Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport - Flight Information and Guide (DTW)

How to get to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Detroit downtown is several km from the airport: the transfer takes approximately 30-40 minutes by DAX express bus.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach downtown Detroit in approximately 25-35 minutes, traffic permitting.

By Train

There is no railway station at the airport: the Detroit People Mover, the elevated transit system in downtown, does not reach the airport.

By Bus

The Detroit Air Xpress (DAX), operated by Michigan Flyer on behalf of the Regional Transit Authority, connects downtown Detroit (Washington Blvd/State St) to McNamara and Evans terminals with 16 daily trips from 3:30 to 23:00; ticket 6 USD purchased in advance, 8 USD at departure. Alternatively the local line 261 takes about 1 hour for 2 USD.

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Tips DAX is a recent and convenient service (dedicated stops at both terminals) compared to the slower local line 261: verify updated schedules on DAX-bus.com before departing.

Average travel time to DTW

TrainNot available (no rail connection)

Shuttle bus30-40 min (DAX, nearly scheduled) or 1 hour (line 261, 2 USD)

Taxi / Private hire25-35 min (45-65 USD)

Parking near Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

McNamara Parking Garage costs 32 USD/day; Big Blue Deck 23 USD/day; Green Lot 20 USD/day; Park Ride economy 11-13 USD/day; valet 12 USD/hour up to a maximum of 49 USD/day.

How to get to Detroit from DTW

By Train

The airport does not have its own train station.

By Bus

Detroit Air Xpress (DAX) connects downtown Detroit to McNamara and Evans terminals, nearly every hour from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; ticket 6 USD in advance, 8 USD at departure. Local line 261 takes about 1 hour for 2 USD.

By Taxi

Uber/Lyft typically cost 35-60 USD; a taxi charges approximately 47 USD (45-65 depending on exact destination), to downtown Detroit, with a trip of 25-40 minutes.

Need an airport transfer?

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Car rental at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

All major car rental companies have desks in both terminals.

Bring your driver's license, passport and credit card in the driver's name; in winter check the need for winter tires, given Michigan's harsh climate.

Hotels near Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Detroit Metropolitan is the typical airport to choose based on flight time: there is no rail link to downtown, which can only be reached by car or taxi in 20-25 minutes. For a short layover or a dawn flight it's best to stay a step from the terminal, in the only hotel connected by a covered walkway. Those with a few extra hours can move to Dearborn, halfway there and near the Henry Ford Museum, or go all the way to downtown Detroit, among the riverfront skyscrapers and the historic theaters of Woodward Avenue.

At the airport

On airport grounds

Connected to the McNamara Terminal by a covered walkway, about 10 minutes on foot from any gate; free round-the-clock shuttle to the Evans terminal

Best for: For those with a short layover, a dawn flight or one in the dead of night who don't want to leave the airport grounds

Pros

The only hotel on airport grounds connected on foot to the terminal by a covered walkway
Free shuttle running round the clock, also to the other terminal

Cons

Rates higher than average for the convenience of the location
No restaurants or bars outside the airport perimeter

Recommended hotels

The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport The only hotel on airport grounds connected to the McNamara Terminal by a covered walkway about 10 minutes on foot. View availability

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Airport area

Dearborn

About 20 minutes by car or with the hotel shuttle from the airport; there is no rail connection

Best for: For those who want to stay halfway between the airport and the city, with the Henry Ford Museum nearby

Pros

A few minutes from the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
A hotel shuttle that also covers the airport

Cons

A car is still needed to get around, the area isn't walkable
Downtown Detroit remains about 20 more minutes away

Recommended hotels

DoubleTree by Hilton Detroit - Dearborn A few minutes from the Henry Ford Museum, with an indoor pool and a shuttle that also reaches the airport. View availability

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City centre

Downtown Detroit

20-25 minutes by car or taxi from the airport; there is no rail link

Best for: For those who prefer visiting downtown, the riverfront and the historic theaters, accepting 20-25 minutes by taxi from the airport

Pros

Walking distance from Campus Martius, the Woodward Avenue theaters and the riverfront
A central neighborhood in full transformation, with new restaurants and bars

Cons

Getting from the airport always requires a car or taxi, never under 20 minutes
On evenings with games at the stadium, traffic and room rates rise

Recommended hotels

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Airport services

The airport is Delta Air Lines' primary hub in the Midwest, with connections to Europe and Asia along with domestic routes.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area offers Michigan regional products and luxury items.

Lounges & relaxation

At Detroit Metro, Delta runs five Sky Club lounges in the McNamara Terminal, similar to each other except for a couple of details: only one has showers and opens before the others, another bridges the concourses farthest from the tram station. Those flying with a Star Alliance airline other than Delta instead find the Lufthansa lounge in the North Terminal, renovated into a single room. In both terminals, military personnel and veterans have a free reference point in the Freedom Center.

lounges: 8
with Priority Pass: 1
earliest opening: 04:15

Which lounge to choose: full comparison