Baltimore Transportation
Outside the Central Terminal for BWI Airport serving Baltimore; credit James G. Howe/Wiki Commons
Airport
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) anchors Baltimore Transportation with a 5-terminal Hub Airport. As one of America’s 20 busiest Hub Airports, BWI features flights to nearly all major cities in North America, many to the Caribbean, and some to Europe.
This easy-to-navigate airport has WiFi, charging stations, retail, dining, lounge, meditation room, and business service amenities in each terminal. The artwork is selectively placed throughout. The concourse between Terminals C and B features a monument to Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court Justice, and Baltimore native.
Also unique to BWI Airport, a greenbelt trail for jogging & biking surrounds the premises. Occasionally, you see locals using the trail.
Light Rail
MTA Light Rail features a 15-minute train frequency from BWI Airport to Downtown Baltimore. Frequency lengthens to 30 minutes after commute hours. MTA Light Rail service is Monday-Friday 6 am-11 pm, Saturday 7 am-11 pm, plus Sunday & Holidays 11 am-7 pm.
Taxis/Shuttles/Uber/Lyft
Diamond and Yellow taxis are plentiful during most hours at BWI Airport Arrival Roadway Level. Read the signage to stand at the correct Taxi and Uber/Lyft boarding locations.
Super Shuttle (800-258-3826) is also available for the 10-mile ride to downtown Baltimore.
Car Rentals
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty brands provide service. Board the Rental Car shuttle bus as you exit any terminal to reach the large offsite BWI Rental Car Facility in 7-8 minutes.
When exiting BWI Airport, follow I-195 Freeway signs to 295 Baltimore-Washington Parkway to go northbound to Baltimore or southbound to Washington. Or, proceed northwest on I-195 Freeway towards Catonsville, as befits your travel itinerary.
Train Station
Baltimore Penn Station is located just north of downtown at 1500 North Charles Street. This attractive train station features Neo-Classic architecture, an airy lobby & ticketing area, a cafe-gift shop, and proximity to the University of Baltimore and the Arts District.
Baltimore Penn Station dramatically lit at night; (c) Soul Of America
The station is an intermodal transportation center that hosts Amtrak, Metro Light Rail, MARC commuter rail, Taxis, Uber/Lyft, and several Amtrak routes:
Acela: DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-Newark-NYC-Stamford-New Haven-Providence-Boston
Northeast Regional1: DC-Baltimore-Wilmington-Philadelphia-Newark-NYC-New Haven-Providence-Boston
Northeast Regional2: DC-Baltimore-Wilmington-Philadelphia-Newark-NYC-New Haven-Springfield
Crescent: NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC-Charlotte-Atlanta-New Orleans
Palmetto/Silver: NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC-Richmond-Jacksonville-Miami
Carolinian: NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC-Richmond-Raleigh-Charlotte
Cardinal: NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC-Cincinnati-Indy-Chicago
Vermonter: St Albans-Burlington-NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC
Amtrak’s High-Speed trains (Acela, Northeast Regional) run at a combined 20-30 minute frequency between Washington and NYC. Extending from NYC to Boston, combined service frequency drops to 50-60 minutes.
Amtrak’s Long-Distance trains (Crescent, Palmetto, Carolinian, Cardinal, Vermonter, Capital Limited) run twice daily roundtrips. Their speed is limited to 110-125 mph in the Northeast Corridor, yielding longer trip times than Acela.
Amtrak Coach Class seating features comfortable seating, a footrest, electric outlets, complimentary WiFi, and storage space for large & small luggage. Amtrak Business class features extra legroom, Guest Rewards Points, easily refundable tickets for last-minute changes, reserved seating, and a complimentary beverage. Use Amtrak Saver Fares to book seats 21+ days in advance.
Ib 3Q 2025, Nextgen Acela trains will feature a better Passenger Experience and reach 125-160 mph top speed over more mileage for shorter Washington-Baltimore-Philadelphia-Newark-NYC trip times.
Tours & Experiences
Renaissance Productions and Tours
DESCRIPTION: Award-winning tour guides, they create special events of historic significance in period costume which enables one to relive by-gone eras; tours offered for African American Landmarks, Underground Railroad, and Civil Rights; reservations required
PHONE: 410-728-3837
WEBSITE: http://www.RenaissanceProductions.biz
African American Cultural Tours and Travel
DESCRIPTION: Visit a wide range of African American Heritage sites, including historic Underground Railroad sites, nightlife, and shopping tours; adding a Civil Rights Tour; reservations required
PHONE: 410-727-0755
Baltimore Black Heritage Tours
DESCRIPTION: Louis Fields, a member of the African American Tourism Council of Maryland leads Underground Railroad, plantations, churches, restaurants, day and evening tours, Fells Point, Black Heritage, and customized tours; Louis is a specialist on the history of Pennsylvania Avenue; reservations required
PHONE: 410-783-5469
Baltimore Shuttle
DESCRIPTION: Ride a small bus between The National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Fells Point, Little Italy, Fort McHenry, and Camden Yards stadiums. The fare is small and you can ride all day. The mini-bus or van seats up to 25 passengers.
