BWI Southwest Terminal

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport welcomes millions of travelers each year. The BWI Southwest Terminal stands out as one of its busiest sections. Southwest Airlines has made this terminal its second-largest East Coast hub, which handles hundreds of daily flights and serves thousands of passengers.

Travelers will find the Southwest Terminal at BWI’s Concourse A/B packed with dining spots, shops, and key services. Many passengers want to know the quickest way around the terminal’s layout and amenities. This complete guide shows you everything about the BWI Southwest Terminal – from parking spots to security lines, gate positions, and the best places to grab a meal.

Navigating to BWI’s Southwest Terminal

The Southwest Terminal at BWI needs some advance planning to reach, particularly at peak travel times. You’ll find it in Concourse A/B, with multiple ways to get there and park your car.

Parking Options Near Concourse A/B

BWI’s Southwest Terminal offers several parking choices. The Hourly Garage sits closest to the terminal and costs $30 per day. Budget-conscious travelers can use the Daily Garage at $16 daily, which provides more than 7,400 covered spaces. The Long Term Parking lots (A and B) serve as the most economical option at $11 per day.

Parking Tip: Your return trip becomes easier when you snap a photo of your parking space number and remember your shuttle bus stop location.

Ground Transportation to Southwest Terminal

The Southwest Terminal connects through multiple transportation options:

• Hunt Valley’s Light Rail service runs shuttles every 10 minutes starting at 6:00 AM
• Free terminal shuttles connect MARC and Amtrak trains from the BWI Marshall Rail Station
• SuperShuttle runs scheduled service to downtown Baltimore hotels every 30 minutes from 5:45 AM to 6:00 PM
• Travelers can find taxi services outside the Lower Level baggage claim area

Walking Distance from Different Entry Points

Southwest’s terminal layout determines specific entry points based on flight type. International nonstop flight passengers should use Door #6 on the upper level. Passengers with international connections need to enter through Doors #3 and #4.

The Southwest Terminal’s Concourses A and B require some navigation. BWI’s size remains manageable, though walking from one end of A gates to the far end of B gates takes about 15 minutes at a brisk pace. Most Southwest gate connections need just a 5-minute walk.

Important Note: Your arrival should be two hours before scheduled departure times, especially during busy periods.

Southwest Check-in and Security Process

The BWI Southwest Terminal check-in process is quick and gives travelers several options. Southwest Airlines lets passengers check in online 24 hours before their flight. This helps them lock in their boarding positions early.

Self-Service Kiosk Locations

Southwest has placed self-service kiosks throughout Concourse A/B to make check-in easier. These handy stations let you:

• Print boarding passes and add Rapid Rewards numbers
• Upgrade to Business Select fares
• Tag your checked luggage yourself
• Add lap children to domestic reservations
• Get on the standby list

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Locations

You’ll find several security checkpoints with faster screening options in the terminal. TSA PreCheck is ready at these spots:

• Concourse A Checkpoint: Opens 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• Concourse B Checkpoint: Runs 24 hours with PreCheck until 9:00 PM
• Concourse C Checkpoint: 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM

CLEAR services run at four checkpoints during these hours:

• Checkpoint A: 4:00 AM to 7:30 PM daily
• Checkpoints B, C, and D/E: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily

Peak Hours and Wait Times

The terminal gets busiest in the morning, especially from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM. Security wait times change by a lot:

• Early morning (6:00 AM – 7:00 AM): Average 8.3 minutes
• Mid-morning (8:00 AM – 9:00 AM): Average 11.7 minutes
• Afternoon peak (2:00 PM – 3:00 PM): Can reach 34.1 minutes

You should arrive at the terminal two hours before domestic flights to have the best experience. CLEAR members usually zip through security in under 5 minutes, which helps a lot during busy times.

Important Note: You need to get your boarding pass and be at your gate at least 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time to keep your reservation.

Complete Guide to Concourse A/B Layout

The BWI Southwest Terminal’s Concourse A/B layout helps travelers find their way around smoothly. Southwest Airlines runs all operations through 30 gates in this distinctively designed terminal.

Gate Numbering System

Southwest Terminal’s gates use a simple numbering system. Concourse A runs from gates A1 to A16, while Concourse B has gates B1 through B15. Large signs mark each gate, and you’ll find plenty of directories throughout both concourses to point you in the right direction.

Walking Times Between Gates

The terminal layout works well for different walking speeds and connection times. A full walk around Concourses A and B covers about one kilometer. The BWI Cardio Trail gives you a well-laid-out walking path between flights:

• You can walk the entire A/B loop in about 20 minutes at normal speed
• Getting between gates usually takes 5-10 minutes
• Mobility support vehicles help passengers who need extra assistance

Interactive Terminal Map Guide

Several tools make finding your way around the Southwest Terminal easier. Look for BWI Cardio Trail logos on walls and directories. Digital maps and information kiosks throughout both concourses show you where to find:

• Gates and walking directions
• Closest restrooms and water stations
• Charging stations and amenities
• Places to eat and shop

A central area connects Concourse A and B, so you can move between gates quickly. The terminal’s design gives you easy access to everything you need, with clear views and plenty of signs to guide you to your destination.

