Transportation
There are many ways to get around Baltimore and travel to the surrounding areas or across the country; airport, bicycling, car sharing, buses, metro subway, light rail, the MARC Train, walking and even water taxi!
Airport
The Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall Internationl Aiproport (BWI) is Maryland's modern, user-friendly airport with more than 670 daily domestic and international flights serving more than 70 cities nonstop.
Public transportation via MARC train or Light Rail go directly from several points in Baltimore City to BWI airport.
Bicycling
Riding a bicycle is a good option all around – you can save on gas money and parking fees, lessen your impact on the environment and get healthier – all by riding your bike! Download the 2012 Baltimore Bike Map to help plan your route.
The City has been working on a Bicycle Master Plan since 2006 in order to promote bicycling. There have been new bike lanes built since then, and other changes such as better marking of trails which already exist. The Gwynns Falls Trail, for example, is a network of bike lanes downtown and through many of the parks in the city which have been more clearly marked in the past several years.
If you have questions about riding your bike to work, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council even has bike mentors who can guide you in the process!
Car Sharing
There are many creative ways to get around without having to own a car in Baltimore. The car-sharing business Zipcar has locations City-wide.
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)
The Maryland Transit Administration, known as the MTA, operates most mass transit in Baltimore, including the buses, metro subway, light rail and the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train service. Hundreds of employers offer a monthly transit stipend to thousands of their employees to encourage public transportation usage through Commuter Choice Maryland.
MTA has introduced CharmCard, a “smart” credit card-sized, electronic, reusable fare card that’s good for travel on Baltimore’s Metro Subway, Local Bus and Light Rail systems, as well as on bus and Metrorail services in Washington, DC, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and Northern Virginia.For more information about CharmCard, visit www.mtacharmcard.com.
Buses
The MTA operates nearly 50 local bus lines throughout Central Maryland. Many local bus lines connect with Light Rail, Metro Subway and MARC Train service. When riding MTA Local Bus service, pay the fare as you board. Exact fare is required.
For individual local bus routes and schedule information, call the MTA Information Line at (410)–539–5000 or 1-866-RIDE-MTA (743-3682), or visit their website.
Light Rail
The Light Rail travels from Baltimore County’s Hunt Valley through Downtown Baltimore, past Oriole Park and M&T Bank Stadium at Camden Yards Sports Complex to Anne Arundel County. There is also service to BWI Marshall Airport and Amtrak’s Baltimore Penn Station.
The Light Rail operates at street level, traveling on bridges to cross several bodies of water. You must purchase a ticket from the ticket vending machine before boarding Light Rail. Tickets are not available onboard.
Bicycles are permitted on all MTA Light Rail service except on crowded trains.
MARC Train
The MARC Train is a commuter rail system which makes an easy hour trip between Baltimore’s Penn Station and Union Station in D.C. There are three different lines of service connecting Baltimore with the region, and the MARC also connects Baltimore City to BWI airport.
MARC Train operates on weekdays only with limited service on select holidays. Seats are not reserved on MARC train. Only folding bikes are allowed on MARC trains.
Metro Subway
The 15.5 mile metro subway system operates throughout Downtown Baltimore and out to Owings Mills in Baltimore County. Bicycles are permitted on all Metro Subway service except on crowded trains.
Walking
Baltimore is a very walkable city with interesting sites within walking distance of the downtown hotels and in many of our neighborhoods. Get out and have a healthy walking adventure today!
There are several helpful websites which map out free walking tours for many of Baltimore’s historic neighborhoods. Links for more information on sites of interest along the way are provided along with distance and terrain. You can pick up trail brochures at the Inner Harbor Visitor Center or print them from the following sites:
Water Taxi
For tourists and residents alike, the water taxi is a fun way to get around the waterfront neighborhoods of Fells Point and Canton, and to visit attractions in the Inner Harbor down to Ft McHenry.
Additional Transportation Links
