Baltimore Airport Map & Terminal Guide 2026
One terminal, five concourses, 78 gates. Everything you need to navigate Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) — Concourses A through E, security checkpoints, parking, Amtrak, MARC and Light Rail connections.
Baltimore Airport Map
The Baltimore Airport map below shows the full layout of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI/KBWI). BWI served roughly 27 million passengers in 2024, making it the busiest airport in the Baltimore–Washington metro area. It is a major operating base for Southwest Airlines, which handles over 70% of all flights, alongside 15+ other carriers serving more than 91 domestic and international destinations.
As you can see on the Baltimore Airport map, the layout is a U-shaped main terminal wrapped around a central parking garage, with five concourses (A through E) extending from the upper level. Concourses A, B and C share one secure zone; Concourses D and E share a separate secure zone. All concourses are walkable — BWI has no trains or shuttles between gates.
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Baltimore Airport Location Map
BWI Airport is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — about 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. The Baltimore Airport location map below shows BWI’s position relative to both cities. The airport is accessed via Interstate 195, which connects to the Baltimore–Washington Parkway (MD-295) and Interstate 95.
Interactive map showing BWI Airport’s location between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
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Baltimore Airport Terminal — Main Terminal
BWI has a single U-shaped main terminal building of approximately 2.4 million square feet. The terminal wraps around a central parking garage and is divided into two levels: the upper level for departures (ticketing, check-in, security checkpoints) and the lower level for arrivals (baggage claim, ground transportation). Five concourses extend from the upper level.
Main Terminal Levels
Baltimore Airport Security Checkpoints
BWI has four security checkpoints, all on the upper (departure) level of the main terminal. Three checkpoints (A, B and C) serve Concourses A, B and C, which share a single secure zone. The D/E checkpoint serves Concourses D and E, which share a separate secure zone. Concourses A/B/C and D/E are not connected airside — switching between them requires exiting security and re-screening.
Walking Between Concourses
Baltimore Airport Concourse A — Southwest Airlines
Baltimore Airport Concourse A is operated exclusively by Southwest Airlines and sits at the southern end of the terminal. The newly opened A/B Connector (January 2026) modernised the A1–A5 gate area and created a direct walkway to Concourse B.
The A/B Connector marketplace (opened January 2026) features local vendors including a Lexington Market outpost. The McDonald’s in the A/B food court is one of BWI’s only 24-hour eateries — useful for overnight layovers.
Baltimore Airport Concourse B — Southwest Airlines
Baltimore Airport Concourse B is also used exclusively by Southwest Airlines and is connected airside to both Concourse A (via the new A/B Connector) and Concourse C. Most Southwest flights depart from either A or B, so always double-check your gate.
Southwest handles about 70% of all BWI flights from Concourses A and B combined. These concourses can get busy at peak times, but the new connector has eased congestion and added seating.
Baltimore Airport Concourse C — Southwest & American
Baltimore Airport Concourse C is shared by Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. It connects airside to Concourses A and B through the same secure zone, so passengers can walk freely between all three after clearing security.
Minute Suites (near Concourse C) is accessible to Priority Pass members and offers day passes — a good option for long layovers. The Observation Gallery with children’s play area is located pre-security near Checkpoint C.
Baltimore Airport Concourse D — Domestic Airlines
Baltimore Airport Concourse D is the most diverse concourse, hosting a wide mix of domestic carriers and Air Canada. It shares a secure zone with Concourse E but is not connected airside to Concourses A, B or C. Passengers switching between these zones must exit and re-clear security.
The Club BWI (near gate D10) is accessible via Priority Pass or day pass and offers complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi and quiet zones. Note: passengers in Concourses A/B/C cannot reach The Club without exiting and re-clearing the D/E checkpoint.
Baltimore Airport Concourse E — International Flights
Baltimore Airport Concourse E handles all international arrivals and departures. It shares a secure zone with Concourse D, so passengers can walk freely between D and E after screening. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Global Entry kiosks are located in the international arrivals area near Concourse E.
The Chesapeake Club Lounge serves eligible Oneworld alliance passengers. The Light Rail station is located on the lower level just outside Concourse E — the most direct public transit link to downtown Baltimore.
Getting to Baltimore Airport
BWI is one of the best-connected airports on the East Coast for rail access. Ground transportation departs from the lower level of the main terminal.
Baltimore Airport Parking
BWI offers about 24,700 parking spaces across garages, surface lots and off-site options. Pre-book at bwiairport.com for availability updates.