Pro Tip: If you have a layover, use the Cardio Trail markers to figure out how long it’ll take to walk between gates. This helps you plan your connection time better.

Southwest Terminal Dining and Shopping

BWI Southwest Terminal makes waiting between flights a breeze with its amazing selection of dining and shopping spots. Travelers can choose from more than 50 places to eat throughout the terminal. You’ll find everything from quick snacks to sit-down restaurants.

Best Food Options in Concourse A/B

The A/B Food Court stands at the heart of the terminal’s dining scene. Silver Diner brings local flavors to your plate with seasonal menus that feature products from more than 15 nearby farms. Health-conscious travelers love Nalley Fresh where they can build their own bowls, salads, and wraps from over 80 fresh vegetables and toppings.

You’ll spot familiar names like Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, and McDonald’s, and the McDonald’s stays open 24/7 for late-night cravings. Craving Asian food? Gachi House of Sushi serves up fresh sushi at both A8 and B6 gates.

Convenience Stores and Travel Essentials

The terminal has plenty of spots to grab travel basics:

• Hudson News runs seven shops throughout the terminal with magazines, snacks, books, and travel items
• Onsite News stocks travel must-haves at pre-security areas and gates B5, D25, and the A/B Food Court

Need some self-care? Fashion Spa House and Fran’s Organic Bodycare stock travel-sized products and quick beauty fixes. The B/C connector houses Kiehl’s where you’ll find premium skin and body care items.

Local Baltimore Favorites

Baltimore’s food culture shines bright in the terminal. Miss Shirley’s Café, a Maryland favorite, brings Southern-inspired dishes with local charm to Gate A13. Their fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits give travelers a real taste of Baltimore.

R&R Seafood Bar, a USD 1 million venture from Obrycki’s owners, serves fresh catches from Chesapeake Bay, including their legendary crab cakes and raw bar items. Beer lovers flock to Flying Dog Tap House to sample rotating beers from Maryland’s biggest craft brewery. Their creative comfort food includes Snake Dog IPA beer-battered shrimp with Old Bay remoulade.

The terminal keeps prices fair with its street pricing policy across all restaurants. This value-focused approach, plus the wide variety of choices, makes eating at BWI Southwest Terminal a great experience.

Essential Terminal Services and Amenities

The BWI Southwest Terminal welcomes travelers with modern amenities that make their experience more comfortable. Passengers can stay connected and use family-friendly facilities. The terminal provides essential services that cater to all passenger needs.

Charging Stations and Wi-Fi Access

Passengers get free high-speed Wi-Fi through Slice Wireless Solutions. The connection process is simple:

• Select “#MyBWI-Fi” network on your device
• Click the “CONNECT” button on the splash page
• Tap “Confirm” to go online
• Wait for the BWI Marshall Airport landing page

Passengers can reach the 24/7 helpline at 866-701-7552 for technical support. The terminal has charging stations placed near the Observation Gallery. Electric vehicle owners will find four DC fast charging stations in the Cell Phone Lot that can provide up to 80% charge in just 15 minutes.

Baggage Services and Storage

The BWI Southwest Terminal doesn’t offer luggage storage facilities because of TSA regulations. Travelers can still choose these options:

• Early baggage check-in with Southwest Airlines
• Baggage service offices in the baggage claim area
• Lost and delayed baggage assistance within four hours of arrival

International travelers must file claims within seven days for damaged bags and 21 days for delayed luggage.

Family-Friendly Facilities

Concourses A and B feature comprehensive family-friendly amenities. Family restrooms can be found at:

• Gates A9 and A12
• Near Flying Dog Tap House
• Gates B3 and B8 (with adult changing rooms)
• Pre-security area between Hudson News and Southwest Airlines counter

Nursing mothers can find dedicated stations at Gates A6 and B2. Young travelers can enjoy a special Flying Colors activity booklet from Information Desks to make their wait times more fun.

The Minute Suites location in Concourse C gives nursing mothers free 30-minute sessions in a quiet, clean space. These thoughtful amenities show BWI’s dedication to supporting travelers of every age.

The BWI Southwest Terminal offers a well-laid-out space that serves travelers’ needs with smart design and complete amenities. Multiple parking choices, quick security checks, and easy-to-follow signs help passengers move through the terminal without stress.

Baltimore’s local flavors shine through the terminal’s food options, while quick-service restaurants cater to rushed travelers. Passengers can stay connected with fast Wi-Fi and plenty of charging spots. The terminal’s family-friendly spaces make the trip comfortable for everyone.

Smart planning ahead makes the BWI Southwest Terminal experience simple and enjoyable. The terminal’s design and services help travelers breeze through one of the East Coast’s busiest aviation hubs, whether they need a quick connection or have hours between flights.

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