Bus 201 Schedule Finder: Gaithersburg, Shady Grove, Arundel Mills, BWI Airport & Baltimore Live Times
The 201 bus schedule most commonly means MDOT MTA Commuter Bus Route 201 — Gaithersburg – BWI Business District. This guide helps riders find the official schedule, route map, stops, live tracker, fare zone, BWI pickup and drop-off levels, weekend/holiday “S” schedule, airport luggage notes, accessibility details, service alerts and the safest way to plan a trip between Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County, BWI Airport and Baltimore.
Bus 201 Daily Check Board — Use This Before Leaving for BWI or Gaithersburg
airport commuter toolStart here if your trip is time-sensitive. Route 201 is useful for airport riders, commuters, MARC/Metro connections, Arundel Mills trips and Baltimore Greyhound connections. But the route has airport-level pickup rules, “S” schedule rules, weekend stop exceptions and discharge-only segments, so one old screenshot can cause a missed bus.
Confirm agency
Use MDOT MTA Route 201 for Gaithersburg, Shady Grove, BWI Airport, Arundel Mills and Baltimore trips.
Pick direction
Choose eastbound to BWI/Baltimore or westbound to Gaithersburg before reading times.
Open PDF
Use the official PDF for Zone 3 fare, stop notes, weekend/holiday “S” trips and full timetable.
Check live
Use MTA real-time information, service alerts and trip planner before walking to the stop.
Check BWI level
Drop-off is upper level at airport terminals. Pickup is lower level for return trips.
Watch stop exceptions
NIST and Dorsey MARC have weekend/holiday limits in the official schedule notes.
Need the next Route 201 right now? Use official MTA real-time tools and alerts.
📍 Open MTA Real TimeWhat Bus 201 Riders Want First from the Schedule Page
A Bus 201 search usually means the rider cannot afford confusion. They may be catching a flight at BWI, meeting a MARC or Metro connection, traveling from Gaithersburg Park & Ride, going to Arundel Mills Mall, returning from Baltimore Greyhound, or checking whether Route 201 runs on a holiday when other commuter buses do not.
“Where is the next 201?”
Use MDOT MTA Real Time, service alerts and the route schedule page. Check route, direction and stop before leaving.
“What time does it leave?”
Use the official Route 201 PDF for planned trips and “S” schedule markings, then verify alerts same day.
“Does it serve BWI?”
Yes. Route 201 serves BWI MARC/Amtrak Rail Station plus Southwest and International terminal stops.
“How much is fare?”
Route 201 is listed as Zone 3 in the PDF. Full one-way fare is shown as $6.00 in the current PDF.
“What does S mean?”
Trips marked “S” are Special Service schedule trips. On special service days, only S trips operate.
“Is it accessible?”
The Route 201 PDF says all coaches are wheelchair accessible. Check accessibility help if you need assistance.
Quick answer: For the current 201 bus schedule, use MDOT MTA’s Route 201 schedule page and the official PDF first. Route 201 connects Gaithersburg Park & Ride, Shady Grove Metro, Georgia Avenue Park & Ride, Burtonsville Park & Ride, Dorsey MARC, Arundel Mills Mall, BWI Airport, BWI MARC/Amtrak Rail Station and Warner Street Greyhound Baltimore Station.
Best rider workflow: identify direction, check the official PDF, use real-time tools, confirm your exact stop, verify fare and read alerts before leaving.
Official Bus 201 Tools for Schedule, PDF, Map, Live Times, Fare and Alerts
These official links are the final source for current Route 201 schedule decisions. This guide explains the rider workflow, but MDOT MTA controls route times, fares, stop notes, service alerts, accessibility and holiday changes.
Bus 201 Route Overview: Gaithersburg to BWI Airport and Baltimore
MDOT MTA Route 201 is a commuter bus route using the Intercounty Connector corridor to connect Montgomery County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, BWI Airport and Baltimore. It is especially useful for airport trips because it links Gaithersburg and Shady Grove with BWI without requiring a ride through downtown Washington, DC.
Eastbound
Gaithersburg Park & Ride to BWI Airport, Arundel Mills, BWI Rail Station and selected Baltimore trips.
