Local time Baltimore

Currency

US$

Travel to Baltimore

Flying to Baltimore

British Airways operates direct flights from the UK to Baltimore. Prices tend to be higher in July and August. You may find a cheaper flight by connecting via another US city such as New York or Detroit.

Flight times

From London - 8 hours 20 minutes; New York - 1 hour 30 minutes; Los Angeles - 5 hours; Toronto - 1 hour 40 minutes; Sydney - 20 hours 30 minutes.

Travel by road

Driving is on the right. The general maximum speed limit is 90kph (55mph), occasionally rising to 105kph (65mph); laws passed in 2015 allow the state to raise the limit to 113kph (70mph) in some cases. Speed limits in residential areas can be as slow as 30kph (20mph), with specifically posted limits near schools. Seat belts are obligatory for front-seat passengers. Prosecution for drink-driving is severe.

The legal driving age in Maryland is 16 years. A national driving licence is valid, although a temporary International Driving Permit is a good idea if your licence isn't in English. Third-party insurance is mandatory.

Many petrol stations situated on main roads are open 24 hours a day and most operate a pre-pay system at the pumps using a credit card (though some insist on an American zip code).

AAA (tel: +1 800 763 9900; www.aaamidatlantic.com) provides emergency service and information in addition to reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown services

AAA (tel: +1 800 222 4357/AAA HELP).

Routes

All the major routes approaching Baltimore meet the I-695, called the Baltimore Beltway, which circles the city. The Jones Falls Expressway (the I-83) winds into the central Inner Harbor district from the north. The I-395 comes in from the southeast, with good access to downtown Baltimore and the Port. The Baltimore National Pike road (US Route 40) approaches from the west, from Frederick. The I-95 comes from Philadelphia and New York in the northwest and continues southwest towards Washington, DC, running parallel to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The I-97 leads in from the south, linking Baltimore to Annapolis. The I-895, the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway, bypasses Downtown.

Tolls operate at the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895), at the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) and both north- and southbound at the Francis Scott Key Bridge (part of the Baltimore Beltway). There are also tolls northbound on the John F Kennedy Memorial Highway (part of I-95).

Coaches

Greyhound (tel: +1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) operates frequent coach services, connecting Baltimore with major US and Canadian cities. The main bus station is at 2100 Haines Street.

Time to city

From Washington, DC - 1 hour; New York City - 3 hours 30 minutes; Philadelphia - 2 hours.

Travel by Rail

Services

Penn Station, 1515 North Charles Street, is located about 3.2km (2 miles) from the inner harbour. It is served well by the MARC and Amtrak. Baltimore is situated along the northeastern Amtrak corridor from Washington, DC to Boston via Philadelphia and New York.

Operators

Amtrak (tel: +1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com) operates intercity rail services to Baltimore, with connections to a host of major US cities. MARC (tel: +1 866 743 3682, http://mta.maryland.gov) is a commuter rail system whose service areas include Harford County, Maryland; Baltimore City; Washington, DC; Brunswick, Maryland; Frederick, Maryland and Martinsburg, West Virginia. MARC train services operate Monday to Friday only, apart from the Penn Line, which has a weekend service too.

Journey times

From Washington, DC - 35 minutes; New York - 2 hours 15 minutes; Boston - 6 hours 5 minutes; Orlando - 18 hours 30 minutes; Miami - 24 hours; New Orleans - 27 hours; Raleigh -7 hours. Change in Washington, DC for local trains to West Virginia.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

SEE MORE

The Ivy

The luxurious accommodation in this 19th-century Mount Vernon mansion aims to give you the feel of staying in the home of a wealthy friend. Nine characterful rooms and suites are fitted out with cosy four-poster beds and sleek bathrooms. Curl up with a book in the library, tinkle the piano or dine in the upscale Magdalena bistro.

Wilson House Bed & Breakfast

Housed in a grand 19th-century mansion this elegant 10-room bed and breakfast offers cosy accommodation near Penn Station. It was here that William Jennings Bryant made deals that led to Woodrow Wilson taking the presidency in 1912. The home is within easy reach of Mount Vernon's cultural venues and eateries and around 5km (3 miles) from the Inner Harbor.

Lord Baltimore Hotel

A fixture in the city since 1928, this is a classic hotel in the French Renaissance style, the huge lobby chock full of chandeliers, staircases and everything you really want on old-style hotel to be. You're only a few blocks from Inner Harbor, and its 400-plus rooms are mostly a good size.

Sleep Inn & Suites Downtown Inner Harbor

A short stroll from the Inner Harbor this hotel puts you within walking distance of Baltimore's main attractions. Rooms are smart and modern with a choice of two double beds or a king bed. Many also have a pull-out sofa bed. A hot buffet breakfast is included.

Inn at 2920

This hip urban bed and breakfast lies in Baltimore's trendy Canton neighbourhood, a short stroll from the waterfront. It's more mini boutique hotel than traditional B&B, featuring exposed 19th-century brick walls and contemporary, individually designed rooms. A hot breakfast is included, with options such as French toast and creamy blueberry bread pudding.

Days Inn Inner Harbor Hotel

This 250-room high-rise is just three blocks from the Inner Harbor and is close to the Convention Centre. It offers a fitness centre, heated outdoor pool, business centre, lobby bar and Harbor Grill restaurant, serving hearty American fare. Rooms are smart, comfy and contemporary.