BWI Long Term Parking A: 2026 Rates, Lots & Tips

BWI Long Term Parking A is an open-air, self-park facility operated on airport grounds at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, offering some of the lowest on-airport rates available. As of 2026, BWI long term parking A costs $11 per day — a rate set by the Maryland Aviation Administration effective July 1, 2024, the first price increase since 2009. A free shuttle connects Long Term Lots to the terminal every 10–15 minutes, making this the go-to option for trips of three days or longer.

• Rate: $11/day — the second-cheapest on-airport option behind Express Parking at $14/day
• Shuttle: Free, runs every 10–15 minutes (every 25 minutes between 1–5 AM)
• Capacity: BWI has ~22,000 total on-airport spaces across all facilities, per official airport data
• Best for: Trips of 3 days or more where shuttle time is acceptable
• Advance booking: Reservations available through the airport and third-party booking platforms
• Payment: Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, and contactless payment accepted

For the full picture of every parking option at BWI — from the Hourly Garage to off-site lots — see the Complete BWI Airport Parking Guide. This article goes deeper on Long Term Parking specifically, covering Lot A versus Lot B, shuttle details, cost breakdowns by trip length, and insider tips for peak travel periods.

What Is BWI Long Term Parking A?

BWI Long Term Parking consists of large surface lots located on airport property, managed under the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), a unit of the Maryland Department of Transportation. The lots are divided into distinct sections — commonly referred to as Lot A and Lot B — positioned on the perimeter of the airport campus near Aviation Boulevard (MD Route 170). Both lots are accessed via Interstate 195, the primary airport access road off I-95.

The rate at BWI long term parking A is $11 per day with no additional hourly charges — you pay a flat daily maximum. According to official airport data, this rate has been in effect since July 1, 2024. That's a significant savings versus the Daily Garage at $16/day or the Hourly Garage at up to $30/day. For a 7-day trip, Long Term saves you $35 compared to the Daily Garage.

The lots are unsheltered surface parking — no roof or covered structure. Lighting is installed throughout for nighttime safety. The airport deploys surveillance cameras across the Long Term areas, and the lots are fenced with controlled entry and exit points. Staffing levels at Long Term Lots are lower than the garages, but the entry and exit lanes are automated with ticket-based payment systems.

Compare BWI Long Term Parking rates against off-site lots starting at $7.50/day on Triply — lock in your spot before peak summer dates fill up.

Long Term Lot A vs. Lot B: What's the Difference?

Both Lot A and Lot B fall under BWI's Long Term Parking umbrella and charge the same $11/day rate. The key difference is their position relative to the shuttle stops and terminal drop-off zones. Based on the airport's lot layout, Lot A tends to fill first on busy travel days because it is positioned closer to the primary shuttle boarding area. Lot B serves as overflow and is slightly farther from the main entrance lanes but still served by the same free shuttle circuit.

Accessible (ADA) parking spaces are available within the Long Term Lots. Travelers with accessibility needs should note that the closest accessible spaces to the terminal are in the Hourly and Daily Garages, which offer a shorter or direct walk. If you need ADA parking in the Long Term area, arrive early on peak days — those spaces fill quickly.

How Much Does BWI Long Term Parking Cost for Your Trip?

At $11 per day, BWI long term parking A offers a clear cost advantage over other on-airport options for multi-day trips. Below is a real cost breakdown comparing Long Term Parking against the Daily Garage and Express Parking for common trip lengths (verified June 2026).

On a 14-day trip, Long Term Parking saves you $70 vs. Express Parking and $42 vs. the Daily Garage. For frequent BWI travelers, that math adds up fast across multiple trips per year. The trade-off is shuttle time — plan for an extra 10–20 minutes versus the Daily Garage walk-up option.

Off-site lots push the savings even further. According to current rates compiled by Triply, providers like FastPark 2 (BWI) and The Parking Spot (East) both start at $7.50/day — saving you up to 32% versus Long Term Lots. For a full comparison of off-site options, the airport parking near BWI guide covers every major lot with shuttle details and real prices.

How Does the BWI Long Term Parking Shuttle Work?

The Long Term Lot shuttle is free and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. According to official airport shuttle information, it runs every 10–15 minutes during normal hours. Between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM, frequency drops to every 25 minutes. If your flight lands or departs in the early morning, plan for this reduced frequency.

