Ground transport at FME
Fort Meade, Maryland
Getting to and from FME
Most travelers arriving at Tipton Airport have four practical options: rideshare, taxi, public transit, or a pre-arranged hotel or rental shuttle. The right choice depends on traffic, time of day, and how much luggage you're hauling. Below is a breakdown of each, drawn from the standard transport patterns that apply at Fort Meade's primary airport.
Rideshare (Uber & Lyft)
Rideshare is the most common ground transport choice at FME. Pickups happen at Curbside at the designated rideshare zone, typically on the arrivals or ground transportation level. Watch for posted signage.. During off-peak hours, drivers are typically 3 to 8 minutes during off-peak hours; during peak arrival waves (early morning and early evening), match times can stretch significantly longer.
- Uber operates at all terminals; request your ride after you've collected your bag.
- Lyft operates at all terminals; request your ride after you've collected your bag.
- Both apps charge an airport surcharge of a few dollars on top of the metered fare.
- If your destination is downtown, expect surge pricing during weekday morning and Friday evening peaks.
Taxis
Taxi queue staffed at arrivals; flat-rate or metered fares depending on your destination zone. Cabs run on either a fixed flat rate to certain zones or a metered fare; ask the dispatcher before you get in. For groups of three or more with luggage, a taxi can be more economical than a rideshare during surge pricing.
Hotel and parking shuttles
Hotel and off-site parking shuttles operate continuously from designated curb islands. Shuttles are clearly branded with the operator's logo. Confirm pickup time with your hotel or off-site parking lot in advance — most run on 15- to 30-minute headways.
Bus and regional transit
City and regional bus routes connect to the airport. Check the local transit authority for schedules. Bus service is the most economical option from the airport but tends to be slower than rideshare or rail. Expect 45 to 75 minutes to most destinations and minimal luggage space.
Rental cars
Rental car counters are operated by all the major brands at FME: Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Sixt, Dollar, Thrifty. Each brand operates its own counter and lot near the terminal; pickup is usually a short walk or quick shuttle. See the car rentals page for details.