How to get from BWI Airport to Washington DC for CHEAP 

Yep. This video needs an update. May make one the next time I go to BWI but no idea how soon that might be.

Nice!

Happy to help.

Yeah it's really not too bad.

@@TripHacksDC Driving to Marshall BWI isn't bad, either - Interstate 195 (via the B-W Parkway, US 1, or I-95) services all the parking lots, and you can take the free airport shuttle bus (this service is operated by RTA of Central Maryland - I used it my own last trip to Marshall BWI).

Nice! Glad you found the MARC in time.

Happy to help!

Glad it helped!

Wow, $230 is crazy!

It's not too hard. Havefun!

Me too, I almost purchase 3 $42 Amtrak tickets before I went back and double checked and then searched RU-vid cause I remembered this guys videos.

Nice!

Is there any app I can use to buy the tickets? I’m planning to travel on Christmas eve and I don’t know how crowded it can be

The ticket machine is designed for Amtrak so unfortunately the MARC tickets are kind of an afterthought.

I personally don't love to use Spirit but healthy competition in the airline industry is definitely a good thing.

@connierahim9259 I'm sure it wasn't very useful then. Maybe they'll bring it back if Metro ever gets its ridership back up to former levels.

Glad it helped!

Have fun

No problem!

Enjoy your trip!

I will. I have not been in DC since 2008. So looking to see what's new. I assume the Smithsonian attractions are still free of charge. I need to go back to Georgetown and the Union Station food court.

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll look elsewhere.

👍👍👍

Happy to help!

It is quite a deal!

Well, not EXACTLY this....I went with AmTrak. I was a nervous nellie and bought my AmTrak ticket in advance, too. This was a mistake. I should've waited to buy it at the station and hopped on the next available train, MARC or AmTrak. On my return trip out of DC, I did actually change my ticket at the AmTrak counter to get an earlier train to get me to BWI sooner, just to give me peace of mind. I'd rather wait around at the airport than Grand Central Station. You can also buy DC Metro cards in advance of your trip if you allow them enough time to physically mail them to you....that way you can activate them on arrival and just hop on the Metro when you disembark from your train (MARC/AmTrak)....I took the red line, changed to the green line, and exited right at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. My hotel was only a couple of blocks away from there. No cab, no rental car, no hassle. Really convenient.

Airfare into BWI from HOU on SWA makes this my best, most affordable route to DC. Flying into Reagan National would be simpler but the airfare is more.

Thanks!

Yes, the Metrobus B30. However it only runs once an hour and weekdays only. It's less useful than it was in the past.

I think there's something with a plot like that.

Happy to help.

Happy to help.

Happy to help!

Happy to help.

No problem!

You're welcome!

No problem!

Happy to help.

Thanks

Look for the MARC ticket machines at Union Station. The MARC trains will show up on the board so you know which track to use.

@@TripHacksDC And catch the same shuttle bus back to the airport. Just cross the street when exiting the station, there is a bus stop waiting area built into the parking garage structure.

Taxi. rideshare or check the Amtrak overnight schedule.

Free shuttle to the BWI train station. No free shuttle all the way to DC.

MARC Penn line or the Baltimore light rail.

Do you mean Union Station? Penn Station is in Baltimore.

Same thing, but in reverse. Hop on a MARC train towards Baltimore Penn Station, or an Amtrak train that stops at BWI, get off at BWI Airport Station, walk across the street to get on the airport shuttle, and arrive at the airport

Probably

The train ride is 40 minutes, plus the time it to takes to ride the shuttle to the station and wait for the train.

CharmPass

Sometimes yes. I don't know if I would consider ot often.

Definitely check all 3 airports. There are nonstop flights from Dulles and BWI. They might not be the cheapest but you could save a lot of time not having a connection. Summer is the busiest/most expensive travel time in the U.S. but August is when a lot of kids go back to school, so if your trip is at the end of the month you'll probably have better luck.

Yes

Check out this video for your options: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yfyIyn59i4c.html

I would avoid Dulles-BWI transfers if at all possible. Otherwise it's an expensive cab ride between the two airports. There is not a convenient public transit connection.

In case this still applies, this week (Nov 15) the Silver Line extension of the DC metro opened, connecting Dulles airport to the rest of the DC metro system. It's about a 40 minute ride to downtown DC (Metro Center station). If you get to Union Station (on the metro red line) you can take a MARC train for $8 to BWI airport train station, and from the train station a free bus will take you to the terminals in 5 minutes.

40 minutes on the train + shuttle ride + waiting time.

There is a Baltimore light rail stop within walking distance of the terminal. Only a couple bucks to get downtown.

Yes. It works in reverse.

Yes. There is a big garage at the BWI rail station.

Yes

Yes, very safe. BWI is not directly in Baltimore, and there is nothing around there other than the airport and a Northrop Grumman office. There are a few cab drivers that stand around look for people to take, but other than that, it’s a very safe area

There are usually 6 trains each way on Sundays. MARC is mostly a commuter service and it was only a few years ago they opened up weekend service. Sunday has the fewest number of trains. Unfortunately if you're traveling on a Sunday you can either get to the airport really early or see if there is an Amtrak train at a more convenient time.

Thanks for the reply@@TripHacksDC. I did see there was an additional one that will work for me assuming nothing changes before August.

Uber drivers are technically not supposed to refuse any rides but it is up to Uber to enforce their policies and I am not sure if they are. Since BWI is between DC and Baltimore, a driver who lives in Baltimore (or north) probably does not want a ride that takes them all the way to DC and a driver who lives in DC (or south) does not want a ride that takes them to Baltimore. So I would not be surprised if it happens but cannot comment on the frequency. Saving $50 per ticket is substantial but DCA is much more convenient if you are staying downtown, so remember to value your time as well.

The MARC ticket machine looks different now but otherwise yes this still works in 2023.

Hi, I would be staying at a hotel near BWI on the day I land at BWI. Next day, can I comeback to the airport for taking MARC train to Washington? If not, then which station should I go to for avail MARC train to Washington?

Yes, MARC is best when you don't have a lot of luggage.

Sean, how did MARC work out for you?

AssumedPlains Rob, it all worked out. Smooth experience. Fast service. Best way to travel from BWI to D.C.

Thanks for the feedback!