DTW · Detroit, MI · Large Hub

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

Terminals: 2 terminals, not airside-connected (re-security between some)
Minimum connection time: 35 min domestic, 1 hr 15 min international to domestic
Arrive: 1 hr 30 min before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
To Detroit: about 30 min one-way
Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Terminals & connections

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport has 2 terminals. Not all terminals are airside-connected; transfers between some terminals require exiting security and re-clearing TSA. No airside connection between McNamara and North; shuttle + re-security required.

McNamara Terminal (Delta)

4 airlines: Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Virgin Atlantic

Delta's fortress hub; airside-connected mile-long concourse A and separate B/C concourse.

North Terminal (Evans)

9 airlines: American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and more

Non-Delta carriers.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic: 35 min
Domestic to international: 1 hr
International to domestic: 1 hr 15 min
International to international: 1 hr 15 min
Transfer system: Shuttle bus between terminals; ExpressTram inside McNamara
Airside connected: No

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave DTW.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at DTW is 20 minutes at peak and 5 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 30 min before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.

TSA PreCheck: Available
CLEAR: Available
Global Entry: Available

Lounges

1 notable lounge at DTW, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

Delta Sky Club

McNamara Concourse A

Delta / SkyTeam

Access: Sky Club membership, Delta One

Amenities: Showers

Amenities

5 of 7 core amenities available at DTW: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

Delta Sky Clubs

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Nursing rooms

Available

Both terminals

Chapel

Available

McNamara

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

McNamara A: Plum Market, PF Chang's

Ground transport to Detroit

DTW is about 30 min from downtown Detroit by the fastest transit option.

Option	Cost	Time
SMART FAST Michigan Bus	$2	45-70 min
Uber/Lyft Rideshare	$35-$55	25-45 min

Parking

DTW parking ranges from $10/day economy to $24/day short-term.

Short-term: $24/day
Long-term: $16/day
Economy: $10/day
Valet: $38/day

Can I leave DTW during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside DTW. Even 6-hour layovers can be tight at DTW given traffic and re-screening. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr plus re-screening on return.

Downtown Detroit is a 30-45 min round trip by rideshare. McNamara's mile-long concourse and fountain make it one of the better airports to walk around during a layover.

Overnight layover hotels

Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport

On-airport, attached to McNamara

$$$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at DTW?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight from DTW, and 150 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at DTW?

DTW requires at least 35 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 75 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. DTW terminals are not all airside-connected; expect to re-clear security between some terminals. Transfer system: Shuttle bus between terminals; ExpressTram inside McNamara.

How long does it take to get between terminals at DTW?

Budget 10 min for same-terminal transfers and 25 min for different-terminal transfers at DTW via Shuttle bus between terminals; ExpressTram inside McNamara. No airside connection between McNamara and North; shuttle + re-security required.

Can I leave DTW during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside DTW. Even 6-hour layovers are tight at DTW. Round-trip to the city center is about 60 minutes plus re-screening. Downtown Detroit is a 30-45 min round trip by rideshare. McNamara's mile-long concourse and fountain make it one of the better airports to walk around during a layover.

Does DTW have showers?

Yes, DTW has showers at Delta Sky Clubs.

Does DTW have sleep pods?

DTW does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at DTW?

Yes. DTW offers free WiFi throughout the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from DTW to Detroit?

The cheapest option is typically SMART FAST Michigan at $2, taking 45-70 minutes.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at DTW?

DTW supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Typical peak-hour wait is 20 minutes.

Where should I eat at DTW during a layover?

Notable dining at DTW includes Plum Market (McNamara A), PF Chang's (McNamara A).

How much does parking cost at DTW?

DTW parking rates: $24/day short-term, $16/day long-term, $10/day economy, $38/day valet. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

Is there a hotel at DTW for overnight layovers?

Yes. Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport is on-airport (On-airport, attached to McNamara) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at DTW?

DTW has 2 terminals. Major airline assignments: McNamara Terminal (Delta): Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines; North Terminal (Evans): American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at DTW?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at DTW?

Yes. McNamara.

Compare DTW to other airports

See how DTW ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers DTW is one of the harder airports to leave With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT DTW dom-to-dom: 35 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 15 min

Airlines operating at DTW

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of DTW.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

overview: https://www.metroairport.com
ground_transport: https://www.metroairport.com/ground-transportation
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Metropolitan_Airport

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport before flying.