Transportation

The following information is believed to be correct but will be carefully validated and re-published. We are including it now because there have been many questions among potential volunteers regarding local transportation.

General Information

Q — Is there a visitor's guide for Baltimore?
A — Yes, there is a free Baltimore Official Guide; see: http://baltimore.org/request-free-official-baltimore-visitor-guide.

Airport

Q – What airport is most convenient?
A – Baltimore Washington International (BWI). It is sometimes referred to as BWI Thurgood Marshall airport.

Q – If I fly into BWI, are there less expensive alternatives to taking a cab to get to the Convention Center and/or convention hotel?
A – Yes, Baltimore has an excellent public transportation system including both light rail and buses which operate within the Maryland Transit Administration (see below).

Q — Is there a free shuttle to the Convention Center?
A — No, there isn't a free shuttle but SuperShuttle and Supreme Shuttle serve the Convention Center.

Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Fare Card(s)
Q — Does MTA have a fare card that can be used for Baltimore and DC transportation services?
A — Yes, both SmarTrip® and CharmCard® work on Baltimore Metro Subway, Local Bus and Light Rail as well as DC Metrorail, Metrobus and all Washington regional bus systems including ART, CUE, DASH, DC Circulator, Fairfax Connector, PRTC OmniRide, Ride On and TheBus. The regional fare collection partnership establishes a convenient way for customers to pay for bus, rail and parking services and to transfer between agencies. The cards look different on the outside but are interchangeable. The primary difference is that the SmarTrip Card allows a maximum stored value of $300, while the CharmCard maximum stored value is $200. See www.mtacharmcard.com or www.smartrip.com for more information.

Q —What are CharmCard and SmarTrip Cards?
A —They are recharghable smart fare cards, embedded with a computer chip to keep track of the cash value and pass products on your card. Every time you use your CharmCard/SmarTrip card to add cash value, check your card balance, or pay your fare, you are automatically linked to the computerized are collection system.
Q — What if I don't want to buy a CharmCard/SmarTrip Card? Can I just purchase a pass/ticket?
A — Yes, you may purchase passes for use in Baltimore's MTA system but MTA passes are not accepted in the Washington, DC region (you must purchase a SmartTrip Card for DC's metrorail). See below for more information:

Fares & Passes Single Trip Round Trip (Light Rail Only) Day Pass CharmCard 1 Weekly Pas CharmCard 7 - Day Pass

Full Fare 1.70 3.40 4.00 4.00 22.00 22.00

Senior/Disability .70 1.40 2.00 2.00 --- ---

On Local Bus pay at the farebox in cash, no change is given or ticket issued. When using a On Local Bus pay at the farebox in cash, no change is given or ticket issued. When using a CharmCard the trip is deducted from stored value. When riding Light Rail or Metro Subway purchase single trip fare at a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) and a single trip Go Pass will be issued. TVMs accept cash or credit card payment. Single trip fares are valid on the system where the ticket is purchased. Tip: If you take more than 2 single trip rides in one day, consider purchasing a Day Pass.

Round-Trip Fare

Are only available for trips on Light Rail and Metro Subway. Round trip fare is purchased at a ticket vending machine and a Go Pass is issued. The first trip must be completed within 90 minutes of purchase and is only valid for travel on the system where the fare is purchased. The return trip must be completed on the same day of purchase. Round trip fares are not available for CharmCard.

Day Pass & CharmCard 1 - Day Pass

The day pass is valid for unlimited travel on Local Service from the time purchased (and activated for CharmCard) until 3:00 AM the following day. The day pass is either issued as a Day Pass or loaded onto a CharmCard. This pass may be purchased on the bus with exact change or at any ticket vending machine.

