My Mom (81) and aunt (71) will be arriving at BWI and need to get to DC. I know Reagan National would have been a better option but the airfares were too prohibitive. I've read the different options from BWI to DC - B30 bus, MARC train, shuttle, taxi and car service. They are in decent health but cannot walk for very long distances. Based on the posts I have read, the B30 bus appears to probably be the best cost-effective and easy option for them, but I have never taken this before. I've used the shuttle (don't care for it at all since it takes forever and has way too many stops) and the MARC train in the past. How easy is it for elderly travelers, sharing one small suitcase, to catch the B30 bus and take a cab from Greenbelt Station to their final destination in DC? If this is too much for them, then I would strongly suggest to them to take a taxi. I understand that it is about $70 one-way to downtown DC. Thank you.

Having taken the B30 express bus many times, I'd say it's feasible for almost anybody.

The bus stops right outside the terminal, so at that end it's no more challenging than taking a taxi. There are benches to sit on; the bus runs every 40 minutes. At Greenbelt, they'll have to walk a couple hundred feet from the bus to the taxis. If they are capable of walking those moderate distances and schlepping the suitcase up into the bus, they'll be fine. And I wouldn't be at all surprised if somebody volunteers to help them with the suitcase. They will need to have dollar bills to feed the fare machine.

My experiences are similar to "Anonymous".
Is your hotel around Greenbelt? If not, then don't take a taxi from there ... ride the Green line into town, and take a taxi from a station closer to your hotel.

Check http://www.stationmasters.com to find maps of the neighborhood around each Metro station, including maps of where the escalators & elevators are. Some stations they might find one or the other more convenient to when exiting the station.

The Metro from Greenbelt would certainly be most people's choice, and a sensible one.

But the ladies might be reaching their limit by then, and not willing to deal with the escalators, trains, possibly a line transfer, and another set of escalators at their destination and the hike to the hotel. In addition to learning about riding the Metro in the first place (purchasing and using a pass, etc.), although the staff at Greenbelt certainly seem practiced and patieent in dealing with newbies. The B30 is just a way to significantly shorten the cab ride.

Ok, this is just my opinion and we all have lots of them. I am not criticizing anyone for the helpful comments they have made here.

On several occasions I have had no choice but to take a taxi from BWI to my home in suburban Maryland...at least 30 minutes away in ideal traffic. Each time the fare was about $50, an amount that I think would not be formidable for two people to share. Given that, I suggest a leisurely taxi ride (with luggage assistance) to Metro and Metro from there to wherever.

They can also minimize personal wear and tear in another way. Instead of one small suitcase which one person will have to deal with, how about 2 even smaller totebags that may not even have to be checked and will provide a lighter load for each of them?

Thanks for all your posts; it has been extremely helpful. My aunt lives in New York City, so taking a bus does not bother her. My Mom lives in another country, and I have not seen her in a year. She claims she remains to be healthy and I would have the chance to assess it when she gets here, prior to their trip to DC (they're staying at a friend's place in the NW area). If I sense that Mom is no longer as healthy as she thinks she is, I will insist that they take a taxi and offer to pay for the fare. Knowing them, though, they would still want to know the other options since they are quite independent and like to make their own decisions. I will share your posts with them. Thank you once again.

Some days I have problems with those Metro vending machines ... that alone could discourage switching beyond Greenbelt. If whomever lives in NW DC that they're meeting could get a few farecards to them in advance, it would take some pressure off the trip. If they do decide to continue on the Metro, with a destination in NW DC, I assume the Red Line would be closest ... It's easier to transfer to Red from Green at Ft Totten then downtown (Gallery) and many less passengers aboard the trains than in the central downtown. I admire their determination and willingness to use public transportation.

Just an update. My Mom arrived last night, and her balance is no longer as steady as she wants to believe, although she does quite well for an 81-year old. I'm going to make sure they take a taxi; it'll just make things so much easier and I don't have to worry. All these posts were quite helpful to me, too, for our future trips to DC via BWI. Thank you.