DTW Airport, Detroit Transportation MatthewGroh

Aerial view of DTW Airport outside Detroit; credit Matthew Groh/Wiki

Detroit Transportation

Airport

Detroit Metropolitan International Airport (DTW) is one of America’s Top 10 airports in terms of passenger volume and flights to North America, South America, Europe and Japan. Along with many shops, restaurants, and amenities, this attractive airport features a fast and convenient people mover running between its two large terminals. DTW Airport Terminal Map.

Located just 10 minutes from Downtown and favored by executives, the City Airport Shuttle takes airport travelers to the heart of Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, and Atlanta. The airport also offers private access and scheduled passenger service.

Taxis: Metro Cabs (800-745-5191) and Metro Cars (luxury sedans, 800-456-1701) cost $40 to $50 one-way to downtown Detroit, respectively. They also have standard rates for the educational center of Ann Arbor and the business center of Farmington/Novi.

Car Rentals: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National brands all have shuttle buses to the on-airport facility located at Lucas Drive. Thrifty is located off-airport in Romulus. Eastbound I-94 takes you toward downtown Detroit. Count on 30-45 minutes to reach downtown.

Detroit Amtrak Station

Detroit Amtrak Station next to Woodward Avenue; credit Michael Barera/Wiki Commons

Train Station

The utilitarian Detroit Amtrak Station is located at 11 West Baltimore Avenue. Station hours are daily, 6:45 am – Midnight.

Amtrak Wolverine provides 3 daily roundtrips between Detroit to Chicago. Amtrak and Michigan DOT have upgraded part of the route to run 110 mph.

This corridor Chicago-Hammon/Gary-Kalamazoo-Ann Arbor-Detroit-Pontiac corridor is a high priority to receive more daily trains. For more context, see Interstate High Speed Rail Progress.

Q Line tram on Woodward Avenue, Detroit

Q Line tram on Woodward Avenue, Detroit; credit Michael Barera/Wiki Commons

Transit

Rapid transit is an afterthought in the automotive capital of America.

It’s best to think of the Detroit People Mover as a convenient circulating downtown and the https://QLine as Streetcar that wants to be a Metro Light Rail when it grows up. Today it shares lanes with automobile traffic, making it run as slow as a Streetcar. invites schedule delays.

Despite its shortcomings, QLine Streetcar is attractive to visitors. It runs on Woodward Avenue and connects to the Detroit People Mover in New Center/Campus Matius, Amtrak train station, and stops near the sports stadiums and arenas. Perhaps in the future, it will upgrade to a dedicated lane and open lines in all directions from downtown.

Detroit People Mover passing GM Headquarters

Detroit People Mover passing GM Headquarters; credit Vito Palmisano/VisitDetroit

Tours

Detroit People Mover
This fully automated people mover provides a circular bird’s eye view of downtown Detroit for a dollar. Extensions of evening hours are provided to accommodate sports events, major conventions, and other special events in the Central Business District; a round trip on the system is approximately 15 minutes and trains run 3 to 4 minutes apart.
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 6:30a-Midnight, Sat 9a-2a, Sun Noon-Midnight
WEBSITE: http://www.thepeoplemover.com

Detroit Trolley
A relaxing way to enjoy the downtown area from the pedestrian level; the rubber-tire trolley stops at Grand Circus Park, Michigan Ave, Lafayette Blvd, Fort Street, Cobo Center, and Mariner’s Church; cash only; People Mover stations also feature unique artwork.
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 6:30a-Midnight, Fri 6:30a-2a, Sat 9a-2a, Sun Noon-Midnight
FARE: $1
PHONE: 313-933-1300
WEBSITE: http://www.thepeoplemover.com

Detroit Black Historic Sites Tour
Customized group tours are offered by Detroit Historical Museum; reservations required
PHONE: 313-833-1805

Hemisphere Educational Tours
The only black history tour of Windsor, Canada from Detroit
PHONE: 800-323-6439

Detroit Princess cruise ship

Detroit Princess on a day cruise in the river; credit Detroit Princess

Cruiseport

Detroit Princess Riverfront
Enjoy a 222-foot-long authentic riverboat ride, whether booking for 1 or 1000 for private events, corporate outings, weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, or just a fun night out.
DAYS & HOURS: Thu-Sun departure times: 1p and 3:30p
ADDRESS: 201 Civic Center Drive
PHONE: 877-338-2628
WEBSITE: https://www.detroitprincess.com

Diamond Jack’s River Tours
For over 20 years, Diamond Jack has provided a 90-foot ship for a narrated 2-hour cruise along Detroit River, around Belle Isle, and back to the Ambassador Bridge; departs from Hart Plaza at the downtown riverfront; June-September only
DAYS & HOURS: Thu-Sun departures: 1p and 3:30p
PHONE: 313-843-9376
WEBSITE: http://www.diamondjack.com

Freeways

Detroit Freeway & Tollway Network is logical, extensive and signage is adequate. Though you have periods of fast-moving traffic, count on slow traffic between DTW and Downtown during commute hours and during big event weekends in the city. The HOV lanes and traffic info displays help during commute hours.

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