Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Baltimore, United States
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Maryland's busiest airport serving the Baltimore-Washington region.
- ›BWI was originally called Friendship International Airport when it opened in 1950.
- ›The airport was renamed in honor of Thurgood Marshall, Baltimore-born civil rights attorney and first African American Supreme Court Justice, in 2005.
- ›Southwest Airlines accounts for the majority of passenger traffic at BWI, making it one of the airline's most important markets.
- ›BWI is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, roughly 10 miles south of downtown Baltimore and about 30 miles from Washington, D.C.
- ›The airport handled over 26 million passengers in pre-pandemic 2019, ranking it among the top 20 busiest U.S. airports.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, renamed in 2005 to honor the pioneering Supreme Court Justice, has served the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan corridor since 1950. Situated roughly midway between Baltimore and Washington D.C., it functions as a major hub for Southwest Airlines and a competitive alternative to Reagan National and Dulles. Its accessible location, affordable parking, and efficient layout make it a practical gateway for millions of travelers annually.
- Main Terminal (Concourses A–F) — A single interconnected terminal housing all domestic and international gates across six lettered concourses, with Concourse E/F serving international arrivals.
- MARC Penn Line commuter rail to Baltimore Penn Station and Washington Union Station
- Amtrak service from the BWI Rail Station (free shuttle from terminal)
- MTA Maryland bus routes serving Baltimore city
- SuperShuttle and shared-ride van services
- Taxi and rideshare pickup at the lower level
- Car rental center accessible via the free airport shuttle
- Westin Baltimore Washington Airport
- Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
- Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport
- Hampton Inn & Suites Baltimore/BWI Airport
- Sheraton Baltimore Washington Airport Hotel
Inside BWI, travelers will find a solid mix of local Maryland flavor alongside national chains, including Phillips Seafood for regional crab dishes and a variety of fast-casual options spread across all concourses. Landside dining near the ticketing level offers additional choices before security. For a broader dining experience, the nearby Arundel Mills area a few miles from the airport has numerous restaurants and entertainment options.
- Use the free BWI shuttle to reach the MARC/Amtrak rail station — it runs frequently and saves significant time versus road travel to D.C.
- Southwest Airlines dominates BWI, so check their direct booking site for often lower fares not listed on aggregators.
- Allow extra time during peak Maryland summer and holiday travel periods, as the single-terminal layout can get congested at security checkpoints.
- The Cell Phone Lot on the airport grounds is free and a convenient place to wait when picking up arriving passengers.
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Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, commonly referred to as Baltimore/Washington International Airport or simply as BWI Airport, is an international airport in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, located 9 miles south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. The airport is the 7th busiest in the Mid-Atlantic region of North America and is owned by the Maryland Aviation Administration.
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