BWI to Hotel

Question

We are flying into BWI and will be staying at The Morrow hotel. I looked at Uber and it is $100. I see that Google Maps is showing public transportation options. Can someone explain if that would be too much of a hassle with several changes, or a good option? Would a metro pass cover everything with connections?

Answer

Flying into BWI and getting to The Morrow Hotel using public transportation is possible, but it will involve multiple transfers and can be a bit tricky if you are carrying luggage or traveling with a group. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Public Transportation Option

The typical public transit route involves a combination of train and metro systems:

From BWI Airport, take the MARC Train (Camden Line) or the Amtrak train to Union Station in Washington DC. The MARC train is cheaper, runs on weekdays, and takes about 30–40 minutes. Amtrak is faster but more expensive.
Once at Union Station, you would transfer to the Washington Metro. Depending on the location of The Morrow Hotel, you may need to take the Red Line and possibly another connecting line to reach a nearby metro stop.
From the closest metro stop, you may need a short walk or an additional ride (bus, scooter, or ride-share) to reach the hotel, depending on its exact address.

Pros and Cons of Public Transit

Pros: Much cheaper than an Uber ($10–$20 total per person if using MARC + Metro), can be a fun way to see some of the city, avoids traffic.
Cons: Multiple transfers can be cumbersome with luggage. Timing can be tricky if trains or metro are delayed. Not as convenient if arriving late at night or on weekends when service may be less frequent.

Metro Passes

A standard WMATA Metro card (SmarTrip card) can be used for the DC Metro system and some regional bus connections. It will not cover the MARC train fare; MARC tickets are separate.
For multiple days of travel, consider a stored-value SmarTrip card or a 7-day unlimited pass, but again, you’ll still need a separate ticket for the MARC train portion.

Recommendation

If you are traveling solo with light luggage, public transportation is feasible and economical. If you have several people, heavy bags, or prefer convenience and minimal hassle, an Uber or Lyft may be worth the $100 for the door-to-door service, especially after a long flight.

Additional tip: Check MARC train schedules in advance, and plan for possible wait times at Union Station for metro transfers. Early morning and evening arrivals can be more complicated due to train frequency.

BWI to Hotel

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