Flying into Baltimore
Feb 28th, 2006, 09:55 AM
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Flying into Baltimore
I am bringing a group of Girl Scouts to Washington this July. We are checking into flying into Baltimore because it seems to be cheaper than flying into Reagon or Dulles. What would be the best way to get into Washington? How expensive is it and how long would it take?
Feb 28th, 2006, 11:03 AM
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What is the price difference? By the time you tote up the cost of alternate transportation, it might not be all that cost effective.
If you don't want to rent a car or van, trains are probably the most comfortable way to get from Baltimore to DC -- unless you're not staying in downtown DC and have to tack on the cost of taxi fare for everybody.
When you ask how long it would take, you have to factor in the time it would take to get from the airport to the Amtrak station, plus the wait time for a train, plus the time on the train.
I suspect BWI has a website that answers the first question, and the Amtrak website answers the rest -- including whether there are reduced rates for younger riders.
There is also probably a Greyhound bus that goes from Baltimore, and maybe even BWI itself to DC. Greyhound has a website.
If you don't want to rent a car or van, trains are probably the most comfortable way to get from Baltimore to DC -- unless you're not staying in downtown DC and have to tack on the cost of taxi fare for everybody.
When you ask how long it would take, you have to factor in the time it would take to get from the airport to the Amtrak station, plus the wait time for a train, plus the time on the train.
I suspect BWI has a website that answers the first question, and the Amtrak website answers the rest -- including whether there are reduced rates for younger riders.
There is also probably a Greyhound bus that goes from Baltimore, and maybe even BWI itself to DC. Greyhound has a website.
Feb 28th, 2006, 11:29 AM
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Actually it is easy --BWI to Wash D.C. union station..
directly out the door where you collect your baggage is a free shuttle to the Amtrack station.
At this station you can get --MARC--"commute" trains to Union Station--during week days and on weekends it is an Amtrak train which runs less often that the MARC and costs more. I am sorry I do not know the prices, which I realize would make a difference qith a group.
Another option is Reagan airport which has direct metro line into DC and would be cheaper..
Good luck
directly out the door where you collect your baggage is a free shuttle to the Amtrack station.
At this station you can get --MARC--"commute" trains to Union Station--during week days and on weekends it is an Amtrak train which runs less often that the MARC and costs more. I am sorry I do not know the prices, which I realize would make a difference qith a group.
Another option is Reagan airport which has direct metro line into DC and would be cheaper..
Good luck
Feb 28th, 2006, 11:31 AM
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Hi BusyScoutMom, I know you've gotten good answers for this on another forum. Flying into BWI is cheaper, but the tradeoff is you've got to get into DC / Northern VA. Check the www.bwiairport.com site under ground transportation, they list all the options. If I had a group I would look into hiring a van to take us to our hotel. Some of the most popular mass transit options are:
From BWI you can either take Amtrak or the commuter MARC train into DC. MARC has a limited schedule. You can check prices and schedules on their respective websites.
There is also a bus from BWI to the Greenbelt metro station, the B30. Then a metro to your destination. From your other Fodor's post it sounds like you are considering a hotel near the Van Dorn metro -- so you'd metro from either Union Station (Amtrak or MARC)or Greenbelt (bus).
The BWI site also lists the super shuttle as going to Northern VA. You should call them with your particulars to see what they can do. The number 1-800-BLUE VAN (258-3826)is on the BWI site.
From BWI you can either take Amtrak or the commuter MARC train into DC. MARC has a limited schedule. You can check prices and schedules on their respective websites.
There is also a bus from BWI to the Greenbelt metro station, the B30. Then a metro to your destination. From your other Fodor's post it sounds like you are considering a hotel near the Van Dorn metro -- so you'd metro from either Union Station (Amtrak or MARC)or Greenbelt (bus).
The BWI site also lists the super shuttle as going to Northern VA. You should call them with your particulars to see what they can do. The number 1-800-BLUE VAN (258-3826)is on the BWI site.
Feb 28th, 2006, 11:56 AM
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The B30 bus is the cheapest, fastest, and easiest route. My daughter went to college in DC (we live in Boston) and we used BWI/B30 exclusively.
The B30 departs from the main BWI terminal (no shuttles necessary, as with the Amtrak or MARC trains) every 40 minutes 7 days per week. Price is $3; have correct change ready, they do take $1's but crisper is better for feeding into the onboard machine. In 30 minutes, you're at the Greenbelt Metro station. Get your individual Metro passes there that you'll us for your stay (plenty of vending machines handy).
If you return to BWI on the B30, get a Metro transfer when you first start your journey, and the bus fare is reduced. (Have your girls reswearch this on the www.wmata.com web site).
Of the 3 airports, Dulles is certainly the least convenient. National is very close to the Metro, but usually you pay a steep airfare price for that convenience.
