How to Navigate Baltimore/Washington International Airport Inside & Out

Whether you’re arriving at or departing from BWI, knowing how to navigate the Baltimore Airport makes the experience smoother from start to finish. This Avis guide breaks down the Baltimore Airport layout and offers key insights to help you skip the guesswork and last-minute confusion.

Start here to learn how to navigate the Baltimore Airport:

1. One terminal, spread-out concourses: BWI uses a single terminal with Concourses A–E, but that one terminal is longer than it looks—getting from one end to the other can take more time than expected. Plan to give yourself extra time if you’re transferring between concourses.
2. Branches of Concourse D: Unlike the other concourses at BWI, Concourse D splits into two hallways. Pay attention to signs to find your gate.
3. Courtesy shuttle options: BWI offers several free shuttles to help you get around the airport campus, including to parking lots and the Rental Car Facility.

Pulling into BWI can feel busy at first, but it’s fairly easy once you’re in the flow. Most routes feed in from I-195, which drops you right into the terminal loop. When approaching the airport, you’ll want to look for your concourse, as each concourse has its own dedicated curbside pickup and drop-off section of the loop.

If you’re using a short-term or long-term parking garage, free shuttle services run between the terminal and all lots and garages. If you’re dropping off a rental car, you’ll want to follow the signs for the Rental Car Facility. After dropping off your car, you can take a free shuttle to the terminal.

Picking up a rental car from the airport is just as easy. Shuttles depart from the Inner Curb of the Arrivals/Lower Level at Doors 1, 11, and 16.

BWI keeps things relatively simple compared to similar-sized airports. The Baltimore Airport layout stretches across Concourses A through E, forming a half circle around the airport’s central roadway. Distances between concourses can add up, especially between the far ends, but you can make the entire journey indoors, and everything is clearly marked with signage.

TSA checkpoints are positioned at different entry points along the terminal rather than in one central location, so choose the one closest to your concourse. Once you’re through security, Concourses A, B, and C are connected airside, as are Concourses D and E. Baggage claim is located on the lower level, with straightforward access to ground transportation.

Need a better way to pass the time? These things to do at the Baltimore Airport can make a layover feel more enjoyable:

1. Hiker-Biker Trail: This 10+ mile trail loops around the airport and features the Dixon Aircraft Observation Area.
2. Art Exhibits: Look for rotating galleries, local and regional artwork, the Thurgood Marshall Tribute, and the large stained-glass Chesapeake Blue Crab sculpture.
3. Airplay Zone: After security, this expansive children’s play area is located in the D/E Connector, about a 2-minute walk from Security Checkpoint D/E, and features comfortable seating, climbing structures, and power outlets to charge electronics.

Need a rental to explore Charm City and beyond? Start your reservation for a BWI car rental from Avis and enjoy an extensive selection of vehicles, a convenient on-site location, and many ways to save. Book now.