Westbound
BWI Airport or Warner Street toward Arundel Mills, Burtonsville, Georgia Avenue, Shady Grove and Gaithersburg.
365-day route
The PDF states the ICC 201 route operates 365 days per year, with weekend/holiday and special-service rules.
⚠️ Route-number warning
Bus 201 is not one universal route. This page focuses on MDOT MTA Commuter Bus 201. Other agencies and countries also use route number 201, so always match the agency, endpoints and stops before using any timetable.
Bus 201 Times: First, Last and Weekend/Holiday Pattern
The table below is a practical planning shortcut based on the official Route 201 timetable. Use it to understand the span of service, then open the PDF and real-time page for the exact stop and travel date.
| Service pattern | Direction | Key starting point | Planning summary | Important warning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday | Eastbound to BWI / Baltimore | Gaithersburg Park & Ride | Trips start early morning and continue through evening. | Dorsey MARC and some drop-off-only rules matter by trip. |
| Weekday | Westbound to Gaithersburg | Warner Street or BWI Airport | Westbound service begins morning and continues into late evening. | Some late westbound segments are discharge-only and may depart ahead of schedule. |
| Saturday / Sunday / Holiday | Eastbound to BWI | Gaithersburg Park & Ride | Weekend/holiday service uses the published S schedule pattern. | NIST and Dorsey MARC are not served on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays in the PDF notes. |
| Saturday / Sunday / Holiday | Westbound to Gaithersburg | BWI Rail Station or terminals | Weekend/holiday westbound trips run later into the evening. | Read the PDF because bold PM times and after-midnight arrivals can be easy to misread. |
💡 Best time-check rule
Use the PDF to pick a planned trip, then check MTA Real Time and Service Alerts before leaving. For flights, do not plan to arrive at BWI with a narrow margin.
Bus 201 Stops: Major Stops by Direction
Route 201 has a small number of important stops, but the stop rules change by direction and service day. Airport riders should pay special attention to upper-level drop-off and lower-level pickup.
Eastbound major stops
Gaithersburg Park & Ride, MD 117 & Bureau Dr. / NIST, Shady Grove Metro east side, Georgia Avenue Park & Ride, Burtonsville Park & Ride, Dorsey MARC, Arundel Mills Mall, BWI Southwest upper level, BWI International upper level, BWI MARC/Amtrak Rail Station and Warner Street Greyhound Baltimore Station on selected trips.
Westbound major stops
Warner Street Greyhound Baltimore Station on selected trips, BWI MARC/Amtrak Rail Station, BWI Southwest lower level, BWI International lower level, Arundel Mills Mall, Dorsey MARC on eligible trips, Burtonsville Park & Ride, Georgia Avenue Park & Ride, Shady Grove Metro, MD 117 & Bureau Dr. and Gaithersburg Park & Ride.
BWI airport rule
Passenger drop-off at airport terminals occurs on the upper level. Passenger pickup occurs on the lower level. Do not wait on the wrong level.
- Gaithersburg Park & Ride: use for Montgomery County boarding at MD 124 and I-270.
- Shady Grove Metro: use for Red Line and Ride On connections, but confirm east-side stop details.
- Arundel Mills: use the shelters near Best Buy as listed in the official PDF.
- BWI Airport: use terminal level rules and confirm your airline terminal before walking.
- Warner Street: selected trips extend to Greyhound Baltimore Station, not every trip.
Bus 201 Route Map and Live Tracker
The map below is for route-area discovery only. It helps you understand the corridor between Gaithersburg, Shady Grove, Burtonsville, Arundel Mills, BWI Airport and Baltimore. For the final boarding decision, use MDOT MTA route pages, real-time information and service alerts.
Open MTA Real Time
Choose Commuter Bus mode where available, then select route, direction and stop.
Confirm direction
Eastbound and westbound stops are different. Airport levels also differ by pickup and drop-off.
Read alerts
Holiday schedules, weather, road incidents and airport-area traffic can change the trip.
Use buffer time
For flights, trains or Greyhound connections, choose an earlier trip whenever possible.
Need the official live arrival tool?
