The best of the three airports in the Baltimore-DC metro area
Written: Sep 16 '04 (Updated Sep 16 '04)
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Pros: Has the best selection of domestic low cost carriers, most convenient airport for Marylanders
Cons: Constantly under construction, long lines at security, long wait for luggage
The Bottom Line: BWI is far from perfect, but it's the best of the three airports in the Baltimore/Washington area.
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| pulanowi's Full Review: Baltimore Washington International Airport |
Face it. No matter how much you dress up an airport, it's been pretty hard as of late to describe your experience at an airport as "fun" or "pleasant." The closest I've come to liking an airport is the one in Jacksonville, which is bright and open and easy to get through. However, perhaps the reason for my warm feelings for that particular airport may be because it is not quite as busy as many of the other cattle barns that pass for airports. The "cattle barn" that I've had the most experience with would have to be Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI), and I've managed to see it through two different types of lenses: growing up in Maryland, it was the airport that I would fly out of, and now as a resident of Florida who likes to visit friends and family back home, it is the airport I fly into.
So how do I feel about this massive sprawl of an airport? Honestly, it's a bit of a mixed bag. On the negative side, if you fly in or out of BWI, be prepared to wait in some sort of line (whether it be for ticketing, security or baggage). On the positive side, it probably is the best airport that the Baltimore/Washington area has to offer.
A few years ago, you could definetly say that despite the name, BWI was Baltimore's airport and Baltimore's airport only. Baltimore is a city that loves to distance itself from that "other city" 40 miles to the south as much as possible. However, the changing face of aviation have made BWI much more of a regional airport for the entire metro region, and the preferable outlet for domestic travel.
When it comes to international travel, Dulles did and still does have the best selection of international flights. BWI did open up an entirely new International terminal a few years back, but it still doesn't have the amount of international traffic that Dulles does.
Where BWI shines is in domestic travel. BWI has all the usual domestic carriers you'd expect: American, United, USAirways, Delta, etc. However, it also is a mini-hub for two of the best discount carriers out there: Southwest Airlines and Air Tran. This means that you usually can get a good amount of flights into BWI for some pretty low prices. Dulles simply cannot compete with BWI in this regard, and Washington National's growth has been stunted ever since September 11th and the massive amount of security it requires.
BWI also has plenty of parking. It has a large parking garage which I believe has been expanded as of late. The garage also features one of the most convienient parking systems where you have illuminated green lights direct you to parking spots which are open (and those that are full show red lights). This makes searching for a parking spot so much easier. If you are flying out of BWI, there are four large long-term "satallite" lots for you to leave your car for a lower price than you would have to pay on-site.
If you need to stay the night, there are plenty of hotels and restaraunts to choose from within the immediate area of the airport. The airport is made easily accessible from I-95, I-195, I-97 and the Baltimore Washington Expressway. It is, however, about a 10 minute drive from downtown Baltimore and a half hour (assuming no traffic, and for Washington that's a big question) from downtown Washington. If traveling to Washington, you might want to check out the MARC commuter trains as the best way to get there if you aren't renting a car. A good "alternative" way to get to Baltimore is through Baltimore's Light Rail system, which travels directly to the airport.
The front ticketing area of BWI is actually sort of pleasant, with a large glass facade fronting the building. Once inside the airport, it becomes more like the non-descript, sterile "anywhere U.S.A" airport you see all over the place. They have managed to put in sky lights in the corridors, however. BWI has five seperate gate terminals named Piers A, B, C, D, and E (Pier E is the international terminal). Unlike some airports, you aren't required to take a tram out to the gate areas; a simple (and hopefully short) walk will take you to your gate. Each Pier is equipted with the right amount of restaraunts, cafes, newstands, gift shops, snack shops and bars you would want if your flight gets delayed. In the center of the airport there is an observation deck with actual airplane cockpits on display. A suggestion to people who want cheap food fast in case their flight doesn't have a meal: Roy Rogers fast food restaraunts are located close to the gates.
BWI also has some drawbacks. First, the place always appears to be under a constant state of construction. It seems like everytime I go there there is a new traffic pattern or they are re-doing the area around the parking garage. I'm just wondering if the planners at BWI ever expect to have the airport complete or if they just expect to always be building something somewhere within the airport.
The worst thing about BWI, though, are the lines. At some point in time during your trip to BWI, expect to be standing in at least one long line somewhere. Because of the popularity of domestic travel at BWI, especially the low fare carriers, ticket lines often snake around like lines to roller coasters. Then you have security; although security at BWI appears to be reasonably competent, it also takes what feels like an eternity to pass through. Make sure you arrive at the airport about 2 hours earlier to give yourself breathing room. Sadly in these post 9-11 days, you'll have to see off your loved ones before they go into the security gates and you can't accompany them to the gates (as is the norm basically everywhere now).
Perhaps the greatest hassle is luggage. I don't know why, but I always have to wait longer at BWI than at any other airport to get my luggage. One time it took me a half hour for my bags to come out!
Despite these inconveiences, I would still say that if you are flying domestically into the Baltimore or Washington area or if you are from Maryland and need to fly out, BWI is your best choice of the three area airports. Washington National is a headache to get in and out of and has become so difficult to fly into due to security concerns after September 11th (although I do admit the recent renovations make it the most architectually unique airport of the region). Dulles is good for international travel but just doesn't offer as much if you want to fly domestically in the terms of low price flights. Additionally, if you live in Maryland, Dulles is so far out of the way and requires a long drive around and then past the trecherous Washington Beltway. My father has argued that for Marylanders, Philadelphia is easier to get to than Dulles. BWI offers a wide variety of flights all over the country and features some of the highest amounts of low cost flights in the country.
BWI is far from perfect, but it's still your best bet if you are flying to Baltimore or Washington.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
pulanowi
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Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 1 member
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