Detroit popularly known as the Motor City has a well-established transportation system. The most convenient way to travel around the Detroit is by car. This city is connected by highways and freeways. Interstates 275, 75, 375, 94, 696 and 96, and the Southfield and the Davison Lodge freeways connects from one end of the city to another. There are also other means of transportation available, such as buses, taxis and elevated light rail system.
An effective transportation network that provides an easy connectivity to people from many places across the city and beyond rightly makes it the “Motor City.”
Getting to Detroit
Getting to Detroit by Airways
Image by Dean Zanello via https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/48385214Detroit Metropolitan Airport (IATA: DTW) is in Romulus, situated at the intersection of I-94 and I-275, approx 35 miles southwest of downtown. This airport is one of the largest airports in American and has six main runways. It offers direct flights to and from several cities. The airlines serving this airport are: Northwest Airlines, Delta, American Airlines, United Airlines, British Airways, Air Canada and Continental Airlines.
Travelling to downtown from Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Cab services are available at the airport for downtown. The fare ranges from $41 to $50. You can also travel by the mass transit bus system
SMART. Airport shuttle is also available. Rates vary between $49 plus $10 airport fee.
Travel to Detroit by Train
Image by LHOON via Wikimedia Commons
Amtrak: This train service operates daily to and from Chicago and Ann Arbor on the Wolverine service. The Motor City is directly connected by the means of the Amtrak line with Chicago and Cleveland. Other cities, such as Los Angeles, New York and Washington are reachable via Chicago and Cleveland. The Detroit line is referred as the “The Wolverine”, and includes Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Jackson and Flint.
Trip duration: Chicago- 5 1/2 hours; Ann Arbor: 1 hour; Cleveland: 2 hours
Station address: 11 W Baltimore Street, Woodward Avenue
Other stations at which the train stops are:
Dearborn, 16121 Michigan Avenue
Birmingham, Villa Road at Lewis Street
Royal Oak, 202 S. Sherman Dr.
Pontiac, 51000 Woodward Avenue
Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Travel to Detroit by Road
Image by Midnightrambler75 via Wikimedia Commons
You can travel to Detroit by road. The city has a broad network
of highways and freeways. Some of the main freeways connecting Detroit
with its suburbs and beyond are as follows:
Interstate-75: Connects to Ohio (south) and Flint (north)
Interstate-94: Connects to Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor (west) and Sarnia (northeast)
Interstate-96: Connects with Grand Rapids and Lansing (west) Route 401 from Toronto (east)
Interstate-696: Connects the eastern suburb to Southfield. This interstate is also known as the
Interstate-275: Connects to Livonia suburbs.
Detroit-Windsor Tunnel:This tunnel is a highway toll tunnel that connects Detroit with Windsor, Ontario (Canada).
Travel to Detroit by Bus
Greyhound runs
regular inter-city services. The services operate in Chicago (west) at
$35, Toronto (east), and Toledo (south). The Greyhound station is on
1001 Howard Street.
Megabus: Express bus service operates to and from Chicago,
Toledo and Ann Arbor. The bus stops at Cass and Warren, close to Wayne
State University and the museum district, or at the Cass and Michigan at
the Rosa Parks Transit Center.
Phone: 1-877-462-6342
Transit Windsor: This service runs 7 days a week into and around downtown Detroit, from 300 Chatham St West in Windsor, Ontario, Canad.
Fare: $4.50
Getting Around Detroit by Taxis
Taxis are easily available in Detroit, and run 24 hours a day. There are many taxi operating companies in Detroit. You can book a taxi in advance.
Car hire/rental: Some of the car hire/rental companies operating in Detroit are:
Enterprise (Phone: (313) 393 2344 or (313) 259 3946)
Avis (Phone: (313) 962 2004 or (313) 963 1483)
Dollar (Phone: or 1 800 800 3665 or (866) 434 2226)
Budget (Phone: (734) 941 3632)
Bicycle hire: In Detroit, cycling is gaining popularity. This city is bicycle-friendly.
Wheelhouse Detroitrent out bikes in order to get around and explore Detroit. It also provides guided tours of the city.
Getting Around Detroit by Car
Detroit Taxi/Cab Services
Metro Airport Car Service
Address: Detroit, MI, United States
Phone: 1 734-556-2000
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 12:00 am-11:30 pm; Friday: 12:00 am-9:00 pm; Saturday: 5:00 am-9:00 pm; Sunday: 5:00 am-11:30 pm
Detroit Airport Shuttle and Taxi
Address: Detroit, MI, United States
Phone: 1 313-759-7741
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 am-9:00 pm
Airport Transportation Detroit
Address: Detroit, MI, United States
Phone: 1 866-389-8294
Checker Cab
Address: 2128 Trumbull Ave, Detroit, MI 48216, United States
Phone: 1 313-963-7000
Lorraine Cab Company
Address: 15100 W Warren Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126, United States
Phone: 1 313-582-6900
DTW Metro Airport Taxi Car Services
Address: 2413 Neibel St, Hamtramck, MI 48212, United States
Phone: 1 313-283-7850
Detroit Metro Airport Taxi & Transportation Service
Address: Detroit, MI, United States
Phone: 1 734-717-7737
Sam's Cab Service Inc.
Address: Dearborn, MI, United States
Phone: 1 313-721-3646
Metropolitan Cab Company
Address: 12380 Woodward Ave, Highland Park, MI 48203, United States
Phone: 1 313-869-8300
Getting Around Detroit by Public Transport
The public transportation system is also developed in the Motor City.
Getting Around Detroit by Bus
Public bus service: The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) manages
and operates the public bus service in Detroit. The DDOT buses have
yellow and green stripes. This service runs 24 hours a day daily. Buses
operate regularly, every 6 minutes during the peak hours and every 20
minutes during other periods of the day. You can take a weekly pass for
traveling around Detroit by bus.
Getting Around by People Mover
Image by Nakor via Wikimedia CommonsPeople Moveris
a 2.9 miles light rail system that offers daily service around
Detroit’s downtown business district. It is the best way to travel
around the downtown district.
Standard fare: $0.75 (cash); you can also take a token.
Some of the stops are: Joe Louis Arena, Cadillac Center, Renaissance Center, Cobo Center, and Greektown.
A Map Guide on Getting In and Around Detroit