📍 Open MTA Real TimeBus 201 Fare, CharmPass, Cash and Zone 3 Ticket Rules
The official Route 201 PDF lists the route as Zone 3. The PDF shows One Way Full Fare $6.00, One Way Senior/Disability Fare $5.00, Ten Trip Full Fare $60.00, Ten Trip Senior/Disability $50.00, Monthly Pass Full Fare $204.00 and Monthly Pass Senior/Disability $170.00. Always verify fares before buying because fare policy can change.
| Fare topic | What Route 201 riders should know | Best official check |
|---|---|---|
| Zone | Route 201 is shown as Zone 3 in the official PDF. | Route 201 PDF |
| Cash | Cash one-way fares require exact change; no change is given if you overpay. | Route 201 PDF |
| Card onboard | Major debit and credit cards are accepted onboard for one-way fare for the current trip. | Route 201 PDF |
| CharmPass | One-way and monthly passes can be purchased through the CharmPass mobile ticket app. | CharmPass page |
| MARC passes | MARC monthly and weekly passes are accepted on trips to and from BWI MARC/Amtrak and Dorsey Station. | Route 201 PDF |
⚠️ Airport-local-trip warning
The Route 201 PDF says local trips between the BWI Airport stops and the MARC/Amtrak Rail Station are prohibited because free shuttle service is already provided between those airport locations.
BWI Airport Rider Notes: Terminal Levels, Luggage and Connections
Route 201 is useful for BWI travelers, but the airport is the place where mistakes get expensive. Match your terminal, level and direction before you leave the terminal building.
- Drop-off: BWI terminal drop-off is on the upper level.
- Pickup: BWI passenger pickup for Route 201 is on the lower level.
- Southwest: use the Southwest Airlines stop listed in the schedule.
- International: use the International Terminal / Concourse E stop listed in the schedule.
- Rail station: Route 201 also serves BWI MARC/Amtrak Rail Station, but local airport-only rides are not allowed.
- Luggage: commuter-bus drivers are required to assist with loading and unloading luggage in the baggage compartment at each stop.
Weekend, Holiday and “S” Schedule Rules
The Route 201 PDF says the ICC 201 bus route operates 365 days per year. It also says the route uses a Weekend/Holiday schedule on Saturdays, Sundays and listed observed holidays. Trips marked with “S” are the Special Service Schedule, and on Special Service days only the trips designated with “S” operate.
- Weekend/holiday: use the Weekend/Holiday table, not weekday memory.
- S trips: only S-designated trips operate on Special Service days.
- NIST stop: not served on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
- Dorsey MARC: not served on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays when MARC service does not operate.
- Service alerts: holiday service notices can change how commuter buses run.
Riding on a holiday or reduced-service day? Check MTA service alerts before leaving.
⚠️ Open Service AlertsAccessibility, Senior Rider Help and Guaranteed Ride Home
The Route 201 PDF says all coaches are wheelchair accessible. MDOT MTA also provides accessibility information and alternate-format support. For riders with disabilities, seniors, caregivers and airport travelers carrying bags, the safest habit is to check the official stop, plan extra time and use MTA contact support when needed.
- Wheelchair accessibility: all Route 201 coaches are marked accessible in the PDF.
- Reduced fare: senior, disability and Medicare-cardholder rules require eligible proof.
- Exact stop: confirm stop and direction before walking, especially at airport terminals.
- Guaranteed Ride Home: the PDF notes a Guaranteed Ride Home program through Commuter Connections for registered participants.
- Contact help: MTA Transit Information Contact Center is listed as 410-539-5000, toll free 1-866-RIDE-MTA and TTY 410-539-3497.
Which Bus 201 Is Mine? Maryland MTA vs Other 201 Routes
Route number 201 is used by multiple transit systems. For U.S. airport and Maryland commuter intent, MDOT MTA Route 201 is the strongest match. But a route-number page should still protect users from opening the wrong city’s timetable.
MDOT MTA 201
Use for Gaithersburg, Shady Grove, Burtonsville, Arundel Mills, BWI Airport and Baltimore Greyhound.
Other U.S. 201 routes
Some local agencies use Route 201 for completely different cities. Match agency and endpoints first.
