The 3 Closest Airports to wilmington

by Posted on

The 3 Closest Airports to Wilmington

Planning a trip to Wilmington, Delaware? Choosing the right airport is key to a smooth start. Several airports serve the region, but proximity, airline options, and ground transportation vary. Here’s a look at the three airports closest to Wilmington.

  1. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

    This is the closest major airport to Wilmington and the primary choice for most travelers heading to the city. It offers a vast selection of domestic and international flights.

    • Distance to Wilmington: Approximately 22 miles (30-40 minutes drive, traffic dependent)

    • Address: 8000 Essington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153

    • Pros: Closest major airport, numerous flight options (domestic & international), hub for American Airlines, accessible via SEPTA regional rail.

    • Cons: Can be busy, potential for delays, traffic on I-95 can be heavy.

    • Airlines: Serves nearly all major domestic and many international carriers (e.g., American, Delta, United, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, British Airways, Lufthansa, etc.).

    • Car Rental: All major agencies available on-site (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty).

    • Official Website: https://www.phl.org

    • Phone: (215) 937-6937

    • Rating: Approx. 3.9/5 (Google Maps)

  1. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

    BWI is the second closest major airport and a significant hub, particularly for Southwest Airlines. It can sometimes offer more competitive fares than PHL.

    • Distance to Wilmington: Approximately 75 miles (1.5 – 2 hours drive, traffic dependent)

    • Address: 7050 Friendship Rd, Baltimore, MD 21240

    • Pros: Major airport with many flight options, often competitive fares (Southwest hub), generally efficient and easy to navigate. Amtrak/MARC rail station nearby (requires transfer for Wilmington).

    • Cons: Significantly further drive than PHL, potential for traffic delays on I-95 South.

    • Airlines: Serves most major domestic carriers (especially Southwest) and several international airlines.

    • Car Rental: All major agencies available via a short, free shuttle ride to the consolidated rental car facility.

    • Official Website: https://www.bwiairport.com

    • Phone: (410) 859-7111

    • Rating: Approx. 4.4/5 (Google Maps)

  1. Wilmington Airport (ILG) – New Castle Airport

    While geographically the closest airport to the city of Wilmington, ILG has very limited, and sometimes nonexistent, scheduled commercial passenger service. It primarily serves general aviation and charter flights. Always check for current flight availability before considering ILG.

    • Distance to Wilmington: Approximately 6 miles (10-15 minutes drive)

    • Address: 1 Hangar Ln, New Castle, DE 19720

    • Pros: Extremely close to Wilmington, small & easy to navigate (when flights operate), often free parking.

    • Cons: Very limited (or no) commercial flights; service is intermittent and carrier-dependent. Not a reliable option for most travelers.

    • Airlines: Historically served by budget carriers for limited routes (e.g., Avelo Airlines as of recent schedules – check current status).

    • Car Rental: Limited options usually available on-site when flights are active (e.g., Avis/Budget – verify availability).

    • Official Website: https://flywilmilg.com/ or https://www.drba.net/ilg

    • Phone: (302) 328-4632 (Airport Administration)

    • Rating: Approx. 4.1/5 (Google Maps)

Conclusion:

The closest airport geographically to Wilmington, DE is Wilmington Airport (ILG) in New Castle. However, due to its very limited commercial service, the closest major airport and the most practical and commonly used option for travelers is Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

Rate this post

Published by admin