Review: Baltimore-Washington International Airport

The Washington, D.C., metro area is blessed with three major airports, giving residents of the nation’s capital region the option to catch convenient and accessible flights. In addition to Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan National Airport, a 30-minute journey north takes travelers to Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

From D.C., residents of the District and Virginia can take the MARC (Maryland’s regional commuter) train or D.C. Metro’s green line to a shuttle bus to arrive at BWI’s domestic and international terminals.

The airport is separated into five terminals (A through E) connected by a horseshoe-shaped corridor and intermittent skywalks. The upper level is designated for ticketing and departure, while the lower level is for arrivals, baggage claim and transportation services.

Concourses A and B are reserved for flights on Southwest Airlines, with a few Southwest flights spilling over into Concourse C. Other domestic flights typically fly out of Concourses C and D, and Concourse E is typically reserved for international flights and charter flights.

Before passing through security, travelers can relax at DuClaw Brewing Company or Steak ‘n Shake while waiting for their gates to open. Once through security, each terminal has a Hudson News bookshop and a variety of restaurants.

For those who need to pass the time during flights, BWI has an American Heart Association-sponsored Cardio Trail, a series of walking paths throughout the airport. Each of the two one-kilometer loop trails takes approximately 20 minutes to walk. BWI’s meditation room is also available for travelers who are seeking a few moments of peace before or after a stressful flight.