Yikes! Never thought of that. Not sure how to find out.

My train is 186: Northeast - Regional.

Depart WAS, Union Station at 1:05pm and Arrives BWI 1:32 pm.

You're in luck--the 186 originates in DC.

Just got back and I would like to update on my travel. This train, 186, was delayed by and hour, and left at 2:00 pm. The earlier regional local train, 176 (scheduled to leave at 12:05), was delayed by over 2 hours, and left after our train (thankfully I booked the 186).

Fortunately I had left enough time and made it to BWI in time to catch my flight.

In retrospect, the MARC trains all left on time and even with the longer travel time, I would have made it earlier to BWI had I stayed with MARC.

Also, the Acela Express trains, coming from Florida etc. and going on were all exactly on time.

So it seems like there is no pattern to this. Just a lesson learned for the future, about not to cut it too close.

BTW, dcstudent's directions in this post: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/washi...ml#post6637433 worked perfectly. Thanks a ton.

My experiences with the B30 bus, even during rush hour times, has been very good. During the timeframe that porphyra has listed, he/she shouldn't have a problem at all using the bus. It is IMO the easiest option.

Yes, if I ever have to do this again, I will probably use the bus option (especially if it involves travel during non-rush hours). The amtrak experience put me off.

Although your trip has come and gone, for those who read it later, I think your original plan would have been quite sufficient. I have *never* had it take more than 30 mins from the time the train arrived at the rail station to the time I was walking into the airport terminal, and I use this shuttle frequently. Assuming the train is on time, that means one walks into the terminal a minimum of 1:10 prior to flight which is plenty of time for me.

Also prefer the B30 to the train, because it drops you off right at the terminal.

BWI's shuttle bus system is brutal. It's not just the train station, but once waited 20 mins for the shuttle bus from daily parking. Got to the terminal more than 30 mins after parking my car, and barely made the flight.

Slightly OT
 

And if you decide not to wait for the shuttle bus and take a cab from the Amtrak station to the terminal <insist they use the METER!>. The cabbies will try to scam you into paying a flat rate of $8 per person to the terminal. Don't fall for it -- it's illegal for them to do this.

Back in 2001, I could occasionally get a 9:40 AM departure flight from BWI to DCA landing at 10:00 AM. (Might have been a 9:25 AM departure; can't remember.) I'm pretty sure that was the fastest route between the two. It was rare the routing and timing worked out, but sometimes I could get the "holy grail" of CAK->PIT->PHL->BWI->DCA. The tickets were around $62 each way (or $70 with that many segments) which really paid off with the 500-mile minimum.