Baltimore Airport Map — Arrivals
If you are arriving at Baltimore Airport or meeting a passenger, the arrivals area is on the lower level of the main terminal. After landing, passengers walk through their concourse to the terminal and take the escalator or elevator down to the lower level for baggage claim. International arrivals go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Concourse E area before proceeding to the lower level.
Ground Transportation from Arrivals
Baggage claim carousels are on the lower level for all concourses. From there, taxis and ride-shares are available outside the doors at kerb level. The Light Rail station is directly outside near Concourse E (no shuttle needed). For MARC or Amtrak, take the free shuttle from the lower level (doors 2, 9, 15, 17) to BWI Rail Station — a five-minute ride. Rental car shuttles depart from doors 1, 11 and 16.
Baltimore Airport Map — Departures
Departing passengers should enter the main terminal on the upper level via curbside drop-off or the parking garage skywalk bridges. Check in at your airline’s ticket counter, then proceed to the correct security checkpoint: Checkpoints A, B or C for Concourses A/B/C (Southwest, American); or Checkpoint D/E for Concourses D/E (Delta, United, Spirit, Alaska, international carriers). After clearing security, walk to your gate — all concourses are accessible on foot.
Recommended Arrival Times
Arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. During peak travel periods and holiday weekends, consider arriving earlier. Check-in counters typically close 45–60 minutes before departure. Gate assignments are displayed on flight information screens throughout the terminal and on your airline’s app.
Insider Tips
BWI is consistently rated one of the easiest airports to navigate in the mid-Atlantic. The biggest mistake travellers make is not checking which secure zone they need — if you enter A/B/C security but your flight departs from D or E, you’ll need to exit and re-screen. For layovers, the Observation Gallery (pre-security, near Checkpoint C) offers plane-spotting views, a children’s play area and the BWI cardio walking trail. Maryland crab cakes are available at Phillips Seafood (Concourse B) and R&R Seafood Bar (Concourse D). Free Wi-Fi is available airport-wide on the “_BWI Free WiFi” network. Charging stations are located throughout all concourses.
Baltimore Airport Map — FAQ
How many terminals does Baltimore Airport have?
One main terminal with five concourses: A, B, C, D and E. Concourses A/B/C share one secure zone; D/E share a separate secure zone. All gates are walkable — no trains or shuttles between concourses.
Which airlines fly from each concourse?
Concourses A & B: Southwest exclusively. Concourse C: Southwest and American. Concourse D: Delta, United, Alaska, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, Allegiant, Avelo, Breeze, Sun Country, Air Canada. Concourse E: British Airways, Condor, Copa, select Southwest international flights.
How do I get between concourses at BWI?
Walking only. A–B–C are connected airside (~8 min walk). D–E are connected airside. Switching between A/B/C and D/E requires exiting security and re-screening — allow 45+ minutes.
Where are security checkpoints at BWI?
Four checkpoints on the upper level. Checkpoints A, B and C serve Concourses A/B/C. Checkpoint D/E serves Concourses D and E. TSA PreCheck at all; CLEAR Plus at Checkpoints B, C and D/E.
How far is BWI from Baltimore and D.C.?
10 miles south of downtown Baltimore (Light Rail ~25 min). 30 miles northeast of D.C. (MARC train ~35 min to Union Station). Taxi/ride-share to Baltimore: 15–25 min; to D.C.: 45–75 min.
Where can I find parking at BWI?
Hourly Garage ($30/day, closest), Daily Garage ($16/day, covered), Express Lot ($10/day), Long-Term Lots A & B ($8/day, cheapest). ~24,700 total spaces. Pre-book at bwiairport.com.
What is the new A/B Connector?
Opened 9 January 2026, the A/B Connector is BWI’s largest-ever capital project (~$500 million). It adds a direct walkway between Concourses A and B, modernised gates A1–A5, a marketplace with local vendors, upgraded restrooms and a new baggage system processing 3,400 bags per hour.
Can I take a train to BWI Airport?
Yes. MARC Penn Line and Amtrak stop at BWI Rail Station (free 24/7 shuttle to terminal, every 10–15 min). MTA Light Rail has a station on the lower level near Concourse E — no shuttle needed. Light Rail fare is ~$2 one way.
What does the Baltimore Airport map show?
The Baltimore Airport map shows the U-shaped main terminal, all five concourses (A–E), four security checkpoints, parking garages and lots, the Light Rail station, the MARC/Amtrak Rail Station and ground transportation areas on the lower level.