
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, also known as BWI Airport, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (48 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. It is one of the three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area and acts as a vital transportation hub for the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport |
| IATA | BWI |
| ICAO | KBWI |
| FAA LID | BWI |
| Location | Anne Arundel County, Maryland |
| Distance from Baltimore | 9 mi (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore |
| Distance from Washington, D.C. | 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. |
| Yearly Passengers | 27.06 million (2024) |
| Yearly Passenger Ranking | 2nd in Baltimore/Washington area (2024) |
| Transportation | Amtrak, MARC trains, local buses, rental cars, shuttles, taxi services |
| Parking Options | Hourly, daily, long-term, express, cell phone lot |
| Amenities | Art exhibits, observation galleries, children's play areas |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
- It is 9 miles from downtown Baltimore
- It is one of three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore area
- It is named after Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native and the first African-American Supreme Court Justice
- The airport is served by Amtrak and MARC trains, as well as local buses

The airport is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
The Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, commonly known as BWI Airport, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The airport is situated 9 miles (or 14 kilometres) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (or 50 kilometres) northeast of Washington, D.C. This strategic location places BWI Airport within a 15-minute drive from Baltimore's city centre, providing convenient access to the Pennsylvania Railroad line, the Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad line, and the proposed Baltimore–Washington Parkway.
Being one of the three major airports serving the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area, BWI is a vital transportation hub for the region. In recent years, it has experienced significant growth in passenger traffic, ranking second in the Baltimore/Washington area in 2024 with 27.06 million passengers served. The airport offers a range of transportation options, including rental cars, shuttles, taxi services, and public transportation, making it easily accessible for travellers.
The history of BWI Airport dates back to the planning stages in 1944, just before the end of World War II. The Baltimore Aviation Commission selected a site near Linthicum Heights, Maryland, spanning 2,100 acres of land. The construction cost was estimated at $9 million, and the airport has since undergone modernisation and expansion projects to enhance its facilities and capacity.
BWI Airport is well-connected to the surrounding areas through various transportation options. Amtrak and MARC trains serve the BWI Rail Station, providing connections to Union Station in Washington, D.C., and Penn Station in Baltimore. Local bus services, such as the Maryland Transit Administration's routes, also facilitate travel to nearby destinations. Additionally, private car services, rental cars, and cabs are available for travellers, ensuring convenient access to and from the airport.
The airport also boasts a range of amenities to enhance the travel experience for its visitors. These include art exhibits, observation galleries, and children's play areas. With its convenient location in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, BWI Airport serves as a crucial gateway to the Baltimore-Washington region, accommodating millions of passengers each year.
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It is 9 miles from downtown Baltimore
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, also known as BWI Airport, is located 9 miles (or 14 km) from downtown Baltimore. This convenient location makes it easily accessible for travellers heading to and from the city. In fact, it is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Baltimore, providing a quick and efficient route for passengers.
The airport is situated in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and serves as a vital transportation hub for the Baltimore-Washington region. It offers a range of transportation options, including rental cars, shuttles, taxi services, and public transportation, ensuring travellers can easily reach their desired destinations. BWI Airport is one of three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, alongside Dulles International Airport in Virginia and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, also in Virginia.
Being just 9 miles from Baltimore's downtown area, BWI Airport is an ideal gateway for travellers visiting the city. Baltimore is a vibrant city with a rich history and culture, offering a variety of attractions for visitors to enjoy. From the airport, passengers can quickly reach popular destinations in Baltimore, such as the Inner Harbour, the National Aquarium, and the Maryland Science Centre. The city also boasts a diverse culinary scene, with options ranging from seafood specialties to international cuisine.
In addition to its proximity to Baltimore, BWI Airport is also strategically located 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. This dual accessibility to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., enhances the airport's significance as a travel hub. Travellers heading to Washington, D.C., can take advantage of the efficient transportation options available at the airport, including Amtrak and MARC trains, which provide direct connections to Union Station in Washington, D.C.
BWI Airport's location, 9 miles from downtown Baltimore, strikes a balance between serving the local community and catering to a wider audience. This positioning contributes to its popularity, as evidenced by its ranking as the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area in terms of passenger enplanements. In 2023, BWI recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, surpassing other major airports in the region.
