Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is located on the outskirts of Baltimore, Maryland, less than a half hour away from Columbia. Baltimore is the largest city in the state and offers travelers a variety of restaurants, hotels and shopping opportunities. If you fly into Baltimore from Florida, spend an afternoon enjoying a ride across the Inner Harbor on the Water Taxi. Relax at Federal Hill Park, which overlooks the harbor, and then hit the National Aquarium.

Key Facts

If you are flying from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Baltimore with hopes of driving to Washington D.C., Columbia is your halfway point. You can catch a show at Toby's Dinner Theatre or take a hike in Centennial Park while you are there, and then follow MD-295 South for less than an hour to reach Washington D.C. Baltimore is circled with highways that will also take you out to the coast toward Riviera Beach and Gibson Island, or north into Pennsylvania.

Hints and Tips

A direct flight from FLL to BWI takes less than 3 hours. Shuttles for all available car rental services are available outside the lower level terminal, near the baggage claim. Once you pick up your vehicle, you're all set to explore the hometown of Edgar Allen Poe.