One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
BWI6.5+0.2
IAD6.3
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
BWI6.8
IAD7.0+0.2
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
BWI7.3+0.1
IAD7.2
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
BWI8.2+0.4
IAD7.8
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
BWI6.9
IAD7.0+0.1
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
BWI7.1
IAD7.1
Best for
BWI
Southwest flyers and low-cost East Coast tripsRail connections to Baltimore or DCQuick domestic turns with PreCheckMilitary travelers (USO)
IAD
International long-haul and United hub connectionsCredit-card lounge access (Capital One)Budget ground transport via Silver LineStar Alliance / Priority Pass lounge hopping
Watch out for
BWI
A/B/C vs D/E security split requiring re-clear for many connectionsLimited lounge options outside PP/Minute Suites/militarySouthwest bank peaks crowding A/B security and gatesMARC limited frequency evenings/weekends
IAD
Long walks and AeroTrain/mobile lounge transfers between concoursesPeak security waits and crowded United ClubsRideshare driver cancellations and traffic to DCLimited late-night food/lounge options outside main banks
Amenities and tips
BWI
Free water fill stationsSilver DinerThe Club BWI + Minute SuitesMARC/Amtrak + Light RailUSO LoungeFree Wi-Fi + power
A/B/C and D/E are separate security worlds
A/B/C vs D/E is a hard security split — do not assume an airside walk.
The Club is D/E only — there is no Admirals Club
PP = The Club (D) or Minute Suites (C). No AA/DL/UA club.
Light Rail $2 — MARC/Amtrak is a free shuttle away
Light Rail $2 at the terminal; MARC/Amtrak via the free rail shuttle.
IAD
Free high-speed WiFiCapital One LoungeSilver Line MetroDiverse dining (Fiolina, oysters, local)Family & accessibility supportWater refill stations
Arrive 2-3 hours early; hit PreCheck early or late
Domestic 2 hrs, international 3 hrs; peaks 5-9am and 3-7pm push standard security to 30-45+ min.
Master AeroTrain then walk or mobile lounge
Post-security AeroTrain to A/B/C in under 2 min per hop; D requires walk from C or mobile lounge from main/A.
Skip mediocre chains; hit Fiolina or lounge grab-and-go
Best sit-down is Fiolina (A, Italian pasta) or Rappahannock Oyster Bar (B); Capital One/Turkish for quality free food.
BWI · Solid, no-frills Southwest fortress with excellent rail access and free water everywhere, but limited lounges and the A-C/D-E security split create friction for connections.
IAD · Solid international hub with improving lounges and Metro access but sprawling layout, AeroTrain dependency, and average on-time performance create clear friction for connections and peak travel.
