Jamie Michele BWI

All ground transportation options from BWI airport are referenced at BWI's ground
transportation webpage. You can read a and print a great PDF brochure here.

Your best option for getting from BWI to the Marriott or Omni in DC depends largely on
when you will be arriving. The least expensive but nonetheless rapid and convenient choice
is to take a bus from BWI to the nearest Metrorail subway station, where it's easy to ride
your way to the Marriott/Omni. However, only you can determine the best route for your
needs.

Every piece of information was accessed on 07/01/2009, and while I tried my best, I am not
a professional travel agent and can make no guarantees or warranties for the accuracy of
this information. As always, travel at your own risk!

OPTION 1: TAKE A CAB OR SHUTTLE DIRECTLY TO YOUR HOTEL

· Most expensive (+$60 one-way): Taxi from BWI to hotel. From BWI's website: "The taxi
stand is located just outside of the baggage claim area of the Lower Level of the BWI
Marshall terminal. Please note that this service is available from BWI Marshall only. For cab
service to BWI Marshall, please consult your local cab company. BWI Marshall taxicabs
are prohibited from charging flat rates." Call 410-859-1100 for more information.

For a more expensive journey (though it could be somewhat sensible to take a limo if you're
with a group and can split costs), take a private car or limo (also from BWI's website):
"Private Car/RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation serves the Baltimore-Washington
Metropolitan Area. RMA provides round trip services, immaculate late model luxury sedans,
limousines and vans, professional chauffeurs, and 24-hour service. Please ask about group
services. Please make reservations online at www.rmalimo.com. All major credit cards
accepted." For more information, call 800-878-7743.

· Less expensive ($37 first person, $5 each additional one-way): Shared SuperShuttle
to hotel. SuperShuttle's online fare quoter says that between BWI and the Marriott, "Shared
Ride Van Service (Up to 10 Passengers in Party)" costs $37.00 for the first person, $5.00
each additional person. Securing "Exclusive Van Service" for up to 10 passengers costs
$125 total.

How to find a SuperShuttle (from SuperShuttle's BWI page): "After you claim your luggage,
please proceed to one of the two ticket counters - both located on the lower level baggage
claim area. One is near baggage claim #1 (Southwest Airlines Terminal - Concourse A) and
the other is near baggage claim #10 (Concourse C). They are open between the hours of
6:00 AM and 2:00 AM. When counters are closed, please call (888) 826-2700 for
information or to arrange service."

This is from SuperShuttle's DC information page, but is nonetheless applicable to BWI:
"Shuttles operate on an on-demand basis. No reservations are needed for outbound service
from the Airport. For information or inbound reservations to the Airport, call 1-800-BLUEVAN
or go to www.supershuttle.com."

· Save money on either of the above options: Arrange for your driver to drop you off at
the nearest Metrorail station, which from BWI is in Greenbelt, MD. From there, you can ride
DC's subway system. Buy a farecard at Greenbelt and board a Metrorail Green Line train
headed toward Branch Avenue. Greenbelt is an endpoint served only by the Green Line, so
any train that comes into the station will turn around and head back toward Branch Avenue,
so you can board any Metrorail train you see (as long as it's still in service).

Disembark four stops later at Fort Totten. Board a Metrorail Red Line train headed toward
Shady Grove. Disembark at Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan, and proceed as I describe
on the main scouting page. Read details on how to use the Metrorail system here. Use this
trip planner for detailed schedule and fare information.

OPTION 2: TAKE A BUS TO THE NEAREST METRORAIL STATION; RIDE METRORAIL
TO HOTEL

· Least expensive ($4.85 one-way): Bus to Metrorail; Metrorail to hotel. Take the BWI
Express Metro from the airport to Greenbelt station, where you can pick up a Metrorail train
into the city. From BWI's bus information page: "Metro now offers BWI Express Metro bus
service between BWI Marshall and the Greenbelt metro station. The service provides a
direct connection between BWI Marshall and the Greenbelt Metro Station. The BWI
Express/B30 service runs every 40 minutes, 7 days a week to the Greenbelt Metro Station,
which is located on the Green Line of the Washington Metro System. Buses run 25 times
each weekday and 21 times on Saturdays and Sunday, every 40 minutes. For more
information call 202-637-7000 or go to www.wmata.com.

Catch the BWI Express from BWI Marshall Airport. There are two WMATA Bus Stops. One
is located on the lower level of the International Concourse and the other stop is located on
the lower level of Concourse A/B. The B30 will pick you up outside at the bus shelter.
Follow the signs that say 'Public Transit.'"

Bus timetables for this BWI Express/B30 route are here, though I had trouble getting them
to load. After you disembark the bus at Greenbelt, locate the Metrorail. I've never been to
Greenbelt, so I can't tell you how to do it. If it's like New Carrollton, another suburban
endpoint, the bus depot will be outside but within sight of the Metrorail station. I'm sure
there'll be signs.

When you find the Metrorail vestibule, buy a farecard. Board a Metrorail Green Line train
headed toward Branch Avenue. Greenbelt is an endpoint served only by the Green Line, so
any train that comes into the station will turn around and head back toward Branch Avenue,
so you can board any Metrorail train you see (as long as it's still in service).

