ARRIVING & DEPARTING

By Air Baltimore-Washington International Airport (tel. 410/859-7111 for information and paging), is 10 mi south of Baltimore off Route 295 (Baltimore-Washington Pkwy.). It has scheduled daily flights by most major airlines, including Air Aruba (tel. 800/882-7822), Air Jamaica (tel. 800/523-5585), Air Canada (tel. 800/776-3000), American (tel. 800/433-7300), America West (tel. 800/235-9292), British Airways (tel. 800/247-9297), Business Express (tel. 800/345-3400), Continental (tel. 800/525-0280), Delta (tel. 800/638-7333), El Al (tel. 800/223-6700), Icelandair (tel. 800/223-5500), Laker Airways (tel. 800/545-1300), Northwest (tel. 800/225-2525), Southwest (tel. 800/435-9792), TWA (tel. 800/221-2000), United (tel. 800/241-6522), and USAir (tel. 800/428-4322). FLYING TIME Flying time to BWI is one hour from New York, two hours from Chicago, and five hours, 40 minutes from Los Angeles. BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND TOWN By Bus: BWI Super Shuttle (tel. 410/724-0009) provides van service between the airport and downtown hotels, every half hour, 6 AM-11 PM. Travel time is about 30 minutes; the fare, $10. Hotel vans, which are operated independently of the hotels, take 30 minutes on average. Some hotels may provide complimentary limousine service. By Limousine: Carey Limousines (tel. 410/880-0999 or 800/336-4646) should be reserved 24 hours in advance. By Taxi: Airport Taxis (tel. 410/859-1100) stand by to meet arriving flights. The ride into town on I-295 takes 20 minutes; the fare between the airport and downtown is about $17. By Train: There are 25 trains a day between the airport and Baltimore's downtown Penn Station. Continuous free shuttle-bus service links the rail station with the airport terminal less than 10 minutes away. Amtrak (tel. 800/872-7245) service between the BWI Airport rail station (tel. 410/672-6167) and Penn Station (Charles St. and Mt. Royal Ave.) is available daily at irregular intervals, so call ahead. The ride takes 10 to 15 minutes and costs $5. Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC, tel. 800/325-7245) trains travel between the BWI Airport and Penn Station in about 20 minutes, weekdays 7 AM-10 PM, at a fare of $3.25.

By Bus Greyhound Lines (210 W. Fayette St., tel. 800/231-2222) has service to Baltimore from major cities in the United States and Canada.

By Car From the north, I-83, also called the Jones Falls Expressway, winds through Baltimore and ends at the Inner Harbor. I-395 serves as the primary access to downtown from I-95. From the west, I-70 merges with the Baltimore Beltway, I-695. Drivers headed downtown should use I-395.

By Train Amtrak's (tel. 800/872-7245) trains on the northeast corridor service between Boston and Washington all stop at Baltimore's Penn Station (tel. 410/291-4261). The Maryland State Railroad Administration (tel. 800/325-7245), or MARC, operates 19 daily commuter trains between Baltimore's Penn Station and Washington, DC's Union Station. It also operates 11 trains from Baltimore's downtown Camden Station and from Union Station in Washington, DC. There is free bus transportation between the BWI Airport Rail Station and the airport passenger terminal.

GETTING AROUND

Overview The majority of Baltimore's attractions are within walking distance or a short cab ride from Inner Harbor. Beyond that area a car would be useful, for the clean and speedy metro line is somewhat limited and riding public buses can involve a number of transfers. Parking rates downtown are about $12 a day. Inner Harbor sites and other downtown attractions are best reached on foot, by water taxi, or by trolley.

By Bus Buses provide an easy, inexpensive means to see much of Baltimore. The Mass Transit Administration (MTA, tel. 410/539-5000) has more than 70 bus routes; the fare is $1.35. All-day passes are $3 and can be used with light rail or metro travel. There is also MTA bus service between Baltimore and Annapolis. Some routes have service 24 hours daily.

By Car REQUIREMENTS Visitors from abroad need only a valid driver's license from their home country to drive in the United States. An International Driver's License is not necessary. If you are driving a non-rental car, third-party insurance is mandatory. CAR RENTAL The major car-rental companies represented in Baltimore are AAA Car Rentals, Alamo (tel. 800/327-9633; in the U.K., 0800/272-2000), Avis (tel. 800/331-1212; in Canada, 800/879-2847), Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; in the U.K., 0800/181181), Dollar (tel. 800/800-4000; in the U.K., 0990/565656, where it is known as Eurodollar), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131; in Canada, 800/263-0600; in the U.K., 0345/555888), and National InterRent (tel. 800/227-7368; in the U.K., where National is known as Europcar InterRent, 0345/222525). Rates begin at $40 a day and $130 a week for an economy car with unlimited mileage. This does not include tax on car rentals, which is 11 1/2% in Maryland. RULES OF THE ROAD Drive on the right in the United States. The speed limit is usually 30 mph (50 kph) on urban roads and 55 mph (90 kph) on highways. Distances are always measured in miles. Front-seat passengers are required to wear seatbelts; children 10 and under must be in an approved passenger restraint anywhere in the vehicle. Children under 4 or weighing less than 40 pounds must ride in child-safety seats. At traffic lights, it's legal to make a right turn even when the light is red--except when there is a sign at the intersection stating that such a turn is NOT permitted--provided that you come to a full stop first and no traffic is coming. When in doubt, always wait until the light turns green to make a right turn. At four-way intersections controlled by red stop signs, it's first-come first-go; when in doubt, yield to the right. Finally, use extreme caution when approaching or following a school bus, which is usually bright yellow. If a school bus has stopped to drop off or pick up children, you are required by law to stop until it moves off. Gas stations are open late or 24 hours. Many are self-service, meaning that you have to pump the gas yourself. The price of gas (petrol) in the United States is far cheaper than in almost any other country; expect to pay about $1.30 a gallon. The U.S. gallon is slightly smaller than the Imperial gallon. Approximately 4 liters equals a gallon.

By Light Rail Light rail is an easy, comfortable way to reach downtown from the northern and southern suburbs. Stops near downtown include Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Howard Street, and Centre Street near Mount Vernon. The city's cultural center can be reached by the Cathedral Street stop. The fare is $1.35. For schedules, call MTA (tel. 410/539-5000).

By Subway The Baltimore metro serves visitors coming into the city from the suburban northwest. Stops include Charles Center and Lexington Market, both within walking distance of the Inner Harbor. The single line runs from Owings Mills to Johns Hopkins Hospital, east of downtown; the fare is $1.35. Trains run weekdays 5 AM-midnight, Saturday 8 AM-midnight, and Sundays during Orioles games. For more information, call MTA (tel. 410/539-5000).

By Taxi Yellow Cab (tel. 410/685-1212) provides computer-dispatched cars.