Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is the primary airport serving the Detroit metropolitan area in southeastern Michigan. Located approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Detroit in Romulus, Michigan, DTW is Delta Air Lines' second-largest hub after Atlanta and handles approximately 35 million passengers annually.

The airport has two terminals that are not connected airside:

• McNamara Terminal: Delta Air Lines' hub operations, plus a few partner airlines (Aeromexico, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic). Features 3 concourses (A, B, C) connected via an underground Express Tram. Known for its 1-mile-long main corridor with the famous Light Tunnel art installation.
• North Terminal: All other airlines including American, United, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, and Alaska. A single concourse with gates organized into Zones A, B, and C.

Key quirk: The two terminals are completely separate buildings with no airside connection. Transfers between McNamara and North terminals require exiting security, taking a shuttle bus, and re-clearing security at your destination terminal.

DTW is located 20 miles southwest of downtown Detroit in Romulus, Michigan. There is no direct rail connection to the airport - ground transportation relies on vehicles.

Typical travel times (varies significantly with traffic):

• Downtown Detroit: 25-40 minutes
• Dearborn: 15-25 minutes
• Ann Arbor: 25-40 minutes
• Suburbs (Southfield, Troy, Royal Oak): 30-50 minutes

Rush hour traffic (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM weekdays) can add 15-30 minutes to any trip. I-94 and I-275 are the main highway access routes.

Uber and Lyft are widely available at DTW. Rideshare pickup locations:

McNamara Terminal: Ground level at the Ground Transportation Center. Exit baggage claim, proceed downstairs, and follow signs to "Rideshare/App-Based Rides."

North Terminal: Ground level at the Ground Transportation Center (follow signs from baggage claim).

Typical rideshare fares:

• Downtown Detroit: $35-50
• Dearborn: $20-30
• Ann Arbor: $45-65
• Suburbs (Troy, Southfield): $50-70

Wait times average 5-10 minutes, though peak hours and late nights can see longer waits.

Taxis are available at both terminals from the Ground Transportation Center:

Destination	Approximate Fare
Downtown Detroit	$45-55
Dearborn	$25-35
Ann Arbor	$60-80

Taxis are metered. A $4 airport access fee applies to all pickups.

Metro Cars: DTW has contracted sedan and SUV services available at fixed rates. Look for the Metro Cars counter in baggage claim for quotes.

DTW has limited public transit options - no rail connection exists to the airport.

SMART Bus (Route 125)

The regional bus provides service between DTW and downtown Detroit:

• Fare: $2 regular fare
• Travel time: 50-70 minutes to downtown Detroit (Rosa Parks Transit Center)
• Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes (limited service)
• Hours: Approximately 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM
• Pickup: McNamara Terminal Ground Transportation Center

Route 125 to Downtown Detroit:

1. Exit baggage claim and proceed to Ground Transportation Center
2. Board Route 125 bus (exact change or SMART card required)
3. Exit at Rosa Parks Transit Center for downtown
4. Transfer to QLine streetcar or People Mover for further downtown destinations

Reality check: SMART bus service is infrequent and slow. For most travelers, rideshare or taxi is more practical. The bus is best for budget-conscious travelers with flexible schedules.

Michigan Flyer (to Ann Arbor/East Lansing)

The Michigan Flyer is a motorcoach service connecting DTW to Ann Arbor and East Lansing:

• Ann Arbor: $15-20 one-way, approximately 45 minutes
• East Lansing (Michigan State University): $25-35 one-way, approximately 2 hours
• Reservations: Recommended but not required (michiganflyer.com)
• Frequency: Multiple departures daily
• Pickup: Ground Transportation Center at both terminals

DTW offers multiple parking options at varying price points (as of 2025):

McNamara Terminal Parking

Lot	Daily Rate	Notes
Big Blue Deck (Hourly)	$32/day	Connected to terminal via walkway, $4/hr first 2 hrs
Green Lot	$15/day	Free shuttle to terminal
Blue Lot	$12/day	Free shuttle, most economical on-site

North Terminal Parking

Lot	Daily Rate	Notes
Yellow Lot	$32/day	Adjacent to terminal, walking distance
Green Lot	$15/day	Free shuttle to terminal
Blue Lot	$12/day	Free shuttle, most economical on-site

Tips:

• Pre-book online at metroairport.com for potential discounts
• Off-site lots along Merriman Road offer rates from $6-10/day with shuttle service
• The Big Blue Deck at McNamara is convenient but expensive for extended trips
• Green and Blue lots are shared between both terminals

DTW has solid dining options, with McNamara Terminal offering significantly more variety than North Terminal.

