Detroit Metropolitan Airport is considered one of the Midwest's busiest hubs, and I have seen how a simple walk can turn into the longest trip just by walking towards the wrong terminal. There are two terminals at the Detroit airport, the McNamara Terminal and the North Terminal, and each terminal serves different airlines.
I remember the first time I traveled through DTW, and I thought that I could cover all the steps and reach the check-in counter within a few minutes, and a wrong turn happened. On that day I learned that planning beforehand can save you from embarrassment. That is why I have created this guide to walk you through the whole DTW experience. It will start with reaching the airport, the type of transportation that you will be selecting to commute to/from the airport. Additionally, I will also cover lounges, hotels, and some good-to-now tips to bring you to an end. Let's begin with the most important question, which terminal will you be at?
Where Is Detroit Metro Airport Located?
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is situated in Romulus, Michigan, southwest of downtown Detroit. It is considered to be Michigan’s busiest airport, and it is the world's sixth-largest airline hub.
Before getting into more details, let's look at the pre-airport checklist that is required before leaving for the airport.
Pre-Airport Checklist
Every time you have a fight to catch, make sure to cross-check these points, which will help you to stay aware and prepare beforehand.
ID: The airport authorities have made it mandatory since May 7, 2025, that the passenger’s driver license or state ID must be a real ID when taking a domestic flight in the United States, or a passport will also work in place of that. No ID is required for the kids when traveling within the country. But make sure to cross-check with your airline.
Terminal: Since Detroit is a big airport, make sure which terminal your flight is departing from, McNamara or Evans.
Bags: Make sure to check the airline’s fees and luggage rules and, most importantly, the TSA list of all allowed items.
Wait times: Check the wait times for parking availability on the official website of Detroit Airport before leaving.
Assistance: Contact customer service to arrange wheelchair assistance, pet travel, or unaccompanied minor service before reaching the airport.
It is always recommended to arrive 90 minutes before your scheduled time when you have a domestic flight. For an international flight, reach 120 minutes before your scheduled time. Give yourself 1 hour extra when you have a flight to catch, since parking, check-in, and security can take time depending on the peak hours.
Arrivals and Departures at Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Arrivals and departures at any Detroit airport have been organized in a structured way to help the passengers travel smoothly without any stress and confusion.
Arrivals: Arrivals are about landing and deboarding the plane, getting your security cleared, collecting your luggage, and moving towards the exit area, where you will either catch a train or buy a bus. Or move towards parking if you brought your vehicle or someone is waiting for you at the curb.
Departing: The passengers are always in a rush when they have to board a flight, reach the airport, check in, drop their bags, clear the TSA check, and head towards your terminal.
Understanding the two terminals at Detroit Airport
There are two terminals at Detroit Airport, McNamara Airport and Evans Terminal. Let's look into these terminals in detail.
McNamara Terminal
McNamara is the bigger terminal out of the two, and it is the main terminal for Delta Airlines. Airlines like Aeromexico, Air France, and WestJet operate from here.
This terminal operates domestic and international flights and has a modern-style architecture.
McNamara has multiple concourses, which are connected to moving walkways, which help the passengers to commute between terminals, and can use the ExpresTram, which runs from these three stops:
South Station: Gates A1-A28
Terminal Station: Gates A29-A55, check-in, stops at baggage claim, ground transportation, and the tunnel to Concourses B and C.
North Station: Runs from gate numbers A56-A78
Evans Terminal
Evans Terminal is not a big terminal, unlike McNamara, however, it is comfortable and easy for the passengers to navigate. Airlines like Air Canada, Alaska, American, Avelo, Frontier, and JetBlue. Lufthansa, Royal Jordanian, Southwest, Sun Country, Turkish Airlines, United, and Volaris are operated from this terminal.
Both domestic and international flights are operated through Evans terminal.
For the passengers' convenience, check-in counters, security, and gate areas are easily accessible.
The terminal gates are on the D concourse, and there's also a kids' play area near Gate D16.
Good to know: There are times when the airlines change their terminal, so make sure to check the official website before flying.
Let's look at the table below for a better understanding:
| Feature | McNamara | Evans |
|---|---|---|
| Concourses | A, B, and C | D |
| Getting around | ExpressTram on Concourse A, moving walkways, tunnel to B and C | Moving walkways |
| Closest parking | McNamara Garage | Big Blue Deck |
| Security | At least one checkpoint open 24/7 | Closed 10:45 p.m.–2:45 a.m. |
| Wheelchair drop-off | Door 5, Departure Level | Door 2 |
| Service animal relief | After security near Gate A34; before security outside International Arrivals | After security across from Gate D16, outside at each end of the departure curb |
How to commute between terminals?
Commuting between terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Airport is fairly easy. Since there are only two terminals, it is easy for the passengers to commute from one terminal to the other.
Express tram service, shuttle buses, or interterminal express is available at the airport.
Connecting Flights (Terminal Transfers):
Intra-McNamara Connections: By using the Express Tram, walk from Concourse A. Concourses B and C are connected via pedestrian tunnel, and all the concourses come after the security.
Inter-Terminal Connections McNamara to Evans: Both the terminals are connected airside, passengers would have to exit through security and then use the transfer, get their bags, and take the shuttle bus, which is available for free.
Terminal Shuttle Buses: Shuttle buses are available for free and run after every 5-10 minutes. Passengers will be asked to reclear the TSA security at the destination terminal.
Ground Transportation & Regional Transfers:
Detroit Air Xpress (DAX): A direct express bus is available between McNamara and Downtown Detroit. It runs after every one hour, and the price is $6-8 and takes 30-50 minutes to reach the terminal.