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It is one of three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore area
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, commonly referred to as BWI Airport, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is situated 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C.
BWI Airport is one of three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore area. The other two airports are Dulles International Airport (IAD), located in Dulles, Virginia, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Crystal City, Virginia. These three airports provide vital transportation links for the region, connecting passengers to various domestic and international destinations.
BWI Airport, in particular, serves as a critical transportation hub for the Baltimore-Washington region. It offers a range of parking options, including hourly, daily, and long-term parking, as well as convenient services like express parking and a cell phone lot. Passengers can easily access various transportation options from the airport, such as rental cars, shuttles, and taxi services, to continue their journey to nearby destinations.
In addition to its role as a transportation hub, BWI Airport also provides amenities that enhance the overall travel experience for its visitors. These amenities include art exhibits, observation galleries, and children's play areas. The airport also has a BWI Business District, established in 1985, which comprises two smaller districts: the West Nursery Hotel District and the Stoney Run District. These districts offer numerous traveller resources and employment centres, such as the BWI Rail Station and the BWI Rental Car Facility.
BWI Airport is the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, recording 12,849,636 passenger enplanements in 2023. It is also ranked as one of the busiest airports in the United States, reflecting its importance in serving the Washington-Baltimore region and the wider National Capital Region.
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It is named after Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native and the first African-American Supreme Court Justice
Baltimore/Washington International Airport, commonly known as BWI Airport, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is about 9 miles south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. BWI is one of the three major airports serving the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area.
The airport is officially named after Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native who became the first African-American Supreme Court Justice. Marshall was a prominent civil rights lawyer and jurist, known for his work in ending racial segregation in American public schools. He was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967 and served until his retirement in 1991. Thurgood Marshall was a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, winning 29 out of 32 civil rights cases that he argued before the Supreme Court. One of his most notable victories was the landmark 1954 case, Brown v. Board of Education, which ruled that segregation in public education was unconstitutional.
Marshall's work had a profound impact on shaping the political direction of the United States and transforming constitutional law. He was described by civil rights leader Vernon E. Jordan as a person who demonstrated that "the law could be an instrument of liberation." Chief Justice William Rehnquist echoed this sentiment, acknowledging Marshall's commitment to ensuring "equal justice under law." Marshall's clerks included future prominent legal figures, such as Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan and U.S. Circuit Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg.
Thurgood Marshall's legacy at the Supreme Court is unique due to his significant contributions to constitutional law before becoming a member of the Court. His confirmation hearing was not without resistance, as some southern senators expressed concerns about his liberal track record. Nevertheless, he was confirmed by the Senate in a 69-11 floor vote, with President Johnson praising his qualifications and suitability for the role.
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The airport is served by Amtrak and MARC trains, as well as local buses
Baltimore/Washington International Airport, commonly known as BWI Airport, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is one of the three major airports serving the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area.
Amtrak and MARC Trains
The BWI Marshall Rail Station, located on the airport grounds, is served by Amtrak and MARC trains. The rail station is about a mile from the airport terminal, with a free shuttle bus service connecting the two. Trains on the Amtrak Northeast Corridor and Acela, as well as MARC's Penn Line, stop at the station. These trains provide connections to Union Station in Washington, D.C., and Penn Station in Baltimore.
Local Buses
The airport terminal is also accessible by local buses. The Maryland Transit Administration's Route 75 bus stops at the airport and provides a connection to Patapsco Station on Light RailLink and Arundel Mills Mall. Additionally, Route 201 connects the airport to Shady Grove Station on the Washington Metro.
Furthermore, the BayRunner Shuttle offers passenger van services to and from the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland. This service provides connections to various destinations, including Kent Island, Easton, Cambridge, and Ocean City.
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Frequently asked questions
BWI stands for Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
BWI Airport is in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, located 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
The IATA code for BWI Airport is BWI.
BWI Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. In 2023, it recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements.











































