BWI, or Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, is one of the major airports serving the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area. The airport was owned and operated by the Maryland Aviation Administration. Southwest Airlines recognized BWI Airport as one of its U.S.-based operating bases.
BWI Airport History
1944 (Before the end of World War II)
The Baltimore Aviation Commission announced that a 2,100-acre (850 ha) tract of land near Linthicum Heights, Maryland, would be the best location to build a new airport that serves the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area.
The site chosen was just a 15-minute drive from Downtown Baltimore.
1946
The State Aviation Commission approved the usage of the Linthicum Heights site.
1950
President Harry S. Truman dedicated this airport, which was named Friendship International Airport, on June 24, 1950.
1959
From May 1959 to June 1959, the airport became Washington, D.C.’s jet airport.
1972
For $36 million, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) purchased Friendship International Airport from the City of Baltimore.
1973
On November 16, 1973, the airport was renamed Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
1980
On April 20, 1980, the International Air Transport Association changed the airport’s IATA code from BAL to BWI.
First half of 1990s
Small passenger jets like the Boeing 737 started using runway 15L/33R as it was extended from 3,199 ft to 5,000 ft.
2000
Ghana Airways started services from BWI to Accra.
2005
The airport was renamed Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
2008
The health magazine named Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport as the second-healthiest airport in the United States.
2018
Constructions for a five-gate expansion of terminal A for Southwest Airlines began in late 2018. Also, it was this year that a new annual record for passenger traffic was set at BWI Marshall Airport. The airport offered services to over 27.1 million passengers in 2018.
2023
Copa Airlines started operating direct flights to Panama City.
Where Is BWI Airport?
BWI Airport is located nine miles south of downtown Baltimore. The exact airport address is 7050 Friendship Rd, Baltimore, MD 21240.
BWI Airport Map
You can go through the BWI Airport map shown below and locate the BWI terminals, parking facilities, public transportation options, and pickup & drop-off locations.
BWI Parking
Finding a parking at BWI Airport, one of the busiest airports in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area is not an easy task. You can find parking spots both onsite and offsite. Various onsite parking options are Hourly Garage, Daily Garage, Express Parking, and Long Term Parking. You can book an offsite parking space through GlobalAirportparking.com.
Public Transportation
Transit
Here are the various transit options to and from BWI Marshall Airport:
Amtrak
Pick-up location: On the lower level, outside of baggage claim at four designated stops
Drop-off location: Near each designated airline check-in counter
Operating hours: Every 10-15 minutes, but it operates every 25 minutes between 1:00 am and 5:00 am.
MTA Light Rail
Location: Adjacent to Concourse E, outside the lower level of the terminal building
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 4:45 am. to 12:40 am.
Saturday: 5:05 am to 12:45 am.
Sunday and Holidays: 10:35 am to 8:40 pm.
MTA MARC Train
Pick-up location: On the lower level, outside of baggage claim at four designated stops
Drop-off location: Near each designated airline check-in counter
Operating Hours: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
MTA Commuter Bus 201
Location: At I-270 and MD 124 in Montgomery County and BWI Marshall Airport
Pick-up location: On the lower level
Drop-off location: On the upper level
Rental Cars
Location: Stoney Run Road and New Ridge Road
Pick-up location (for those arriving on flights): Inner Curb of our Arrivals/Lower Level at Doors 1, 11 and 16
You can catch the airport shuttle to travel between the BWI Airport terminal and the Car Rental Facility.
Shuttles
Pick-up location for hotel shuttles: Zones 1, 3, and 4
Pick-up location for off-airport parking shuttles: Zones 2 and 4
Taxis
Location: Arrivals/Lower Level of the BWI Marshall Airport terminal near Doors 5 and 13
Note: Taxi service is available only for rides from Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
App-Based Ride Services
Pick-up & drop-off location: Outer curb of the Departures/Upper Level between Doors #5-12
These are a few transportation options available at BWI Marshall Airport. You can find even more options.
How to Get to Baltimore/Washington International Airport
From Downtown Baltimore
- Head south on St. Paul St toward E Wilkes Ln and Continue onto Light St
- Use the right two lanes to turn right onto E Conway St
- Turn left onto S Eutaw St and then turn right onto W Lee St
- Again, turn left onto Russell St
- Continue onto MD-295 S
- Use the left lane to merge with I-195 E toward BWI Thurgood Marshall Arpt
- Continue onto Friendship Rd to reach BWI Airport.
From Washington
- Head southeast on Scott Cir NW toward Rhode Island Ave NW
- Exit the roundabout onto Massachusetts Ave NW
- Keep left to stay on Massachusetts Ave NW and then continue onto Mt Vernon Pl NW
- Continue straight onto New York Ave NW
- Use the left two lanes to turn slightly left onto the Balt-Wash Pkwy ramp to Baltimore
- Merge with Baltimore-Washington Pkwy
- Continue onto MD-295 N/Baltimore-Washington Pkwy
- Take the exit onto I-195 E toward BWI Thurgood Marshall Arpt
- Continue onto Friendship Rd to reach BWI Airport.