SMART Bus (Route 261 - FAST Michigan): There are local public transit options that stop at both the terminals and travel through Michigan Avenue to Downtown Detroit.
Michigan Flyer / AirRide: If you need a coach service, a direct coach service is available from the terminals connecting DTW directly to Ann Arbour and East Lansing.
Rideshares (Uber / Lyft): For Uber or any other cab service, the pickups are located inside the Ground Transportation Center available at Level 4 at Mcnamara terminal and Level 1 at Evans Terminal.
What are the places to eat at Detroit Airport?
Detroit Airport has plenty of options, starting from local food to sit-down restaurants, and the passengers also get a benefit of a rewards program for diners. There is a big chain of restaurants, you can visit the official Detroit Airport website to select more options for dining in.
At McNamara terminal before the security you will find Dunkins, Farmer’s Fridge, and Illy Coffee.
Water stations are available near Gates A34 and A50, and they're also available at the Central Link entrance after security.
At the Evans terminal before the security, you will find Grand River Market, Framer’s Fridge, and Illy Coffee
Water stations are available near Gates D8,D10,D17,D23 and D26, plus they are also available near the baggage claim inside the U.S. Customs and the Ground Transportation Center.
Where to shop at DTW airport?
McNamara and Evans both have necessary shops for travel-related things. Let's look at some of the important places to shop from at the terminals.
You won't find any pharmacy store at the airport, but you can shop for all the necessary health-related items on Better+ vending machines.
You can find the SIM cards at InMotion near Gate D15 and at Sound Balance near Gate A37, which is available in Evans baggage claim, and also at International arrivals in McNamara.
To get any help with currency exchange, go to Gate D9 in Evans, and it is also available near the Central Link in McNamara.
Good to know: If you are not flying, you can get a DTW Destination Pass, which allows the passengers without the ticket to visit the airport, dine in, and meet or see off the travelers.
What is the parking availability at DTW airport?
Just like every other airport, DTW follows the same rule of first come first served, and it does not allow the passengers to book a parking spot. You can contact this number and check the parking availability (800) 642-1978.
McNamara Garage is the closest parking spot to McNamara, and in Evans Terminal, the Big Blue Deck is the closest. Each of the parking spots is connected to the terminals via a skywalk.
The green lot parking spot has complimentary transit with 24/7 availability in both the terminals. Vehicles 8'2" or taller can park in this parking lot.
You can use valet parking at McNamara Garage.
EV charging is available at the McNamara terminal and also at the Big Blue decks for free of cost.
Good to know: If any vehicle has a dead battery or a flat tire, the parking facilities offer free services, just contact them at (800) 642-1978.
Parking rates
The parking rates might change, so make sure to confirm them on the airport’s parking page (800) 642-1978 before leaving for the airport.
| Facility | Best for | Long-term daily rate | Getting to the terminal |
|---|---|---|---|
| McNamara Garage | McNamara flights | $32 | Skywalk |
| Big Blue Deck | Evans flights | $23 | Skywalk |
| Green Lot | Either terminal, tall vehicles | $20 | Free 24/7 shuttle |
Traveling with pets and unaccompanied minors
The travelers need to make sure that the pets can only travel in approved carriers, they are not allowed to roam around in the terminal. Service animals do not have to follow these rules. Make sure to check the pet policy mentioned on the website before you travel.
Check the location in the terminal where Service animals are allowed.
At McNamara terminal, the service animals can roam around after security near Gate A34, and they are also available before the security outside the International Arrivals (lower level).
At Evans terminal the space is available after the security opposite from Gate D16, and also at each end of the departure curb.
Each airline has its own policies related to minors, so make sure to check websites or contact the airlines directly to understand their rules and regulations for pet policies.
Wheelchair assistance
This service is free, make sure to contact the airlines in advance and arrange the service with them. Staff at the airport will take you from the curb through security to the aircraft.
At McNamara terminal the drop-off will be there at Door 5 on the departures level. The passengers can find the ticket counters at Counter 1 and 2.
At Evans terminal the drop-off is at Door 2.
Which hotels are available near the DTW airport?
The Westin hotel is located at McNamara Terminal, with a fitness center in it.
The Wyndham Garden hotel offers free shuttle service and is 1 mile away from the airport.
The Fairfield Inn & Suites offers complimentary shuttle services to/from the airport and is half a mile away.
The Courtyard offers free shuttle services and is 1.5 miles away from the airport.
The Hilton Garden Inn also provides complimentary shuttle services and is one mile away from the airport, the same goes for Holiday Inn Express.
Good to know: Make sure to confirm the shuttle availability before booking the hotel.
Conclusion
Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a well-equipped airport that serves millions of passengers every year. This guide above walks you through the two main terminals, McNamara and Evans, through which both domestic and international flights are operated. With each terminal, it talks about the services and amenities available at both the terminals. It gives helpful transportation options to the passengers so that they easily commute between terminals, different parking options help the passengers to decide whether to take their own vehicle or not, and many other things. Read the guide carefully and plan your next trip to Detroit airport stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are the same: DTW and Metro Airport. DTW is the official IATA airport code for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, also known as "Detroit Metro Airport" and "Metro Airport."
The airport covers 4,850 acres (1,960 ha) of land. The airport serves Delta Air Lines as the second-largest hub for them. The airport serves 30 international destinations as well as 43 states in the United States. There are 129 in-service gates at the airport and 6 runways and 2 terminals.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is approximately 20-22 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. The I-94 drive should take about 25-40 minutes, but allow extra time if you drive in the morning or evening rush hour.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) has two terminals, McNamara Terminal and Evans Terminal.
