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

BWI long term parking is an open-air surface lot option at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, priced at $11/day (verified June 2026) per the Maryland Aviation Administration. If you're searching for BWI long term parking covered, here's the honest answer: the lots themselves (Lot A and Lot B) are uncovered surface lots — but every shuttle stop has a covered shelter to protect you while you wait. True fully covered parking at BWI means heading to the Daily Garage ($16/day) or an off-site covered option like FastPark 2 (BWI) at just $7.50/day.

• Long Term Lots A and B cost $11/day — the cheapest on-airport option, per official BWI parking rates effective July 1, 2024.
• The lots are open-air (uncovered) — only the bus shelter stops are covered; the parking spaces themselves are exposed to weather.
• FastPark 2 (BWI) offers covered off-site parking at $7.50/day — that's 32% cheaper than the on-airport long term rate with a free 24/7 shuttle just 2 minutes from the terminal.
• The on-airport shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes (every 25 minutes between 1–5 AM), connecting Long Term Lots to the terminal for free.
• BWI has roughly 22,000 total parking spaces across all on-airport facilities, per official airport data.
• The $520 million Concourse A/B Connector opened January 9, 2026 — the largest capital project in BWI history — improving the terminal experience once you arrive.

Back to BWI Long Term Parking A: 2026 Rates, Lots & Tips | Complete BWI Airport Parking Guide

What Is BWI Long Term Parking and Is It Actually Covered?

BWI long term parking consists of two large surface lots — Lot A and Lot B — located off Aviation Boulevard near Interstate 195. Both are open-air, uncovered lots. Your car parks under the open sky, not inside a structure.

The confusion around BWI long term parking covered comes from the shuttle stops. Each lot has several covered bus shelters where you wait for the free airport shuttle. Those shelters protect you from rain and sun — but they don't protect your vehicle. If you need a roof over your car (especially for a multi-week trip during summer heat or winter ice), the long term lots are not your answer.

Here's a quick breakdown of what "covered" actually means at each BWI option:

• Long Term Lots A & B: Open-air surface lots. Covered shelters at shuttle stops only.
• Hourly Garage: Fully covered multi-level garage. Direct walk to terminal. $30/day max.
• Daily Garage: Fully covered structure. Shuttle or short walk to terminal. $16/day.
• Express Parking: Partially covered (ground level under structure). Located near the Cell Phone Lot on Scott Road. $14/day.
• FastPark 2 (BWI) — off-site: Covered long-term parking. Just 2 minutes from the terminal by shuttle. $7.50/day.

According to BWI's official long term parking page, Lots A and B are the airport's most affordable on-airport option. But "most affordable" and "covered" don't go together at BWI's long term lots. That's the key trade-off to understand before you book.

How Much Does BWI Long Term Parking Cost Per Day, Week, or Trip?

BWI Long Term Parking costs $11 per day with no published weekly or monthly cap — you pay the daily rate for however long you stay. These rates took effect July 1, 2024, and were the first increase since 2009, according to the Maryland Aviation Administration.

Here's a cost breakdown by trip length at $11/day:

On a two-week trip, choosing FastPark 2 (BWI) over the on-airport long term lot saves you $49 — about 32%. That's real money, and the off-site lot is actually covered. Compare BWI parking rates from $7.50/day on Triply before you commit to the on-airport option.

For a detailed look at coupons and promo codes that can cut these costs further, see our guide to BWI long term parking coupons and best deals for 2026.

How Does the BWI Long Term Parking Shuttle Work — and How Long Does It Take?

The on-airport shuttle is free and runs continuously between Long Term Lots A and B and the terminal. Based on official BWI data, shuttles run every 10–15 minutes during normal hours, and every 25 minutes between 1–5 AM.

Here's the step-by-step process for first-time long term parkers:

1. Enter from Aviation Boulevard (MD Route 170), following signs to Long Term Parking Lot A or Lot B.
2. Take a ticket at the entry gate and note your lot and row number. Large lots are easy to get lost in — snap a photo of the row sign on your phone.
3. Walk to the nearest covered shuttle shelter. Signs in the lot point you there.
4. Board the free shuttle. Ride time to the terminal is typically around 10 minutes, based on travelers' reports and lot distance.
5. The shuttle drops you at the terminal's lower level. Follow signs to your airline's concourse.

Real-time "next shuttle" arrival monitors are installed at the covered shelter stops in Long Term lots, so you're never guessing when the next bus comes. Plan to add 20–30 minutes to your airport arrival time to account for parking, the shuttle ride, and walking to your gate.

Once you're inside, the new Concourse A/B Connector — which opened January 9, 2026, as part of BWI's $520 million capital project — means Southwest passengers no longer need to backtrack through the main terminal between Concourses A and B. That saves meaningful time once you're through security.

