Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport draws heavy traffic from Southwest and other low-cost carriers, making it a go-to for budget-conscious travelers across the DC-Baltimore corridor. The five hotels here were picked from properties on W Nursery Road and Elkridge Landing Road, all within 0.25 miles of the airport, all offering free airport shuttles, and covering a range of star ratings from 2 to 4 stars. Transit access via the BWI Rail Station, served by MARC Penn Line and Amtrak with a free terminal shuttle connecting to the station, rounds out the picture for car-free travelers.
How we selected and ranked these hotels
Distance to the airport terminal drove the order. All five properties sit within 0.25 miles of the airport boundary on W Nursery Road or Elkridge Landing Road, and each offers a free airport shuttle. Within the same distance band, a higher star rating moved a hotel up. Where star ratings matched, the higher guest review score decided the order. The BWI Rail Station, reachable via a free airport shuttle from the terminal, gives car-free travelers MARC Penn Line service to Washington Union Station in roughly 30 minutes and to Baltimore Penn Station in roughly 20 minutes, plus Amtrak on the same corridor. Hotels without a verified shuttle were excluded regardless of proximity.
BWI Airport hotels at a glance
| Hotel | Distance to airport | Star rating | Guest score | Free shuttle | Nearest transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport | 0.03 mi | 4 | 9.0 | Yes | BWI Rail Station (free airport shuttle) |
| Aloft by Marriott BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport | 0.07 mi | 3 | 7.7 | Yes | BWI Rail Station (free airport shuttle) |
| BWI Airport Marriott | 0.15 mi | 3 | 8.3 | Yes | BWI Rail Station (free airport shuttle) |
| Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, BWI Airport Baltimore, MD | 0.17 mi | 2 | 8.6 | Yes | BWI Rail Station (free airport shuttle) |
| Holiday Inn Baltimore BWI Airport by IHG | 0.21 mi | 3 | 8.8 | Yes | BWI Rail Station (free airport shuttle) |
Getting to and from BWI without a car
- The BWI Rail Station is not walkable from the terminal or from any of these hotels. A free airport shuttle runs between the terminal and the station; factor in 10-15 minutes for the shuttle ride plus wait time.
- From the BWI Rail Station, MARC Penn Line trains reach Washington Union Station in roughly 30 minutes and Baltimore Penn Station in roughly 20 minutes. Amtrak also stops at BWI Rail Station on the Northeast Corridor.
- For the Metro connection from DC, take the Red Line to Union Station, then board a MARC Penn Line train to BWI Rail Station.
- All five hotels on this list run free 24-hour shuttles to the terminal, but call ahead to confirm pickup frequency during off-peak hours if you have a very early or very late flight.
What to expect on W Nursery Road and Elkridge Landing Road
W Nursery Road runs parallel to the airport's western boundary and holds the highest concentration of airport hotels in the BWI area. The Hilton, Aloft, Marriott, and Country Inn all sit within a 0.2-mile stretch of each other here. Elkridge Landing Road, which branches off to the south, adds a second cluster including the Holiday Inn. Neither road has pedestrian infrastructure worth relying on, so the hotel shuttle is the practical link to the terminal for all guests. Parking at these properties is generally available and priced well below the airport's own lots.
The hotels
Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
1739 W Nursery Rd
9.01,063 reviews
At 0.03 miles from the airport anchor point, this is the closest full-service hotel to BWI, and its 4-star rating puts it above every other property at this distance.
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Aloft by Marriott BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport
1741 W Nursery Road
7.71,185 reviews
At 0.07 miles, the Aloft is between the Hilton and the Marriott on W Nursery Road and is the best option for pet travelers at this distance, though its guest score of 7.7 is the lowest of the five.
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BWI Airport Marriott
1743 W Nursery Rd
8.3407 reviews
Sitting at 0.15 miles on the same W Nursery Road strip as the Hilton, this Marriott gives travelers a 3-star option with a pool and full restaurant at a distance that keeps the shuttle ride under 5 minutes.
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Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, BWI Airport Baltimore , MD
1717 W Nursery Rd
8.61,564 reviews
The only 2-star property in this group, it earns its place with a guest score of 8.6, included breakfast, and a location at 0.17 miles on W Nursery Road that keeps it among the closest hotels to the terminal.
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Holiday Inn Baltimore BWI Airport by IHG
815 Elkridge Landing Road
8.81,259 reviews
A guest score of 8.8 is the highest among the 3-star properties on this list, and its position at 0.21 miles on Elkridge Landing Road keeps it well within the short-shuttle zone.
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Frequently asked questions
Do hotels near BWI Airport offer free shuttles to the terminal?＋
All five hotels on this list offer free shuttles to the BWI terminal. Shuttle frequency varies, so call the hotel directly to confirm pickup times if you have a very early or very late flight.
Can I reach downtown Washington DC from BWI Airport by train?＋
Yes. A free airport shuttle connects the BWI terminal to the BWI Rail Station, where MARC Penn Line trains run to Washington Union Station in roughly 30 minutes. From Union Station you can connect to the Metro Red Line. Amtrak also serves BWI Rail Station on the Northeast Corridor. BWI is not on the Washington Metro (Metrorail) network.
How far are these hotels from the BWI terminal?＋
The five hotels here range from 0.03 miles to 0.21 miles from the airport boundary. None are walkable to the terminal due to road layout and lack of pedestrian paths, so the hotel shuttle is the practical link for all of them.
Which hotel near BWI Airport is closest to the terminal?＋
The Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport at 1739 W Nursery Road is the closest at 0.03 miles from the airport anchor point. It is a 4-star property with a pool, restaurant, and free 24-hour shuttle.
Is there a budget-friendly hotel with a free shuttle near BWI?＋
The Country Inn & Suites by Radisson at 1717 W Nursery Road is the 2-star option on this list. It includes breakfast, runs a free shuttle to the terminal, and is 0.17 miles from the airport.
How do I get from BWI Airport to Baltimore Penn Station by train?＋
Take the free airport shuttle from the terminal to BWI Rail Station, then board a MARC Penn Line train. The ride to Baltimore Penn Station takes roughly 20 minutes. Amtrak also covers this route with faster but less frequent service.
