Flying From Atlanta to Maryland: Routes, Airports, and Local Tips

If you’re planning an Atlanta to Maryland flight, you’ll be starting from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and landing at one of several airports in or near Maryland. This guide breaks down your options, what to expect from flight times and routes, and practical tips specifically for travelers in Atlanta, Georgia.

Main Maryland Destinations From Atlanta

Maryland doesn’t have a single dominant airport like Atlanta, so your best airport depends on where you’re headed.

1. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

For most Atlanta-based travelers, BWI is the primary choice for Maryland.

• Typical route: ATL → BWI
• Approximate flight time: About 1.5–2 hours nonstop
• Best for:
  • Baltimore and its suburbs
  • Annapolis and central Maryland
  • Parts of southern Pennsylvania

From BWI, you can connect to MARC trains, Amtrak, or rental cars to reach other parts of Maryland.

2. Washington, D.C.–Area Airports (Serving Maryland Suburbs)

Many people going to Maryland suburbs near Washington, D.C. actually fly into nearby D.C.-area airports:

• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – in Virginia, popular if you’re going to Prince George’s County or southern Montgomery County.
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – in Virginia, often used for western Maryland connections or if you find a better schedule or fare.

From Atlanta’s perspective, these airports can be just as practical as BWI if your final destination is in the Maryland–D.C. metro area.

Quick Comparison: Common Flight Options From ATL

Below is a simple overview of how flights from Atlanta (ATL) line up with Maryland-area airports:

Flight times vary with weather, routing, and traffic patterns in the Atlanta and Mid-Atlantic regions.

What to Expect at Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL) for Maryland Flights

As an Atlanta resident or visitor, you’ll almost always fly out of ATL, located at:

Key points for Maryland-bound travelers:

• Terminals & Concourses:

  • Most domestic flights, including those to BWI, DCA, and IAD, depart from the Domestic Terminal and concourses T, A, B, C, D, or E.
  • The Plane Train connects all concourses, so you can move quickly once you’re through security.

• Security Timing:

  • Plan to arrive 1.5–2 hours before your scheduled departure for domestic flights.
  • Morning and late-afternoon flights often see heavier security lines, especially on Mondays and Fridays.

• Ground Access in Atlanta:

  • MARTA: The Airport Station at the end of the Red/Gold lines goes directly into the Domestic Terminal. For many Atlanta neighborhoods and nearby suburbs, this is the easiest way to reach your Maryland flight without parking.
  • Parking: ATL offers economy, park-ride, and daily parking. Times and availability can vary, so allow a buffer if you’re driving from metro Atlanta areas like Sandy Springs, Decatur, or Marietta.
  • Rideshare & Taxis: Dedicated rideshare pick-up zones are signed clearly at the Domestic Terminal.

Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights From Atlanta to Maryland

Nonstop Flights

For most travelers, nonstop flights from ATL to:

• BWI
• DCA
• IAD

are the most convenient options. These are short, under-two-hour flights in normal conditions.

Nonstop flights are especially useful if you:

• Are on a tight schedule (e.g., same-day meetings in Maryland or D.C.)
• Prefer to minimize delays and missed-connection risks
• Are traveling with children or lots of luggage

Connecting Flights

Some flight options may route you through another city, particularly if:

• You’re flying very early, very late, or on less common travel days
• You’re using points or specific fare classes
• You’re going to smaller Maryland airports via a hub

While a connection might occasionally lower the fare, it typically adds time and the possibility of missed connections, especially if weather affects Atlanta or the Mid-Atlantic.

Choosing the Right Airport for Your Maryland Destination

If you’re starting in Atlanta and know what part of Maryland you’re visiting, choose the airport that minimizes your onward ground travel.

Flying to Baltimore and Central Maryland

• Best bet:BWI
• Good if you’re heading to:
  • Downtown Baltimore
  • Towson, Columbia, Ellicott City
  • Annapolis (about 30–40 minutes by car from BWI)

BWI offers straightforward access to major highways and rail options like MARC to reach other areas.

Flying to Maryland Suburbs Near D.C.