Weekly Pass & CharmCard 7-Day Pass

The Weekly is valid for unlimited travel on Local Service for 7 days beginning at 12:01 AM on Sunday of the designated week and ending at 3:00 AM on the following Sunday. The CharmCard 7- Day Pass is valid for unlimited travel on Local Service for 7 consecutive days from the time the pass is first activated. The Weekly Pass may be purchased at Ticket Vending Machines (TVM), walk in vendors and the MTA Transit Store. The CharmCard 7-Day Pass may be loaded at TVMs, the MTA Transit Store, at a limited number of walk in vendor locations or purchased online and autoloaded to the CharmCard. Tip: If you purchase more than 4 Day Passes in one week, consider purchasing a Weekly Pass.

Q — Where can I buy a CharmCard?
A — Cards are available at the Transit Store, online, and at participating CVS and Giant Stores (http://www.mtacharmcard.com/getcharmcard/retail.php provides participating locations).

Q — How much do CharmCards cost?
A — MTA Transit Store: $2.50 to purchase with no loaded value OR $5.00 to purchase with $5.00 value loaded; Giant Food: $2.50 to purchase; CVS and online: $2.50 to purchase + $7.50 cash loaded = $10.00 total cost.

Q — Where can I get a SmartTrip card?
A — SmarTrip Cards can be purchased at Metro center, CVS stores, and Safeway stores in the DC area. You also can order online at: www.smartrip.com.

Q — What is the contact information for SmarTrip?
A — 1-888-762-7874. For on-site purchases, check with marketing at 202-962-2768.

Baltimore Mass Transit (MTA) — Light Rail

Q — Is there light rail in Baltimore?
A — Yes, there is light rail from BWI Marshall Airport to downtown Baltimore and other locations (Timonium and Hunt Valley) provided by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).

Q — Where is the light rail station located?
A — The BWI Marshall Light Rail Station is located immediately outside the lower level of the terminal building, adjacent to Concourse E.

Q — What does the light rail cost?
A — $1.70 for a one-way ticket or $4.00 for a day pass that can be used any one day on the light rail, buses and subway. Note that the machines require cash but they do give change.

Q — How would I get from BWI to the Convention Center via light rail?
A — Go to the BWI Light Rail Station (see location above) and purchase a ticket from the ticket vending machine.

Take light rail towards Hunt Valley (going north).

Arrive at Pratt Street Light Rail Station (the station before Pratt Street is Camden Station. You will have gone too far if you get to the Baltimore St Light Rail Station.)

Walk 1 block, about .2 miles (4 minutes), to your destination (1 W. Pratt Street), going East. (see http://baltimore.org/request-free-official-baltimore-visitor-guide).

Q — Are there senior and/or disability passes?
A — Yes, there are senior and disability passes.

Q — Are maps, schedules and fares available?
A — For schedules call 410-539-5000 or go to https://mta.maryland.gov/light-rail for maps, schedules and fares.

Q — What are the hours of operation?
A — Monday-Friday: 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.; Saturday: 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.; Sunday and Holidays: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Q — Can I get MTA passes online?
A — Yes, go to https://mta.maryland.gov/pass-store to see the options and order the pass(es).

Baltimore Mass Transit (MTA) — Buses

Q — What is the contact information for Baltimore MTA?
A — 410-539-5000, open 6am - 7pm. MTA Marketing is: 410-454-7222 from 8 am - 4pm. Transit store is: 410- 767-3522 8:30 am - 4:30 pm; located at 6 St. Paul Street.

Q — Does MTA accept DC Smart Trip cards?
A — Yes, all MTA services accept DC's Smart Trip card.

Q — What is the cost of bus service?
A — The Daily pass bought on the bus is $4; Weekly pass bought at stations or on bus is $22.

Charm City Circulator

Q — What is the Charm City Circulator?
A — The Charm City Circulator is a fleet of 30 free shuttles that travel four routes in Baltimore City. The link for more information is: www.charmcitycirculator.com.

