Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is a major international airport serving Detroit and the state of Michigan as a whole. It is by far the busiest airport in the state.
The airport is located in Romulus, about 18 miles southwest of downtown Detroit.
DTW is one of the busiest airports in the United States. In 2024, it served nearly 33 million passengers, ranking in the top 20 in the country.
Major Airlines - Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines
DTW is a significant hub for Delta Air Lines, one of the largest airlines in the US with routes spanning the whole continent, plus direct flights from Detroit to cities across the Pacific and the Atlantic.
The ultra-low-cost Spirit Airlines uses Detroit Metropolitan as an operating base, providing numerous budget-friendly flight options on domestic routes.
The airport also accommodates a variety of other US carriers, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Alaska Airlines.
Of the foreign airlines with scheduled flights to and from DTW, worth mentioning are:
Aeroméxico Connect, which flies to Monterrey and Querétaro.
Air France, which flies to Paris.
Lufthansa, which flies to Frankfurt.
Royal Jordanian, which flies to Amman.
Turkish Airlines, which flies to Istanbul.
In total, 18 airlines serve Detroit Airport, offering over 130 non-stop destinations. See a full list of airlines at DTW.
Terminal Layout and Gates of DTW
DTW has two terminals located on two sides of the airport:
McNamara Terminal: This terminal is further split into Concourses A, B, and C, with Concourse A being one of the world's longest airport concourses, stretching nearly a mile. Inside is the ExpressTram, an elevated system that stops at 3 places along the concourse, making it an alternative to walking. Concourses B and C are connected to A via a pedestrian walkway known as the Light Tunnel. The terminal primarily serves Delta Air Lines and its SkyTeam partners. It’s on the south side of the airport.
Evans Terminal: Formerly known as the North Terminal, it accommodates most airlines, including Spirit, Southwest, United, and all international airlines that are not part of SkyTeam.
A free shuttle service operates between the two terminals. It departs every 10 minutes from the Ground Transportation Centers, making a stop at the Westin hotel entrance (connected to the A concourse).
Connecting Flights and Transit at Detroit Airport
All USA airports, Detroit included, require that you complete Immigration and Customs procedures at the point of entry.
If you are arriving at DTW and proceeding on a domestic flight, you will first have to enter the US, collect your bags (if any) ,and reclear TSA Security on your way to your domestic gate. In general, you will need 90 minutes for this transfer.
The opposite is just as simple - arriving on a domestic flight at DTW will put you right in the Departures hall, after which you need to complete Immigration and Security to reach the gate for your international flight. Allow 120 minutes for such connections.
In the US, airports do not have international transit areas, so having two international flights connecting at Detroit will require that you clear Security and Immigration twice, with a minimum connecting time of 120 minutes.
Allow extra time if you have to change terminals. There is a free interterminal shuttle with a frequency of 10 minutes.
Wi-Fi in Detroit Metropolitan Airport
DTW provides a complimentary Wi-Fi network called "Detroit Airport Wi-Fi".
Connecting is a breeze, and all you have to do is accept the terms and conditions on the welcome page that opens automatically.
The network is not limited in either time or bandwidth.
Dining Options at Detroit Metro Airport
Both terminals of DTW offer a diverse selection of food and drink options, though arguably, the McNamara Terminal has a bit more flair when it comes to unique places to try and flavors to savor.
Here are the dining options you shouldn’t miss in the McNamara Terminal:
Andiamo: Great Italian cuisine near Gate A30.
Cat Cora's Taproom: A celebrity chef-backed pub food famous for its boozy milkshakes. Located near Gate A24.
Longhorn Steakhouse: Frequent fliers know this place as a pretty good restaurant with consistent quality and an awesome view of the runway. It’s near Gate A66.
Mezza Mediterranean Grille: A mix of food options from the Mediterranean, like kebabs, pitas, salads, and hummus. Located near Gate A54.
Sora Japanese Sushi Bar: One of the oldest restaurants at DTW, and it still serves delicious sushi, udon, and ramen. Find it near Gate A35.
Of course, you also have fast-food outlets like Chick-fil-A and McDonald's and coffee houses like Coffee Beanery and Starbucks.
In the Evans Terminal, you will find options like:
Air Margaritaville: Most travelers’ go-to bar in the Evans Terminal. It also serves comfort bar food like burgers and nachos. Find it near Gate D6.
Anita's Kitchen: Serves traditional Middle Eastern vegetarian cuisine near Gate D23.
National Coney Island: Experience Detroit food culture by having a traditional coney dog topped with chili, onions, and mustard. This restaurant is located near Gate D18.
Atwater Brewery: German-style beer and bar food. Find near Gate D19.
Some of the coffee shops you can find in the Evans Terminal include the Common Grace and Zingerman's.
For some of these restaurants, you can use the Grab app to preorder and prepay for your meal, then just turn up and have it ready waiting for you.
Lounges at Detroit Metro Airport
The most prominent lounges at DTW are those of Delta Air Lines, the main airline at the airport. It features 4 Delta Sky Clubs in multiple locations within the McNamara Terminal:
The largest Sky Club is centrally located in the middle of Concourse A, overlooking the central link area.
