Marshall Light Rail Station is located immediately outside the lower level of the terminal building, adjacent to Concourse E.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has a bus service to the Greenbelt Metro Station, which connects to metro stations throughout Washington, D.C., Virginia, Montgomery, and Prince Georges Counties. There are two WMATA Bus Stops. One is located on the lower level of the International Concourse and the other stop is located on the lower level of Concourse A/B.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4, from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).Car rental
Car rental companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, Alamo, Enterprise, Nextcar, Payless, and Thrifty.
Airport Taxis
The taxi stand, BWI Airport Taxi, is located just outside of the baggage claim area of the lower level of the terminal. The journey to Baltimore takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes while the journey to Washington, D.C., will take around 45 minutes.
Transfer between terminals
There are five concourses (A to E) within the large terminal building. All concourses are connected in the terminal by walkways, but time should be allowed in order to transfer from one concourse to another when catching a flight.
Facilities
There are restaurants, bars, shops, duty-free, and ATMs throughout the airport. Other facilities include currency exchange desks, postal services, a meditation room, and the historical Benson Hammond House. Facilities for the disabled are good.
Parking
Short- and long-term parking is available at the airport. Long-term lots are served by shuttles.