Baltimore

The questions people ask first about Baltimore, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
• SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
• Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
• TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
• SafetyThe tourist core — Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Mount Vernon, Hampden — is busy and generally fine by day and evening.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$3–6
• Street or quick mealCrab cake sandwichCrab cakes are priced by the pound of meat; expect more at harbour restaurants.$15–25
• Beerdraught in a Fells Point pub / can at a shop$6–9$2–4
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or rideshare$12–20
• Museum or sight ticketNational Aquarium entryTimed tickets; check the official site before you travel.$40–50
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$45
• Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomUS$180
• High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$160 · High US$300

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (About 10 miles south of the centre; light rail runs from the terminal to the Inner Harbor in about 30 min, or a free shuttle to the BWI rail station for MARC/Amtrak to Penn Station (about 15 min).) · DCA Washington Reagan National (Further out; use it only if the fare is much better — you then need a train or car from Washington.) · IAD Washington Dulles International (Best for some international routings; add 1.5–2 h by road or rail to Baltimore.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$70–110 excl. bed

Mid

$130–200 excl. bed

High

$250+ excl. bed

• Crime is concentrated in specific West and East Baltimore blocks, not the visitor districts. Stay in the harbour, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Mount Vernon or Hampden after dark, and take a rideshare rather than walking through empty blocks.
• Do not walk north or west from the Inner Harbor at night expecting to reach a nice neighbourhood — the transition is abrupt.
• Weekday I-95 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway jam roughly 6–9:30am and 3:30–6:30pm; the MARC train beats the drive.Weekday I-95 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway jam roughly 6–9:30 AMam and 3:30 AM–6:30 AMpm; the MARC train beats the drive.
• Parking near the harbour is about $5/hour; free park-and-ride at suburban light rail and Metro stations is the cheaper play.
• Summer humidity pushes the heat index to about 35°C (95°F) and occasionally higher — plan indoor stops in the middle of the day.Summer humidity pushes the heat index to about 95°F (35°C) and occasionally higher — plan indoor stops in the middle of the day.