There is one Sky Club at each end of the mile-long Concourse A. Each is next to the respective North or South express-tram stations.
The fourth is at the intersection of concourses B and C.
All Sky Clubs offer complimentary snacks, beverages, premium Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating. Access is available to members of Delta Sky Club with an entrance fee of 50 USD for anyone wishing to use the facilities.
The only other airline that has its own lounge at Detroit Airport is Lufthansa. The Lufthansa Lounge is located in the Evans Terminal and caters to eligible Lufthansa passengers and other Star Alliance members.
A publicly accessible lounge in the McNamara Terminal is the Minute Suites, where you can get a private suite for rest and relaxation. Priority Pass members can get a 1-hour stay for free and thereafter pay the standard hourly rate of 34 USD.
Lastly, the Freedom Centers, one in each terminal, are open to all military members, veterans, and their families. They offer much the same amenities as any other airport lounge - complimentary food and beverages, TVs, computers, a seating area, and a children’s area with books and toys. The Freedom Center in the McNamara Terminal is located near Gate A43, and the one in the Evans Terminal is near Gate D17.
Transportation at Detroit Airport
First off, transportation within the airport grounds is facilitated by complimentary shuttles. One goes between the terminals every minute, and others connect the terminals with the Rental Car Center, the on-site and off-site parking lots, and most nearby hotels.
To reach the city, you can take the Detroit Air Xpress (DAX), which goes straight to Downtown Detroit. It operates between 3:30 AM and 11 PM every day with a single ticket priced at 8 USD (6 USD if pre-booked). Take the DAX from the Ground Transportation Center in the Evans Terminal or its dedicated stop in front of Departures in the McNamara Terminal.
Another option is the SMART buses, which provide several routes linking the city to the airport:
Route 125: Uses Fort Street-Eureka Road. Serves both terminals.
Route 280: Uses Middle Belt South. Serves only the Evans Terminal.
FAST Route 261: Uses Michigan Avenue. Serves both terminals, though the airport is only an intermediary stop between the downtown and the suburbs.
A frequent direct bus called AirRide connects the airport to Ann Arbor.
For all buses, follow signs for Municipal Transportation or the Regular Scheduled Bus Service at the airport.
For private transportation, taxis and ride-sharing cater to all travelers. Services like Metro Cars and Detroit Airport Taxi offer transportation to and from the airport. A typical trip to Detroit costs around 80 USD. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft have their designated pick-up locations and offer rides at comparable, pre-determined prices.
Click here to check private transfer options to Downtown Detroit, Ann Arbor, or Lansing.
Parking at Detroit Metropolitan Airport
DTW offers several parking lots, convenient pick-up and drop-off locations, cell phone waiting lots, and valet parking service.
For short-term parking needs, your best bet is to park at either:
McNamara Short-Term Parking: To reach from international arrivals, follow the signs to 8’2” parking. It’s located on Level 2 near the B elevators. The first half-hour costs 4 USD, subsequent 30-minute slots cost progressively less, and the daily cap is 44 USD.
Big Blue Deck Short-Term Parking: Located on Level 1 in zones A and B. The first half-hour costs 4 USD, subsequent 30-minute slots cost progressively less, and the daily cap is 44 USD.
For long-term parking, the two lots above have Long-Term parking alternatives located in the same area. Their parking rates are the same for short stays but much cheaper for stays of at least 1 day: 32 USD per day at the McNamara Long-Term Parking and 23 USD per day at the Big Blue Deck Short-Term Parking.
The Green Lot 1 is another long-term parking solution. It’s located near the Evans Terminal and offers daily parking at a flat 24-hour rate of 20 USD. Note that this lot accepts credit card payments only.
If you’re short on time or can’t be bothered to look for a parking spot, take advantage of the Valet Parking. Simply hand your keys to the attendant and let them take care of the rest. Upon return, your car will be waiting for you in the same place. Up to 2 hours, this service costs 12 USD, with a daily maximum of 51 USD.
You may drop off passengers either at the short-term parking garages or curbside. There are also 2 so-called Cell Phone Waiting Lots, one at each end of the airport, where you can stay for free while waiting for your friends or family to arrive.
Electric vehicle charging points can be found on Level 4 of the Big Blue Deck, Level 8 of the McNamara Deck, and at the South Cell Phone Lot.
Hotels near DTW
The airport has a prominent hotel situated within the McNamara Terminal: The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport. It offers direct access to the terminal and amenities like a fitness center and a restaurant. Plus, the beds there are great, and the service is top-notch - it’s definitely a great value for money.
All other hotels are outside the airport premises, most of them in Romulus, on the north side of DTW.
For example, the Holiday Inn Detroit Metro Airport offers a free 24-hour airport shuttle, an indoor pool, and a fitness center, making it a solid and budget-friendly choice near the airport.
Click here to check out more hotels near Detroit Metro Airport.
Detroit, MI, USA