The B30 departs from the main BWI terminal (no shuttles necessary, as with the Amtrak or MARC trains) every 40 minutes 7 days per week. Price is $3; have correct change ready, they do take $1's but crisper is better for feeding into the onboard machine. In 30 minutes, you're at the Greenbelt Metro station. Get your individual Metro passes there that you'll us for your stay (plenty of vending machines handy).
If you return to BWI on the B30, get a Metro transfer when you first start your journey, and the bus fare is reduced. (Have your girls reswearch this on the www.wmata.com web site).
Of the 3 airports, Dulles is certainly the least convenient. National is very close to the Metro, but usually you pay a steep airfare price for that convenience.
Feb 28th, 2006, 02:07 PM
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Here's another vote for using the B30 bus. As there are 9 of you, you just need $27 to pay the driver ... don't worry about each person having $3 exact on them ... and if you DON't have $27, say 3 tens, you get to DONATE the change to Metro! Neat, huh?
Anyway, the B30 picks up at 2 locations: outside the Southwest baggage claim area, and outside the international terminal lower level. For SW - outside the doors you'll see a sidewalk, a couple of driving lanes, then a "pedestrian island", then some more driving lanes. Look to your left on that pedestrian island for a couple of bus shelters. That's where the stop is. For the other stop look for the bus shelter on the pedestrian island outside the third from the last door as you head towards light-rail.
I suggest you board at the first, in order to make sure your entire group gets on the same bus (40 minutes between buses), altho I've never seen them filled.
I use MARC too, I pick by the schedule. MARC does not run weekends nor Federal holidays.
Anyway, the B30 picks up at 2 locations: outside the Southwest baggage claim area, and outside the international terminal lower level. For SW - outside the doors you'll see a sidewalk, a couple of driving lanes, then a "pedestrian island", then some more driving lanes. Look to your left on that pedestrian island for a couple of bus shelters. That's where the stop is. For the other stop look for the bus shelter on the pedestrian island outside the third from the last door as you head towards light-rail.
I suggest you board at the first, in order to make sure your entire group gets on the same bus (40 minutes between buses), altho I've never seen them filled.
I use MARC too, I pick by the schedule. MARC does not run weekends nor Federal holidays.
Mar 1st, 2006, 04:22 AM
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BusyScoutMom,
Nothing to add to the good advice already given. I just want you to know that BWI and Dulles are about the same distance and time into DC - to me they ae equal choices and I would just pick the cheaper of the two.
Now, REAGAN Airport is a different story: it's right on the subway line ($1.50/person) or a quick 10 minute taxi into DC (about $15 for 4 people). Just something to think about when calculating the total cost of a trip (i.e. combined flight cost plus transportation cost to and from airport). Not to mention the convenience factor - to me it's worth a little extra cash to save some time getting in and out of town.
Nothing to add to the good advice already given. I just want you to know that BWI and Dulles are about the same distance and time into DC - to me they ae equal choices and I would just pick the cheaper of the two.
Now, REAGAN Airport is a different story: it's right on the subway line ($1.50/person) or a quick 10 minute taxi into DC (about $15 for 4 people). Just something to think about when calculating the total cost of a trip (i.e. combined flight cost plus transportation cost to and from airport). Not to mention the convenience factor - to me it's worth a little extra cash to save some time getting in and out of town.
Jun 9th, 2008, 04:38 AM
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I would think BWI would be easier than Dulles, due to the availability of rail service to Union Station. As mentioned earlier, both are a hassle compared to Reagan. One cost issue may be the day/time that you'd arrive at BWI. If you can catch a MARC commuter train, it would be much cheaper than having to catch an AMTRAK train. Also, if it's during a weekday in the daytime, the frequency of the trains is much better.
Jun 9th, 2008, 05:00 AM
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And both the MARC train and Amtrak run less frequently and cost more than the B30 bus, which runs every 40 minutes and costs $3. The trains also require that one take a shuttle from the airport to the train station. They do get you downtown faster.
Jun 9th, 2008, 06:18 AM
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“How safe is the bus into DC on a Saturday evening in the 9PM range--for a single female?”
The B30 doesn’t go into DC. It goes to Greenbelt station in Maryland where you can take the redline into DC.
If you are staying at the Hampton Inn Convention Center at 901 6th Street, NW, you can take the redline to Gallery Place/Chinatown station and walk from there.
Yes it is safe, but like any vehicle, it could get into an accident.
Feel free to start your own thread rather than pulling up 2 year old ones.
The B30 doesn’t go into DC. It goes to Greenbelt station in Maryland where you can take the redline into DC.
If you are staying at the Hampton Inn Convention Center at 901 6th Street, NW, you can take the redline to Gallery Place/Chinatown station and walk from there.
Yes it is safe, but like any vehicle, it could get into an accident.
Feel free to start your own thread rather than pulling up 2 year old ones.
