Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and a key hub for Southwest Airlines, which exclusively operates from Concourses A and B. Named after Baltimore native Thurgood Marshall, the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice, BWI serves as a vital transportation link for the region.
Quick Facts
- Airport Code: BWI
- Address: 7050 Friendship Rd., Baltimore, MD 21240
- Distance from Downtown Baltimore: ~10 miles (16 km)
- Website: bwiairport.com
- Phone: 410-859-7111
- Passengers Served Annually: 27 million
- Destinations: 80 domestic, 13 international
- Flight Information: Available online for departures and arrivals
- Hot Tip: Use BWI’s online search tool to explore destinations and operating airlines.
Airlines at BWI
BWI hosts a range of airlines across its concourses:
- Concourse A/B: Southwest Airlines
- Concourse C: Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Contour Airlines
- Concourse D: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Boutique Air, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines
- Concourse E: Air Senegal, British Airways, Condor, Icelandair, Play, Southwest Airlines
Terminal Layout
BWI features a single U-shaped terminal with five concourses (A, B, C, D, E) surrounding a central parking garage and ground transportation areas.
- Upper Level: Houses ticketing desks, security checkpoints, and dining options like Sky Azure, which includes an observation gallery. Access is via skywalk bridges from the daily parking garage or escalators/elevators from the lower level. Four security checkpoints serve Concourses A/B/C and D/E (note: A/B/C are not connected airside to D/E).
- Lower Level: Handles arrivals for all concourses, with international arrivals near Concourse E. Features shops, cafes, the USO Lounge, and ground transportation access via an underground tunnel from the hourly parking lot.
Concourse Details
- Concourses A & B: Exclusive to Southwest Airlines, with 16 gates (A1-A16) and 15 gates (B1-B15), respectively. Both offer dining and shopping options.
- Concourse C: 14 gates (C1-C14) serving Southwest, American, and Contour Airlines, with various amenities.
- Concourse D: 22 gates (D1-D5, D7-D8, D10-D16, D20-D26, D29) hosting multiple airlines. Includes The Club at BWI (near gate D10) and a Roam Fitness gym.
- Concourse E: Primary international concourse with 5 gates (E1, E3, E4, E6, E8), serving British Airways, Condor, and others. Features the Chesapeake Club Lounge for Oneworld passengers.
Inter-Terminal Transport
No airside shuttles or trains are available. Passengers walk between the main terminal and concourses. Connections between A/B/C and D/E require re-clearing security. BWI offers two 1-km cardio trails: one spanning the main terminal and another along Concourses A to B.
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Security and Customs
- Security Checkpoints:
- A: 4 a.m.–8 p.m.
- B: 4 a.m.–9:45 p.m.
- C: 4 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
- D/E: 4 a.m.–9:15 p.m.
- Note: Checkpoints A, B, or C may close based on passenger volume.
- TSA PreCheck: Available at B (4 a.m.–9 p.m.) and D/E (4 a.m.–8 p.m.); A and C open as needed.
- Global Entry: Kiosks available; Enrollment Center on lower level of International Terminal (Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m.–3:45 p.m., closed 11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.). Enrollment on Arrival: Mon-Fri, 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
- Mobile Passport: Accepted for U.S. international arrivals.
- CLEAR: Available at all checkpoints (A: 4 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; B, C, D, E: 4 a.m.–9 p.m.).
Lounges
- Chesapeake Club Lounge: Concourse E, upper level (6 p.m.–9 p.m., Oneworld eligible passengers only).
- The Club at BWI: Concourse D, near gate D10 (4:15 a.m.–10:30 p.m., $50 day pass).
- Roam Fitness: Concourse D, near gate D1 (Sun-Fri, 6 a.m.–6 p.m., $25 or free with paid Priority Pass).
- USO Lounge: Main terminal, lower level (6 a.m.–10 p.m., free for eligible military).
Dining and Drinks
BWI offers 60 dining options, including restaurants, cafes, and food stations, with some located outside security at the terminal’s north end. A full list is available on the airport’s website.
Wi-Fi and Charging
- Wi-Fi: Free high-speed access via “_BWI Free WiFi”
- Charging Stations: Free throughout concourses.
Lost and Found
- On Aircraft/Ticketing/Boarding Areas: Contact the airline.