McNamara Terminal

Near Gates A1-A30:

• National Coney Island: Detroit institution, Coney dogs and Greek fare
• PF Chang's: Asian cuisine, full bar
• Sora Japanese Cuisine: Sushi and Japanese dishes

Near Gates A40-A60:

• Plum Market Kitchen: Healthy grab-and-go, salads, sandwiches
• Andiamo: Italian cuisine from a popular Detroit-area restaurant group
• Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company: Local Michigan coffee

Near Gates A65-A77:

• Detroit Street Filling Station: Detroit-inspired fare (check current status)
• Made in Detroit: Local brands and dining

Concourse B/C area:

• Max & Erma's: American casual dining
• Gordon Biersch Brewing Company: Craft beer and pub food

North Terminal

Options are more limited but include:

• Chili's Too: Casual Tex-Mex
• Villa Italian Kitchen: Quick Italian
• Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina: Neapolitan-style pizza, a standout
• Auntie Anne's, Starbucks: Quick bites and coffee

Late-night options: Most restaurants close between 9-10 PM. After hours, options are limited to convenience stores.

Detroit specialties: Try a Coney dog at National Coney Island (McNamara) - it's a Detroit classic.

Free WiFi is available throughout both terminals.

Network name: Boingo Hotspot or _Free DTW WiFi

To connect:

1. Select the free WiFi network
2. Open your browser and accept terms
3. Watch a brief ad for 45 minutes of access, or repeat as needed

Quality: Adequate for browsing and email. Streaming video may buffer. Airline lounges offer faster, more reliable connections.

Tip: For faster free WiFi, look for network Boingo Hotspot - it's often more reliable than the airport's branded network.

SIM cards are available at:

• InMotion Entertainment (McNamara Terminal, multiple locations in Concourse A)
• Hudson News/Travel stores (both terminals)

Major US carriers offer prepaid SIM options starting around $30-50. For better selection and prices, consider visiting carrier stores at nearby shopping areas.

Alternative: T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon offer eSIM activation through their apps for compatible phones.

ATMs are located throughout both terminals:

McNamara Terminal:

• Near security checkpoint
• Concourse A (multiple locations along the mile-long corridor)
• Near Gate A37 (central location)
• Concourse B and C

North Terminal:

• Near security checkpoint
• Central concourse area

Most ATMs are operated by major banks including Chase, Bank of America, and Comerica (Detroit-headquartered). Out-of-network fees typically $3-5.

Currency exchange: Travelex operates locations in McNamara Terminal (Concourse A). As with most airports, exchange rates include significant markups. A no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card or a service like Wise offers better value.

McNamara Terminal

McNamara has extensive shopping along Concourse A:

• Duty Free Americas: Liquor, tobacco, perfume, luxury goods (international departures)
• Detroit vs. Everybody: Popular local Detroit apparel brand
• Hudson News: Books, magazines, travel essentials (multiple locations)
• InMotion: Electronics and tech accessories
• Brighton Collectibles: Jewelry and accessories
• The Economist Shop: Business books and items
• L'Occitane: French beauty products

The Light Tunnel between Concourse A and B/C is a highlight - a 800-foot underground walkway featuring an LED light sculpture that changes colors, accompanied by music. It's an art installation worth experiencing if time permits.

North Terminal

More limited retail:

• Hudson News: Magazines and travel essentials
• Destination Detroit: Local souvenirs
• Basic convenience and duty-free options

Delta Sky Club

Delta operates 3 Sky Club lounges at DTW, all in McNamara Terminal:

Location	Size	Notes
Concourse A (near Gate A38)	Large	Recently renovated, centrally located
Concourse A (near Gate A68)	Medium	Good for flights from that end of concourse
Concourse B	Smaller	Near regional jet gates

Access requires:

• Delta Sky Club membership
• Delta One/First Class ticket on same-day Delta flight
• Delta Reserve Amex card (with same-day Delta flight)
• Delta Platinum/Diamond Medallion status

Note: Basic Economy tickets do not include Sky Club access even with eligible cards.

