BWI · Baltimore, MD · Large Hub

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 1 terminal, airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 15 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 1 hr 30 min before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
  • To Baltimore: about 20 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Terminals & connections

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has 1 terminal. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security. All concourses connect airside. Concourse E is international.

Single terminal (Concourses A, B, C, D, E)

8 airlines: Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and more

Southwest Airlines largest focus city.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 15 min
International to international
1 hr 15 min
Transfer system
Airside walkways
Airside connected
Yes

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave BWI.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at BWI is 25 minutes at peak and 8 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 30 min before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

Lounges

1 notable lounge at BWI, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

The Club BWI

Concourse A

Priority Pass

Access: Priority Pass

Amenities: Bar

Amenities

5 of 7 core amenities available at BWI: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

The Club BWI

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Nursing rooms

Available

All concourses

Chapel

Available

Concourse B

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Concourse B: Silver Diner, Obrycki's Crab House

Ground transport to Baltimore

BWI is about 20 min from downtown Baltimore by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
MARC / Amtrak (BWI Rail Station via shuttle)
Train
MARC commuter rail to DC and Baltimore.
 $9-$45 15-60 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
To DC: 45-75 min depending on traffic.
 $25-$70 20-75 min

Parking

BWI parking ranges from $10/day economy to $30/day short-term.

Short-term
$30/day
Long-term
$14/day
Economy
$10/day
Valet
Not available

Can I leave BWI during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside BWI. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Baltimore. Round-trip to the city center is about 40 min plus re-screening on return.

Baltimore Inner Harbor is 20 min by rideshare. DC is 45-75 min depending on traffic; budget 3+ hours for DC visits.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Four Points BWI
    5-min shuttle
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at BWI?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight from BWI, and 150 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at BWI?

BWI requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 75 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All concourses are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing concourses.

How long does it take to get between terminals at BWI?

Budget 8 min for same-terminal transfers and 15 min for different-terminal transfers at BWI via Airside walkways. All concourses connect airside. Concourse E is international.

Can I leave BWI during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside BWI. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 40 minutes plus re-screening. Baltimore Inner Harbor is 20 min by rideshare. DC is 45-75 min depending on traffic; budget 3+ hours for DC visits.

Does BWI have showers?

Yes, BWI has showers at The Club BWI.

Does BWI have sleep pods?

BWI does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at BWI?

Yes. BWI offers free WiFi throughout the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from BWI to Baltimore?

The cheapest option is typically MARC / Amtrak (BWI Rail Station via shuttle) at $9-$45, taking 15-60 minutes. MARC commuter rail to DC and Baltimore.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at BWI?

BWI supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Typical peak-hour wait is 25 minutes.

Where should I eat at BWI during a layover?

Notable dining at BWI includes Silver Diner (Concourse B), Obrycki's Crab House (Concourse B).

How much does parking cost at BWI?

BWI parking rates: $30/day short-term, $14/day long-term, $10/day economy. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

Is there a hotel at BWI for overnight layovers?

The closest option is Four Points BWI (5-min shuttle, $$). Budget time for the shuttle or rideshare in your overnight plan.

Are there pet relief areas at BWI?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at BWI?

Yes. Concourse B.

Compare BWI to other airports

See how BWI ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers BWI is workable for 6h+ layovers With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT BWI dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 15 min

Airlines operating at BWI

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of BWI.

Pack for your Baltimore trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by BWI.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport before flying.