PHONE: 410-732-5098
Baltimore Inner Harbor has many convenient day cruise experiences and water taxis. If time permits, consider experiencing both.
Baltimore Harbor Cruises
DESCRIPTION: Cruise choices include Inner Harbor, Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, Crab Feast, Annapolis, Moonlight, and Holiday; reservations are recommended; the ships include, Spirit of Baltimore, Lady Baltimore, and aptly named Prince Charming
ADDRESS: 561 Light Street, Baltimore, MD
PARKING: Royal Sonesta Hotel Garage is recommended
PHONE: 410-347-5560
WEBSITE: https://www.spiritcruises.com/
Water Taxis at Fells Point; (c) Soul Of America
Baltimore Water Taxi
DESCRIPTION: These series of short harbor cruises originate from National Aquarium, Harborplace, Federal Hill, Science Center, Pier Five, Harbor East, Maritime Park, Anthem House, Locust Point, Captain James Landing, Lighthouse Point, Fells Point, Canton Waterfront Park, and Fort McHenry
PRICES: $12 All-Day Adult ticket; $6 All-Day Child ticket
ADDRESS: 901 South Broadway, Baltimore, MD
PARKING: on-street or nearby hotel garages
PHONE: 410-563-3900
WEBSITE: http://www.baltimorewatertaxi.com
Rapid Transit
Mass Transit Administration (MTA) operates the Metro Rail system consisting of 1 Metro Heavy Rail line (“Metro SubwayLink”) and 2 Metro Light Rail lines.
Metro Light Rail train stop at Baltimore Convention Center Station; (c) Soul Of America
BALTIMORE METRO RAIL & LIGHT RAIL MAP
Metro SubwayLink (Metro Heavy Rail) runs from Johns Hopkins Medical Center and some attractions in Downtown Baltimore. Unfortunately, its single line misses most attractions. Metro SubwayLink uses a fare card common to Metro Heavy Rail systems worldwide and operates from 5 am to midnight with an 8-20-minute train frequency.
The longest Metro Light Rail line runs from BWI Airport through Downtown Baltimore and up to Hunt Valley. Another Light Rail line spurs southeast to Glen Burnie. Metro Light Rail lines run between Baltimore Penn Station and Camden Station, enabling easy transfers to MARC commuter trains that go between Perrysville, MD, and Washington, DC.
Due to federal politics, MTA has delayed the construction of its East-West Metro Light Rail corridor. This critical project, followed by two more lines, is needed to complete the original Baltimore Metrorail vision for metro area coverage.
MARC commuter train at Camden Station in Baltimore; (c) Soul Of America
MARC commuter rail is also managed by the MTA. This popular commuter service utilizes two different Baltimore train stations for two routes:
• Washington Union Station-Baltimore Penn Station-Perrysville
• Baltimore Camden Station-Washington Union Station
MARC trains traveling 40 miles between Baltimore and Washington cost $8 and make stops every 5-6 miles. If you need to get between the big cities faster, take Amtrak Northeast Regional trains — they make fewer stops but cost twice as much.
A shuttle bus between MARC-Amtrak BWI Station and BWI Airport runs every 10-15 minutes. Only Amtrak Northeast Regional and MARC Washington Union Station-Baltimore Penn Station-Perrysville trains stop at MARC-Amtrak BWI Station.
Big plans lie ahead for an upgraded MARC West Baltimore Station as part of the Amtrak Northeast Corridor project.
Cruise Ports
Major Cruise Lines
Passengers depart from the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal. Upon arrival at the cruise terminal, passengers are directed to drop off their luggage in boxes for screening & handling. Avoid hassle. Have your cruise line-issued luggage tags filled out and securely attached to your baggage.
Carnival cruise ship at Cruise Maryland port in Baltimore; credit MDgov/PD
ADDRESS: 2001 East McComas Street, Baltimore, MD
PARKING: $15/day passenger cars, $30/day RVs
PHONE: 866-427-8963
WEBSITE: http://www.cruisemaryland.comCruise Maryland.
Baltimore’s year-round cruise season boasts 67 vessel calls sailing to Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Eastern Caribbean islands via these brands:
• American Cruise Lines
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Celebrity Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Lines
• Royal Caribbean International
Freeways
Baltimore Freeway Network features a “wheel and spoke” network of 6 freeways that mostly go Downtown. Each freeway has 6-10 lanes that are mostly well-maintained. The network has well-designed intersections and exit/entry lanes.
Nevertheless, the freeway network is a victim of multi-decade decades of suburban sprawl combined with stalled & bungled expansion of the Metro Rail & Light Rail System.