Q — What are the four routes?
A — Green Route runs from City Hall to Fells Point to Johns Hopkins; Purple Route runs from 33rd Street to Federal Hill; Orange Route runs from Hollins Market to Harbor East; and the Banner Route runs from the Inner Harbor to Fort McHenry.
6 St Paul Street.

Q — What is the schedule for the Circulator?
A — The Circulator runs Monday-Thursday: 7:00am-8:00pm; Friday: 7:00am-midnight; Saturday: 9:00am- midnight; and Sunday: 9:00am-8:00pm. Service is every 10 to 15 minutes except the Banner Route is every 15 to 20 minutes.

Q — Does the Circulator run near the Convention Center?
A — Yes,The Orange Route Circulator stops at the Convention Center, stop number 220.

Baltimore Mass Transit (MTA) — Subway

Q — Is there subway service in Baltimore?
A — Yes, there is limited subway service in Baltimore. It runs from Owings Mills to Johns Hopkins Hospital, with 14 stops along the way, including Lexington Market. See https://mta.maryland.gov/metro-subway for more information.

Q — Can you get from the subway to the Convention Center?
A — Yes, but not directly. You can take the subway to Lexington Market where there is a transfer to the Light Rail, which goes to the Convention Center (see the section on the Light Rail above).

Q — What is the cost of the subway?
A — The cost is one-way: $1.70; Day pass: $4.00; Senior/disability fare one-way: $ .70; Senior/disability Day pass: $2.00.

Q — When does the subway run?
A — Service runs from 5:00am-midnight weekdays, every 8-10 minutes during morning and evening peak periods, every 11 minutes during weekday evenings; and 6:00am-midnight weekends, every 15 minutes.

Bicycles on Mass Transportation

Q — Are bicycles allowed on Baltimore's mass transportation?
A — Yes, bicycles are permitted on Light Rail and Metro Subway, except on crowded trains. No bicycles are allowed on board MTA buses but local buses (like the Charm City Circulator) are equipped with bicycle racks above the front bumper to carry up to two bicycles. You must be 18 years of age or accompanied by an adult who is 18 years of age to bring a bicycle on MTA modes. No more than two bicycles are permitted per wheelchair-accessible transit vehicle. Only folded bicycles are permitted on MARC Trains.

Amtrak

Q — Is there Amtrak service to Baltimore?
A — Yes, there are two stations – BWI Rail (BWI), located near BWI Airport, with shuttle service between them, and Penn Station (BAL), located in the central part of Baltimore.

Q — If I take Amtrak to BWI rail station, how do I get to the Convention Center?
A — There is a free shuttle bus from BWI rail station to BWI airport. See instructions under the Light Rail section for getting from BWI airport to the Convention Center.

Q — If I take Amtrak to Baltimore's Penn Station, how do I get to the Convention Center?
A — The light rail goes South from Penn Station to the Convention Center. See instructions under Light Rail for more information regarding the Pratt St Station and walking directions.

Q — Are Amtrak schedules available?
A — Yes, see https://www.amtrak.com/northeast-train-bus-stations for information including schedules.

Commuter Train (MARC)

Q — Is there a commuter train in Baltimore?
A — Yes, the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train has two lines in Baltimore: the Camden Line and the Penn Line. The Camden Line runs between Washington, D.C. Union Station and Camden Station in Baltimore. The Penn Line runs between Washington, D.C. Union Station and Perryville, Maryland, via Baltimore Penn Station. The Penn Line is the only line that operates on weekends. More information is available at https://mta.maryland.gov/marc-train including a trip planner, MARC System map, Schedules and Timetables, MARC Station Information, MARC Parking Details, MARC Fares/Ticket Purchasing, etc.

Q — Where is MARC Camden Station located?
A — Camden Station, now also referred to as Camden Yards, is a train station at the intersection of Howard and Camden Streets in Baltimore, Maryland, served by MARC commuter rail service and local Light Rail trains. It is adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Q — Where is MARC Penn Station located?
A — Penn Station (Baltimore Pennsylvania Station) is located at 1515 N. Charles Street, about a mile and a half north of downtown and the Inner Harbor, between the Mount Vernon neighborhood to the south, and Station North to the north.

