Getting around · Baltimore · United States
Getting around Baltimore
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dylan k, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Central Baltimore's waterfront neighbourhoods are walkable and linked by water taxis, while the Maryland Transit Administration runs light rail, a subway line and buses. Rideshares fill the gaps between neighbourhoods. No for a city stay; water taxis, light rail, buses and rideshares cover the sights.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Tram
- Airports
- BWI
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- MTA day pass
Ways to get around
Tram
The Light RailLink runs north–south from BWI airport through Camden Yards and downtown to Penn Station and the northern suburbs.
Metro
The Metro SubwayLink runs from the northwest suburbs through Lexington Market and downtown to Johns Hopkins Hospital; it is less useful for most visitors.
Boat
Water taxis link the Inner Harbor, Harbor East, Fells Point, Canton and, in season, Fort McHenry; it is the most pleasant way to move between waterfront areas.
A day pass covers unlimited hops and doubles as a harbour cruise.
Bus
MTA buses cover the whole city, including frequent routes up Charles Street to Mount Vernon, Charles Village and the BMA.
Walking
The promenade around the harbour connects Federal Hill, the Inner Harbor, Harbor East, Fells Point and Canton on foot.
Train
MARC commuter trains and Amtrak run from Penn Station to Washington, D.C., in about 40–60 minutes; Amtrak also serves Philadelphia and New York.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Lyft are widely used and the easiest option for Hampden, the BMA and late nights.
Tickets and passes
MTA day pass
Unlimited rides on light rail, subway and local buses for a day, sold at machines and in the CharmPass app.
From the airport
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is about 15 km south of downtown. The Light RailLink runs from the terminal to Camden Yards and downtown in about 30 minutes. A free shuttle connects to BWI Rail Station for MARC and Amtrak trains to Penn Station. Taxis take about 20–25 minutes.
Do you need a car?
No for a city stay; water taxis, light rail, buses and rideshares cover the sights. A car helps for Annapolis, Gettysburg and the Eastern Shore.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Annapolis | About 45 minutes | Car or commuter bus |
| Washington, D.C. | About 40–60 minutes by train | MARC Penn Line or Amtrak from Penn Station |
| Ellicott City | About 25 minutes | Car |
| Gettysburg | About 1 hour 20 minutes | Car |
| St. Michaels | About 1 hour 45 minutes | Car via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge |
| Harpers Ferry | About 1 hour 15 minutes | Car |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Baltimore?
No for a city stay; water taxis, light rail, buses and rideshares cover the sights. A car helps for Annapolis, Gettysburg and the Eastern Shore.
+How do you get from the airport to Baltimore?
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is about 15 km south of downtown. The Light RailLink runs from the terminal to Camden Yards and downtown in about 30 minutes. A free shuttle connects to BWI Rail Station for MARC and Amtrak trains to Penn Station. Taxis take about 20–25 minutes.
+What is the best way to get around Baltimore?
Tram: The Light RailLink runs north–south from BWI airport through Camden Yards and downtown to Penn Station and the northern suburbs.