Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state of striking contrasts: historic Chesapeake Bay crab country, Appalachian mountain ridges, Civil War battlefields, and the vibrant harbor city of Baltimore. Flanking Washington DC on three sides, the state blends federal grandeur with blue-collar charm, colonial waterfront towns, and some of the East Coast's finest seafood.
Maryland's primary airport is BWI Marshall (Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport), 10 miles south of Baltimore. Within the state, car rental is essential for the Eastern Shore and western counties, which have no meaningful public transit. Baltimore has a functional MTA network (Light Rail, Metro Subway, bus) connecting the city's main districts. MARC commuter rail connects Baltimore to Washington DC and Frederick/Harpers Ferry, making it the most practical car-free corridor in the state.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy an E-ZPass Maryland (ezpassmd.com, $35 setup fee) if driving at all — saves $4 per Bay Bridge crossing and reduces stop time at all Maryland toll plazas
MARC Penn Line trains to Washington DC are $9 each way and run every 30-60 minutes on weekdays — significantly cheaper and often faster than driving from Baltimore
The Charm City Circulator (free) runs four color-coded routes covering Baltimore's main tourist areas — download the Charm City Circulator app for real-time bus tracking
Baltimore Water Taxi operates April-October and costs $14 for an all-day unlimited pass (410-563-3901) — covers Inner Harbor to Fells Point, Fort McHenry, and Canton
Ocean City's Beach Bus ($3 unlimited daily) is the only practical way to get around Ocean City without a car — runs the full 12-mile Coastal Highway from inlet to Delaware border
On summer Friday evenings, Bay Bridge (US-50) traffic starts building by 2 PM; leave Baltimore before noon or after 7 PM to avoid the worst delays