Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Baltimore Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Table of Contents
I was able to sleep comfortably for 7 hours. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you like to wake up to beautiful sunrises. – luis
BWI Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
What to Expect
Baltimore Airport (code: BWI) consists of a modern, single terminal with five concourses (A-E), though technically, Concourses A and B are essentially merged into one as a result of renovations. Passengers can transit freely between Concourses A/B and C and between Concourses D and E. There are plenty of eateries and shops on the airside but few on the landside, with Concourse A/B offering the widest variety of dining and shopping options. WiFi is available, and mobile charging outlets can be found throughout the airport. For additional comfort, economy-class passengers can pay to use one of the private airport lounges.
Sleeping in Baltimore Airport
After security checkpoints close for the night, travellers are not allowed to wander between the landside and airside. Travellers report plenty of seating, though much of it has armrests. Most benches are wooden or metal, so a layer of softness, like a sleep mat or sleeping bag, will help you rest. Here are a few sleep spots that travellers have recommended:
- Concourse C has some armrest-free seating.
- Concourses D and E have padded benches, narrow couches, and quieter corners for some privacy.
- The observation deck isn’t as bright as other areas
For uninterrupted sleep, there are several hotels within a quick shuttle ride away. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips.
Good to Know
The airport features a full gym (with showers) airside on the Concourse D and E connector, airside and landside cardio loops and a 12.5-mile outside trail that snakes around the entire airport.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Baltimore Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours, with checkpoints opening at 4:00 AM.
Remember that airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the public area (landside), you cannot reach the secure area (airside) until the morning.
Times are subject to change without notice.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Airport Hotels & Sleep Pods
If sleeping in Baltimore Airport sounds like a nightmare, there are sleep cabins inside the terminal and nearby hotels that provide free airport shuttles:
Hotels at the airport
- Minute Suites – Location: Concourse C (near Gate C3). Minute Suites provides private suites for travellers needing to relax, work, or sleep during a layover or flight delay. Each suite has a daybed that sleeps two, fresh pillows and blankets, smart TV, free Wi-Fi, and an Amazon Alexa to provide a sound-masking system. Here are the rates as of December 2024: US$ 55 per hour. Discounted rates for military/1st responder, crew, and more.
Hotels near the airport
- Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport » Check Rates
- BWI Airport Marriott » Check Rates
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, BWI Airport » Check Rates
- Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore BWI Airport » Check Rates
- Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn BWI Airport » Check Rates
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Baltimore BWI Airport » Check Rates
- Red Roof PLUS+ Baltimore – Washington DC/BWI Airport » Check Rates
- Wingate by Wyndham Baltimore BWI Airport » Check Rates
Courtesy phones are located on the lower level near doors 3, 7, 10, 14 and 17. Most hotels have a courtesy shuttle service. For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Baltimore Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- The Club BWI – This lounge is available to all passengers regardless of class of service or airline. Location: Airside, Concourse D, near gate D10. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
Military Lounges
- USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Lower Level, International Pier, Beside Baggage Claim 14.
Related Pages: Baltimore Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Water bottle refill stations can be found throughout the concourses.
Food & Drinks
BWI offers “street pricing” at its food outlets, so passengers won’t see the price gouging that has become common at many airports. Food concessions throughout the terminal operate with varying schedules, but most are open from 4:30 AM – 11:30 PM. A few 24/7 options include McDonald’s (Airside, near Gate A2) and Dunkin’ Donuts (Landside, near Concourse C).
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Mobile Charging is available near the Observation Gallery. A reader let us know that charging ports are available elsewhere in clusters throughout the terminal.
Showers
(Temporarily Closed) Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Pay to enter Roam Fitness, a state-of-the-art gym in Concourse D. For $25, you get access to the gym and complimentary workout gear and shoes, plus a 15-minute shower reservation with included toiletries. ROAM Fitness is temporarily closed and will re-open under new ownership. (February 2024)
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Baltimore Airport. Connect to the “#MyBWI-Fi” network.
Security & Safety
Once checkpoints close late at night, travellers cannot enter areas airside, so you’ll be relegated to the public/landside area until morning.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Baltimore Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
Art Exhibits – Several art exhibits and galleries can be found throughout the terminal. Locations: Airside, near Gates D1-D5 • Landside, D/E security checkpoint • Landside, Observation Gallery • Landside, Departures Level, near Door 10 • Landside, Concourse C, near checkpoint C • Landside, behind the Delta Airlines ticket counter • Landside, Skywalk A, overlooking Security Checkpoint A • Landside, near Concourse C exit • Landside, between American Airlines and the Lost and Found office.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
Baby Care Facilities – Family washrooms can be found throughout the terminal on both levels, Landside and Airside. Nursing stations are in the following upper-level locations: Landside, near the entrance to C Gates • Airside at Gates A6, B2, C7, D2 and the D/E Concourse. On the Lower Level, one station is available by baggage carousel 9. Mothers can reserve a 30-minute stay in a Minute Suites location to nurse their child or pump at no cost. Their suites are cleaned after every guest and are engineered to be a quiet and restful place to retreat away from the airport terminals. Location: Concourse C (Gate C3). See Airport Hotels above.
Banking – M&T Bank offers full-service banking landside near Concourse A.
Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play areas. Locations: Observation Gallery, Landside, adjacent to the B/C security checkpoint • Airside, on the Concourse D/E connector.
Currency Exchange – At one point, two Travelex kiosks were located on the landside near Concourse C and E. We could not confirm this at the time of our update. If you know, click here to update this guide.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available airside in the B/C Connector (Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM) and Concourse E (Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM). In addition, retail shops and newsstands (9 Hudson News locations) are available throughout the landside and airside areas of the terminal.