The shuttle picks you up directly from your lot's designated shuttle stop. Look for clearly marked shelter areas with signage inside both Lot A and Lot B. The ride from the Long Term Lots to the terminal takes approximately 5–10 minutes depending on traffic and stops. After the shuttle drops you at the terminal, you'll enter via the lower level arrivals area and proceed to your concourse from there.

On the return trip, board the shuttle at the Ground Transportation area on the lower level of the terminal. Signs direct you to the correct bus lane. The same shuttle circuit serves Long Term Lots, Express Parking, the Daily Garage, and the BWI Rail Station — so confirm you're boarding the right bus before it departs.

• Look for "Long Term Parking" signage on the bus display
• Shuttles operate 24/7 — but frequency drops to every 25 min between 1–5 AM
• Ride time from Lot A to terminal: approximately 5–10 minutes
• Return shuttle boards at the Ground Transportation lower level
• The same shuttle route serves multiple lots — confirm your stop before boarding

Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Long Term Parkers at BWI

If this is your first time using BWI Long Term Parking, the process is straightforward. Here's exactly what to expect from arrival to terminal check-in.

1. Enter via I-195: Take Interstate 195 (exit 1A from I-95) toward the airport. Follow signs for Long Term Parking. The lots sit off Aviation Boulevard (MD Route 170).
2. Take a ticket at the entry gate: Pull a ticket from the automated dispenser. Keep it — you'll need it to exit.
3. Park and note your row/section: BWI Long Term Lots use letter-and-number row markers. Take a photo of the nearest marker on your phone so you can find your car on return.
4. Walk to the shuttle stop: Follow the blue shuttle stop signs within the lot. Stops are clearly marked with shelter areas.
5. Board the Long Term Parking shuttle: Confirm the bus display reads "Long Term" before boarding. Ride time to the terminal is roughly 5–10 minutes.
6. Return via Ground Transportation: On your return, exit baggage claim and follow signs to Ground Transportation on the lower level. Board the Long Term shuttle.
7. Pay at the exit gate: Pull up your original ticket. Pay at the gate by card, cash, or contactless. The system calculates your total automatically at $11/day.

One tip experienced BWI travelers swear by: arrive at the shuttle stop with your bags already organized. The buses fill quickly during morning rush hours, and a second bus may take another 10–15 minutes. Having TSA PreCheck also helps — it compresses your security time so the shuttle's schedule matters less.

Booking and Reservations for BWI Long Term Parking A

Advance reservations for BWI Long Term Parking are available through third-party booking platforms, though the airport's own lot system also accepts walk-up arrivals. Booking ahead locks in your space, which is especially valuable during summer travel season and major holidays when Lot A fills first.

Based on our analysis of booking platforms, you can reserve BWI long term parking A through aggregators like Triply, which compares available inventory across providers. Pre-booking through a third-party platform sometimes unlocks prepaid rates slightly below the walk-up $11/day rate. Always check the cancellation policy before booking — most major platforms offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your arrival date.

• Book at least 1–2 weeks ahead for summer travel (June–August)
• Book 3–4 weeks ahead for Thanksgiving week and the December holidays
• Walk-up is fine for most off-peak weekdays — Lot B provides overflow capacity
• Third-party reservations often include a confirmation code — keep it accessible on your phone
• Check cancellation terms: most platforms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours prior

Seasonal Demand and Peak Travel Tips for BWI Long Term Parking

BWI's Long Term Lots face their heaviest demand during predictable peak windows. Knowing these periods helps you plan smarter and avoid the stress of a full lot.

Summer travel (June–August) is the busiest season at BWI. The airport serves both the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metro areas — a combined population of several million — so demand for long-term spaces spikes sharply on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings throughout summer. Lot A fills before Lot B during these periods. Arriving before 7:00 AM on a Friday departure day gives you a strong chance of securing a closer Lot A space.

Thanksgiving and December holidays are the highest-stress periods for parking. According to travelers who frequent BWI during holidays, Lot A can reach capacity by mid-morning on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Lot B opens as overflow. The airport does not currently publish real-time availability data online, so there's no way to check fill levels remotely — book in advance and arrive early.

