Airport transfer · BWI → Washington, DC

BWI Marshall (BWI) to Washington, DC

In short

The cheapest way from BWI Marshall (BWI) to Washington, DC is MARC Penn Line commuter train (+ free BWI rail shuttle): $8, about 34–50 min.

The fastest is Amtrak Northeast Regional / Acela (+ free BWI rail shuttle), about 30 min.

Fares and times are from the operators’ own pages, checked 23 October 2026.

Data updated October 23, 2026

Every way from BWI Marshall (BWI) to Washington, DC

Journey times are to Downtown Washington, DC (Washington Union Station). Fares are standard adult fares as each operator publishes them.

Cheapest

MARC Penn Line commuter train (+ free BWI rail shuttle)

$8 · 34–50 min

Fastest

Amtrak Northeast Regional / Acela (+ free BWI rail shuttle)

30 min · Varies

Late at night

BWI Airport Taxi (metered)
Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)

BWI Marshall (BWI) to Washington, DC: every option compared
Option	Journey time	Fare (USD)	Hours
MARC Penn Line commuter train (+ free BWI rail shuttle)Train	34–50 min	$8	Weekdays 04:53–21:55; fewer at weekends
Amtrak Northeast Regional / Acela (+ free BWI rail shuttle)Train	30 min	Varies	Not stated
BWI Airport Taxi (metered)Taxi	45 min	Varies	24/7
Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)Rideshare	45 min	Varies	24/7

Which Washington airport is easiest for Washington, DC?

The same comparison from each airport, so you can weigh the ground trip when you pick flights.

Into Washington, DC from each Washington airport
Airport	Cheapest	Fastest
BWI Marshall (BWI) (this page)	$8 · 34–50 minMARC Penn Line commuter train (+ free BWI rail shuttle)	30 min · VariesAmtrak Northeast Regional / Acela (+ free BWI rail shuttle)
Reagan National (DCA)	$2.25–$6.75 · Not statedMetrorail Blue or Yellow Line	—
Dulles (IAD)	$2.25–$6.75 · 53 minMetrorail Silver Line	53 min · $2.25–$6.75Metrorail Silver Line

The options in detail

Train · MDOT Maryland Transit Administration (MARC)

MARC Penn Line commuter train (+ free BWI rail shuttle)

Route: Free shuttle from the terminal lower level (outside baggage claim) to BWI Marshall Rail Station -> MARC Penn Line southbound -> Washington Union Station
Journey time: 34–50 min
How the time is measured: Train running time BWI Rail Station -> Washington Union Station from the MARC Penn Line timetable for Fri 23 Oct 2026 (34-50 min; most trips 36-41 min). Excludes the terminal-to-station shuttle and waiting time. The airport's DC page says about 35 minutes to Union Station.
Fare: $8
Fare details: One-way full fare BWI Airport <-> Washington DC $8.00 (MARC Penn Line fare chart, fares effective June 27, 2021; the MARC fare table updated January 2026 still shows the same zone prices). Senior/disability one-way is half fare. Tickets bought on board (cash only) carry a $5.00 surcharge if a ticket machine or ticket office was available. Buy at the rail station machines (cash accepted at BWI Rail Station), the fare machine near terminal Lower Level Door 2, or the CharmPass app.
Hours: BWI departures toward Washington: weekdays 4:53am-9:55pm (27 trains); Saturday 7:55am-9:45pm (9 trains); Sunday 9:15am-6:20pm (6 trains). Times from the MARC timetable for 23-25 Oct 2026. The free airport rail shuttle runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Frequency: Weekdays: about every 20-30 min in the morning peak, roughly hourly midday, last two departures 7:49pm and 9:55pm. Saturday: 9 trains. Sunday: 6 trains. (MARC timetable, 23-25 Oct 2026.)
Good to know: Shuttle boards outside baggage claim on the lower level at four designated stops (Doors 2, 8, 15, 17 per the airport's DC page). Shuttle frequency differs by source: BWI says about every 10-15 minutes (every 25 minutes 1am-5am); Amtrak's station page says every 6-8 minutes (every 25 minutes 1am-5am).

Verified on: MDOT Maryland Transit Administration · MDOT Maryland Transit Administration (linked from mta.maryland.gov/marc-fares) · MDOT Maryland Transit Administration (linked from mta.maryland.gov/marc-fares) · MDOT Maryland Transit Administration · MDOT Maryland Transit Administration · MDOT Maryland Transit Administration · BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (MDOT MAA) · BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (MDOT MAA) · BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (MDOT MAA) · Amtrak

Train · Amtrak

Amtrak Northeast Regional / Acela (+ free BWI rail shuttle)

Route: Free shuttle from the terminal lower level to BWI Marshall Airport Rail Station (7 Amtrak Way) -> Amtrak southbound -> Washington Union Station
Journey time: 30 min
How the time is measured: Airport's Washington, DC page: about 30 minutes from BWI rail station to Union Station by Amtrak. Excludes the shuttle and waiting time.
Fare details: Amtrak fares vary by train and booking date; no fixed fare is published on official pages fetched.
Good to know: Reserved intercity service; tickets from Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL / amtrak.com). Shuttle details as for MARC.

Verified on: Amtrak · BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (MDOT MAA) · BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (MDOT MAA)

Taxi · BWI Airport Taxi (airport taxi concession)

BWI Airport Taxi (metered)

Route: Taxi stands on the Arrivals/Lower Level roadway outside baggage claim, Doors 5 and 13 -> downtown Washington, DC
Journey time: 45 min
How the time is measured: Airport's Washington, DC page: approximate travel time from BWI to Washington, DC 45 minutes.
Fare details: No fare estimate to DC is published by the airport. BWI taxicabs are prohibited from charging flat rates (metered). Info: 410-859-1100.
Hours: 24/7
Good to know: Airport taxi service is only for rides originating at BWI.

Verified on: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (MDOT MAA) · BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (MDOT MAA)

Rideshare · App-based ride services

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)

Route: Upper level, outer roadway, between Doors 5 and 12 -> downtown Washington, DC
Journey time: 45 min
How the time is measured: Airport's Washington, DC page: approximate travel time from BWI to Washington, DC 45 minutes.
Fare details: No official price published; fare is set in the app.
Hours: 24/7

Verified on: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (MDOT MAA)

Search flights to BWI

Not verified yet

BWI taxi fare to downtown DC (airport publishes none; the concessionaire site bwiairporttaxi.com failed with an expired TLS certificate). · Amtrak BWI -> Union Station fares and current schedule (dynamic pricing; amtrak.com station page lists none). · BWI rail shuttle ride time from terminal to station, and its frequency (BWI: every 10-15 min; Amtrak: every 6-8 min). · The airport's DC page lists older MARC hours (weekdays 4:47am-9:32pm, Sat 7:50am-9:30pm, Sun 9:30am-5:45pm) that differ from the current MARC timetable used here; it also lists Amtrak-option hours (weekdays 6:23am-12:52am, weekends 6:23am-1:52am) whose meaning is unclear - not used. · No WMATA/MTA express bus from BWI to downtown DC is listed on the airport's transit page (MTA Commuter Bus 201 goes to Shady Grove Metro, not downtown); none included.. We only publish a figure once an official source states it.