Key Highlights
- Baltimore has two main airports that serve the area. These are Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Martin State Airport (MTN).
- BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is the main spot for most commercial flights. It can take you to many places in the U.S. and in other countries.
- Martin State Airport is used for general aviation, military aircraft, and flight schools.
- You can get in and out of these airports in many different ways. Some options are public transit and ride shares.
- BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport offers many international flights, so it helps connect people here to other places all over the world.
Introduction
If you are planning a trip to Charm City, it helps to know your travel options. When you are looking to fly in and out of the Baltimore area, you have a few airports to pick from. The airport choices in Baltimore are very good for both work and fun trips.
There are two main airports you should look at. The biggest one is Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. This airport is busy and serves many travelers. The other airport, Martin State Airport, is known for being more focused and specialized.
This guide will help you learn about thurgood marshall airport and martin state airport. You will learn what you need to get around these two main places so your trip to Baltimore and the nearby area goes well.
Major Airports Serving Baltimore, MD
When you fly into Baltimore, you have two main choices for airports. The main airport for people flying commercial is the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). The Maryland Aviation Administration runs this airport. It takes care of most of the air travel in the area.
If you need a more special kind of flight, there is the Martin State Airport (MTN). This public use airport is there for general aviation. Many people go to BWI when they need to fly, but there are other public and private airports nearby too. These airports are good for pilots and smaller planes. Now, let’s talk a bit more about what makes thurgood marshall airport and martin state airport different from each other.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is the busiest airport in the area. It is the main way people get to Baltimore and the East Coast. This international airport is in Anne Arundel County, just 13 miles from downtown. That makes it the closest and easiest big airport for many travelers. The airport is named for Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native who was the first African American on the United States Supreme Court. This honors his great story. The airport is a main hub for both flights inside the country and international flights.
The Maryland Aviation Administration is focused on giving people the highest levels of airport service quality. BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport works on new terminal improvements often. This is done to help make sure passenger experiences, as well as airport facilities, get better every year. According to Executive Director and CEO Ricky Smith, these updates are important to meet the growing demands of air traffic.
Keeping flights safe, also called aviation safety, is always a top goal for the airport. BWI Thurgood Marshall plans big things, like a new air traffic control tower. These steps support how flights work day to day. With this big commitment, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport stays a good, reliable choice for your travel plans. The airport gives travelers a lot of services to meet the needs of millions of people each year.
Martin State Airport (MTN)
Martin State Airport (MTN) is not like BWI. Martin State is about ten miles from downtown Baltimore. It is a public use airport and is used for general aviation. This means it is for corporate jets, private planes, military aircraft, and flight schools, not big commercial airlines. The airport helps BWI by taking on noncommercial flights, making things less crowded at BWI.
There is a lot of history at martin state airport. The current air traffic control tower was built during World War II. Recently, the Maryland Board of Public Works agreed to a construction contract for a new air traffic control tower. This is a major investment for the future of Martin State Airport.
The new tower will have a modern design and will use the latest aviation technology. There will be better visibility for air traffic controllers. The new tower will help support future advancements. All of this will help martin state stay important in the region now and in the years ahead.
Airlines and Destinations from BWI
BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport has many flights every day from many different airlines. This airport is one of the big ones in the United States. It is easy to fly to many places in the country with airlines like Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines. These airlines fly to a lot of different cities from here.
Besides the flights inside the United States, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport also gives you many choices for international flights. It does not matter if you fly for work or with your family for fun. You will find flights that take you to many parts of the world. Check out what airlines you can use for both trips inside the country and to places outside the country at BWI Thurgood Marshall.
Domestic Flight Options and Airlines
If you want to travel in the United States, you will find many flights at BWI. The airport is a main place for Southwest Airlines. This airline has flights going to many cities in the country. With so many options, you can find a flight that works for your time and your money.
There are also many other big airlines at BWI. This gives you a lot of flight choices. You can look for good flights by going to the airline websites or searching online. BWI’s great service and focus on airport service quality help you have a good trip, no matter which airline you fly with.
Some main airlines flying in the United States from BWI are:
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- American Airlines
International Flights and Carriers
Yes, Baltimore has fantastic international flight options directly from BWI. As a designated international airport and a Foreign Trade Zone, BWI connects the region to destinations across North America and beyond. You can find daily nonstop flights to popular international hubs, making your global travel seamless and convenient.
Several international carriers operate from BWI, offering service to Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America. Whether you’re planning a vacation or an international business trip, you can easily start your journey from Baltimore. The variety of carriers ensures competitive pricing and diverse travel options.
Here are some examples of international carriers and the destinations they serve from BWI:
| Carrier | Sample Destinations |
|---|---|
| British Airways | London |
| Icelandair | Reykjavik |
| Southwest Airlines | Caribbean & Central America |
| Condor | Frankfurt |
Getting to and from Baltimore Airports
When you arrive, getting to your next stop is easy. Both airports have many ways to help you reach downtown Baltimore or nearby places. You can use public transit at the BWI rail station. There are also rental cars and ride share services, so you can pick what works best for your plans and your money.
If you drive to the airport, you can find good parking. The different choices are well shown and simple to reach. You can go with short-term or long-term parking. Below, you will see steps on how to get to downtown Baltimore and find out more about parking and help with your car.
Ground Transportation to Downtown Baltimore
Getting from BWI Airport to downtown Baltimore is easy. There are many ways to get there, and you can find most of them on the lower level of the airport. Public transit is a good choice if you want a fast and low-cost ride.
The Maryland Transit Administration, or MTA, offers services that go right into the city. You can take the Light RailLink for a direct trip from the airport to many stops in and near downtown. There is also a shuttle bus that will take you to the BWI rail station. From there, you can hop on a MARC train for a short ride to Baltimore’s Penn Station.
If you like a door-to-door ride, taxis and ride shares wait for you right outside. These are your main options:
- MTA Light RailLink
- MARC Train from the BWI rail station
- Taxis and ride-share pick-ups
- Airport shuttle services
Parking, Rental Cars, and Ride Shares at the Airports
If you need to park your car, BWI has many easy parking facility options. You can park in an hourly garage if you stay for a short time. If you need to leave your car for a day or longer, there are daily and economy lots for that. From the long-term lots, there are shuttle services that take you to the main terminal often. This makes the whole process of leaving your car simple and stress-free.
If you want a car to use during your trip, you can go to the airport’s rental car facility. A free shuttle will pick you up at the terminal and take you right to the rental center. You will find all the main rental car companies there. This helps make it quick and easy to get your car and to return it when you are done.
You can also pick ride shares like Uber and Lyft. There are marked pickup spots outside the baggage claim areas at the terminal. Just open your app, ask for a ride, and follow signs to where you meet the driver. These airport facilities give you all the ways you need to get to and from the airport.
Conclusion
To sum up, getting around Baltimore’s airports is easy if you know what to expect. The city has big airports like BWI and MTN, and these airports have lots of domestic and international flights to pick from. You can choose what works best for you. There is also ground transportation to help you get to downtown Baltimore without problems. If you are here for fun or for work, knowing your airport choices will help make your trip better. You should check out the many airlines and places you can travel to from BWI. Also, think about your transportation options so you use your time in Baltimore well. Have a safe trip! If you have any questions or want more help, reach out any time.