Facility Overview
BWI Marshall Airport Long Term Parking Lot A is one of the premier official on-airport parking facilities serving Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Situated along MD-162 at 7160 Aviation Boulevard in Linthicum/Northern Anne Arundel County, this massive, well-maintained open-air surface lot provides thousands of dedicated spaces for leisure and business air travelers alike. Because Lot A is entirely open-air and flat, it offers unobstructed vertical clearance, making it an ideal choice for full-size SUVs, lifted pickup trucks, cargo vans, and vehicles equipped with roof racks or ski boxes that cannot fit into standard airport garages with lower clearance restrictions. However, airport parking regulations mandate that all parked vehicles must fit comfortably within a single marked stall without encroaching on adjacent spaces.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
While primarily engineered to serve air travelers flying out of BWI Marshall Airport, Lot A is strategically situated amid central Maryland's most active transportation and business corridors. Dedicated 24/7 airport shuttles whisk passengers directly from covered shelters within the lot straight to the main terminal ticketing and baggage claim areas in just 8 to 12 minutes. Beyond direct flight connections, the facility is convenient to prominent regional points of interest:
- BWI Airport Terminal: Direct transit connection via frequent complimentary shuttles to all passenger concourses (A through E).
- BWI Trail & Thomas A. Dixon Aircraft Observation Area: Located just a few minutes south along the scenic 12.5-mile perimeter trail, popular with aviation enthusiasts and cyclists.
- BWI Rail Station & MARC / Amtrak Hub: Situated approximately 2.5 miles southwest, connecting travelers to regional commuter and intercity rail lines.
- Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland & Arundel Mills: Located roughly 8 miles southwest, offering major retail, entertainment, and gaming options.
- Downtown Baltimore & Inner Harbor: Positioned about 9 miles north (a 15- to 20-minute drive), granting streamlined access to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, and the Baltimore Convention Center.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
BWI Long Term Lot A provides exceptionally easy roadway ingress and egress directly from MD-162 (Aviation Boulevard), nestled comfortably between South Camp Meade Road and Andover Road. Drivers benefit from quick access to major highway arteries including the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD-295), Interstate 195 (Metropolitan Boulevard), Interstate 695 (Baltimore Beltway), and Interstate 97. The lot is fully integrated with regional mass transit infrastructure: Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Light Rail stations (BWI Business District and Airport stops) are situated nearby, alongside the BWI Rail Station for MARC Penn Line and Amtrak corridor trains. Within Lot A itself, internal loop roadways, prominent stop signage, and wide aisles ensure smooth traffic circulation even during heavy holiday departure surges.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Expansive open-air surface parking with high-visibility paved aisles and well-marked standard and accessible stalls.
- Complimentary continuous airport shuttle service operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every 10 to 15 minutes (and every 25 minutes during late-night hours).
- Weather-protected passenger waiting shelters throughout the lot equipped with real-time digital next-shuttle arrival monitors.
- Unrestricted vertical clearance accommodating tall vehicles, light utility trucks, and roof-mounted cargo accessories.
- Clearly marked ADA-accessible parking spaces located in close proximity to shuttle shelters with wheelchair-lift equipped buses.
- Robust round-the-clock lighting, boundary fencing, security patrols, and motorist vehicle assistance (such as jump-starts or flat-tire support via SP+ airport parking operations).
- Convenient automated payment plazas accepting major credit cards and cash upon exit.
Ideal For
- Long-term vacationers, corporate road warriors, and holiday flyers seeking the lowest official on-airport daily parking rates.
- Drivers of tall SUVs, oversized pickup trucks, and vehicles with cargo carriers seeking open-sky clearance without garage height limitations.
- Travelers departing on early-morning or arriving on late-night flights who need guaranteed 24/7 shuttle transit back to their vehicles.
- Regional commuters wanting an economical, secure base location adjacent to major interstate corridors and rail stations.
Visitor & Driver Tips
Because Lot A is expansive, take a digital photo of your nearest numbered shuttle shelter or aisle marker before boarding the airport bus to make finding your vehicle seamless upon return. Airport shuttle buses depart frequently, but travelers should still allow an additional 20 to 30 minutes before their desired terminal check-in time during peak morning rush or holiday travel periods. If your battery drains or you experience a flat tire during an extended trip, the on-site parking operator provides complimentary roadside courtesy assistance. Keep your parking ticket safe in your vehicle or pay at designated exit kiosks using debit or credit cards for the fastest checkout experience.