Arrive early. Expect delays.

That’s the advice coming from airport and railroad officials for Marylanders traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

Officials with Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport will likely issue their holiday passenger-load estimates on Monday, said Ryan Nawrocki, an airport spokesman.

“We encourage passengers to get here early,” Nawrocki said.

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The Washington-based Air Transport Association of America, which represents passenger airlines, forecasts that 25 million passengers — an average of 2 million per day — will board airplanes nationwide between Nov. 17 and Nov. 28.

The forecast represents a 3 percent increase from last year’s Thanksgiving period.

“Airports will be packed and at times lines could be long, so it is critical that passengers understand what to expect, especially given new security measures,” said James May, president of the airport transport association.

The Transportation Security Administration has issued restrictions on fluids in carry-on luggage. Airline officials say delays could be made worse by travelers unfamiliar with the new restrictions as they try to enter security checkpoints.

Amtrak passenger train officials predict the rail line will see at least 600,000 passengers between Nov. 21 and Nov. 27. Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest travel week of the year for Amtrak.

In the Northeast corridor — from Washington, through Baltimore and north to Boston — Amtrak will add 53 extra trains during the week.

All Amtrak train service in the Northeast corridor require reservations. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Amtrak officials anticipate 125,000 passengers, an 80 percent ridership jump from typical Wednesday travel.

Bus officials hope upgrades will lure customers to take the bus.

On Wednesday, Greyhound Lines kicked off its “Elevate Everything” upgrade of the Baltimore bus terminal. The terminal at 2110 Haines St. was upgraded with plasma televisions, new lighting, fresh paint, renovated bathrooms and refurbished buses.

“We’ve upgraded everything at the Baltimore terminal,” said Eric Wesley, a spokesman for Dallas-based Greyhound Lines.

He said customers don’t have to worry about overcrowded buses, because Greyhound will add buses on the spot if needed to carry more passengers.

Carry-on restrictions

The Transportation Security Administration issued new restrictions on fluids and gels passengers can bring in carry-on luggage.

» Liquids, gels and aerosols that can be put in carry-on baggage if they are in a 3-ounce or smaller container and they fit neatly in a one-quart, zip-locked bag. Only one bag per passenger.

» No lighters or matches allowed in baggage.

eeldridge@baltimoreexaminer.com