Air France/KLM Lounge

• Location: McNamara Terminal, Concourse A (near international gates)
• Access: Air France/KLM business class, Flying Blue Platinum/Gold
• Note: May be operated as a Sky Club or partner lounge - verify current arrangements

American Airlines Admirals Club

• Location: North Terminal
• Access: Admirals Club membership, oneworld Emerald/Sapphire status, American first/business class

Priority Pass Lounges

DTW has limited Priority Pass options:

The Club DTW (North Terminal)

• Location: Near gate B7
• Hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, day pass (~$50)
• Amenities: Complimentary food, drinks, WiFi
• Quality: Basic amenities, can get crowded during peak hours

Minute Suites (McNamara Terminal, Concourse A)

• Private rest pods available with Priority Pass (1-hour access)
• Good for catching up on sleep during long layovers

Credit Card Access

• Amex Platinum and Capital One Venture X cardholders get Priority Pass access for The Club DTW and Minute Suites
• Chase Sapphire Reserve includes Priority Pass membership
• Delta Reserve Amex provides Sky Club access (with Delta same-day flight)

Day Passes

The Club DTW and Delta Sky Clubs sell day passes when space is available ($45-60 depending on location).

At the Airport:

Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport - Located inside McNamara Terminal between the parking structure and Concourse A. Walk directly from the terminal without going outside.

• Rates: $180-280/night
• Amenities: Full-service spa, fitness center, restaurant (Brix American Bar & Grille), soundproofed rooms
• Ideal for early departures, overnight layovers, or flight delays
• Marriott Bonvoy property

Near the Airport (with shuttle):

Most hotels are located in Romulus, within 5-10 minutes of the airport:

• Detroit Marriott at Metro Airport: Full-service hotel, free shuttle
• Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Metro Airport: Mid-range, reliable, free shuttle
• Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Metro Airport: Business-focused, free shuttle
• Hampton Inn Detroit Metro Airport: Budget-friendly, free shuttle
• Holiday Inn Express Detroit Metro Airport: Budget option, free shuttle
• Embassy Suites Detroit Metro Airport: All-suite option, near North Terminal

Budget options: Hotels along Merriman Road and Eureka Road offer rates from $70-100/night with free airport shuttles.

Tip: The Westin inside McNamara is ideal for passengers on early morning Delta flights - you can walk directly to security without any ground transportation.

Detroit and the surrounding area offer automotive heritage, urban revival, and Midwest hospitality:

Getting Around

There is no direct rail connection from DTW. Once in the city:

• QLine streetcar: Free streetcar along Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit
• People Mover: Elevated rail loop around downtown ($0.75)
• Rideshare: Readily available in urban areas
• Rental car: Recommended for exploring the wider metro area

Downtown Detroit Highlights

• The Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village (Dearborn, 15-20 min from DTW): World-class automotive and American history museum. Full day recommended. Adults $28+
• Detroit Institute of Arts: One of the largest art museums in the US, famous for Diego Rivera murals. Free for Wayne/Oakland/Macomb County residents; $14 for others
• Motown Museum (Hitsville U.S.A.): Where Motown Records was born. Tours required, book ahead. Adults $17+
• Ford Piquette Avenue Plant: Where the Model T was developed
• Campus Martius Park: Heart of downtown, ice skating in winter
• Comerica Park: Detroit Tigers baseball
• Ford Field: Detroit Lions football
• Little Caesars Arena: Red Wings hockey, Pistons basketball

Beyond Downtown

• Ann Arbor (25-40 min from DTW): University of Michigan campus, charming downtown, excellent restaurants
• Dearborn (15-20 min): Henry Ford Museum, Arab American National Museum, large Middle Eastern community with excellent restaurants
• Royal Oak/Ferndale: Trendy neighborhoods with dining and nightlife

Detroit Food Scene

• Coney dogs: Detroit's signature dish - hot dogs with chili, mustard, and onions. Try Lafayette Coney Island or American Coney Island downtown (they're next to each other - locals have strong opinions on which is better)
• Middle Eastern cuisine: Dearborn has some of the best Middle Eastern food in the US
• Detroit-style pizza: Thick, rectangular, crispy cheese edges. Try Buddy's, Shield's, or Loui's
• Craft beer: Michigan has a strong craft beer scene (Founders, Bell's, Atwater)

Weather Notes

Detroit has four distinct seasons:

• Winter (December-March): Cold and snowy, temperatures 15-35°F (-9 to 2°C). Snow is common; dress warmly
• Summer (June-August): Warm and humid, 70-85°F (21-29°C)
• Spring/Fall: Variable conditions, pack layers

Winter travel tip: DTW handles snow efficiently, but winter storms can cause flight delays. Check flight status and allow extra time for ground transportation during snowstorms.

Day Trip: Canada

Windsor, Ontario is just across the Detroit River (accessible via the Ambassador Bridge or Detroit-Windsor Tunnel):

• Distance: About 5 miles from downtown Detroit
• Border crossing: Passport required; lines vary (check wait times online)
• Note: Rental cars may have restrictions on crossing into Canada - verify with your rental company