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DTW

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Detroit, United States

Where to start
Rideshare or pre-booked car (garage pickup)

DTW has two separate terminals — McNamara (Delta/SkyTeam) and Evans (everyone else) — so confirm yours; they're miles apart with only a free shuttle between them. There's no train to downtown (~20 miles), so use rideshare, a taxi, or a pre-booked car; the SMART 261 or DAX bus is the budget option. Key gotcha: Uber and Lyft pick up inside the parking garage, not at the curb — at McNamara, Level 4 of the parking garage (via the Ground Transportation Center); at Evans, the Big Blue Deck, Level 1.

Ride Options

Uber

rideshare

Door-to-door to downtown Detroit, Ann Arbor, and the metro area

AvailabilityCommonly available; surges during the Auto Show, Lions games, and major events
Pickup NoteNOT curbside. McNamara: cross the Skybridge to the Ground Transportation Center (Level 6), then elevator down to McNamara Parking Garage Level 4. Evans: cross the Skybridge to the Big Blue Deck, Level 1. Confirm your terminal and door in the app.
Convenience
Relative costCost varies
Visit Website

Lyft

rideshare

Alternative rideshare — compare wait and price with Uber

AvailabilityCommonly available; surge at peak events
Pickup NoteSame in-garage staging as Uber (McNamara Parking Garage Level 4 via the Ground Transportation Center; Evans Big Blue Deck Level 1) — not the curb.
Convenience
Relative costCost varies
Visit Website

Licensed Taxi

taxi

No-app metered ride

AvailabilityAvailable 24/7 at both terminals
Pickup NoteMetered taxis queue at the Ground Transportation Center / ground level at McNamara and Evans. Some make the Windsor (Canada) crossing — confirm and carry your passport/NEXUS if crossing.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

SMART Bus Route 261

shuttle

Lowest-cost ride to downtown Detroit

AvailabilityLimited schedule — check times before relying on it
Pickup NoteDeparts the Ground Transportation Center. Runs to downtown Detroit (roughly 50–60 min). Affordable but slow with a limited schedule — confirm the timetable.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

DAX (Detroit Air Xpress)

shuttle

Faster budget express to downtown

AvailabilityScheduled express service
Pickup NoteExpress bus from the Ground Transportation Center to downtown Detroit (~45 min) — faster than the SMART 261.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

Michigan Flyer / AirRide

shuttle

Best budget option to Ann Arbor

AvailabilityScheduled coach service
Pickup NoteDeparts a dedicated bay; coach service to Ann Arbor. The most economical way to reach Ann Arbor.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityPre-book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in baggage claim with a name sign and uses the designated Ground Transportation lanes. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting — handy in winter or with car seats.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft do NOT pick up at the curb — pickup is inside the garages. At McNamara, cross the Skybridge to the Ground Transportation Center (Level 6), then take the elevator down to Level 4 of the McNamara Parking Garage (rideshare staging). At Evans, cross the Skybridge to the Big Blue Deck, Level 1. Follow signs and your in-app pin.

Taxi

Metered taxis queue at the Ground Transportation Center / ground level at both terminals. Some drivers make the Windsor (Canada) cross-border trip — confirm and carry documents in advance.

Shuttle

SMART bus Route 261 (to downtown) and the DAX (Detroit Air Xpress) express bus serve the Ground Transportation Center; the Michigan Flyer / AirRide coach serves Ann Arbor. Hotel and casino shuttles also depart from the ground transportation area.

Transit

There is no rail link to DTW — the QLINE streetcar runs only in downtown Detroit and does not reach the airport. Public transit is the SMART bus Route 261 to downtown (affordable, slow, limited schedule) or the DAX express bus.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked cars and private transfers meet you in baggage claim with a name sign and use the designated Ground Transportation lanes — a good choice in winter weather or with young children needing car seats.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

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Local Tips

  • Rideshare pickup is inside the parking garage, not at the curb — at McNamara go to Level 4 of the McNamara Parking Garage (via the Ground Transportation Center); at Evans go to the Big Blue Deck, Level 1. First-timers waste time waiting curbside.
  • Confirm your terminal — McNamara (Delta/SkyTeam) and Evans (all other airlines) are separate buildings miles apart with no airside link; a wrong-terminal arrival means the free shuttle and re-clearing security.
  • There is no train to downtown — it's rideshare, taxi, or the SMART 261 / DAX bus; downtown is ~20 miles (roughly 25–40 min by road).
  • Winter weather (lake-effect snow, Dec–Mar) can slow roads and delay flights — build in buffer time for any ground transfer.
  • Michigan law requires car seats for young children, and rideshare/taxis don't provide them — bring your own or book a transfer that includes one.
  • Heading to Ann Arbor? The Michigan Flyer / AirRide coach is the best-value option; for cross-border trips to Windsor, Canada, carry a passport or NEXUS.

Tarmyq local tip

Don't wait at the curb for your Uber at DTW — rideshare pickup is inside the parking structure (McNamara: Parking Garage Level 4 via the Ground Transportation Center; Evans: Big Blue Deck Level 1). And double-check whether you're flying McNamara or Evans — they're separate terminals across the airfield from each other.