How to get to Downtown Washington, D.C., from Baltimore-Washington International Airport

Flights to Baltimore-Washington International Airport are less expensive because it's 33 miles from downtown Washington, D.C.

Many visitors to Washington choose to arrive at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) because flights are often cheaper than those to the area's other two major airports. BWI is 33 miles to downtown Washington. It's a 25- to 45-minute drive with some public transportation available.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Map of Washington, D.C.
• Metro map
• Cash

1. 1
   Take a Metrobus to the Metro subway for the least expensive way to get to Washington. Go to the airport's arrivals (lower) level and look for one of two bus stops for the BWI Express bus (No. B30). The bus runs nonstop to and from the Greenbelt Metro station on the Green Line. Buses pick up approximately every 40 minutes. Pickup hours from BWI are from 6:58 a.m. weekdays and 9:38 a.m. weekends until 10:48 p.m. daily. The cost is $3 each way, as of 2008.
   
2. 2
   When you arrive at the Greenbelt Metro station, proceed inside and purchase a fare card for $1 and change. Take any train. Many tourists stay in hotels near the Gallery Place-Chinatown station, which also connects to the Red and Yellow Lines. If you're staying in a hotel along the Orange or Blue Lines, take your subway to Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter and follow the signs to transfer to another line.
   
3. 3
   Take the MARC train. MARC is a Maryland local train that connects BWI Airport with Union Station in Washington. Take a free BWI Airport shuttle to the BWI Airport Rail Station. Trains depart Monday through Friday nearly hourly; no weekend service and limited holiday service. Service is from 4:40 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The trip takes 35 to 40 minutes. The cost is $6 each way.
   
4. 4
   If you arrive on a weekend and cannot take the MARC train, take Amtrak. Service from the BWI Rail Station starts at 6:23 a.m. and ends at 11:48 p.m. weekdays and 11:51 p.m. weekends. The trip is 30 minutes to Union Station. Fares run from $12 each way.
   
5. 5
   Take a taxi. Fares will run approximately $65 to downtown Washington. Taxi stands are immediately outside the arrivals terminal. Follow the signs for ground transportation.
   
6. 6
   Take a shuttle service. SuperShuttle and other shuttle services can ferry you into the city for less than the cost of a taxi. Make a reservation in advance.
   
7. 7
   Hire a private car service. Arrangements should be made in advance. Confirm your reservation before boarding your flight to Washington.