Need help from local transit experts

[VelmaD]

I've been perusing the rail maps and feel pretty damn clueless so I'm asking for help. I get into BWI at 7pm on Friday and am trying to figure out the easiest/quickest way to get to the Capitol Hill Suites so I can change clothes real quick and get to the Hawk and Dove before the Friday night party is over.

Any help from the locals on the best way to get there from here would be appreciated. The metro rail maps and timetables and whatnot are a little too complicated for this country girl. :)

[marmar]

1. I'm not a local...

but BWI is a long way from an Metro station. You'd have to take MARC or Amtrak from BWI to Union Station, then take the Metro.

[marbuc]

2. This is correct

Take MARC (regional rail) to Union Station, and go from there.

[danostuporstar]

3. How late does MARC run?

Will MARC be running that late? (Plane arrives at 7pm, so probably depends on whether there is checked baggage.)

[VelmaD]

4. No checked baggage...

I'm scrunching it all up into something that I can carry on the plane. :)

[marbuc]

6. I don't know. I would assume they do.

I see that Lynne has posted the info you need, so good luck, have fun, and try to stay out of trouble! By the way, I second Lynne's endorsement of DC taxis; they are clean, driven by capable and mostly friendly people, and are very reasonably priced.

[LynneSin]

5. Here you go hun!

http://www.bwiairport.com/ground_transportation/marc_train/

This the Marc information


And actually you can take the DC Metro - they shuttle you over to the closest stop

http://www.bwiairport.com/ground_transportation/washington_dc__wmata_/

Both will take you into Union Station. At that point I'd pay the few dollars to grab a taxi over to Cap Hill Suites. DC has set rates so as long as you stay within the DC downtown area the cabs are pretty cheap. Heck I'll buy your first drink to make up for it

[northzax]

7. I don't know how late HandD will go...

but it will take you a minimum of 90 minutes, from touchdown, to get to DC on public transit. Check the MARC or AMTRAK lines, they're the fastest way, if there's a train you can catch. the WMATA Metrobus leaves at 40 minutes past the hour and takes about an hour, then you have 30 minutes on the Metro to get to downtown.

good luck.

[many a good man]

8. Go Amtrak

There's a shuttle that will take you from the airport straight to the train station. At 7:31 you can hop on an Acela to Union Station for $36 or wait for the 8:22 regional for $14. If you miss it there's another Acela ten minutes later.

From Union Station you can grab a cab out front. I wouldn't recommend hoofing it at that time of night.