Transportation to Hotels

Q — Are there free shuttles from BWI Marshall Airport to the Convention hotels? A — No, there are no free shuttles.

Q — How do I get to the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel from BWI airport?
A — Light Rail: Hunt Valley to Convention Center, walk to Pratt and Howard Streets, catch #19 bus to Pratt at Calvert, then walk 3 min to hotel. SuperShuttle (http://www.supershuttle.com): $13; Taxi: $30; Parking: $30/day

Q — How do I get to the Hyatt Regency Baltimore from BWI airport?
A — Light Rail: Hunt Valley to Convention Center then walk about 8 minutes, .4 mi, to hotel
Parking: $30/day; Super/Supreme Shuttle: tbd; Taxi: $35; Bus/MTA picks up right outside door

Q — How do I get to the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor from BWI airport?
A — Light Rail: Hunt Valley to Convention Center, walk 2 min, .1 mi, to hotel
SuperShuttle: $15; Taxi: $30; On-site parking: $29/day

Q — How do I get to the Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel?
A — Light Rail: Hunt Valley to Convention Center
Hotel connects directly to Convention Center via a second floor Sky Bridge
Parking: $30/day self parking; Valet Parking: $43/day; SuperShuttle: $13; Taxi: $25

Baltimore Water Taxi
Q — What is the Baltimore Water Taxi?
A — The Baltimore Water Taxi provides unlimited on-off service to 30+ attractions around the city. For more information see: www.baltimorewatertaxi.com.

Q — Where is the Baltimore Water Taxi located/contact information?
A — It is located at 1800 S. Clinton Street, Unit C, Baltimore Md 21224 and the phone number is 410-563-3900.

Q — What is the cost?
A — Costs break down as follows:
• Adults: $14
• Adults > 65: $7
• Children 3-10 yrs: $7
• Children < 3: free
• Military and Veterans: free with ID.

BikeMore

Q — Does Baltimore have a bike-share service?
A — BikeMore will launch this Fall; more information will be provided then.

Q — Where are the bike docking stations located?
A — There are about 500 docking stations around the downtown area; the Convention Center contacts BikeMore to install bike racks.

Public Parking

Q — What parking options exist in the vicinity of the Convention Center?
A — The Convention Center does not have parking however there are many sites within a five block radius. Use www.parkingpanda.com/general-synod-parking to determine price, proximity and description of services at the lot/garage. This service offers the option to prepay and reserve a space.

Q — What parking options are available at the airport?
A — BWI airport offers Hourly, Daily, Express and Long Term parking. For complete descriptions and pricing go to https://parking.bwiairport.com. Privately operated lots such as www.econoparkexpress.com offer distant parking with shuttle service. Many airport hotels offer extended parking for guests who book one nights lodging.

Q — What parking lots are available on the outskirts of Baltimore near mass transit?
A — to be provided on location, cost, etc.

Q — Where can I park my oversized vehicle, trailer or bus?
A — There are a few options for parking. View them here.

Taxis and Alternatives

Q — How readily available are taxis?
A — In-city fares are "On the Meter" while trips to the Airport are a flat rate of $30. For booking details and rates refer to www.yellowcabofbaltimore.com.

Q — Do Uber and Lyft operate in the city?
A — Both companies are authorized and active in Baltimore. Search www.uber.com/cities/baltimore/ or www.lyft.com/cities/baltimore#.

Q: Can I get a discount on either Uber or Lyft as a General Synod attendee?
A: Yes, If you are NEW to UBER you can use this code sign up link from their cell phone or pc - www.uber.com/invite/xgyxpue for a free ride up to $20.00

More questions? Need Additional information? Contact Jill White, LAC Chair, gs2017lac@gmail.com