- Security Checkpoints: TSA at 410-689-3620 or lower level opposite door 9.
- Other Areas: Submit a claim at the lost and found office (Concourse C entrance, upper level) or email
Additional Amenities
- Information Desks: Located at International Concourse arrivals, Concourses C and D lower level, Southwest baggage claim, and ticketing areas.
- Children’s Play Area: D/E connector with airplane-themed play equipment.
- Nursing Stations: Mamava units in Concourses A (gate A7), B (gate B2), C (gate C7), D (gate D2), and D/E connector.
- Pet Relief Areas: Outside hourly garage, Concourse C entrance, and D/E connector (inside/outside security).
- Duty-Free: Stores in B/C and D/E connectors.
- Smoking Areas: Outside terminal on center islands (upper/lower levels).
- Meditation Room: Behind Delta ticketing desk (access: 410-859-7736).
- Currency Exchange/ATMs: Upper level near American Airlines ticketing and D/E connector; ATMs throughout.
Transportation Options
- Train:
- Amtrak/MARC: Free shuttle from terminal (lower level, every 10 min, except 1 a.m.–5 a.m. every 25 min) to MARC/Amtrak station for services to Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and beyond.
- MTA Light Rail: Adjacent to Concourse E ($1.90 fare, operates Mon-Fri 4:45 a.m.–12:40 a.m., Sat 5:05 a.m.–12:45 a.m., Sun/holidays 10:35 a.m.–8:40 p.m.).
- Bus:
- MTA ICC Bus (Route 201): To Gaithersburg, Shady Grove Metro, and Arundel Mills (hourly, weekdays 5:05 a.m.–11:05 p.m., weekends 9:05 a.m.–11:05 p.m.).
- MTA Bus: Routes 75 and 107 to Parkway Center, Arundel Mills, and Old Court Metro.
- RTA Route 501/Silver: Columbia Mall to BWI ($2).
- Shuttles: Hotel and off-airport parking shuttles at designated zones (1–4); BayRunner Shuttle to Ocean City and Grantsville.
- Taxis: Stands at doors 5 and 13 (lower level); ~$35 to Baltimore, ~$90 to D.C.
- Ride Services: Uber/Lyft pick-up/drop-off on upper level curbside.
Driving Directions
- From Baltimore: Take MD-295 South, exit to I-195 East, follow to airport.
- From Washington, D.C.: Take US-50 to Baltimore-Washington Parkway, exit to I-195 East, follow to airport.
Parking
- Hourly Garage: $4/hr, $22/day; closest to terminal with smart parking tech.
- Daily Garage: $12/day; shuttles every 8–10 min.
- Express Lot: $10/day; shuttle service from parking bay.
- Long-Term Lots A/B: $8/day; shuttles from MD-162.
- Cell Phone Lot: Free for pick-up (1 hr max, no unattended vehicles).
- Off-Site Parking: Starts at ~$7/day via third-party sites (e.g., airportparkingreservations.com).
- Accessibility: Disabled parking in all lots; shuttles are wheelchair-accessible.
- Contact: 800-468-6294.
Car Rentals
Located at Stoney Run Rd. and New Ridge Rd. (10-min shuttle from terminal). Providers: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, NextCar, Thrifty.
Hotels Near BWI
No on-site hotels, but many 3- to 4-star options within 3 miles, offering free shuttles:
- Aloft BWI (1.2 miles, 3 stars)
- Hilton Baltimore BWI (1.2 miles, 3 stars)
- BWI Airport Marriott (1.4 miles, 3 stars)
- Hyatt Place Baltimore/BWI (2 miles, 3 stars)
- The Westin BWI (2.2 miles, 4 stars, 20,000–30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points/night)
- DoubleTree by Hilton BWI (1.8 miles, 3 stars, 25,000–30,000 Hilton Honors points/night)
- Hyatt Place Baltimore/BWI (2 miles, 3 stars, 3,500–6,500 World of Hyatt points/night)
Final Thoughts
BWI handles over 70% of its traffic through Southwest Airlines, bolstered by a $60 million Concourse A expansion in 2021, adding five gates and new amenities. While no longer ranked among Condé Nast Traveler’s top U.S. airports (last recognized in 2018), BWI remains a preferred choice for its efficient transit, amenities like a 12-mile cycling trail, and observation deck.
