Getting from BWI to the Baltimore cruise terminal

The Cruise Maryland Terminal is 10 miles from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, according to the Maryland Port Administration, which runs it. That makes BWI the obvious airport for a cruise from Baltimore. Washington's two airports work too, but they are much farther away and cost more to get from.

Nothing on public transport goes to the terminal itself, and a search of BWI's website for the cruise terminal finds nothing. So the choice is a taxi or rideshare all the way, or a cheap train into the city and a short taxi ride from there.

Taxi from BWI to the cruise terminal

The taxi stands are on the Arrivals level, just outside baggage claim, at Doors 5 and 13. They are run by BWI Airport Taxi, which describes itself as the airport's exclusive taxi company. Fares are metered, because BWI doesn't allow its cabs to charge flat rates.

On 25 October 2026 the taxi company's website gave its meter rate as $2.90 for the first tenth of a mile and 25 cents for each tenth after that, which is $2.50 a mile. Tolls are extra, and so is 25 cents for each suitcase beyond two. Its approximate fare from BWI to the Inner Harbor is $35. It lists no fare to the cruise terminal, which is 2.5 miles from the Inner Harbor by the port's own reckoning. All its cabs take major credit cards.

BWI puts the drive to the Inner Harbor at about 20 minutes. For the trip home, the port says taxis from the cruise terminal to BWI charge a flat $30, a rate the Maryland Public Service Commission approved in 2008.

Uber and Lyft from BWI

Rideshare pickups are on the Departures level, along the outer curb between Doors 5 and 12. BWI lists Uber and Lyft and doesn't publish their fares, so check the price in the app before you book. The airport gives the same 20 minutes to the Inner Harbor as for a taxi.

Light rail from BWI into Baltimore

The cheapest way into the city is the Light RailLink. The station is right outside the Arrivals level next to Concourse E, at Door 19, with ticket machines at Doors 18 and 19. A one-way ticket costs $2.00, and children 12 and under ride free.

Ride to the Camden Station stop at Camden Yards, downtown. MTA's schedule for the last week of October 2026 has the first weekday train leaving BWI at 4:59am and reaching Camden Yards at 5:25am. The last weekday departure from BWI is at 12:40am. On Saturdays trains run from 5:10am, and on Sundays only from 10:40am to 8:40pm, so it is no help if you land early on a Sunday.

From Camden Yards you still need a taxi or rideshare to the terminal. If you fly in the day before and stay downtown, though, the light rail gets you into the city for $2.

MARC and Amtrak trains from BWI

A free shuttle runs from the terminal to the BWI rail station, from the Arrivals level at Doors 2, 8, 15 and 17. From there MARC's Penn Line runs to Baltimore Penn Station, 1500 North Charles Street, for $6.00 one way if you buy from a machine first. Tickets bought on board cost $5 more.

MTA's schedule for the last week of October 2026 had 24 MARC trains to Penn Station on weekdays, but only 9 on Saturdays and 6 on Sundays. This route suits a hotel near Penn Station better than it suits the ship.

Renting a car at BWI

All the rental companies share one facility at 7432 New Ridge Road in Hanover. A free shuttle leaves from the Arrivals level at Doors 1, 11 and 16, and BWI says the ride takes 5 to 10 minutes. If you plan to drive to the ship and leave the car there for the cruise, see our parking guide first.

Does the cruise line sell a transfer from BWI?

Carnival doesn't. Its help page says it offers no airport transportation for cruises from Baltimore, and on 25 October 2026 Baltimore wasn't on its list of transfer ports.

Royal Caribbean says every one of its ports has airport transfers for an extra fee, booked through its reservations line or a travel agent, and it recommends buying at least two weeks before you sail. It doesn't publish a price for Baltimore.

Flying into Reagan National or Dulles instead

Both Washington airports are a long way from the ship. Reagan National's own taxi fare sheet, in effect since May 2024, estimates $120 to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, plus a $3 airport fee. Dulles estimates $138 just to BWI. These are the airports' approximate figures, not fixed fares.

If a cheaper flight takes you to Washington, the train is the budget option. BWI describes the rail route between BWI and Reagan National as Metro to Washington Union Station, then Amtrak or MARC, taking 60 to 90 minutes. Dulles takes longer, 90 to 120 minutes by BWI's estimate.

Which way from BWI to the cruise terminal should you take?

If you land on the day you sail, take a taxi or rideshare straight from BWI. It is the only option that ends at the terminal, and the ride is only 10 miles. If you arrive the day before, the $2 light rail into the city becomes the cheap half of the trip.