Bowie commutes

Bowie to BWI Airport: Train, Shuttle and Driving

BWI Marshall is about 16 miles from Bowie Town Center in a straight line, and you have two good ways to get there: the MARC train from Bowie State with the airport shuttle, or the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Here’s how each one works.

Option 1: MARC train plus the airport shuttle

  • Board at Bowie State station on the MARC Penn Line, 13900 Jericho Park Road, Bowie. The lot has 675 free spaces and a ticket kiosk that takes cash and cards, according to MTA. Guide: Bowie State MARC station.
  • Ride north to BWI Rail Station (2 Amtrak Way, Linthicum).
  • Take the free shuttle to the terminal. It runs 24 hours a day, every 10 to 15 minutes, and every 25 minutes between 1 and 5 a.m., from beside the rail station garage.
  • Check the schedule first. Penn Line service varies by time of day and day of week. Times are on the MTA site.
  • Other Penn Line stations nearby: Seabrook (264 free spaces) and Odenton (1,977 free spaces, often full early).

Sources: MTA station information, MTA MARC parking, BWI Airport.

Option 2: Driving

  • Common route: MD-197 north to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD-295) north toward the airport exits.
  • No tolls on the BW Parkway. The National Park Service says there are no fees, tolls or reservations. Commercial vehicles aren’t allowed, and the speed limit is 55 mph unless posted.
  • Drive time varies a lot with traffic. Check a live map before a flight, especially weekday mornings.
  • Parking at the rail station instead of the airport: the BWI Rail Station garage has about 3,200 spaces at $12 a day, then you take the free shuttle.

Source: National Park Service, BW Parkway.

Living in Bowie and working near BWI

The BWI and Fort Meade corridor is a short drive north on MD-197 and the BW Parkway, so homes in north Bowie, closest to MD-197 and the parkway, usually make the shortest drive to the airport, Arundel Mills or Fort Meade. See Bowie neighborhoods, homes near Fort Meade, and the full Bowie commuting guide.

Moving to Bowie for a job near BWI or Fort Meade?

Tell Bruno where you’ll work and your budget. He’ll send homes that fit the commute, with what similar homes actually sold for.

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Quick answers

How far is BWI Airport from Bowie, MD?

About 16 miles in a straight line from Bowie Town Center. The driving distance is longer, and the drive time depends on traffic.

Can I take the train from Bowie to BWI?

Yes. Take the MARC Penn Line from Bowie State station to BWI Rail Station, then the free 24-hour airport shuttle to the terminal. Check MTA schedules first.

Is there free parking at the Bowie State MARC station?

Yes. MTA lists 675 free spaces at Bowie State station.

Are there tolls between Bowie and BWI?

Not on the usual route. The National Park Service says the Baltimore-Washington Parkway has no tolls or fees.

Transit and parking details are from MTA, BWI Airport and the National Park Service as of October 29, 2026. Schedules and fees change, so confirm before you travel. Bruno Tarquinii, REALTOR®, Fairfax Realty Premier. Equal Housing Opportunity.