International 201 routes
Many international transit systems use route 201. A correct-looking schedule can still be the wrong country.
💡 Agency check
Before trusting any “201 bus schedule,” match three things: agency name, city or region, and endpoints. For this page, the correct agency is MDOT MTA and the route is Gaithersburg – BWI Business District.
Common Bus 201 Mistakes That Cause Missed Trips
Wrong airport level
BWI drop-off is upper level, while pickup is lower level. Waiting on the wrong level can cost the trip.
Ignoring “S” trips
On Special Service days, only S-designated trips operate. Do not use a weekday table by habit.
Using NIST on weekends
The NIST stop is not served on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays according to the PDF notes.
Airport-only ride mistake
Local trips between BWI airport stops and BWI Rail Station are prohibited; use the free airport shuttle.
Wrong fare assumption
Route 201 is a commuter bus with Zone 3 fare information, not a flat local bus fare.
No flight buffer
For flights or Greyhound connections, use an earlier bus. Road and airport conditions can change quickly.
Related BusSchedules.org Guides for Route 201 Riders
These links help riders continue planning without returning to search results. They are selected by route-number, Maryland MTA, commuter-route and regional transit intent.
Bus 201 Schedule FAQs
What is the 201 bus schedule?
In Maryland commuter-bus searches, the 201 bus schedule usually means MDOT MTA Commuter Bus Route 201, Gaithersburg – BWI Business District.
Where can I find the official Bus 201 schedule?
Use MDOT MTA’s official Route 201 schedule page and Route 201 PDF timetable. The PDF includes route stops, fare zone, weekday, weekend/holiday and special-service notes.
Does Bus 201 go to BWI Airport?
Yes. Route 201 serves BWI Airport, including BWI MARC/Amtrak Rail Station, Southwest Airlines stop and International Terminal stop.
Does Bus 201 go to Baltimore Greyhound Station?
Selected Route 201 trips serve Warner Street at Greyhound Baltimore Station. Check the specific trip in the PDF or MTA schedule page before planning.
How do I track Bus 201 live?
Use MDOT MTA Real Time, select the correct mode, route, direction and stop, then also check service alerts before leaving.
How much is Bus 201 fare?
The official Route 201 PDF lists Route 201 as Zone 3. It shows $6.00 one-way full fare and $5.00 senior/disability one-way fare. Always verify current fares with MDOT MTA.
Can I pay Bus 201 fare with CharmPass?
Yes. MDOT MTA says CharmPass supports Commuter Bus fare products. One-way and monthly options are listed for purchase through CharmPass in Route 201 fare notes.
Does Route 201 run on weekends and holidays?
The PDF says ICC 201 operates 365 days per year and uses the Weekend/Holiday schedule on Saturdays, Sundays and listed holidays.
What does “S” mean on the Bus 201 schedule?
Trips marked “S” denote Special Service Schedule trips. On Special Service days, only the trips marked with “S” operate.
Does Bus 201 stop at NIST on weekends?
The Route 201 PDF says the MD 117 & Bureau Dr. / NIST stop is not served on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Can I ride Bus 201 only between BWI terminal stops and BWI Rail Station?
No. The PDF says local trips between the BWI Airport stops and the MARC/Amtrak Rail Station are prohibited because free shuttle service is already provided.
Is Bus 201 wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The Route 201 PDF states that all coaches are wheelchair accessible. Contact MTA for accessibility assistance or alternate-format information.
Is BusSchedules.org the official Bus 201 operator?
No. BusSchedules.org is an independent rider guide. Always verify exact schedules, stops, fares, live information, alerts and accessibility details directly with MDOT MTA.
Final Rider Summary: Best Way to Use the 201 Bus Schedule
The safest way to use the 201 bus schedule is to confirm you need MDOT MTA Commuter Bus 201, choose eastbound or westbound, open the official PDF, check MTA Real Time and service alerts, verify your stop, confirm the Zone 3 fare and follow BWI airport pickup/drop-off rules.
For airport trips, build extra time. For weekends and holidays, use the Weekend/Holiday and “S” schedule notes. For NIST, Dorsey MARC, BWI terminals and Warner Street, read the stop-specific notes carefully because not every trip serves every stop.