Fitness -When your idea of airport exercise doesn’t include tight connections and frantic running to the next gate, enjoy your time at the airport with one of these activities:
- Roam Fitness – Temporarily Closed – Work out using state-of-the-art Technogym cardio equipment or enjoy a guided stretch in the yoga area. Entrance includes complimentary use of Lululemon workout gear and Brooks Running shoes, a 15-minute shower reservation, and towel service with Malin + Goetz bath products. Snacks and drinks are available for an additional fee. Location: Airside, Concourse D, near Gate D1. Rates: US$ 25 for the day.
- BWI Cardio Trail – Enjoy your time at the airport with a stroll or power walk along one of the designated walking paths. Keep your heart healthy, and your legs limber by walking on one of two designated American Heart Association walking paths. Each 1K path will lead you on a different loop around the terminal, taking about 20 minutes of walking to complete. The Terminal Loop is a landside loop that starts on the upper level, in the white tiled floor area before the security checkpoints. The Concourse A/B Loop is an airside loop that starts anywhere along Concourses A or B.
- BWI Hiker – Biker Trail – Fresh air and exercise does a body good! You can access the trail near the light rail station, where a spur of the trail meets the airport terminal. Also near the light rail is a self-service Zagster bike share stand with ten reservable bikes for rent. At the time of our last update, the rate was $5 (for up to 12 hours of use). This could not be confirmed at the time of our August 2023 update.
History & Culture – Learn about the interesting life of America’s first African-American Supreme Court judge at the Thurgood Marshall Tribute, located near the Observation Gallery. If you appreciate historical homes, don’t miss the Greek revival-style Benson-Hammond House. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this house is on airport grounds.
Information Desk – Locations: Upper Ticketing Level, Landside, just before Concourse A/B • Upper Ticketing Level, Landside, just before Concourse D • Lower Level, Landside, Southwest Airlines Baggage Claim 1-5 area • Lower Level of Concourses C and D • International Concourse Arrivals area.
Meditation Room – A meditation room used to be located on the upper level, near the D/E security checkpoint. We could not confirm this at the time of our August 2023 update. If you know, click here to update this guide.
Observation Gallery – Binocular viewers, air and space exhibits, a 28-foot NASA-sounding rocket, a children’s play area, mobile charging stations, and a youth art gallery are available at the BWI Marshall Observation Gallery. Sky Azure offers bistro fare, beer, wines, and cocktails onsite. The Observation Gallery is open to the public. Location: upper level, just before the B/C security checkpoint. Hours: Open 24 hours. Sky Azure is open from 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Pet Relief Areas – Three locations: Upper level, Airside, Concourse D/E Connector • Upper level, Airside, near Gate C2 • Lower level, Outside Door #19.
Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards at a mailbox on the upper level near the Observation Gallery.
SIM Cards – A reader tells us a SIM Card machine is located on the landside, on the Lower Level next to Door 14, before the International Terminal. (June 2023)
Spa & Salon Services – There are no spa & salon services. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Yoga – See Roam Fitness under “Fitness” above.
Bus
Whether you are looking for a bus into the city and the immediate surrounding areas or need inter-county connections, the airport is well served by buses. Amtrak provides a shuttle service that departs every 15 minutes and connects the Baltimore Airport to MARC/Amtrak station. This shuttle operates 24/7. MTA Bus Services also operates two buses, #75 and #107, connecting the airport to several areas in the city.
Car Rentals
Car rentals are handled in a separate facility close to BWI airport. The facility is connected to the airport via a complimentary shuttle service that departs every ten minutes from the terminal’s lower level. The following car rental agencies are available onsite: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • NextCar • Sixt • Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: BWI Airport Marriott • Country Inn & Suites by Radisson • Courtyard Baltimore BWI Airport • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel • Embassy Suites by Hilton • Extended Stay America • Hilton Hotel • Hilton Garden Inn • Holiday Inn • Holiday Inn Express Baltimore-BWI Airport West • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Baltimore – BWI Airport North • Homewood Suites by Hilton • Homewood Suites by Hilton Hanover Arundel Mills • Hyatt Place • Red Roof PLUS+ • Sheraton Hotel • Sonesta ES Suites • Sonesta Simply Suites • Staybridge Suites • TownePlace Suites • Westin Baltimore Washington Airport – BWI.
These shuttles pick up passengers from designated areas near Concourse A (Zone 1), Concourse E (Zone 4) and between Concourse D and E (Zone 3).
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Terminal Shuttles
Courtesy shuttles take passengers to/from various points on airport grounds. There is the Amtrak Shuttle, Parking Shuttle and Rental Car Shuttle. Frequency is 8-10 minutes.
Ride Share Apps
Lyft and Uber service BWI Airport. The pick-up and drop-off location is on the Upper Level / Departures. A ride downtown will cost you from $20 to $30.
Shared Ride Shuttles
Bayrunner Shuttle offers shared-ride door-to-door shuttle service between the airport and Maryland’s Eastern shore and Western mountains.
Taxi
Metered taxis are available at the taxi stand just outside Baggage Claim, on the terminal’s lower level, near doors 5 and 13. Flat rates are prohibited.
Train
BWI Airport is connected to BWI Airport Rail Station via a free shuttle service, which departs every 10/15 minutes 24/7. Connections to MARC and Amtrak train services are available from the rail station. For more information about routes and schedules, visit the Amtrak website. Pick-up locations:
- From the Amtrak Station: adjacent to the rail station garage, across from the station.
- From the Airport: Lower level, four designated spots outside baggage claim.
Light rail service between the airport and downtown Baltimore, Timonium and Hunt Valley is available. One-way fare is $1.60, and the BWI Marshall Light Rail Station is located outside on the lower level of the airport terminal, near Concourse E. For timetables, maps and further information, visit the MTA website.
Last updated: 2024-12-12
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.