BWI -- Please tell me all about it...

[lizardqueen]

We usually fly out of Philly, cause it's much closer to our house (we live in South Jersey). But if we fly out of BWI it will save our party of 5 $300. We have never been to that airport and I was wondering if it was huge or if it's easy to navigate. Is it considered a "popular" airport where we will have to worry about waiting forever in security lines? Anything else I should know about it? TIA.

 

[investgirlmd]

I live near BWI and fly through BWI always..... Actually just got back from Disney April 18.

BWI is a really nice airport... its kinda big I guess but, nothing near Orlando(MCO). Just to give you an idea our flight was 8:00pm on a Wednesday and we got to the airport at 6pm and we were through security by 6:20pm. That was checking in our bags and waiting for security. The hardest part for us was we had to take our shoes off and it that was hard with 2 kids cause they didnt understand 5 &11.

BWI was a breeze to and from MCO.. I cant say the same for MCO we were very close to missing our flight. MCO is crazy with the securities lines.I dont get it at all we were picked up at 7am for a 9:50am flight and we almost missed our flight. We were at the airport by 7:45am... it was really bad and that was on a Tuesday I cant imagine what a weekend would be.

BWI is very easy to get in and out and very easy to locate the gates and getting your bags.

Our return flight we landed at noon at BWI and we were home at 1:15pm and we had to take the bus to long term parking to get our car. It was so easy eve even with 2 kids.

Hope this helps... any other questions fire away!

 

[The Hill Family]

We live in MD and BWI is the airport we fly in/out of all of the time. The airport is not at all intimidating and is, in my opinion, extremely easy to navigate. I'm always surprised that it isn't more congested than it is (although I'm sure it has it's moments, we've just been fortunate enough to not be there then!). We live in an area where BWI, Dulles & Reagan National are all very close by... we still choose BWI and always will. The security lines have never been outrageous and they do move rather quickly. I have never heard anyone complain about it so I'm thinking it must not be a normal occurence to have problems. Good luck!

 

[lizardqueen]

Thanks guys for the quick replies. Can you recommend a good hotel that is close to the airport. We will be driving to MD late Wed afternoon and our flight leaves early Thur am -- we just want somewhere nice, but inexpensive for the one night.

 

[The Hill Family]

We stay at the Courtyard by Marriott BWI. It's inexpensive and located right at the airport (and they have a courtesy shuttle that will take you to the airport and back.. while you leave your car there!).