A Comprehensive Guide to Detroit Metro Airport
Quick Insights
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is Michigan’s largest and busiest airport with more than 1,100 flights per day and 36 million passengers per year.
- There are two main terminals, Evans and McNamara, that offer a variety of shopping and dining options.
- DTW offers short term, long term and electric vehicle parking in addition to free airport shuttles to take passengers between terminals and to rental car lots.
DTW is in the city of Romulus, approximately 23 miles from downtown Detroit. It is Michigan’s largest and busiest airport with more than a dozen carriers operating domestic and international flights to over 140 nonstop destinations. Whether you’re passing through on a quick trip or have arrived several hours ahead of your flight, DTW has a variety of dining, shopping and lounge options to assist travelers.
Below, we’ll cover how to navigate to and around the airport, as well as its amenities, lounges and what you can do during a layover.
Navigating to and from DTW
Before you board your flight, you may want to plan to navigate to and possibly park at the airport. There are a few ways to get to and from DTW. They include:
- Taxi: Taxi queues are located outside of the ground transportation center on level 4. Follow signs to ground transportation to catch a ride. Metro Cars and Metro Cab provide on-demand transportation and have handicap accessible vehicles available upon request.
- Rideshare: If you’ve arranged for a rideshare driver, you’ll need to meet them at the designated Rideshare area. It is located inside the Big Blue Deck on Level 1 of the Evans Terminal or in the McNamara Parking Garage on Level 4 of the McNamara Terminal.
- Public Transportation: You can catch Detroit Air Xpress or SMART buses from the Ground Transportation to downtown Detroit. In addition, AirRide provides public transportation to Ann Arbor from the airport.
- Rental car: There are no rental car desks inside the terminals. DTW airport provides a courtesy shuffle to the rental car campus. It is located at the Northeast corner of the airport along Lucas Drive. Catch the shuttle from the ground transportation area.
Parking at DTW
DTW offers a variety of parking options, including long term, short term and electric vehicle (EV) parking. There are free EV charging stations available at the McNamara and Big Blue Deck parking structures.
Valet parking services are available through the McNamara Terminal. When parking there, the valet will assist with your luggage and provide you with a ticket to present later to pick up your car.
Lastly, drivers picking up passengers may wait in one of the complimentary cell phone waiting lots located at each end of the airport.
Visit the DTW website to learn more about parking options.
Terminals at Detroit Airport
There are two main terminals at DTW—the McNamara Terminal and Evans Terminal, with McNamara being the larger of the two. Both terminals offer domestic and international flights and a variety of dining options and amenities, including bottle filing stations, airport volunteer stations, a kids play area, nursing rooms and Wi-Fi.
If you’re traveling between terminals, there is a free terminal-to-terminal shuttle. It operates between McNamara and Evans terminal and stops at the Westin hotel. Follow the signs to ground transportation to locate it.
In addition, the ExpressTram runs through the McNamara terminal. It has three stations to help you navigate through the concourse:
- South Station: provides access to gates A1-A28
- Terminal Station: provides access to gates A29-A55, baggage claim, ground transportation and the tunnel to concourses B and C
- North Station: provides access to gates A56-A78
DTW also provides moving walkways, wheelchair and mobility assistance and resources for passengers who are traveling with pets and children.
How long it takes to navigate through DTW Airport
It’s generally recommended to plan to arrive at the airport no later than 2 hours before a domestic flight and at least 3 hours before an international flight. If you have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, you may find shorter than average wait times to get through airport screening.
If catching a connecting flight at DTW, 40 minutes may be a long enough layover if you’re traveling domestically on the same airline. If not, you may need more time to connect between flights.
DTW airport map
Whether you’re flying from DTW or it’s a stop on the way to your final destination, it may be helpful to get an idea of the airport layout. Refer to the DTW website for interactive terminal maps of the campus overview, McNamara Terminal and Evans Terminal.
Making the most of your time at Detroit airport
If you’re looking to pass some time at DTW Airport, you’ll find several amenities and attractions to choose from. There are more than 30 dining options in McNamara Terminal and more than a dozen in Evans Terminal. They range from sit down restaurants to stands where you can grab a quick sandwich and a coffee while on the go.
If you need a moment of quiet reflection, there is a religious reflection room in both terminals that is a non-denominational space for contemplation, meditation or reflection. In addition, there is a complimentary hospitality lounge hosted by the Michigan Armed Forces available to traveling military, veterans and their dependents.
If you’re looking to purchase something you forgot to pack or are hunting for a souvenir to bring home, there are shopping options in both terminals. There are shops with Michigan memorabilia, pharmacy items and several newsstands to pick up the latest bestseller, among others.
Priority Pass™ amenities at DTW
There are spots for Priority Pass members to rest, relax and rejuvenate at DTW. If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve® credit card or are interested in applying for one, you may be eligible for complimentary Priority Pass membership as a credit card benefit (note that the card has an annual fee).
Locations at DTW that are in the Priority Pass network include:
Lufthansa Business Lounge
The Lufthansa Business Lounge located between gates D6 and D8 in the Evans Terminal. Priority Pass members can use one lounge entitlement to enter the lounge. Other airport guests may gain entry depending on their ticket class. Day passes are also available for purchase to gain entry to the lounge.
Guests can relax in the lounge and enjoy a selection of complimentary beverages and snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi and more. Guests can stay for a maximum of three hours and must present a DTW outbound departure boarding pass with confirmed same-day travel to enter. Children under two receive complimentary access.
Be Relax Spa
Take a moment to relax before boarding your flight with wellness and beauty services by Be Relax Spa. This French inspired spa offers massages, nail care, facials and waxing sessions lasting from 15 to 60 min.
There are two Be Relax Spa locations in the McNamara Terminal—near gates A18 and A46. Priority Pass members may use their lounge visit entitlement for services like hand and foot massages. Each service represents a single lounge visit within the cardmember’s existing lounge visit allocation. Visit berelax.com for additional information.
Minute Suites
Minute Suites provide travelers with a private suite to nap, relax, work, shower, and even spend an overnight without leaving the airport before departing flights, during layovers or in the event of delays/cancellations. The Detroit Minute Suites is located in the McNamara Terminal near Gate A66 and open 24/7 (hours subject to change).
Amenities include:
- Comfortable daybed (sleeps two)
- Pillows and blankets
- A workstation
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Amazon Alexa (for music, white noise alarms, flight tracking, weather and more)
- Smart TV
- Shower facilities (subject to availability)
Members can use a single lounge visit allocation to visit a Minute Suites location for a one-hour stay. Reservations are highly recommended as private suites may be in high demand, especially during peak travel times, in the event of mass cancellations and/or delays, etc. Review your Priority Pass membership level for more details. There are also benefits after your first hour; for details on additional savings, please visit Priority Pass Benefits – Minute Suites.
Note that guests must book a minimum stay of 1 hour and 15 minutes online to guarantee suite availability. Complimentary one-hour reservations using a lounge entitlement may only be booked in person at time of arrival (subject to availability).
In summary
DTW offers plenty of services and amenities for those visiting the airport on a connecting flight or for travelers who need to pass a few hours while waiting to board. Visitors may find dozens of dining options, shops and services to help travelers navigate the airport.
This article contains the most up-to-date information at the time of publication. Details since publication are subject to change. Visit Priority Pass’ official website for the most current benefits information.