Amenities
- Animal Relief Areas
- ATM
- Concierge Services
- Charging Stations
- Children’s Play Areas
- Lost & Found
- Lounges
- Nursing Stations
- Skycap services
- Water Bottle Fill Stations
- Wi-Fi
Hotels near BWI Airport
BWI Airport Marriott Baltimore Washington Airport
Address: 1743 W Nursery Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Distance from BWI Airport: 1.7 miles
Aloft BWI Airport
Address: 1741 W Nursery Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Distance from BWI Airport: 1.8 miles
Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
Address: 1739 W Nursery Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Distance from BWI Airport: 1.8 miles
Doubletree BWI Airport Hotel
Address: 890 Elkridge Landing Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Distance from BWI Airport: 1.9 miles
Sheraton Baltimore Washington Airport Hotel
Address: 1100 Old Elkridge Landing Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Distance from BWI Airport: 2.7 miles
Westin BWI Airport
Address: 1110 Old Elkridge Landing Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Distance from BWI Airport: 2.8 miles
Embassy Suites by Hilton Baltimore Airport
Address: 1300 Concourse Dr, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Distance from BWI Airport: 2.7 miles
Red Roof BWI Airport
Address: 827 Elkridge Landing Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Distance from BWI Airport: 1.6 miles
Sleep Inn & Suites BWI Airport
Address: 6055 Belle Grove Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225
Distance from BWI Airport: 3.7 miles
Clarion Hotel BWI Airport Arundel Mills Airport
Address: 7253 Parkway Dr, Hanover, MD 21076
Distance from BWI Airport: 6.7 miles
BWI Airport Lounges
The Club BWI
Location: In Concourse D near Gate 10
Operating Hours: 4:15 am to 10:30 pm.
USO
Location: International Gateway Lounge | Lower Level, International Pier, Beside Baggage Claim 14
Operating Hours: 6:00 am-10:00 pm.
Baltimore Airport Food and Dining
| Concourse | Restaurant |
| A/B |
|
| A |
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| D |
|
| D/E |
|
Baltimore Airport Shops and Stores
| Concourse | Restaurant |
| A/B |
|
| A |
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| A/B/C |
|
| D/E |
|
| D |
|
Accessible Services
- For wheelchair assistance, you should request the airline at the time of reservation.
- If you have already made a reservation and need wheelchair service, you can contact the airline directly before the day of your travel so that they can add the request to your reservation.
- Southwest, Sun Country, and United passengers can contact 410-859-8010, while other airline passengers can contact 410-841-9915.
- TSA Cares is a helpline that offers support to passengers with disabilities, medical conditions, and other special circumstances during the security screening process.
- TSA passenger support specialists offer on-the-spot assistance to passengers who require special accommodation or those who are concerned about the security screening process.
- The airport has lift-equipped buses with drivers who are trained in the operation of the lift equipment.
- Special parking facilities are available for people with disabilities.
Lost and Found
Location: At the exit to Concourse C on the upper level of the terminal
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
(Please note: The office is closed from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm and on all Maryland state holidays)
- Contact the TSA Lost and Found office if you have left your item at the security checkpoint areas.
- For items left on an aircraft or in a ticketing or boarding area, you can contact your airline.
- Contact SP+ Parking if you have left your item at one of the Baltimore/Washington International Airport parking garages or lots.
- For items left in any other areas, you can contact the BWI Airport Lost and Found office by filling out their form.
Airport Check-in Time
To learn about flight check-in times or ticket counter operations, you need to contact your airline. Reach at least two hours before your domestic flight and at least three hours before if it is an international flight.
TSA PreCheck
Locations
(i) Concourse A Checkpoint
Operating Hours: 4:00 am to 8:00 pm.
The TSA Precheck lane opens based on operational needs.
(ii) Concourse B Checkpoint
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
TSA Precheck lane closes at 9:00 pm.
(iii) Concourse C Checkpoint
Operating Hours: 4:00 am to 8:00 pm.
The TSA Precheck lane opens based on operational needs.
(iv) Concourse D/E Checkpoint
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
TSA Precheck lane closes at 9:00 pm.
CLEAR
Locations
(i) Checkpoint A CLEARlane & Enrollment
Operating Hours: 4 am to 7:30 pm (Daily)
(ii) Checkpoint B CLEARlane & Enrollment
Operating Hours: 4 am to 9 pm (Daily)
(iii) Checkpoint C CLEARlane & Enrollment
Operating Hours: 4 am to 9 pm (Daily)
(iv) Checkpoint D/E CLEARlane & Enrollment
Operating Hours: 4 am to 9 pm (Daily)
Global Entry
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that permits expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers once they arrive in the United States. You must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program.
Location of the Enrolment Center: At Concourse E near Door 18 on the lower level of the international terminal
Appointment Only – Hours: Monday – Friday – 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Tourist Destinations Near BWI Airport
Here are some of the tourist destinations near BWI Airport:
- Arundel Mills Mall (5.9 miles)
- Maryland Live Casino (7 miles)
- Horseshoe Casino (8.3 miles)
- M&T Bank Stadium (8.9 miles)
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards (9.2 miles)
- Baltimore Inner Harbor (10.2 miles)
- National Aquarium (10.4 miles)
- Fort McHenry (10.8 miles)
BWI Marshall Airport FAQs
What airport is BWI?
BWI Airport is an international public airport in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Where is BWI Airport?
BWI Airport is located nine miles south of downtown Baltimore. The exact airport address is 7050 Friendship Rd, Baltimore, MD 21240.
What time does BWI open?
BWI Airport is open 24 hours. To learn about flight check-in times or ticket counter operations, you need to contact your airline.
How early to arrive at BWI?
Reach at least two hours before your domestic flight and at least three hours before if it is an international flight.
What are the operating hours of security checkpoints at BWI?
There are four checkpoints. Concourse A Checkpoint operates from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm, Concourse B Checkpoint is open 24 hours, Concourse C Checkpoint operates from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Concourse D/E Checkpoint is open 24 hours.
