Airport · DTW
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Detroit, United States
HualinXMN — CC BY-SA 4.0
IATA
DTW
Continent
North America
Country
United States
Transport
Getting To & From Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is located in Romulus, Michigan, approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. Taxis, rideshares (Uber and Lyft), and pre-arranged car services are widely available at designated ground transportation areas outside both terminals. Public transit options include SMART suburban bus routes connecting to select areas, and regional bus services like FAST provide direct connections to downtown Detroit with fares around $6–$8. Driving times to downtown Detroit or Ann Arbor typically range from 20 to 35 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
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Terminals & Getting Around
Terminals
DTW operates two distinct passenger terminals that are entirely separate and not connected post-security: the McNamara Terminal and the Evans Terminal.
- McNamara Terminal: Serving as Delta Air Lines' primary global hub and its SkyTeam alliance partners (such as Air France and Aeromexico), this massive facility features three concourses (A, B, and C). Concourse A is roughly a mile long and serviced by the automated ExpressTram, while Concourses B and C are linked via a vibrant underground light-and-music tunnel.
- Evans Terminal: Handles all non-Delta and non-SkyTeam carriers, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest, Spirit, and major international flag carriers. It consists of a single linear concourse (Concourse D).
If you need to transfer between the McNamara and Evans terminals, you must exit airside, take the free airport terminal shuttle bus from the ground transportation level, and clear security screening again at the destination terminal.
Hours of Operation
DTW terminal buildings and security checkpoints generally operate around the clock, though specific airline ticket counter hours and amenity availability vary overnight. On-site multi-level parking structures (the McNamara Parking Deck and Big Blue Deck) remain open 24/7.
Know Before You Go
Practical Tips
- Advanced Security Scanners: DTW features modern screening technology at many checkpoints, which often allows passengers to leave electronics inside carry-on bags, speeding up standard lines.
- Allow Extra Time for Terminal Transfers: Because the McNamara and Evans terminals are structurally detached, changing airlines across terminals requires exiting airside, re-clearing security, and taking a shuttle; budget at least 60 to 90 minutes extra for this process.
- Utilize the McNamara Transit Options: If you are connecting deep within the mile-long Concourse A of the McNamara Terminal, skip walking and take the ExpressTram to drastically cut down your gate-to-gate travel time.
- Check Your Terminal Prior to Arrival: Always verify your airline ticket beforehand. Arriving at the wrong terminal requires a landside shuttle transfer, which can jeopardize tight flight schedules.
Comfort
Lounges
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) features multiple airline-specific and independent options, heavily anchored by its status as a major Delta Air Lines hub. In the massive McNamara Terminal, which houses Concourses A, B, and C, Delta Sky Clubs are prominent with multiple locations—including a flagship lounge featuring an upscale bar and buffet situated near Concourse A's central link, as well as satellite clubs down the concourse. Additionally, the McNamara Terminal contains Gameway in Concourse A, offering video gaming stations for a fee, and a Freedom Center military lounge. Over in the Evans Terminal (serving non-SkyTeam carriers), eligible passengers and Priority Pass or Capital One cardholders can access the Lufthansa Business Lounge. Paid independent lounge options for economy-class travelers without specific alliance status or credit card perks are relatively limited outside of purchasing single-visit access where permitted or utilizing airline-specific day passes.
Staying Online
Wi-Fi & Charging
DTW provides complimentary, unlimited public Wi-Fi across both the McNamara and Evans terminals. Users can connect without a password by selecting the official SSID network (typically labeled as #DETROIT AIRPORT FREE WIFI) and agreeing to the prompt terms of service. While adequate for basic web browsing and messaging, connection speeds can experience bottlenecks during peak bank hours due to heavy network congestion. Mobile device charging infrastructure varies widely by gate area; while modern seating banks and dedicated charging totems have been integrated into high-traffic sections of Concourse A and parts of the Evans Terminal, older gate seating pods still lack nearby built-in power outlets, making it wise to scout for pillars with electrical sockets or carry an external power bank.
Eat & Drink
Food & Dining
DTW punches well above its weight class for airport culinary standards, offering a mix of regional Detroit staples and recognizable national chains primarily positioned post-security. In the McNamara Terminal, standout choices include Plum Market Wine Bar & Cafe (offering artisanal paninis on Zingerman's bread and local organic snacks), Cat Cora's Taproom for upscale sit-down plates and craft beers, and local comfort stops like Leo's Coney Island. The Evans Terminal features Anita's Kitchen for authentic Middle Eastern and Lebanese dishes, local craft brews at Atwater Brewery, and casual transit dining at Air Margaritaville. Travelers should note that the vast majority of airside sit-down restaurants and grab-and-go counters wind down operations by 11:00 PM, leaving only automated vending options for late-night layovers.
Driving In
Parking
On-site parking structures and lots at DTW are managed directly by the Wayne County Airport Authority, with standard rates subject to a 2.65% credit/debit card processing fee. The McNamara Parking Garage connects directly to the McNamara Terminal via an enclosed skywalk, charging a maximum long-term rate of $32 per 24-hour period (and up to $44 for short-term/daily spaces). The Big Blue Deck serves the Evans Terminal via a covered pedestrian bridge at a long-term daily max of $23 ($43 short-term). For budget-conscious travelers, the remote Green Lots provide economy parking at a flat rate of $20 per 24 hours, serviced by free 24/7 terminal shuttle buses. Valet parking is available exclusively at the McNamara Terminal starting at a daily cap of $51. Free EV charging stalls are distributed across select levels of the McNamara Garage and the Big Blue Deck.
Staying Nearby
Nearby Hotels
For travelers prioritizing immediate terminal proximity, The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport is built directly inside the McNamara Terminal complex. It features direct elevator access to check-in facilities and provides registered hotel guests with an exclusive, dedicated TSA security checkpoint that bypasses the public terminal lines. For travelers using the Evans Terminal or seeking external accommodations just outside the airport perimeter along Wick Road and Merriman Road, a dense cluster of commercial properties—including the Holiday Inn Express Romulus / Detroit Airport, Wingate by Wyndham Detroit Metro Airport, and Delta Hotels Detroit Metro Airport—operate continuous 24-hour complimentary shuttle services to and from the airport's Ground Transportation centers.
Sources: Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) Official Website, Wayne County Airport Authority - DTW Official Site, Priority Pass Lounges DTW, Delta Air Clubs DTW, The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport - Marriott