Baltimore Inner Harbor skyline illuminated at night from Federal Hill
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Back from the water

Cheap hotels in Baltimore

Look a few blocks back from the water for a lower rate. Stay within a short walk of Light Rail or a bus line you’ll use.

from $68/night290 hotels compared

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About Baltimore

Most first trips to Baltimore start at the Inner Harbor, with the National Aquarium and the waterfront paths. The neighborhoods around it are very different stays. Fell’s Point has cobbled streets and taverns, Federal Hill has the harbor views, and Mount Vernon has museums and historic townhouses.

The Inner Harbor is the easiest place to get your bearings. The National Aquarium is on the water, and the Maryland Science Center is across the harbor from it. Walk east through Harbor East to Fell’s Point for waterfront restaurants and older streets. It’s a good walk, but a Fell’s Point hotel is farther from Camden Yards and Penn Station.

Federal Hill rises south of the harbor, with a lookout over downtown, Cross Street Market and the American Visionary Art Museum nearby. Fort McHenry is farther out at Locust Point. West of the harbor, stay near Camden Yards for Orioles games and the Baltimore Convention Center.

North of downtown, Mount Vernon has the Washington Monument and the Walters Art Museum. Station North and Penn Station are farther up the same Charles Street corridor. Stay on this side for Amtrak or the arts venues. Most harbor sights are then a bus or a ride away.

The promenade is busiest in warm weather, but July afternoons average near 89°F and can be humid. Spring and fall are better for long walks. From BWI, Light Rail goes to Camden Yards and downtown. For Penn Station, change at Mt. Royal. Work out which stop is nearest your hotel and how you’ll cover the last stretch.

State
Maryland
Time zone
Eastern (ET)
Main airport
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI)
Waterfront
Patapsco River and Inner Harbor
Intercity rail
Baltimore Penn Station
Airport transit
MTA Light RailLink
National Aquarium building beside Baltimore Inner Harbor at night
National Aquarium
Fell’s Point waterfront buildings and boats
Fell’s Point waterfront
Walters Art Museum entrance in Mount Vernon
Walters Art Museum
Oriole Park at Camden Yards with Baltimore skyline
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Federal Hill Park seen across Baltimore Inner Harbor
Federal Hill Park
Fort McHenry grounds and historic fort building
Fort McHenry
Photo credits

Where to stay in Baltimore

  • Inner Harbor and Downtown

    • First visits
    • Aquarium trips
    • Convention stays
    • Waterfront walks

    With the National Aquarium, the harbor promenade and the Maryland Science Center, this is the simplest first-visit base. The Baltimore Convention Center is west of the water. For an evening out, walk east to Fell’s Point or south into Federal Hill.

    Around here: National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Baltimore Convention Center

  • Harbor East and Harbor Point

    • Waterfront dining
    • Upscale stays
    • Couples
    • Walkable evenings

    Harbor East is a run of newer waterfront blocks between the Aquarium and Fell’s Point, with restaurants and hotels. Stay here to walk the harbor after dinner. Camden Yards is a longer trip west, and Penn Station is to the north.

    Around here: Harbor East, Harbor Point, Inner Harbor promenade

  • Fell’s Point

    • Historic streets
    • Restaurants
    • Nightlife
    • Repeat visits

    Fell’s Point is stone streets, old buildings and restaurants on the water. Broadway Square and Thames Street are the center of it. From most hotels here, Camden Yards and Penn Station are a ride or a long walk.

    Around here: Thames Street, Broadway Square, Frederick Douglass–Isaac Myers Maritime Park

  • Federal Hill and Locust Point

    • Harbor views
    • Neighborhood dining
    • Fort McHenry visits
    • Longer stays

    Federal Hill Park looks over the Inner Harbor. Cross Street Market and the American Visionary Art Museum are below the hill. Locust Point and Fort McHenry are farther south and east. A room near the park can mean an uphill walk home.

    Around here: Federal Hill Park, Cross Street Market, Fort McHenry

  • Mount Vernon and Station North

    • Museums
    • Amtrak arrivals
    • Arts venues
    • Architecture

    Mount Vernon has the Washington Monument and the Walters Art Museum. Station North and Penn Station are farther up Charles Street, so see where on the street your hotel is. Stay here for museums, performances or an Amtrak arrival.

    Around here: Washington Monument, Walters Art Museum, Baltimore Penn Station

  • Camden Yards and Convention Center

    • Baseball trips
    • Football trips
    • Conventions
    • BWI Light Rail

    Stay west of the Inner Harbor for Oriole Park at Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium and convention days. Light Rail from Camden Station runs straight to BWI. Fell’s Point is a trip east across all of downtown.

    Around here: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, Camden Station

Best time to visit Baltimore

May and early fall are the months to walk between the harbor and the neighborhoods. July has the hottest afternoons, averaging near 89°F at BWI. Winter is colder and you spend less time outside on the waterfront, so the Aquarium and museums do more of the work.

Average high and low (°F)Days with rainDrier months
  1. Jan: average high 43 °F, low 25 °F, 10.1 days with rain. Cold days
  2. Feb: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F, 9.3 days with rain. Late winter
  3. Mar: average high 55 °F, low 34 °F, 11 days with rain. Spring begins
  4. Apr: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F, 11.2 days with rain. Milder harbor walks
  5. May: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F, 11.9 days with rain. Warm spring
  6. Jun: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F, 11.3 days with rain. Summer begins
  7. Jul: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F, 10.4 days with rain. Hot and humid
  8. Aug: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F, 9.6 days with rain. Humid afternoons
  9. Sep: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F, 9.1 days with rain. Early fall
  10. Oct: average high 68 °F, low 47 °F, 8.6 days with rain. Cooler walks
  11. Nov: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F, 8.5 days with rain. Cool days
  12. Dec: average high 48 °F, low 30 °F, 10.3 days with rain. Winter chill
Source: Wikipedia: Baltimore (NOAA 1991–2020 BWI climate normals)

Getting to Baltimore

BWI Marshall Airport is about 9 miles south of downtown Baltimore. MTA Light Rail runs from the terminal to Camden Yards and downtown. Amtrak stops at Baltimore Penn Station. The BWI airport rail station is separate from the terminal.

BWIBaltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

9 mi from downtown

To Camden Yards
About 25 minutes by Light Rail
To Inner Harbor
Light Rail to Camden Yards, then a four-block walk east

MTA Light RailLink boards outside the terminal and runs to Camden Yards and downtown. For Amtrak or MARC, ride the shuttle to the airport rail station. Hotels away from the rail stops are easier by taxi or rideshare.

Other ways to arrive

Train
Amtrak and MARC serve Baltimore Penn Station north of Mount Vernon. Light Rail from BWI to Penn Station requires a change at Mt. Royal.
Transit
Light RailLink connects BWI, Camden Yards and downtown. Local buses reach Fell’s Point, Federal Hill and other neighborhoods.
Car
I-95 and I-83 lead into the city. Ask the hotel what parking costs, and whether the garage is in the building or down the street.

Questions about Baltimore

Where can I look for a budget Baltimore room?

The blocks near Camden Yards, Mount Vernon, and hotels farther from the harbor. If your evenings are in Fell’s Point, work out how you’ll get back before you take the cheapest address.

Is a BWI hotel practical for sightseeing?

For an early flight, yes. For Aquarium days, find out first how you’d get to the Light Rail. From some airport-area hotels, that means a shuttle ride.

What is the lowest Baltimore rate?

$68 is the lowest. Parking and daily rides into downtown can cost more than you save on the room.

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