Option 1: MARC Penn Line Train
- Travel time: 45-60 minutes
- Starting from BWI’s horseshoe shaped arrivals terminal (every concourse sticks out from here) head towards the lower level pick up & ground transportation zone. Specifically, the pick up zone for the shuttle to parking lots and the BWI train station. NOT the pick up zone for hotel shuttles. These shuttles are free and the shuttles run every 10-15 minutes 24/7.Read BWI’s Airport page for Shuttles for more information.
- Ride the shuttle until you arrive at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Station. This busy intermodal station serves commuter (MARC) and intercity (Amtrak) trains. For the cheapest ride, purchase tickets for the MARC’s Penn Line service to Washington Union Station. Service is frequent (every 15 minutes at rush hour and hourly off peak).
- Read more about MARC Penn Line here.
- Fare is $8.00.
- Cheapest
Option 2: Amtrak Acela
- Travel time: 25 minutes
- Starting from BWI’s horseshoe shaped arrivals terminal (every concourse sticks out from here) head towards the lower level pick up & ground transportation zone. Specifically, the pick up zone for the shuttle to parking lots and the BWI train station. NOT the pick up zone for hotel shuttles. These shuttles are free and the shuttles run every 10-15 minutes 24/7.Read BWI’s Airport page for Shuttles for more information.
- Ride the shuttle until you arrive at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Station. This busy intermodal station serves commuter (MARC) and intercity (Amtrak). With Amtrak you have multiple options (high-speed rail or local service) to choose from. Fares vary with dynamic pricing and class of travel but the breakdown is roughly as follows for each service:
- Northeast Regional (local):
- Coach from $10
- Business from $30
- Acela (high-speed rail):
- Business from $30
- First from $84
- Travel time is approximately from 25 minutes with Acela or 30 minutes with Northeast Regional depending on normal or express service to Washington Union Station
Option 3: Taxi / Rideshare
- Travel time: 45-60 minutes
- Undoubtedly, the most expensive option from our list but the most private. In addition to taxis, Uber and Lyft offer private rideshare services from the airport. If you arrive at rush hour expect to sit in traffic. Expect to pay about $90-120 for a ride. Keep in mind that Washington traffic (especially along the northeast interstate highway I-95 & I-295 corridor) can become notoriously congested so be prepared for sudden surge pricing.