Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Baltimore Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
I was able to sleep comfortably for 7 hours. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you like to wake up to beautiful sunrises. – luis
BWI Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
What to Expect
Baltimore Airport (code: BWI) consists of a modern, single terminal with five concourses (A-E), though technically Concourses A and B are essentially merged into one as a result of renovations. Passengers can transit freely between Concourse A/B and C, and between Concourses D and E. There are plenty of eateries and shops on the airside, but few on the landside, with Concourse A/B offering the widest variety of dining and shopping options. WiFi is available and mobile charging outlets can be found throughout the airport. For additional comfort, economy class passengers can pay to use one of the private airport lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.
Sleeping in Baltimore Airport
After security checkpoints close for the night, travellers are not allowed to wander between the landside and airside. Travellers report that there is plenty of comfortable seating and private nooks throughout the airport conducive to sleeping. Concourses D and E were mentioned as having lots of padded benches, narrow couches and quiet areas, while Concourse C was cited as having some armrest-free seating. The observation deck was noted for its nighttime darkness, but with frequent overhead announcements consider earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. Explore our guide to sleeping in Baltimore Airport or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips. For uninterrupted sleep, there are several hotels within a quick shuttle ride away. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Good to Know
The airport features a full gym (with showers) airside on the Concourse D and E connector, as well as airside and landside cardio loops inside the terminal, and a 12.5-mile outside trail that snakes around the entire airport.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information. For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Baltimore Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- The Club BWI – This lounge is available to all passengers regardless of class of service or airline. Location: Airside, Concourse D, near gate D10. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
Military Lounges
- USO Lounge – The USO offers a lounge that is free of charge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Lower Level, International Pier, Beside Baggage Claim 14.
Related Pages: Baltimore Airport Lounges
Baltimore Airport Hotels & Sleep Cabins
If sleeping in Baltimore airport sounds like a nightmare, there are sleep cabins inside the terminal and nearby hotels that provide free airport shuttles:
With Covid restrictions constantly changing, we recommend that you confirm shuttle availability prior to booking and/or prior to your arrival.
- Minute Suites – This airside micro-hotel will offer small rooms that can be rented for a few hours or overnight. All standard suites will feature complimentary DirecTV, Netflix and WiFi. A daybed sleeps two comfortably, while up to four people can actually relax in a room. Rates are expensive, so you really have to be desperate for some privacy to want to pay these rates, but here they are (posted as of February 2022): US$ 48 (1 hour) and US$ 12.00 each additional 15 minutes until 2 hours • US$ 96 (2 hours) and US$ 9.50 each additional 15 minutes thereafter • US$ 175 (Overnight – 8 hour hour stay after 8pm). Showers are US$ 30 for 30 minutes or US$ 20 in addition to the suite costs listed above. Pre-covid, when the suites were full, they also rented air mattresses. We have no information about whether this is still available. » Check Rates
- Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport » Check Rates
- Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn BWI Airport » Check Rates
Courtesy phones are located on the lower level near doors 3, 7, 10, 14 and 17. Most hotels have courtesy shuttle service. For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Baltimore Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Baltimore Airport. Connect to the “#MyBWI-Fi” network.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
Art Exhibits – A number of art exhibits and galleries can be found throughout the airport. Locations: Airside, near Gates D-5 • Landside, D/E security checkpoint • Landside, Observation Gallery • Landside, Departures Level, near Door 10 • Landside, Concourse C, near checkpoint C • Landside, behind the Delta Airlines ticket counter • Landside, Skywalk A, overlooking Security Checkpoint A • Landside, near the Concourse C exit • Landside, between American Airlines and the Lost and Found office.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
Baby Care Facilities – Family washrooms can be found throughout the airport on both levels, Landside and Airside. Nursing stations can be found in the following Upper Level Locations: Landside, near entrance to C Gates • Airside at Gates A6, B2, C7, D2 and the D/E Concourse. On the Lower Level, there is one station available by baggage carousel 9.
Banking – M&T Bank offers full-service banking landside near Concourse A.
Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play areas. Locations: Airside, near Gate D11 • Observation Gallery, Landside, just before the B/C security checkpoint.
