BWI question
 

Hey gang!

I have to drop my parents off at BWI Saturday afternoon, and have never been to the airport before, so I have a few simply (I hope ... ) questions.

We will be coming from Harrisburg - is 83 to the beltway to 95 the best route to take, and if so, what would be a good guesstimate as to the time it takes for this drive?

I'd love to not have to drive them all the way "to" the airport, but can't seem to grasp if there are public transit lines we could drop them off at for an easy ride into the airport.

I thank you in advance, and happy New Years!!!

There is indeed public transit; the best would probably be the light rail or MARC commuter trains.

The light rail comes directly to the airport terminal. The MARC commuter train arrives at the BWI rail station, where a free shuttle takes them to the airport terminal.

I don't have the URL handy, but you can probably google it or find it at the BWI website.

try:

http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/...hedule/map.cfm

http://www.bwiairport.com/ground_tra...on/light_rail/

One last suggestion, if you just wish to avoid the airport itself is to park at the BWI rail station (fee) and all of you can take free shuttle to airport to see them off.

I don't know how old your parents are and what their abilities are. I am on the leading edge of Baby Boomers and consider myself relatively fit (no marathons, however!) That said, I live in the Wash DC area and have taken Metro from the northernmost end to National Airport. I do not relish the thought of doing it again lugging baggage with me. Think about your inconvenience relevant to the inconvenience of your parents. It looks to me like they will have to move luggage from your auto (of course, you will help there) to the train; from the train to the shuttle; from the shuttle to the airport. You can eliminate that drudgery for them...and you can have a bit more time with them (private time away from the rest of your family) if you drive them the relatively few miles to the airport door. Just my humble opinion.

I tend to agree that unless you can drop them off at an MTA light-rail station, public transportation probably isn't going to save you much hassle and will create big hassles for them. Even the light-rail station is out of the way and if they were taking Southwest, for instance, it would be quite a hike.

I hate BWI as much as the next person, but I would drive my mother all the way to the airport to save her the hassle.

From #83 I would take #695(west) to #295 (west) then to bwi exit..a mile or so and if departures lanes look crazy, we often drop off at arrivals and they can take elevator or escalator up. There is even a parking lot next to airport with 1 hour free parking if you want to help them. I really think this is all easier than getting to stations etc. We go there often and it is a pretty good easy/easy out airport

I'd add that while I hate BWI, it's the parking and sclepping that I hate. I don't find dropping people off to be that big of a deal. Granted, I'm not driving from Harrisburg, but if you take them as far as a MARC or light-rail station, you might as well drop them off at the airport.

Since the trip is on Saturday afternoon, the MARC trains won't be running anyway. I agree, dropoff at the terminal won't be a big deal.

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. Never been there, just wanted a little help which I got. :)