Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or 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.
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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 Concourses 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.
Sleeping in Baltimore Airport
After security checkpoints close for the night, airside travellers will be sent landside unless they have tickets. Travellers report plenty of seating, though much of it has armrests. Most benches are wooden or metal, so a layer of softness, like a sleep mat or sleeping bag, will help you rest.
Travellers consistently mention several differences between landside and airside experiences. Landside can feel bright, noisy, and cold, with loud music and occasional safety concerns, particularly overnight. Airside generally offers quieter corners, softer flooring, and more comfortable seating options. Here are a few sleep spots that travellers have recommended:
- Concourse C has some armrest-free seating.
- Concourses D and E have padded benches, narrow couches, and quieter corners for some privacy.
- The observation deck isn’t as bright as other areas
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, airside and landside cardio loops and a 12.5-mile outside trail that snakes around the entire airport.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Baltimore Airport Guide.
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.
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.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist; however, informal spots may exist around the terminal. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
Baltimore Airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels & Sleep Pods
If sleeping in Baltimore Airport sounds like a nightmare, there are sleep cabins inside the terminal and nearby hotels that provide free airport shuttles:
Hotels at the airport
Minute Suites – Location: Concourse C (near Gate C3). Minute Suites offers private suites for travellers who need to relax, work, or sleep during a layover or flight delay. Each suite has a daybed that sleeps two, fresh pillows and blankets, smart TV, free Wi-Fi, and an Amazon Alexa to provide a sound-masking system. Here are the rates as of February 2025: US$ 65 per hour. Discounted rates for military/1st responder, crew, and more. Use Promo Code SIASUITES to save 15% off a Suite Rental or Overnight Stay when you book online.
Hotels near the airport
- Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport » Check Rates
- BWI Airport Marriott » Check Rates
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, BWI Airport » Check Rates
- Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore BWI Airport » Check Rates
- Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn BWI Airport » Check Rates
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Baltimore BWI Airport » Check Rates
- Red Roof PLUS+ Baltimore – Washington DC/BWI Airport » Check Rates
- Wingate by Wyndham Baltimore BWI Airport » Check Rates
Most nearby hotels operate courtesy shuttle services. Courtesy phones are located on the lower level near doors 3, 7, 10, 14, and 17. 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 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 using a lounge membership program.
- The Club BWI – Location: Airside, Concourse D, near Gate D10. Hours: 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (USD 50 per person) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs.
Military Lounges
- USO Lounge – Location: Lower Level, International Pier, Beside Baggage Claim 17. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes (quiet areas with recliners for service members). Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Complimentary access exclusively for active duty U.S. military personnel and their families with valid military ID.
Drinking Water
Water bottle refill stations are available throughout the concourses.
Food & Drinks
BWI follows a “street pricing” policy, meaning food and drink prices are intended to match local off-airport pricing. Operating hours vary by location, with most outlets typically open between 4:30 AM and 11:30 PM.
A limited number of locations operate 24 hours, including:
- McDonald’s (Concourse A/B Food Court, Airside, near Gate A2)
- Dunkin’ (Landside, behind the American Airlines ticket counters)
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Luggage storage and lockers are not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Power outlets and USB charging ports are available near the Observation Gallery. Readers also report additional charging clusters located throughout the terminal.
Showers
Showers are not available.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Baltimore Airport. Connect to the “#MyBWI-Fi” network.
Security & Safety
Once checkpoints close late at night, travellers cannot enter areas airside, so you’ll be relegated to the public/landside area until morning.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Baltimore Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
Art Exhibits – Several art exhibits and small galleries are displayed throughout the terminal, both landside and airside. Exhibits rotate and feature local and regional artists.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available in both landside and airside areas. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s policies, especially if travelling internationally.
Baby Care Facilities – Family washrooms are available throughout the terminal. Nursing stations are located in several concourses and near select gates, with one also located near baggage claim. In addition, nursing parents may reserve a complimentary 30-minute session at Minute Suites to nurse or pump in a private, quiet space. See Airport Hotels above for details. See Airport Hotels above.
Banking – M&T Bank operates a full-service branch landside near Concourse A.
Children’s Play Area – Children’s play areas are available landside near the Observation Gallery and airside along the Concourse D/E connector.
Currency Exchange – At one point, two Travelex kiosks were located on the landside near Concourse C and E. If you know, click here to update this guide.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available airside in the B/C Connector and Concourse E. In addition, retail shops and newsstands, including multiple Hudson News locations, are spread throughout the terminal.
Fitness – If you want to stretch your legs between flights, several walking and outdoor options are available:
- BWI Cardio Trail – Designated indoor walking paths landside and airside. 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 – An outdoor trail accessible near the light rail station, with bike rentals available nearby.
History & Culture – Displays near the Observation Gallery highlight the legacy of Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice. A historic house located on airport grounds can also be viewed from outside.
Information Desk – Information desks are available in multiple landside and arrivals areas throughout the terminal.
Meditation Room – A meditation room used to be located on the upper level, near the D/E security checkpoint. If you know, click here to update this guide.
Observation Gallery – The Observation Gallery features aircraft viewing areas, aviation exhibits, a children’s play area, mobile charging stations, and rotating youth art displays. Food and drinks are available from an onsite bistro. The gallery is open to the public and operates 24 hours, though food service hours are limited.
Pet Relief Areas – Pet relief areas are available both airside and outdoors, with multiple locations throughout the terminal.
Postal Services – A public mailbox is available on the upper level near the Observation Gallery.
SIM Cards – A reader reports a SIM card vending machine on the lower level near Door 14, prior to the international area (June 2023).
Spa & Salon Services – Spa and salon services are not available. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Bus
Whether you are looking for a bus into the city and the immediate surrounding areas or need inter-county connections, the airport is well served by buses. Amtrak provides a shuttle service that departs every 15 minutes and connects the Baltimore Airport to MARC/Amtrak station. This shuttle operates 24/7. MTA Bus Services also operates two buses, #75 and #107, connecting the airport to several areas in the city.
Car Rentals
Car rentals are handled in a separate facility close to BWI airport. The facility is connected to the airport via a complimentary shuttle service that departs every ten minutes from the terminal’s lower level. 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 • 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 • Red Roof PLUS+ • Sheraton Hotel • Sonesta ES Suites • Sonesta Simply Suites • Staybridge Suites • TownePlace Suites • Westin Baltimore Washington Airport – BWI.
These shuttles pick up passengers from 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. The pick-up and drop-off location is on the Upper Level / Departures. A ride downtown will cost you from $20 to $30.
Shared Ride Shuttles
Bayrunner Shuttle offers shared-ride door-to-door shuttle service between the airport and Maryland’s Eastern shore and Western mountains.
Taxi
Metered taxis are available at the taxi stand just outside Baggage Claim, on the terminal’s lower level, near doors 5 and 13. Flat rates are prohibited.
Train
BWI Airport is connected to BWI Airport Rail Station via a free shuttle service, which departs every 10/15 minutes 24/7. Connections to MARC and Amtrak train services are available from the rail station. For more information about routes and schedules, visit the Amtrak website. Pick-up locations:
- From the Amtrak Station: adjacent to the rail station garage, across from the station.
- From the Airport: Lower level, four designated spots outside baggage claim.
Light rail service between the airport and downtown Baltimore, Timonium and Hunt Valley is available. 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: 2026-01-20
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is 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 websites. 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.
