Transportation

Baltimore-Washington International Airport is ten miles south of the city, off Route 295. BWI Super Shuttle provides van services that cost about 10 USD for the 30-minute journey to the downtown hotels. Airport taxis standby to meet flights and travel to town in about 20 minutes for about 17 USD. Amtrak and Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) operate a frequent train service from the nearby airport station to the surrounding area. Once you've arrived in Baltimore, trams provide a novel way to travel around town, as do the boat cruises, that leave from the inner harbour.

Baltimore Area Map

Baltimore Restaurants

To discover a little about local produce before setting out to dine, visitors to Baltimore can do no better than take a trip to Lexington Market, said to be North America's oldest marketplace and locally referred to as "Lex Market". It's an atmospheric scene where vendors extol their wares and local residents lunch on oysters and clams.

Baltimore Etiquette

Greeting someone in Baltimore

Baltimore is an old city, but it is also a port used to people from all over the world and therefore has a relaxed, down-to-earth way of going about its business. A handshake followed by polite conversation will soon have you on first name terms.

Tipping advice

As in most American cities, tipping is common practice in Baltimore because gratuities are not added to the bill. In restaurants, tip waiters about 15 percent and as much as 20 percent, if you are more than satisfied with the food and service. The same applies to bartenders, taxi drivers and hairdressers. Tip one US dollar per coat at a coat check, one US dollar a day for chambermaids in upscale hotels and 50 cents per bag for bellhops.

Baltimore dress code

Baltimore is relatively conservative as far as dress is concerned and in the more expensive restaurants, men are expected to wear jacket and tie. You might feel conspicuous in public areas such as art museums and theaters if you are not neatly dressed. Business tends to be conducted in suits, worn by both men and women. Some of the city's business community takes a more open-minded approach and less formal attire may be acceptable in many situations.

Local Customs

Apart from Baltimore's famous adherence to the national sport of baseball, one of the city's oldest sights is the "Arabber", although sadly in decline, visitors may be fortunate enough to see one. A group of small scale entrepreneurs who hire horses and carts to sell fresh produce, they have been vending their way through the streets of Baltimore since the early 1800's, though now, there are only twenty-five arabbers still in business. Nevertheless, they are an example of how zealous this city is about preserving its traditions.

Weather in Baltimore, MD