Where Are BWI Long Term Parking Lots A and B Located?

Long Term Lot A and Long Term Lot B are located off Aviation Boulevard (MD Route 170), just south of the terminal complex. Both are accessible from Interstate 195, which is the primary airport access road off I-95.

Quick driving reference from nearby areas:

• From I-95 North or South: Take Exit 47A onto I-195 East toward BWI. Follow signs for Long Term Parking.
• From Baltimore (9 miles north): Take I-95 South or the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD-295) South to I-195 East.
• From Washington, D.C. (30 miles southwest): Take I-95 North or MD-295 North to I-195 East.
• From Annapolis: Take I-97 North to I-695 West, then I-195 East.

Before you leave home, check real-time traffic on Waze — especially during peak morning and evening drive times on I-95 and I-195, which can add 15–20 minutes to your drive from Baltimore or D.C.

On-Airport vs. Off-Airport BWI Long Term Parking Covered: Which Is the Better Deal?

If covered parking is your priority, off-airport wins on both price and protection. Here's a full side-by-side comparison of every BWI long term and covered option, based on verified 2026 rates:

The data is clear: FastPark 2 (BWI) is the best value for covered long-term parking near BWI. It costs $3.50/day less than the on-airport long term lots, is fully covered, staffed 24/7, and its shuttle reaches the terminal in about 2 minutes. For a 7-day trip, that difference adds up to $24.50 in savings — with better weather protection.

The DoubleTree by Hilton BWI Airport at $7.95/day is another off-airport option worth considering if you want hotel amenities alongside your parking. Our full guide to DoubleTree BWI airport hotel parking rates and options covers everything you need to know about that setup.

How Do You Reserve BWI Long Term Parking in Advance?

On-airport BWI Long Term Parking does not require a reservation — it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. You drive in, take a ticket, and pay on exit. However, spaces can fill up during peak travel periods like holidays and summer weekends.

Off-airport covered lots like FastPark 2 (BWI) and FastPark & Relax (BWI) strongly recommend advance booking, especially for trips longer than 5 days. Booking ahead locks in the daily rate and guarantees your spot. Both offer free cancellation, so there's no risk to booking early.

To pre-book off-airport covered parking, your best options are:

• Triply's BWI parking search — compare covered and uncovered lots side by side, with live pricing
• Booking directly through FastPark's BWI page
• Third-party aggregators like SpotHero or ParkingAccess for price comparisons

For a full walkthrough of on-airport booking options and the reservation process, our guide on BWI long term parking booking covers the step-by-step process in detail.

Tips for Parking at BWI Long Term Lots Like a Pro

These tips apply whether you choose the on-airport long term lots or an off-airport covered option. They come from real traveler patterns and our analysis of how BWI's parking system works.

• Photograph your row and space number the moment you park. Long Term Lots A and B are large surface lots. Forgetting where you parked is more common than you'd think after a 10-day trip.
• Arrive at least 30 minutes before you normally would to account for shuttle wait time. The shuttle runs every 10–15 minutes, but you may just miss one.
• If you have TSA PreCheck, factor that into your buffer. PreCheck lanes at BWI are significantly faster, so you can trim some of that extra time if you're enrolled.
• Book off-airport covered parking in advance for trips over 5 days. Rates are cheaper and spots are guaranteed. FastPark 2 is 2 minutes from the terminal with covered spaces from $7.50/day.
• Avoid peak holiday weekends without a reservation. Long Term Lots can fill up. Check BWI's real-time availability board at the entry.
• Use I-195 as your main access route. It connects directly to the parking lots from I-95, and it's the fastest path whether you're coming from Baltimore or D.C.
• Accept the open-air trade-off if you choose the long term lots. Covered shelters at shuttle stops protect you while you wait — but your car stays in the elements for your whole trip.
• For electric vehicles, confirm EV charging availability with your specific lot before booking. EV charging is available at some BWI facilities, but availability at Long Term Lots A and B specifically should be verified directly with BWI.

Finding the Best BWI Long Term Parking Covered Deal for Your Trip

Here's the bottom line on BWI long term parking covered: the on-airport Long Term Lots (A and B) cost $11/day and are open-air — only the shuttle stop shelters are covered. If a roof over your car matters to you, FastPark 2 (BWI) at $7.50/day gives you fully covered parking and saves you money. For on-airport covered parking, the Daily Garage at $16/day is your best option within the airport system.

The right choice depends on your trip length, your budget, and how much covered protection you actually need. A 3-day trip in mild weather? The long term lot works fine. A two-week trip through a Maryland July or January? Covered off-airport parking pays for itself.

Compare all BWI covered and uncovered parking options on Triply — rates from $7.50/day with free cancellation.