If you have ever booked a flight to Baltimore or Washington DC, you might see the airport code BWI. Many travelers ask questions such as what airport is BWI, where is BWI airport located and how busy is BWI airport. Especially those travelers who are traveling for the first time with BWI. Understanding a few basic details about this airport before your trip will make your travel easier and stress free.
BWI Airport serves millions of passengers every year and is one of the most important airports in the Mid Atlantic region. It has many terminals, gates and parking areas. Finding your desired terminal and exit gate to reach your destination in the shortest time is very important.
This guide explains everything you need to know about BWI Airport, including its location, airport code, size, parking prices, nearby hotels and travel tips.
What Airport Is BWI and What Does the Code Stand For?
BWI is the airport code for Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. It is one of the three major airports in the Washington DC and Baltimore metropolitan area along with Reagan National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The letter BWI comes from the airport’s location and original name. The B stands for Baltimore, the W stands for Washington and the I stands for International.
This airport was named Baltimore Washington International Airport when it was developed and the IATA code BWI was assigned at that time. In 2005 the airport was officially renamed Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in honor of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice who was born in Baltimore. The code BWI remained unchanged even after the update in name.
What Airport Code Is BWI?
BWI is the official IATA airport code assigned to Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. IATA assigned three letter codes to airports which are used by airlines, travel agencies, flight booking platforms and baggage systems to identify airports. When you book a flight to or from BWI the code tells the airlines and the booking system which airport you mean. It appears on your boarding pass, your luggage tags, and flight tracking apps.
Where Is BWI Airport Located?
BWI Airport is located in the state of Maryland not in Washington DC or Baltimore proper. This is one of the most common confusions that first time travelers face. They assume as the name indicates it must be located in Washington DC or Baltimore.
The airport is located near Linthicum Heights, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The official address is 7050 Friendship Road, Baltimore, MD 21240.
| City | Distance from BWI | Drive Time Off-Peak |
| Baltimore downtown | Approximately 10 miles | 15 to 25 minutes |
| Washington DC downtown | Approximately 30 miles | 35 to 55 minutes |
| Annapolis | Approximately 20 miles | 25 to 35 minutes |
| Northern Virginia (Tysons) | Approximately 45 miles | 55 to 75 minutes |
Where Is BWI Airport in Washington DC?
Technically, BWI is not in Washington DC. It is in Maryland approximately 30 miles northeast of downtown Washington. Many people refer to BWI as a Washington DC airport because it serves the border of the Washington metropolitan area but it is physically located outside the district and outside Virginia in the state of Maryland.
What City Is BWI Airport In?
The airport is technically located in the unincorporated community of Linthicum Heights in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. For addressing and navigation purposes it is typically associated with Baltimore, Maryland. Most of the airlines list BWI as a Baltimore airport. Most mapping travel apps place it within the Baltimore metro area.
How Big Is BWI Airport?
BWI is a large airport comprising over 3,596.3 acres. This airport has one main terminal which is organized into five concourses labeled as A, B, C, D and E. The concourses connect within the secured terminals area.
| Feature | Detail |
| Terminal buildings | 1 main terminal, 5 active concourses |
| Number of gates | Approximately 75 to 85 gates |
| Runways | 4 runways |
| Total airport area | Approximately 3,500 acres |
| Annual passengers | Approximately 25 to 30 million per year |
Is BWI a Big Airport?
BWI is a medium to large regional airport. It is not as large as major hub airports like JFK, LAX, ORD, or ATL. But it handles a large number of passengers, about 27 million passengers per year. This airport is the largest base for Southwest Airlines on the East Coast. Southwest Airlines handles about 70 percent of all passenger traffic at BWI.
This Southwest dominance is the reason why BWI does not have the same extensive premium lounge infrastructure as other airports. It also explains why BWI has a more affordable domestic fare than DCA or IAD. If we compare BWI with other airports it is smaller than Dulles but larger than Reagan National in terms of physical size and passenger volume.
How Busy Is BWI Airport?
BWI is one of the busiest airports on the East Coast for domestic travel. The peak hours are early from 5 AM to 8 AM and from 3 PM to 7 PM. Weekend mornings and Sunday evenings are the busiest periods of the week. Near holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Memorial Day weekend the airport is operating at near its maximum capacity.
How Much Is Parking at BWI Airport?
BWI offers several parking options at different prices.
| Parking Option | Approximate Daily Rate |
| Hourly Garage | $4 to $5 per hour, up to $30+ per day |
| Daily Garage | $17 to $22 per day |
| Express Parking | $22 to $26 per day |
| Economy Parking | $10 to $14 per day |
| Long Term Lot A | $10 per day |
| Long Term Lot B | $10 per day |
Economy and long-term parking options at BWI are the most affordable but require a shuttle ride to the terminal. The shuttle runs regularly but it can add about 10 to 20 minutes to your departure process.
