Detroit Metro Airport is 30 km (19 miles) from downtown Detroit, and the cost depends on your transport choice and exact destination. Metro Detroit is spread out, so distances to suburban destinations can be significantly longer.
Price breakdown by destination
| Destination | Distance | Uber/Lyft | Taxi | Private transfer | |------------|----------|----------|-----|------------------| | Downtown Detroit | 19 mi | $35–55 | $45–55 | $55–75 | | Dearborn / Henry Ford Museum | 10 mi | $20–35 | $30–40 | $40–55 | | Ann Arbor | 25 mi | $45–70 | $65–85 | $75–100 | | Auburn Hills | 45 mi | $55–80 | $70–95 | $80–110 | | Royal Oak / Ferndale | 30 mi | $40–60 | $55–70 | $65–85 | | Windsor, Canada | 22 mi | $55–75 | $65–85 | $80–100 |
All prices in USD. For reference: $55 is approximately 50 EUR.
What affects the price
Traffic on I-94 is the main variable. The freeway connecting DTW to downtown can be smooth (20 minutes) or congested (45+ minutes), particularly during morning and evening rush hours. Rideshare pricing adjusts for demand — surge pricing during events like the Detroit Auto Show, sports games, or concerts can push fares up by 50–100%.
Taxis use a meter but commonly offer a flat rate to downtown of approximately $47. This flat rate is an advantage during heavy traffic when a metered ride would cost more.
Private transfers lock in the price at booking. Whether your flight is delayed, traffic is terrible, or there is a surge — you pay what was quoted.
The budget option
The SMART bus route 125 costs just $2 and runs from DTW to downtown Detroit. The trade-off is time — the bus takes 70–90 minutes and runs every 30–60 minutes. It is a legitimate choice for solo budget travelers with light bags, but impractical for families or anyone with significant luggage.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in the US for all ground transportation:
- Rideshare: tip through the app, 15–20% is standard
- Taxi: 15–20% of the fare
- Private transfer: tip is often included; check your booking confirmation
Best value by situation
For a solo traveler to downtown, Uber/Lyft at $35–55 is hard to beat. For a family of four, an Uber XL at $50–70 or a private transfer at $55–75 offers better space and value per person. For destinations beyond Detroit city limits, a rental car often makes more economic sense if you are staying multiple days.