Currency Exchange – Travelex has two kiosks located landside in the Main Terminal; one near Concourse C and the other near Concourse E.
Duty Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available airside in the B/C Connector (Hours: 6:00AM – 9:00PM) and Concourse E (Hours: 5:00AM – 10:00PM). In addition, retail shops and newsstands (9 Hudson News locations) are available throughout landside and airside areas of the terminal.
Fitness -When your idea of airport exercise doesn’t include tight connections and frantic running to the next gate, enjoy your time at the airport with one of these activities:
- Roam Fitness – Work out using state-of-the-art Technogym cardio equipment or enjoy a guided stretch in the yoga area. Entrance includes complimentary use of lululemon workout gear and Brooks Running shoes, a 15-minute shower reservation, towel service with Malin + Goetz bath products. Snacks and drinks are available for an additional fee. Location: Airside, Concourse D, near Gate D1. Rates: US$ 25 for the day.
- BWI Cardio Trail – When your idea of airport exercise doesn’t include tight connections and frantic running to the next gate, enjoy your time at the airport with a more leisurely stroll or power walk along one of the designated walking paths. Keep your heart healthy and your legs limber with a walk on one of two designated American Heart Association walking paths. Each 1K path will lead you on a different loop around the terminal, taking about 20 minutes of walking to complete. The Terminal Loop is a landside loop that starts on the upper level, in the white tiled floor area before the security checkpoints. The Concourse A/B Loop is an airside loop that starts anywhere along Concourses A or B.
- BWI Hiker – Biker Trail – Fresh air and exercise does a body good! You can access the trail near the light rail station, where a spur of the trail meets the airport terminal. Also near the light rail, is a self-service Zagster bike share stand with 10 reservable bikes for rent, at a rate of $5 for up to 12 hours of use.
Food & Drinks – BWI offers “street pricing” at its food outlets which means passengers won’t see the price gauging that has become common at many airports. Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules, but most are open from 4:30AM – 11:30PM. At the time of this update, McDonald’s is the only 24 hour option. Location: Airside, near Gate A2. Water bottle refilling stations can be found through the concourses.
History & Culture – Learn about the interesting life of America’s first African-American Supreme Court judge at the Thurgood Marshall Tribute, located near the Observation Gallery. If you have an appreciation for historical homes, don’t miss the Greek revival-style Benson-Hammond House. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, you can find this house on airport grounds.
Information Desk – Locations: Upper Ticketing Level, landside, just before Concourse A/B • Upper Ticketing Level, landside, just before Concourse D • Lower Level, landside, Southwest Airlines Baggage Claim 1-5 area • Lower Level of Concourses C and D • International Concourse Arrivals area. Hours: 5:00AM – 9:00PM (Concourse D desk). Hours vary at all other locations.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
Meditation Room – Location: Upper level, near the D/E security checkpoint. Access seems to be limited now, so you will need to call the Landside Operations at 410-859-7736.
Mobile Charging – Mobile Charging is available near the Observation Gallery. A reader let us know that charging ports are available elsewhere in clusters throughout the terminal.
Observation Gallery – Binocular viewers, air and space exhibits, a 28-foot NASA sounding rocket, children’s play area, mobile charging stations, and a youth art gallery are available at the BWI Marshall Observation Gallery. Sky Azure offers bistro fare, beer, wines, and cocktails onsite. The Observation Gallery is open to the public, located on the upper level, just before the B/C security checkpoint. Hours: Open 24 hours. Sky Azure is open from 11:00AM – 9:00PM.
Pet Relief Areas – Two locations: At the end of Airside: Concourse E, lower level, outside Door 19 and Concourse C • Landside, In front of the Hourly Garage.
Postal Services – Drop off your last minute postcards and more at the airport’s Post Office. The UPS Store offers packaging, shipping, notary services, copies, and more. Location: Landside, Upper Level, near Concourse C. Hours: 7:00AM – 8:00PM.
Rest Zones -There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – See Roam Fitness under “Fitness” above.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Spa & Salon Services – Manicures, massages, and other express services are available at Be Relax. Three airside locations: Concourse A/B/C (Hours: 4:30AM – 11:30PM) • Concourse C, Gate C1 (Hours: 4:00AM – 8:45PM) • Concourse D, Gate D22 (Hours: 4:00AM – 8:45PM).