For a five day trip, long term parking at $10 per day costs about $50 and daily garage parking for the same trip would cost around $85 to $110. Many travelers who make frequent trips through BWI prefer a pre-booked car service for their travel as they cost the same as parking but give a comfortable and stress free travel experience.
How Do I Get to BWI Airport?
- By car: From Baltimore, take I-195 West to reach the airport. From Washington DC, take I-95 North or the Baltimore Washington Parkway (MD-295) to I-195. From Annapolis, take US-50 West to MD-665 North.
- By MARC train: MARC Penn Line trains stop at BWI Marshall Rail Station, which is connected to the terminal by a free shuttle bus. The train runs regularly from Washington Union Station and several Maryland stops. This is one of the most convenient public transport options for DC travelers.
- By Amtrak: Amtrak also stops at the BWI Rail Station. This makes BWI accessible from cities along the Northeast Corridor including New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
- By Light Rail: The Baltimore Light Rail system stops at BWI which connects the airport to downtown Baltimore and other points.
- By Rideshare: Uber and Lyft operate at BWI with designated pickup zones on the lower level of the terminal.
- By pre-booked car service: Professional car service provides fixed rate, flight tracked pickup and drop off service at BWI. This is the most reliable transport option for early morning departures, late night arrivals and travelers who prioritize comfort and luxury.
Is there a Hotel Connected to BWI Airport?
There is no hotel directly connected to the BWI terminal by an internal airport like other major hub airports have. However there are several hotels located very close to the airport and offer free shuttle service to and from the terminal.
Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Sheraton are major hotels located near BWI within a short shuttle ride. Most of these hotels run 24-hour shuttles that pick up from a designated ground transportation area on the lower level of the terminal.
Can You Sleep at BWI Airport?
Yes, you can sleep at BWI Airport. The terminal is open 24 hours and does not close between the last flight of the evening and first flight of the morning. Travelers who have very early flights or long layovers sometimes sleep in the terminal seating areas.
The seats in the BWI public area are standard airport seats without passing sleeping cots. If you need to sleep at BWI the food court and gate areas after security have more seating. Bring a travel pillow and an eye mask to make your experience more manageable. For a more comfortable sleep experience, go to the nearby hotels with a 24 hour shuttle. It is a better choice than trying to sleep in the terminal.
BWI vs DCA vs IAD
| Factor | BWI | DCA | IAD |
| Distance from DC downtown | 30 miles | 4 miles | 26 miles |
| Best for | Southwest flights, budget domestic | Quick domestic, close to DC | International, United hub |
| Transit access | MARC train, Light Rail | Metro (Blue/Yellow Line) | Silver Line Metro |
| Parking cost | $10 to $14 per day (economy) | $30 to $40 per day | $10 to $30 per day |
| International flights | Limited | Very limited | Extensive |
BWI Airport Transportation with AA Limousine and Sedan
Getting knowledge about airports not only makes your travel easy but having comfortable and reliable transportation to and from the airport will help a lot in making your travel stress free. AA Limousine and Sedan provides professional airport transportation services throughout Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia.
Once you book our airport transportation service, our team starts monitoring your flight in real time and in case of any change in the flight schedule we update the pickup time automatically. Our team assigns a dedicated chauffeur for your ride, who plans a route for your travel before pickup by monitoring the traffic conditions on the roads.
AA Limousine and Sedan has been serving this area for over 25 years. We know all the routes here, and professionals trust our service because of our dedication and reliability. We always stand by our word. We never surge prices, add hidden fees or cancel a booked ride. Our quality of service never changes, whether it is a full-day booking or a short trip. This commitment to dependable transportation has made us a trusted limo and car service provider.
Reserve your BWI airport transportation with AA Limousine and Sedan and enjoy a smooth travel experience from pickup to drop-off.
FAQs
What does BWI airport stand for?
BWI stands for Baltimore Washington International, which was the airport’s original name. The full current name is Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The IATA code BWI remained unchanged when the airport was renamed.
Where is BWI airport located exactly?
BWI is located in Linthicum Heights, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, approximately 10 miles south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles northeast of downtown Washington DC.
Is BWI airport in Washington DC?
No. BWI is in Maryland, not Washington DC. It serves the broader Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area but is physically located outside the District in the state of Maryland.
How big is BWI airport?
BWI has one main terminal with five active concourses, approximately 75 to 85 gates and covers about 3,500 acres. It handles approximately 25 to 30 million passengers per year.
Can you sleep at BWI airport overnight?
Yes, the terminal is open 24 hours and travelers can sleep in the seating areas. The seats are standard airport benches without premium sleeping options.
How much does parking cost at BWI?
Economy and long-term parking at BWI costs approximately $10 per day. Daily garage parking runs $17 to $22 per day. Express parking costs $22 to $26 per day.
How do I get from Washington DC to BWI airport?
Travel options to and from BWI include driving via I-95 North or the Baltimore Washington Parkway, taking an Amtrak or MARC train from Union Station to the BWI Rail Station or booking a pre-booked car service with a fixed rate from your DC address to the terminal.