If your final destination is in the Washington, D.C. metro but actually on the Maryland side, such as:

• Silver Spring, Rockville, Bethesda (Montgomery County)
• College Park, Greenbelt, Bowie, Largo (Prince George’s County)

You have three realistic options from Atlanta:

• DCA: Closest to central D.C.; convenient for Metro-accessible Maryland suburbs.
• BWI: Often good for northern and eastern suburbs; MARC trains connect BWI to D.C.
• IAD: Can be useful if you connect to Maryland via the Silver Line and metro transfers.

As an Atlanta traveler, comparing total travel time (flight + ground) is often more helpful than comparing flight time alone.

Flying to Western or More Rural Maryland

For destinations like:

• Frederick
• Hagerstown
• Western Maryland counties

You might:

• Fly to IAD and drive north
• Fly to BWI and drive northwest

Nonstop ATL → IAD or ATL → BWI plus a rental car is usually simpler than multiple flight connections.

Typical Costs and Booking Tips (Atlanta Perspective)

Exact fares vary, but people flying from Atlanta to Maryland often consider:

• Time of day: Early morning and evening flights can be popular for business travel.
• Day of week: Midweek flights sometimes have more moderate pricing than peak weekend routes.
• Airport flexibility: Checking BWI, DCA, and IAD from ATL can reveal better schedules or fares, especially if your Maryland destination is flexible or anywhere in the D.C.–Baltimore corridor.

Many Atlanta residents compare different Maryland-area airports on the same dates to find a balance of price, schedule, and ground transport.

Ground Transportation on the Maryland Side

Once your Atlanta to Maryland flight lands, you’ll choose how to travel from the airport to your final destination.

From BWI

• Rail:
  • MARC and Amtrak from BWI Rail Station to Baltimore and D.C.
• Car Rental: Common for visiting Annapolis, rural areas, or multiple cities.
• Shuttles/Taxis/Rideshare: Available at clearly marked ground transportation areas.

From DCA

• Metrorail:
  • Direct access via the Blue and Yellow lines, which connect to D.C. and onward to Maryland via transfers.
• Rideshare/Taxi: Useful for Prince George’s County or other nearby Maryland communities.

From IAD

• Metrorail Silver Line:
  • Connects IAD to D.C. and can be used with transfers to reach Maryland.
• Car Rental: Common if you’re heading toward western Maryland or Maryland suburbs not near rail.

Travel Timing Considerations From Atlanta

Because Atlanta is a major hub, you have frequent flight options, but timing still matters:

• Morning flights: Help you maximize your arrival day in Maryland; can also make it easier to recover from delays with later flights the same day.
• Evening flights: Good for squeezing in a full Atlanta workday before traveling, but weather or traffic delays can push arrival late at night.
• Weather impacts:
  • Summer thunderstorms in Atlanta and along the East Coast can temporarily slow or ground flights.
  • Winter systems in the Mid-Atlantic can cause de-icing delays or cancellations.

When you’re flying from metro Atlanta (especially from farther suburbs like Gwinnett, Cobb, or Henry County), build in extra time to handle both traffic and possible security lines at ATL.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers Flying to Maryland

Here are some quick, action-focused tips from an Atlanta standpoint:

• Use MARTA if you’re near a rail station. Avoiding parking and I-75/I-85 traffic can make the start of your trip smoother.
• Check all three major options (BWI, DCA, IAD). If your Maryland plans touch D.C. or the surrounding suburbs, flexibility on arrival airport can help with both schedules and prices.
• Plan your ground transport in Maryland in advance. Know whether you’re taking rail, renting a car, or using rideshare before you leave Atlanta.
• Account for ATL’s size. Even with frequent Maryland flights, concourse changes and walking distances can be significant; allow time to move through the airport.
• Watch connection times if you’re not flying nonstop. Because ATL is a large hub, tightly scheduled connections can be stressful if you’re routed through another city on the way to Maryland.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta to Maryland Flights

• Most Atlanta to Maryland flights are short, domestic nonstop routes from ATL to BWI, DCA, or IAD.
• Your best arrival airport depends on whether you’re going to Baltimore, Annapolis, the D.C. metro Maryland suburbs, or western Maryland.
• Starting in Atlanta, you benefit from frequent flight options, strong MARTA access to ATL, and a wide range of departure times.
• Thinking ahead about ground transportation in Maryland and traffic/security timing in Atlanta will make your trip significantly smoother.