Disembark four stops later at Fort Totten. Board a Metrorail Red Line train headed toward
Shady Grove. Disembark at Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan, and proceed as I describe
on the main scouting page. Read details on how to use the Metrorail system here. Use this
trip planner for detailed schedule and fare information.

OPTION 3: TAKE A TRAIN TO DC'S UNION STATION; RIDE METRORAIL TO YOUR
HOTEL

· Less expensive (around $8 one way including Metrorail fare, but limited
days/hours): MARC train to Metrorail; Metrorail to hotel. MARC commuter trains operate
Monday through Friday ONLY. MARC Penn Line trains picks up at BWI and drops off at
DC's Union Station, where you can catch a Metrorail Red Line train directly to your hotel.
MARC Penn Line's first DC-bound pickup at BWI each Monday-Friday is at 4:59 AM. Last
pickup at BWI is 9:31 PM. The journey to DC's Union Station takes about 40 minutes.

MARC Penn Line map, schedule, and fare information are included in this PDF brochure.
Please review it before attempting to ride a MARC train.

Amtrak and MARC trains pick up from the same location at BWI. As you leave the baggage
claim area at BWI, walk outside, where you need to find a free airport shuttle to the BWI
Marshall Rail Station. It's nearby, but walking there isn't permitted. After you disembark the
shuttle, locate the train ticket office and purchase your fare. Tell the agent you're traveling to
Union Station. You may discover that you can catch an Amtrak train leaving sooner, though
Amtrak is not going to be cheaper than MARC. If the ticket office isn't open when you arrive,
you may purchase a ticket on board the train, cash only, but you'll be assessed a $3
penalty if the ticket office actually was open at train departure time.

Once you get your ticket, find your train. I've never been there, so unfortunately I can't help
you much here. I can only hope it's user-friendly. Disembark the train when it arrives in DC's
Union Station, which is a tourist destination in itself. Consider walking around a bit. The
mall and food court hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Sunday,
Noon to 6:00 PM. Details available at Union Station's website.

I tried and failed to find a video that might help a traveler navigate through Union Station. I
didn't scout this, so again, here I just have to hope that there are signs telling you what to
do. You'll need to locate the Metrorail area of Union Station and purchase a fare. Board a
Metrorail Red Line train headed toward Shady Grove. Disembark at Woodley
Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan, and proceed as I describe on the main scouting page. Read
details on how to use the Metrorail system here. Use this trip planner for detailed schedule
and fare information.

· More Expensive ($14-$42 one way): Amtrak to Metrorail; Metrorail to hotel. Amtrak has
daily service from BWI to Union station starting at $12; add another $2 for Metrorail fare.
Amtrak trains do operate on weekends, though you should plot your journey on Amtrak's
website or via this brochure before attempting to ride. Not all trains headed toward DC will
actually stop at Union Station, and vice versa. You must be certain that the train you board
will stop at your desired destination.

For your journey into DC, Amtrak's first Union-Station-bound pickup at BWI is at 6:24 AM
every day. Last pickup Monday-Friday is 12:40 AM (after midnight); last pickup Saturday
and Sunday is even later: 1:46 AM. The trip to Union Station takes about 40 minutes.

For your return to BWI, Amtrak's first BWI-bound pickup at DC's Union Station is at 4:00
AM Monday-Friday; 5:25 AM Saturday/Sunday. Last BWI-bound pickup is at 10:00 PM
every day. The trip is a little shorter on the return, around thirty minutes.

Amtrak and MARC trains pick up from the same location at BWI. As you leave the baggage
claim area at BWI, walk outside, where you need to find a free airport shuttle to the BWI
Marshall Rail Station. It's nearby, but walking there isn't permitted. After you disembark the
shuttle at the rail station, locate the train ticket office and purchase your fare. Tell the agent
you're traveling to Union Station. Two different Amtrak lines -- both the Acela Express and
the Northeast Regional -- travel through Washington DC. The Acela is a more luxurious,
faster ride; it's also more expensive. Ask questions of the ticket agent. You may discover
that you can board a MARC train leaving sooner for a less expensive fare. If the ticket office
isn't open when you arrive, you may purchase a ticket on board the train, cash only, but
you'll be assessed a $3 penalty if the ticket office actually was open at train departure time.

Once you get your ticket, find your train. I've never been there, so unfortunately I can't help
you much here. I can only hope it's user-friendly. Disembark the train when it arrives in DC's
Union Station, which is a tourist destination in itself. Consider walking around a bit. The
mall and food court hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Sunday,
Noon to 6:00 PM. Details available at Union Station's website.

I tried and failed to find a video that might help a traveler navigate through Union Station. I
didn't scout this, so again, here I just have to hope that there are signs telling you what to
do. You'll need to locate the Metrorail area of Union Station and purchase a fare. Board a
Metrorail Red Line train headed toward Shady Grove. Disembark at Woodley
Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan, and proceed as I describe on the main scouting page. Read
details on how to use the Metrorail system here. Use this trip planner for detailed schedule
and fare information.