Other high-demand windows include:

• Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends — domestic travel surges
• Southwest Airlines sale weekends — BWI is a major Southwest hub; flash sales drive sudden booking spikes
• Major D.C. events — inaugurations, large protests, national mall events push park-and-fly demand higher
• Baltimore Orioles home openers and playoffs — some travelers park at BWI and take Light Rail downtown for games

For travel around high-demand dates, always search BWI parking rates on Triply — off-site alternatives like FastPark 2 and The Parking Spot often have availability when on-airport lots are full.

What If BWI Long Term Lot A Is Full?

Lot A fills before Lot B on peak days. If Lot A is at capacity when you arrive, signs will direct you to Lot B, which uses the same $11/day rate and the same shuttle circuit. There is no price penalty for parking in Lot B.

If both Long Term Lots are full — a rare but possible scenario around major holidays — your best on-airport alternatives are Express Parking at $14/day or the BWI Rail Station Garage at $12/day. The Rail Station Garage is an underused option that many travelers overlook. It costs just $1 more per day than Long Term, and the shuttle connects you to both the MARC/Amtrak station and the terminal. Per official airport data, the Rail Station Garage is consistently less congested than the main parking areas.

Off-airport lots are a strong backup when on-site capacity is tight. FastPark 2 (BWI) is just 2 minutes from the airport and offers covered parking at $7.50/day. The Parking Spot (East and West) both run free on-demand shuttles every 5–10 minutes at the same $7.50/day rate. These lots rarely sell out because their total inventory is larger relative to peak BWI demand.

Insider Tips for BWI Long Term Parking A

These tips come from patterns observed by frequent BWI travelers and our own analysis of lot operations. They're the kind of practical details most parking guides skip.

• Take a row photo immediately after parking. Long Term Lots use letter-number row markers. One photo saves 20 minutes of wandering on your return.
• Aim for rows closest to the shuttle stop. The front rows near the shuttle shelter cut your walk time significantly, especially with heavy luggage.
• Check real-time traffic before driving in. Congestion on I-195 near the airport can add 20+ minutes during peak hours. Use the Waze live traffic map before you leave.
• Budget 30–40 extra minutes for Long Term on departure day. This covers parking, walking to the shuttle, the ride, and baggage check-in. Review TSA security screening guidelines so you know what to expect at the checkpoint.
• Use contactless payment at the exit gate. It's faster than cash and avoids fumbling for exact change after a long trip.
• Early morning red-eye departures are easiest. Arriving at the Long Term Lots before 5:00 AM means minimal competition for spaces and a near-empty shuttle.
• The new A/B Connector changes your post-shuttle walk. The $520 million Concourse A/B Connector, opened January 9, 2026, now provides a direct single-level route between Concourses A and B. Southwest Airlines passengers — the dominant carrier at BWI — benefit most from this upgrade after shuttling in from Long Term.

How Does BWI Long Term Parking Compare to Off-Airport Options?

At $11/day, BWI's Long Term Lots are competitive — but off-airport providers charge even less. Based on current Triply rate data, the gap is meaningful for week-long and two-week trips.

On a 7-day trip, FastPark 2 saves you $24.50 versus BWI Long Term — and offers covered parking with 24/7 staffing and luggage assistance. The main advantage of staying on-airport is that you're parking directly within the airport campus, with no third-party vendor involved. For travelers who value that simplicity or find off-site lots unfamiliar, Long Term Lots at $11/day remain a strong choice.

For a detailed breakdown of every off-site option — including security ratings, shuttle frequency, and amenities — the airport parking near BWI guide covers them all in one place.

Ready to Reserve Your BWI Long Term Parking Spot?

BWI long term parking A delivers reliable, affordable on-airport parking at $11/day — backed by a free 24/7 shuttle and roughly 22,000 total airport spaces. It's the right call for most travelers on trips of three days or longer who want to stay on-airport without paying Daily Garage prices. Book early for summer and holiday travel, note your row when you park, and budget an extra 30–40 minutes on departure day for the full shuttle-to-terminal process.

Search and compare BWI parking rates on Triply — find the best available rate for your travel dates, from Long Term Lots at $11/day to off-site options starting at $7.50/day, with free cancellation on most bookings.