Yoga – See Roam Fitness under “Fitness” above.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Keep in mind that airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the public area of the terminal (landside) you will not be able to get through to the secure area of the terminal (airside) until the morning. The TSA security screening checkpoint hours vary according to location:
- Concourse A: 4:30AM – 9:30PM
- Concourse B: 4:30AM – 9:30PM
- Concourse C: 4:00AM – 9:30PM (Closes at 7:00PM on Saturdays)
- Concourse D: 3:45AM – 9:15PM
- Concourse E (International): 4:00AM – 9:00PM (Closing time varies due to military departures)
Times are subject to change without notice.
Airlines
Baltimore airport is served by the following airlines: Air Canada • Air Senegal • Alaska Airlines • Allegiant Air • American Airlines • Boutique Air • British Airways • Condor • Contour • Delta Air Lines • Frontier • Icelandair • Jetblue • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines • Sun Country Airlines • United Airlines. Note: the airport may be served by additional airlines on a seasonal-only basis.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus
Whether you are looking for a bus into the city and the immediate surrounding areas or are in need of inter-county connections, the airport is well served by buses. To plan your route to the city center/surrounding areas, visit the Maryland Transit Administration website. For inter-county connector information, please visit the MTA website here.
Car Rentals
Car rentals are handled in a separate facility close to BWI airport. The facility is connected to the airport via free shuttle service that departs every 10 minutes from the lower level of the terminal. The following car rental agencies are available onsite: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • NextCar • Sixt • Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: BWI Airport Marriott • Country Inn & Suites by Radisson • Courtyard Baltimore BWI Airport • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel • Embassy Suites by Hilton • Extended Stay America • Hampton Inn Baltimore – Washington International Airport • Hilton Hotel • Hilton Garden Inn • Holiday Inn • Holiday Inn Express Baltimore-BWI Airport West • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Baltimore – BWI Airport North • Homewood Suites by Hilton • Homewood Suites by Hilton Hanover Arundel Mills • Hyatt Place • La Quinta Inn & Suites • Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham • Red Roof PLUS+ • Sheraton Hotel • Sonesta ES Suites • Sonesta Simply Suites • SpringHill Suites • Staybridge Suites • TownePlace Suites • Westin Baltimore Washington Airport – BWI • Wingate by Wyndham.
These shuttles pick up in designated areas near Concourse A (Zone 1), Concourse E (Zone 4) and between Concourse D and E (Zone 3).
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Terminal Shuttles
Courtesy shuttles take passengers to/from various points on airport grounds. There is the Amtrak Shuttle, Parking Shuttle and Rental Car Shuttle. Frequency is 8-10 minutes.
Ride Share Apps
Lyft and Uber service BWI Airport. Pick-up and drop off location is on the Upper Level / Departures.
Shared Ride Shuttles
Bayrunner Shuttle offers shared-ride door-to-door shuttle service between the airport and Maryland’s Eastern and Western shores.
Supreme Airport Shuttle also offers shared-ride, door-to-door shuttle service to and from the airport. Reservations are accepted online, by phone or at the airport service counter.
Taxi
Metered taxis are readily available at the taxi stand located just outside of Baggage Claim, on the lower level of the terminal. Flat rates are prohibited.
Train
BWI Airport is connected to BWI Airport Rail Station via free shuttle service, which departs every 10 minutes (5:00AM – 1:00AM) and every 25 minutes (1:00AM – 5:00AM). Connections to MARC and Amtrak train services are available from the rail station. For more information about routes and schedules, visit the Amtrak web site. Pick-up locations:
From the Amtrak Station: adjacent to the rail station garage, across from the station.
From the Airport: Lower level, across from the rail station.
Light rail service is available between the airport and downtown Baltimore, Timonium and Hunt Valley. One-way fare is $1.60, and the BWI Marshall Light Rail Station is located outside on the lower level of the airport terminal, near Concourse E. For timetables, maps and further information, visit the MTA website.
Last updated: 2023-03-21
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers and their web sites. We are not representatives of any of the above mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.