How much have BWI Airport parking rates increased?

BALTIMORE -- BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport visitors and travelers are now paying more to park.

The airport increased parking rates to help support improvements in parking services.

Here are the new BWI per-day parking rates:

• Long Term $11 now, $8 previously
• Daily Garage $16 now, $12 previously
• Hourly Garage $30 now, $22 previously

"Parking revenue is our second largest source of revenue next to what we receive from the airlines for their space rental and landing fees," said Ricky Smith, BWI CEO and Executive Director.

During fiscal year 2023, parking rates generated $79.8 million in revenue, according to a BWI spokesperson. However, the final figures for 2024 are not out yet.

The improvements and enhancements to the airport parking services include a new guidance system being installed to help drivers find available spaces, replacing the aging system from 2001, and keeping tabs on when the garage is sitting at zero percent capacity.

"Without this system, we would typically close the garage with about 15% capacity left," Smith said. "With the parking guidance system, we can keep the facility open until we have zero capacity left."

Airport officials told WJZ the additional revenue will also bring eight new electric buses in the shuttle fleet, lighting improvements along the terminal roadway, and an airport parking reservation system.

"As long as it's going back into improving the services, I'm willing to pay it," Reginald Lee of Washington D.C. said.

The changes to parking rates, announced in May, come amid a record-breaking summer travel period across America.

TSA agents at BWI have screened about 6,000 more people on a typical day since mid-May.

Parking rates at BWI are now similar to other major U.S. airports, according to airport officials.