Matt Silverman

Okay, this may seem easy to some DC natives, but even after living here for four years I still had problems getting concrete information on how to get to BWI using the DC Metro. Let me tell you, unless you are getting a ride from a friend or taking a cab, there is no pleasant way to get to BWI from DC or vice-versa.

I first tried the method of taking the Metro to Union Station, and then using the MARC train, but frankly, that method sucks. You pay for the metro, you pay $6-$12 for the MARC (depending on weekday/weekend), and then you still have to take a 10 minute (albeit free) shuttle from the MARC BWI station to the airport. That’s right, you wait to get on the metro, you wait to get on the MARC train, then you wait to get on the shuttle bus to finally arrive at a place you probably don’t really want to be. YES!

While the WMATA isn’t exactly a magic carpet ride, it at least saves you some money, and saves you from dealing with Union Station, which is a very questionable place.

In case you have stumbled here looking for step by step guidance, here you go.

GETTING TO BWI USING DC METRO:

1. Check the B30 Bus Schedule [PDF] ahead of time.
2. Take Metro to Greenbelt station, which is at end of the Green Line.
3. Look for the B30 Bus when you get off at Greenbelt, the stop will be outside in the parking lot. It costs $3.00 with a SmartTrip, or $3.10 with cash (don’t ask).
4. The B30 is an express bus that will take you right to BWI Airport. The bus ride takes around 35 minutes or so, but depends on traffic.

GET TO DC METRO FROM BWI

1. The hardest part for me was finding the public transportation bus stop. There will be about 500 bus stops for shuttles to take you to a parking garage, but you have to keep following signs to “Public Transit” or “Regional Bus” in order to find the B30 Bus stop. It is on the lower level outside baggage claim, but depending on which baggage claim you get out at, you may have to walk for 5-10 minutes to get there.
2. Once you actually find the bus stop (B30 will be posted on the wall), take a sigh of relief. The hardest part is over. They have the bus schedule posted on the inside of one of the bus shelters. The B30 will take you directly to Greenbelt, just make sure you are getting on the B30.
3. Follow the instructions above for any further details.

BWI’s Official(ly Lacking) Instructions are here.

I will try to get some pictures to aid your voyage soon. Check back.