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Baltimore has a variety of modes of public transportation, from rail to water.
However, the area’s public transit system is poorly planned and not well-integrated, often posing a whimsical challenge to get from Point A to Point B.
Still, a traveler equipped with maps (or a smart phone) and an adventurous spirit can easily use public transportation (in some cases free) to visit major tourist destinations in the city center, harbor area, Fells Point, travel hubs such as Penn Station and BWI Marshall Airport, and outposts including Washington DC.
If you’re visiting, the MTA’s $3.50 Day Pass is a worthwhile bargain, allowing unlimited rides on any Baltimore bus, Light Rail, or Metro subway.
BWI Marshall Airport
BWI Marshall Airport is located about 9 miles from downtown Baltimore and is accessible by the Light Rail and Amtrak/MARC trains. Amtrak
Inter-city Amtrak service to destinations in Washington, Philadelphia and beyond operates daily from Penn Station. Some Amtrak trains also stop at BWI Marshall Airport. Penn Station, located close to the city center at 1515 N. Charles is accessible by Light Rail and the Charm City Circulator. MARC
The Penn Line runs north from Penn Station to the bedroom community of Perryville in Harford County. To the south, the Penn Line travels to Union Station with up to seven stops along the way. Express trains skip some stations, but all trains stop at BWI Marshall Airport. The Camden Line, which is scheduled less often than the Penn Line, runs to Washington from Camden Station near the Inner Harbor, with one stop in St. Denis/Relay on the southwest side of the county. One-way fare from Penn Station to Union Station is $6 ($12.00 round trip). Tickets can be purchased from a station agent or computerized kiosks, or from a conductor on a train. MARC is a commuter train, only operating Monday through Friday. The trains start leaving from Penn Station around 4:30 a.m., and the last train leaves Washington at 10:30 p.m. MARC trains run more frequent during rush hours – every 15-30 minutes – and about once an hour during the mid-day. Greyhound
The station nearest downtown is located at 2110 Haines Street (410-752-7682), to the east off Russell Street. Bolt Bus
The Bolt Bus stop is located on St. Paul Street on the East Side of Penn Station. |
MTA BusBaltimore has about 8,500 bus stops scattered around the area that are served by up to 70 bus lines and commuter routes operated by Maryland Transit Administration. Including all of them would hopelessly clutter up our map. Fortunately, MTA has a convenient trip planner that will quickly help you figure out a bus route. Bus fare is $1.60. Charm City CirculatorThe City of Baltimore sponsors a free shuttle that runs three routes around town, which is a tremendous convenience to downtown commuters, students, and visitors. The Orange Route runs between Harbor East and the Hollins Market area west of the University of Maryland medical center campus. The Purple Route runs between Penn Station and Federal Hill. The Green Route completes a circuit that includes City Hall, Fells Point and the Johns Hopkins Medical Center campus. The sleek electric hybrid CCC vehicles run about every 10 minutes during operating hours. Summer Operating Hours (April 1 – October 31) Winter Operating Hours (November 1 – March 31) Metro Subway
Hours of Operation Light RailThe Light Rail is a north-south line running from Hunt Valley to BWI Marshall Airport or Cromwell Station in Glen Burnie. The line provides convenient street-level access to major landmarks including Penn Station, Camden Yards, the downtown/Inner Harbor area, and BWI Airport. A one-way fare is $1.60 and must be purchased from kiosks at stations that do not accept debit/credit cards. Tickets cannot be purchased aboard the light rail. Hours of Operation Water Taxi
Ed Kane’s Water Taxi provides a scenic way to visit Baltimore’s waterfront neighborhoods and attractions, connecting several popular destinations. The water taxi maintains three routes. One route circulates between the National Aquarium, Harborplace, the Science Center, Rusty Scupper and Harbor East. An express route travels between Harborplace and Fells Point. A third route connects Fort McHenry, Fells Point, Captain James’ Landing, and the Caton Waterfront Park (when in season). Depending on where you want to go, you may need to transfer Water Taxis at Harborplace or Fells Point. An all-day pass that gives you unlimited water taxi rides is $10 for those 11 and older, $5 for children 10 and younger. All passengers must have a ticket. Fare can be paid aboard the water taxi or purchased online and picked up at the Inner Harbor Visitor’s Center on Light Street. Hours of Operation November 1 to March 31 (weather permitting) April 1 to April 30 May 1 through September 7 Harbor Connector Commuter ServiceThe City of Baltimore operates a free water taxi shuttle service that connects Tide Point on the southern rim of the harbor with landings on the other side. Water taxis run about every 15 minutes from Tide Point to the Maritime Park landing in Fells Point, and about every 35 minutes between Tide Point and Caton Waterfront Park. Hours of Operation |
