title: BWI to Washington DC: Train, Shuttle or Drive
url: https://boardspy.site/blog/bwi-to-washington-dc/
type: Article
dateModified: 2026-08-16
publisher: BoardSpy
quick_answer: Quick answer: About 32 miles. Forty minutes clear, well over an hour at peak — and BWI is one of the few American airports with two separate rail services to a major city centre. Take the train when it runs.
primary_keyword: baltimore airport to washington dc train
keywords[8]{term}:
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  how to get from baltimore airport to dc
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  marc bwi to union station
faqs[5]{q,a}:
  How far is BWI to Washington, DC?,About 32 miles. Driving is about 40 minutes clear and 1 hour to 1 hour 20 at peak. MARC Penn Line is about 30–35 minutes to Union Station; Amtrak about 25–30 minutes. Pattern estimates, not live times.
  Should you take MARC or Amtrak from BWI to DC?,MARC is cheapest and weekday-oriented. Amtrak is a bit faster and runs daily, with better weekend coverage. Thirty minutes to Union Station is faster than driving at any hour.
  Does MARC run from BWI on weekends?,MARC is a commuter service: weekday frequency is high and weekend service is reduced or, on some lines, absent. Check the timetable. Amtrak runs daily.
  Is BWI better than DCA or Dulles for a DC trip?,DCA is closest and has Metro. BWI is furthest on a map but has two rail services and is often the cheapest fare. Dulles is west and Metro-connected via the Silver Line, strongest for international routes. Compare all three.
  Should you drive I-95 or the Baltimore–Washington Parkway from BWI?,I-95 is the direct interstate. MD 295 (BW Parkway) prohibits commercial trucks on much of its length and is often the more pleasant off-peak drive, with fewer lanes when something goes wrong.
citations[3]{name,url}:
  MARC Train,https://www.mta.maryland.gov/marc-train
  Amtrak,https://www.amtrak.com/
  BoardSpy data sources,https://boardspy.site/facts/data-sources/
internal_links[3]{label,url}:
  Baltimore to DC: drive, train or bus,https://boardspy.site/blog/baltimore-to-dc-drive-train-or-bus/
  Best time to drive Baltimore to DC,https://boardspy.site/blog/baltimore-to-dc-best-time-to-drive/
  Best time to leave in DC,https://boardspy.site/blog/best-time-to-leave-dc-avoid-traffic/